The falcon's daughters

Chapter 65

The sun set on the horizon and the flaming red colors were reflected in the small stream. She laid a new firewood on the campfire and leaned back against the thick tree. The sweet scent from the flowers of the Bralga trees would soon fill the air. As soon as the moons rose, the flowers would open. Bralga trees were very common in the southern part of Arlyon. Their fruits were deadly poisonous to all but one breed of lizards. The small red animals neutralized the poison in their bodies and they were known throughout Arlyon as a delicacy. Even outside Arlyon's borders, the meat of the little animal was highly valued, probably because it was so difficult to obtain. The lizards were fast and agile. With a little luck, the most skilled hunters were only able to catch one of twenty lizards. The twin moons rose and Y'zora closed her eyes for a moment as the bralga trees opened their flowers and spread their scent. After all the years she spent in Morat'x, she was finally home again. She looked north and sighed. There in the northernmost part was her hometown. The imperial city of Melinor. Throughout the ages, Melinor had been home to the Empress and her family. Y'zora had grown up there as Arlyon's first daughter until the day she turned ten. That day the council of the seers had called her and that day she had made her choice. She left her place as heir to the throne to the seven-year-old Nerina. When she was sixteen years old, her training as a seer was finished and she left Melinor. She traveled throughout Arlyon to the places where her visions led her. At regular intervals, she was able to return home to her family. For the most part, she could be with her family in the most important moments of the days when her sisters were married. On the day when the council of the seers called her to her last mission, she had been on her way to Adirat to visit her youngest sister Milari. She had been going there for several weeks since she found out it was time for her sister to give birth. The inhabitants of Tamarin had been surprised and happy when their queen gave birth to twins. Y'zora had been looking forward to seeing the children when she received the news that the two girls had been kidn*pped. She still had several weeks' journey left before she reached Adirat and was at Morat'x's foot. The Bralga trees had bloomed that night. She put on another firewood and took out a few pieces of smoked meat and spicy cheese. While she ate, she thought quietly. Several weeks of travel lay ahead of her before she reached Faldirak's border and the relentless desert that covered most of the country. Somewhere in the almost endless desert was what she was looking for. A temple dedicated to the youngest of the gods. The one who has been forgotten by everyone for ages. The one whose mark was on Kits and Sol's bodies. Since leaving Laniro, she had heard rumors spreading like wildfire through the lands. They talked about the incredible things that had happened. The wonder that Tamarin's princesses have finally been found and reunited with their father. The shock had hit her hard when she realized that one of her found nieces was the girl she had cared for for eighteen years. If she did not find the temple and return to Adirat in time for Sol's wedding, she knew what fate awaited the girl and her sister.

Kit and Dorcha wandered around the palace's wide corridors. The servants who met them greeted them meekly before hurrying on. Dorcha looked up as Kit choked a moan.

- What’s the matter?

- I won’t be able to take this much longer. We have been here for several weeks Dorcha and not once have we been outside the palace area. I’m not even allowed to train with the soldiers. I guess we should be lucky that he allows us outside in the gardens at all. 

- Your father is just afraid for your safety.

- Yeah I know.

- It’s not that bad here.

Kit raised an eyebrow and looked at her friend.

- Don’t you think that I have felt that you are so restless that you could have crawled out of your skin at any moment. You feel just as trapped here as I do Dorcha. This life isn't for us and you know it. If father would just allow us...

They approached the throne room and behind the closed doors they could hear faint voices. Dorcha pricked up her ears and tilted her head to hear better.

- That’s Cade.

- Cade? He’s here?

- Your Highness.

The guards said as they reached the doors and opened them for her. She smoothed the green silk dress and nodded at the guards before entering the hall. Her father was walking back and forth across the floor while Cadenor sat on a chair close by.

- You can’t be serious, Cadenor! How can the priests hold on to such an old agreement? It should have expired when they disappeared eighteen years ago.

- What can I say? They are stubborn.

- I would say so.

Tyrall noticed Kit approaching and smiled.

- Ah Kitana. Come my child.

- Is something wrong father?

- No, it's just the priests trying to sabotage your sister’s wedding.

