Until now, life hadn't required much of me, save for tribute to the God of fear himself, burrowed so deep inside my rib cage that I had almost forgotten his existence. In hopes of mating me to someone of high blood, when matem died, vati moved us to a new palace outside the desert sea. Most were afraid of the waters, and vati believed I would die before finding a proper mate. Since the age of eleven, I'd learned to drown the devil in a sea of wine. My royal blood says that wine would taste all the better from a jewel-encrusted golden chalice, but I'd never yearned for the riches life laid before me. How lucky could one be, to be placed in the lap of luxury, graced by only the most beautiful of company, the sweetest of music, and the most loyal of servants? And how unlucky, to be cursed with an early death?
I'd never been more than a soft smile, in my own opinion; quiet and understanding, but my vati believed differently. My vati called me the jewel of the desert; a name once carried by my matem. I shared his beauty, I was told, and could dance the same-- a flame against sandstone and earth. This beauty I'd been blessed with, he said, brought these men from near and far to court me. Their hopes rested on inviting beds, warm, and spread with an array of threaded silk sheets. The very same sheets they hoped I might invite them into. Some tried to impress me with stories of heroism, and others tried with strange foods; some with dance, with slaves, and with song, but I would take no lover. Fear would not bring me to Join. As matem and vati had found it, I also wished to be free to feel the heat of more than sand: true love.
This place, in the heart of the northern desert, was where my heart called home. Here, where the nights were treacherously cold, and the days were wonderfully long. It was a nice change from the sound of roaring water, and the taste of salt on the air.. The castle in the desert sea was anything but simple; enormous, and intricate in design; shimmering stone in sunlight; beautiful greens... And grand as the estate here was-- to show our status, of course-- it was much more palatable. Smaller, and cozier.
On the eve of my thirteenth birthday, I slipped from the crowding guests, chalice of wine in hand, and held my robes tight to my body as I walked carefully along the cool, smooth stone that nestled itself snugly against the wall. The night was quiet, beyond the sounds of the music, and singing.. Cold, and beautiful. My eyes fell, glowing in the light of the torches, to the sandy ground beneath my feet. This path would be hidden in sand, were it not watched. Perhaps I'd mention its need to be cleaned when I caught a servant.. With a heavy sigh, I continued on my way, taking small sips of the red wine as I went along, running directly into a hard...chest. I jolted upright, staring straight into violet eyes, my breath hitching in my throat. Who was he?
Regaining my composure, I inhaled deeply and cleared my throat. His clothes were a bit shabby, but not...incredibly worn. He wasn't a beggar, but he wasn't royalty. Could he be part of the fire-dancers? The entertainment? He must have been a servant, and I addressed him so, "Why are you not inside?" I could hear my own voice in my head, annoyingly cheery, and obviously a bit drunk, "There are guests to be taken care of. If you dislike the crowd...there is the matter of this walkway." My eyes didn't leave him, even for a second. He was completely unfamiliar, and even if I didn't pay much attention to the help, this man in particular I would have noticed.. His eyes were a beautiful shade of purple, and his hair was a minty green, with porcelain skin. I'd never seen skin so perfect, and as I exhaled softly, awaiting his response, I wondered if it was as smooth as it looked; as smooth as the stone beneath my feet. The silence was a long one, before his rich laugh rumbled between the two of us, and the small space I'd forgotten to correct seemed to get fill with warmth. This wine was strong...
"I am no servant, highness." His enchanting smile stuck, tempting me to return the expression in embarrassment. It was only fair to assume, I reasoned with myself, dressed as he was around the structure, "I am an invited guest. You already had such company..." He trailed off, and I caught what he meant immediately. With so many suitors, he must have felt that showing was a waste of his time, and so he stuck to the outside. I hadn't realized.. Vati was so set on mating me off, he went quite overboard with invitations..
I couldn't blame the man for trying hard as he was, and I loved him for caring, but, "Please... Forgive me. It was never our intention to make any guest feel unwelcome. My vati is just... A little anxious to see me happy, you see.." The strange prince didn't say anything in return; he merely smiled as he had been, and tucked an arm beneath his garb and into his pocket, resting it there, "If you are a prince...might I ask about your clothing?" Once more, I looked him over, head to toe. His robes were a brown color, a few shades darker than the golden sand, with embroidered edges, and patterns around the collar, and his feet were held in woven sandals. Could he really be a guest, as he said? It seemed he was a bit embarrassed, pausing, and looking down to his feet as he pursed his lips. Was he embarrassed, or had I caught him in some act?
"...I.." Sighing, his eyes caught mine once more, and my breath caught in my throat yet again, "I am actually a little embarrassed. I'm...quite obviously not from around here, you see..?" His skin was so pale compared to my own, and surely he was indicating being from an entirely different country all together, "I wasn't sure how to dress in an area such as this, and my dresser was a little... Unprepared, what with our need to depart so soon. You see... I come from quite far, and to make the invitation, I hadn't more than a night to prepare, and our materials to prepare for such heat.."
My face tinted red in embarrassment, and I covered my mouth with the back of my hand, "Oh my.. I'm.. Incredibly sorry. I'm only making you more uncomfortable, asking all these questions. Please, accept my deepest apologies. I..."
Gods, I felt like such a fool.
Surely, he already felt out of place, and now...
