Infernal Desire

The Kind King

A line of servants bows as the trio enters the palace. They spare a glance at Talia as she brushes by them and notices that they are dressed nicely, and they all have silver or white hair. None of them are human. Igneous leads them to a set of golden doors set with silver knockers hanging from the open mouths of two dragons. Lucian walks past Talia and pushes them open effortlessly even though they look like they weigh five tons each. Talia sees a massive throne set atop marble stairs and people on either side of them are wearing clothes made from fine silks and satin. Talia can almost smell the royalty and high-class pride rolling off of them. They bow their heads, not their waists, as the Prince walks by. They snap up once Talia reaches them and the look in their eyes is anything but welcoming and friendly.

“I can’t believe our prince has to marry cattle.” Talia hears one woman whisper.

“It’s a disgrace! If the queen had not wanted peace, we could have wiped all of these mongrels off the face of the earth.” A nobleman says to his neighbor.

“She’s ugly isn’t she?” Says another, wrinkling his nose as she walks past him.

“I wonder if she tastes like chocolate?” A young boy a little younger than Talia says to his friend, and they smirk as she passes by them. She meets his eyes, and he licks his lips, a smirk curling his mouth. She holds her head up high and continues to walk forward, drowning out the whispers. At the base of the stairs, Igneous and Lucian sink to their knees and fist their right hand over their left breast. Talia sinks beside Lucian and her dress spreads around her in a pool of silver. Trumpets blare around the hall, making her jump and the curtains behind the throne flutter open. Talia spares a glance up to see a young boy standing there in crimson silk clothing. He is stunning like the others.

“Announcing His Highness King Astar of Ignis!” Talia is amazed at how loud and mature his voice sounds. The curtains flutter again and Talia feels her jaw drop as King Astar emerges. He is about as tall as his son with bulging muscles and long silver hair, half in a ponytail and half down. His eyes are deep yellow and there is a tenderness behind them that Talia recognizes from her own father. She instantly softens towards the king and returns her gaze to the ground. Talia hears the sound of rustling garments and clinking jewels as the others all sink to their knees for their king.

“Rise.” The king’s voice is as soft as his gaze and Talia rises to her feet to meet those eyes again. She finds comfort in his paternal stare. He smiles, “Princess Talia de Kemp, welcome to Ignis. I hope you will think of this place as your home and feel comfortable here.”

Talia swallows and allows herself to smile back, “Your country is lovely, your grace, and your people are beautiful. I am sure I will enjoy my life here.” Igneous snorts and she throws him a glare from the corner of her eye. The king has a similar disapproving look on his face, but it is gone when he focuses on Talia again.

“You come without escorts or guards. Why is that?” The king asks, leaning forward and placing his chin in his hand. He looks younger like this.

“To show good faith and trust, Your Highness,” Talia responds with another bow.

“Are your people not concerned about sending their princess here alone? Surely they have some concern for your well-being.” He presses, his eyes narrowing into indignant slits.

“I am anything but weak, Your Highness. I was raised a warrior by my mother and trained with my male cousins so that I may defend myself if need be.” Talia replies.

“So, you are skilled in combat? Wonderful! My son does not need another weak-willed, useless woman running about his person.” Talia finds Igneous sitting on the steps with one knee bent to his chest and the other stretched out in front of him. His hair falls forward, brushing the ground as he peers at her. He rolls his eyes, seemingly bored by this entire exchange.

“I hope the prince and I can get along and broker peace side by side.” Talia smiles sweetly at Igneous, and he returns her gesture with a sharp glare.

“I’m sure you will, my dear. I’m sure you will. This union is the first step into a brighter future with no bloodshed and no sleepless nights. Our sons will not have to fly over the burning sea to fight humans and our daughters will not have to become nurses to patch up the wounded on the battlefield. I ask you all to look at this union with gladness and to look forward to the peace that it will bring. This was my wife’s wish for Ignis and the world we live in. I intend to honor that wish until my last breath, until which time, that wish will pass to my son and his new bride.” The king says this, looking around the room and making eye contact with every noble there. The command is not lost to Talia. His words are not for debate. They are words of absolution. If anyone in that hall wanted to speak against his ideals, they did not rise to the occasion, though some looked as though they wanted to.