Winter Vixen

The Pain of Truth

Both Prince Nouren and Nix looked to see who had spoken, and Nix dropped herself into a deep curtsey.

"Your Highness," she addressed him. King Torren nodded his head at her as a polite hello. "I will take my leave now," she told them softly, and walked back to her mother. Nix felt like she could breathe when she sat down with her mother. Who had the biggest smile on her face. Nix made a face at her. "What?"

"My beautiful daughter, dancing with a prince," her mother cooed, holding her hand over her heart dramatically, and Nix laughed at her mother.

"He was just being nice," Nix replied, sneaking little glances over at Prince Nouren. At first, she thought they were just talking, father and son. But then, Nouren started making aggressive hand gestures, looking frustrated, and King Torren looked just as irritated. Nouren’s tail was on end, the grey fur sticking up in aggravation, and his ears were pinned back in anger. Nix felt awful, suddenly feeling like she was the reason Nouren was getting scolded. When the King barred his teeth at his son, Nix looked away, feeling even worse. "Mother, I think I'm going to retreat to our room." Tears threatened to spill, and she wanted to get away from everyone as fast as she could. Her mother sensed she was distressed, and nodded.

"It’s okay dear, I'll meet up with you soon." She embraced her daughter in a tight hug. "I love you, honey."

"I love you too," she whispered, and hurried out of the dining hall.

~♡~

Prince Nouren watched as Nix walked away, more taken with her after their dance. His heart raced when she touched his hand, and he knew he wouldn't forget her anytime soon. He quickly bowed to his father.

"Father, I'm having a great time! Are you enjoying the festivities as well?"

"I would be enjoying it more, if I didn't have to listen to King Regus grumble about you dancing with his slave." Torren raised his eyebrows at his son, not realizing the slip of his tongue, forgetting he never actually told Nouren about the Patet fox’s being slaves. "That was incredible dancing, but what was that about? Are the ladies of the court not to your liking?" King Torren looked at his son curiously, knowing he never really had a penchant for dancing.

"Father, I thought they were servants?" Nouren was slightly confused, hearing the word slave again. His family had servants back home, but they were given pay for their work, and had time to partake in some of the kingdom’s festivities. They had families, and lives outside of the castle. And they certainly weren't foxes. Nouren knew they wouldn't be able to handle the cold, their fur wasn't near thick enough like the wolves.

"Nouren," the King sighed, realizing his mistake. "Things here, they are not like they are at home. These foxes that you see, they're slaves. Their whole life is dedicated to serving King Regus and his family, nothing more. They are allowed to meet up and pick spouses, but merely to breed more slaves,” Torren explained sadly, never fond of the idea of having slaves himself. Nouren’s hair stood on end, and he found his blood getting hot. His father placed a hand on his shoulder to placate him, but Nouren shook it off, still upset by what he was being told.

"This is absurd. Why didn’t you even tell me about this? How can you marry Cora to a family that treats the foxes like that?” Nouren suddenly had a strong urge to whisk Nix away from this crazy place, not liking the feeling of being lied to about this his whole life either.

"Watch your tongue," Torren warned him, growling. "You don't have to like the way things run here, but this marriage is to ensure our alliance stays strong. So, if you are told to quit messing around with the slave, then you will do as your told."

"That slave, has a name," Nouren growled back.

"Enough!" Torren snapped, growling and showing his teeth in dominance, getting agitated. "If you cannot obey simple rules, you will be sent back home." Nouren glared down at the floor, seething with anger.

"Fine." And with his final retort, Nouren walked off to get some air. King Torren sighed, his grey ears drooping in sadness. He hardly ever had to get onto his son like that, but he knew his son’s big heart would get him into trouble. It was one of the main reasons why Torren never told his son there were slaves here. He had hoped they wouldn't encounter them too much for Nouren to question it, the way it was any time they had visited Patet, but the plan had finally backfired on him.

"Are you alright dear?" Casandra asked her husband, watching as he sat down next to her. Torren watched King Regus and Queen Flora dance, and watched his daughter dance with her fiancé.