I let my hand fall away, and I smiled at him softly, further apology written all over my face as I held that very same hand out before me, in an attempt to have him take hold of it. When he did, my smile only grew, my pearly teeth showing behind dark lips, "Please," I spoke quietly, "forgive my rudeness. My name is Quin. How may I address you?"
He bowed a bit, watching me carefully, as I watched him, and after placing a kiss to my hand he, too, smiled, "My name is Ryel, of the southeast territory."
I'd never been more than a soft smile, in my own opinion; quiet and understanding, but my vati believed differently. My vati called me the jewel of the desert; a name once carried by my matem. I shared his beauty, I was told, and could dance the same-- a flame against sandstone and earth. This beauty I'd been blessed with, he said, brought these men from near and far to court me. Their hopes rested on inviting beds, warm, and spread with an array of threaded silk sheets. The very same sheets they hoped I might invite them into. Some tried to impress me with stories of heroism, and others tried with strange foods; some with dance, with slaves, and with song, but I would take no lover. Fear would not bring me to Join. As matem and vati had found it, I also wished to be free to feel the heat of more than sand: true love.
This place, in the heart of the northern desert, was where my heart called home. Here, where the nights were treacherously cold, and the days were wonderfully long. It was a nice change from the sound of roaring water, and the taste of salt on the air.. The castle in the desert sea was anything but simple; enormous, and intricate in design; shimmering stone in sunlight; beautiful greens... And grand as the estate here was-- to show our status, of course-- it was much more palatable. Smaller, and cozier.
On the eve of my thirteenth birthday, I slipped from the crowding guests, chalice of wine in hand, and held my robes tight to my body as I walked carefully along the cool, smooth stone that nestled itself snugly against the wall. The night was quiet, beyond the sounds of the music, and singing.. Cold, and beautiful. My eyes fell, glowing in the light of the torches, to the sandy ground beneath my feet. This path would be hidden in sand, were it not watched. Perhaps I'd mention its need to be cleaned when I caught a servant.. With a heavy sigh, I continued on my way, taking small sips of the red wine as I went along, running directly into a hard...chest. I jolted upright, staring straight into violet eyes, my breath hitching in my throat. Who was he?
Regaining my composure, I inhaled deeply and cleared my throat. His clothes were a bit shabby, but not...incredibly worn. He wasn't a beggar, but he wasn't royalty. Could he be part of the fire-dancers? The entertainment? He must have been a servant, and I addressed him so, "Why are you not inside?" I could hear my own voice in my head, annoyingly cheery, and obviously a bit drunk, "There are guests to be taken care of. If you dislike the crowd...there is the matter of this walkway." My eyes didn't leave him, even for a second. He was completely unfamiliar, and even if I didn't pay much attention to the help, this man in particular I would have noticed.. His eyes were a beautiful shade of purple, and his hair was a minty green, with porcelain skin. I'd never seen skin so perfect, and as I exhaled softly, awaiting his response, I wondered if it was as smooth as it looked; as smooth as the stone beneath my feet. The silence was a long one, before his rich laugh rumbled between the two of us, and the small space I'd forgotten to correct seemed to get fill with warmth. This wine was strong...
"I am no servant, highness." His enchanting smile stuck, tempting me to return the expression in embarrassment. It was only fair to assume, I reasoned with myself, dressed as he was around the structure, "I am an invited guest. You already had such company..." He trailed off, and I caught what he meant immediately. With so many suitors, he must have felt that showing was a waste of his time, and so he stuck to the outside. I hadn't realized.. Vati was so set on mating me off, he went quite overboard with invitations..
I couldn't blame the man for trying hard as he was, and I loved him for caring, but, "Please... Forgive me. It was never our intention to make any guest feel unwelcome. My vati is just... A little anxious to see me happy, you see.." The strange prince didn't say anything in return; he merely smiled as he had been, and tucked an arm beneath his garb and into his pocket, resting it there, "If you are a prince...might I ask about your clothing?" Once more, I looked him over, head to toe. His robes were a brown color, a few shades darker than the golden sand, with embroidered edges, and patterns around the collar, and his feet were held in woven sandals. Could he really be a guest, as he said? It seemed he was a bit embarrassed, pausing, and looking down to his feet as he pursed his lips. Was he embarrassed, or had I caught him in some act?
"...I.." Sighing, his eyes caught mine once more, and my breath caught in my throat yet again, "I am actually a little embarrassed. I'm...quite obviously not from around here, you see..?" His skin was so pale compared to my own, and surely he was indicating being from an entirely different country all together, "I wasn't sure how to dress in an area such as this, and my dresser was a little... Unprepared, what with our need to depart so soon. You see... I come from quite far, and to make the invitation, I hadn't more than a night to prepare, and our materials to prepare for such heat.."
My face tinted red in embarrassment, and I covered my mouth with the back of my hand, "Oh my.. I'm.. Incredibly sorry. I'm only making you more uncomfortable, asking all these questions. Please, accept my deepest apologies. I..."
Gods, I felt like such a fool.
Surely, he already felt out of place, and now...
I let my hand fall away, and I smiled at him softly, further apology written all over my face as I held that very same hand out before me, in an attempt to have him take hold of it. When he did, my smile only grew, my pearly teeth showing behind dark lips, "Please," I spoke quietly, "forgive my rudeness. My name is Quin. How may I address you?"
He bowed a bit, watching me carefully, as I watched him, and after placing a kiss to my hand he, too, smiled, "My name is Ryel, of the southeast territory."