- But they can’t! Sol loves Lee, father! They must be allowed to marry!

- We will find a solution. Don’t worry.

Cade cleared his throat and they both turned to look at him.

- Actually there is a solution, uncle.

- Why didn’t you say that from the beginning boy! Well what is it?

Cade hesitated for a long time before continuing.

- If you excuse me. But I think this is something I need to talk to Kitana about first.

Tyrall's gaze slipped between the two. From the daughter's wondering face to Cades who was filled with the nervousness the young man felt. Seeing where this might lead he nodded.

- Oh I understand. I'll leave you alone then.

He stopped next to Cade and put a hand on his shoulder as he leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

- Good luck my boy. I'm afraid you'll need it. She’s been rather prickly the last couple of days.

When her father left the room Kit turned to Cade,

- What was that about?

- How about a proper hello first?

He got up from the chair and held out his arms. Kit smiled and walked up to him and into his arms and gave him a hug. When she stepped back he gently grabbed her arm and slowly pulled her back to him. With a smile he placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up.

- That was not quite what I had in mind.

He leant down and softly caressed her lips with his. She leaned into the kiss and when he pulled away she blushed slightly.

- It's nice to see you again Kitana.

Dorcha gave her a nudge on her leg and she smiled up at him.

- I’m… we are happy to see you too Cade.

- What did Tyrall mean with you being prickly?

She sighed heavily and left his arms and started to pace back and forth.

- He won’t let me do anything! I can’t leave the palace ground. I can’t train with the soldiers. He barely lets me out in the garden.

- I’m sure he is only trying to protect you.

- Well it feels like he is keeping me prisoner.

Cade stepped in her path and when she stopped he slowly pulled his hands over her arms.

- Then I understand your mood. I can talk with him if you'd like? Maybe I can make him see that you are more than capable of defending yourself.

- Would you do that?

- Of course. 

He looked at her and suddenly he got a mischievous glint in his eyes.

- And maybe I could get something out of it as well. 

- Like what?

His eyes slipped meaningly to her lips and when she realised what he meant she let out a short amused laugh before she obliged him and got up on her toes to press her lips to his for a long kiss. When the kiss ended Cade had a wide smile on his face.

- You just wanted another kiss didn’t you?

- I’ll never say no to kisses from you Kitana.

Kit’s cheek turned red and she quickly looked down on the floor before she changed the subject.

- So what solution do you have for our siblings' wedding? And why aren’t they allowed to get married?

- In royal families it is common that betrothals are made when the children are small.

- And what does that have to do with my sister's wedding?

- She and you were both promised in marriage when you were born. The priests say that the old betrothal agreements can’t be broken. When your identity became known, those agreements became valid again.

- We're already engaged?

- And so is Lee.

- Wait, so your brother asked my sister to marry him when it has already been decided that he will marry someone else! How can he do such a thing?

- In Lee's defense, he thought his bride died a long time ago.

Kit’s knees began to buckle and she slowly sat down on a chair, fearing where this was going.

- I don’t know if I want to know anymore Cade. Who is Lee betrothed to?

- You.

- I’m betrothed to your brother? Does that mean that you are …

- Meant to marry your sister.

She hid her face in her hands and sighed.

- What are we going to do Cade? I can't marry Lee.

- As I told your father, there is another solution. The priests have agreed to make a change in the agreements.

- And that means?

- That Sol and Lee can get married if we do.

- Wait a minute now Cade! Do you mean we have to marry each other?

- Yes.

- Is there really no other solution? Can they not just tear up the agreements and let us marry those we want of our own free will?

- The priests refuse to break the agreements. But if you and I don’t agree to get married, you will have to marry Lee and I Sol.

Cade sighed and squatted down in front of her and took her hands in his.

- I know that this may not be what you would have yourself right now, he said softly. Unfortunately, as royalty, our paths are sometimes chosen for us. But for the sake of our siblings. They deserve to be together. Don't you think so?

- Yes, I do.

After a moment's silence she raised her eyes and smiled at him. 

- You're lucky I actually like you Cade.

- So then you’ll marry me?

- I guess so.