"I think, that Nouren may have become attached to that little dancer." Torren put a hand on his forehead and his wife gently rubbed the back of his ear.

"If this were back home in Caelum, I would be happy for him, even if she’s a fox. But I don't think Regus would see it that way," Casandra spoke in a lowered voice. "I can see why though; she is very unique and beautiful."

"But he cannot put this alliance at risk," Torren whined lowly. He looked at his beautiful wife, and wrapped his hand over hers. "We got lucky, and had a chance to marry for love. Flora was not quite as lucky. They were married for the same reason our daughter is getting married. And he-" Torren quickly stopped and looked around, watching to see if everyone was occupied. Torren whispered frantically to his wife, "That man is a madman, and if Nouren upsets him too much, who knows what Regus would decide to do."

Casandra sighed, patting her husband’s arm. “You have to remember honey, he wasn't always a mad man." Torren sighed deeply at the reminder.

"I know. Not since his daughter’s death."

With somber hearts, King Torren and Queen Casandra watched as the wolves dance the night away, remembering better days.

~♤~

Nix walked through the halls of the castle, exhausted. She relived the moment she danced with Nouren, a pain in her heart. 'You’re a fool Nix. He's a prince, and your just some slave that dances in the castle. Did you think it would have gone any further?'

'I kind of hoped it would.'

The realization of her heart startled her, just in time to run into someone.

"I'm so terribly sorry, I- oh Nix!"

She looked up into Nouren's steel eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. He smiled the warmest smile, and it was more than she could handle. Nix was sure he could hear her heart beating a million miles an hour.

'You’re in trouble now, girl.'

"Prince Nouren, what can I do for you, your Majesty?" Her blue eyes gazed at him, staying composed, and he could feel his body shudder. After his talk with his dad, Nouren felt more defiant than ever before. He smiled sheepishly, and ran his hand over the back of his head.

"Actually, I think I'm lost. I got distracted and just started walking, and now I have no idea where I am."

"Prince Nouren, you’re in a slaves hall," she told him softly, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. "Is there somewhere you'd like to go? I can give you directions to the royal gardens, if you desire."

"The gardens sound lovely," he rumbled from his chest, taking a step towards her. Nix blushed, and before she could rush out any directions, he took her hand in his and held it like she was made of glass. "Would you take a stroll with me?"

Her breath hitched in her throat for a moment, her heart aching, wanting very much to go with him. But she remembered watching his father scold him, and she shook her head sorrowfully.

"Please accept my most humble apology, Prince Nouren, but I must decline. I have caused you enough trouble as it is, you shouldn't be spending your time with a slave." Nix gently pulled her hand away, and held both of her hands to her chest, her eyes cast down.

"Nonsense, I can handle my father. I won't be in any trouble." Nouren snorted playfully, hoping to persuade her. He was getting a sense of foreboding with her body language, and didn’t like it.

"You won't be able to handle the King," Nix whispered fearfully, looking around them to be sure they were truly alone. She got closer to him, and whispered frantically. "If you know what's good for you, please Nouren, stay away from me. The King is not lenient in the slightest, and he will hurt you." She pleaded him with her eyes, her frightened blue ones staring at his steel grey. Nouren was more confused than before, but hearing the fear in her voice stirred his anger. He had already been angry at the thought of slaves, but her fear of King Regus made him feel that he was an unjust ruler. And his attraction to Nix was starting to make him irrational, an uncommon trait for the prince.

"Nouren," Nix whispered, inches from his face. For a moment, he was drawn to her, wanting to scoop her up and take her back to his homeland, and know everything about her. Nix's scent caught in his nose, like fresh snow and clean winter air, and it reminded him of mornings after a snow storm. He felt it in his soul, and knew she belonged with him.

"Nouren, you have to go. Please, for your sake, stay away from me,” Nix emphasized again. She stepped away from him, and hurried past, almost running. Nouren watched her round the corner, her words like ice daggers in his chest. For a moment, he pondered exactly what kind of place he was in, before turning and wandering again through the castle.