Curses
1191 Words
Dinner that night was quiet. Not only was I distressed at Breena proclamation of her courtship to the prince in that far away land. But mother was held up in her office going over the letters that would decide my future, and I can't remember the last time thee mighty king had joined us for a meal. My food remained on my plate as I just used my fork to push it around my appetite nowhere to be found.
The silence was erie and foreboding in the large hall like a vision of the future not yet to pass.
So many things played on my jumbled mind, the guest mother spoke of the ball that would be thrown in not even a week's time introducing me to the court and the loss of my only friend.
Making my way from the dining room to the too dark hallway that led to my room on the furthest wing of this cold castle even the candle lit lantern I carried couldn't disturb the inky black.
I hated the way the shadows danced against the walls. It made my skin crawl, making me quicken my steps. I just wanted to get to my door to tuck myself away in my large four posted bed and let sleep take me.
Sleep was fruitless. I tossed and turned in my sheets nightmares ravaging my mind.
I jolted awake screaming at the top of my lungs covered in a cold sweat that clung to my skin like a waxy film.
Pulling myself from the sweat soaked sheets I made my way to the bath , the cold tile floor soothing my hot nauseous body , as the bath filled with warm water that called to me greatly a soft knock sounded on my door.
“Come in!” I called.
My maid Ella came in carrying a tray filled with bacon and eggs. The smell made my mouth water. I hadn't realized how empty my stomach was from not eating the night before.
“Thank you, you can leave it on the table” I sang, dipping my toes in the warm inviting water.
“Uh my lady, her grace the queen wishes to see you once you finish with your breakfast, she asks that you be on your best behavior” Ella replied as I sank my whole body into the tub. I let out a sigh as the heat soothed my tight muscles, relaxing me completely, wiping the nightmares from my mind starting anew.
I sat in blissful silence long after the water had turned cold and my skin had begun to wrinkle.
Ella had laid out a very lovely periwinkle loose velvet day gown that shimmered in the sunlight. It had sheer tulle sleeves that split down the middle of my arms to hang freely at my sides. The heavy fabric hugged my body perfectly and was oddly cool to the touch. I decided to add a jewel encrusted belt hung low on my hips looking every inch the royal princess role I played.
The day was warm and muggy like walking through soup, clinging to my exposed skin.
I wanted nothing more then to be in pants and a loose blouse but if Ella said mother wanted to see me she meant i was need for royal business, i was wondering what it could be so early in the day, could it be that letter from the iron lands maybe it's declaration of war or some problem from their flying monstrous fire drakes.
My thoughts continued to wander as I walked into the mezzanine, my dress sparkling like a field of sweetpeas as the sunlight fluttered down from the glass dome.
The way the sun touched my face, a light caress warming my cheeks, my arms outstretched as if I was a sunflower sunning its golden petals in a summer garden content and full of life.
I closed my eyes, soaking it up when a deep voice spoke to me alluring and dark , “you know— I've seen art from all over the realm but none compares to the view in front of me now.”
I whipped around quickly to find the owner of the deep northern voice. He stood back from me at least 4 feet, leaning his elbows gently on a nearby runner table, chin perched on the back of his large hands, a mischievous smile playing on his pale pink lips. If i'm honest with myself he was the most beautiful man i had ever seen, brite silver eyes like pure steel, wide shoulders with muscles to match, his hair was the color of rust but lighter more like an autumn day, pulled back in a long sweeping braid with light wisps of hair framing his angelic face, he wore simple black boots and pants paired with a jacket overtop a flowing white blouse untied at the neck showing his chest.yet what caught me off guard was the delicate silver crown casted to resemble dragons wings that adorned his fiery locks.
“It's not often i leave a lady speechless”he teased pushing off the table as he began lazily walking towards me as if he was a predator stalking his next meal.
“W—who are you??” I could hardly get the words out. They felt caught in my throat.
He was most definitely royalty there's no doubt but from where.
He gave me a light smile “ I’m the crown prince of the ironblood, Dane Drake my lady, would it be an inconvenience to know yours?”he purred at me, it was then that i realized i forgot the most important piece of my attire, my gold diadem.
“Well your grace” I said with a small curtsy. “I'm princess Elowen Fen Galassmire sole heir to the kingdom of Gemheld, pleased to meet your acquaintance.”i spoke slowly to keep my voice from shaking .
The prince's eyes grew wide with shock , he quickly went down on one knee face to the floor. He would not meet my eyes. I didn't know how to handle this situation.
“Please forgive my rudeness, your majesty , I am a guest in your home and have insulted you”he exclaimed. I went to stand in front of him to tell him to stand that such formalities were unnecessary , but as I was about to speak I could hear mother calling my name.
“Elowen darling, is that you I hear? Please hurry along!” she urged, so i turned from the beautiful prince and took up a hurried pace to the greathall.
“Wait!” dane called after me, i turned back to him mid run my hair flowing waves around me. “I meant what i said your grace!, you are art itself! A rare beauty!” a smile spread across my face. “Such flirts ironblood men are!”I proclaimed and left him gawking down on one knee in the mezza. I didn't know where the sudden confidence came from but I liked it.
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