The Mehndi Prince

Prophecy time

“Neve” I gave my father an epic amount of side eye as he called my name through the adjoining door of our apartment within the castle. Exhaling forcefully through my nostrils I rose to my feet and made my way into his room. “What is it old man?”

“What are your plans for ingratiating yourself with the royal family? As I have said numerous times, we are running out of time.” He demanded.

“I am attending a family dinner with them in their wing, tonight. I was trying to get ready when you interrupted me.” I replied. Irritating antique. “We’ve been here at the castle a grand total of three days. What were you actually expecting to happen in that time frame? Hmm?” The old white dragon grumbled to himself. “I’ll give you a report tomorrow morning,” I tell my father dismissively over my shoulder as I stalk back to my room.

Perhaps I should dump an aphrodisiac into Nero’s wine? No, it will be too obvious to his family when he goes from polite indifference to being all over me. Plus, I’d have to ensure no other females were present. So, not a plan for tonight, I’ll keep that in mind for another time. What would stir his interest? Maybe i should look into previous paramours, to find out what he likes in woman and a bed partner? Doing it discreetly could be a problem. I could scry into the past, if necessary. I tap my index finger against my lips contemplating my options. Scrying does seem to be the easiest.

In the distance I hear the muted toll of the castle bell, tolling the arrival of sunset. Argh… there’s not going to be enough time to do it before dinner. It will have to wait until after.

******

“I really appreciate you and your family including me in your family dinner, your majesty,” I politely lie to the queen. As she leads me to the royal residence within the castle. I had other plans. Plans of a more heinous outcome, than the delightfully dull royal dinner.

Although, I was looking forward to the meal. The Royal chef was somewhat a genius in the culinary arts, so whatever the meal, it was bound to be delicious.

As we turned a corner, a large double mahogany door was opened by the footmen, standing either side in their livery. The doors opened into a large sumptuously decorated room, with large comfortable chairs in one corner and a well worn table setting in the opposite. The dichotomy between the two areas was vast.

Seated at the table already, was princess Deanna. “I was truly hoping the boys would be done with hearing day by this hour,” the queen lamented with a sigh. “But nevertheless we’ll have a lovely dinner just us girls.” I can feel Princess Deanna’s gaze burning my right cheek as I take a seat to her left. “Why are you here?” She asks bluntly. “Deanna!” Her mother scolded her. “I’m here to get a better understanding of my fiancé. Who would know him better than his mother or his sister?”

“Well that’s logical,” Deanna conceded. Lowering my eyes demurely, “It seems Prince Nero doesn’t like me very much,” Princess Deanna scowls at me, “Nero doesn’t know you well enough to dislike you,” I have to bite my lip, that comment was quite the put down, and she didn’t even intend to be mean. She will be someone to contend with in the future.

“Your Majesty, how would you describe your son to someone who had never met him?”

“He is caring, of family and others.” She pauses contemplating her son. Ughh. “He’s impetuous, passionate, yet calculating.” Ahh… a son viewed through the pink glass of motherhood. I turn to the princess. “And how would you describe your brother?”

“He’s an i***t, but he protects me, he loves me, so he can’t be that big of an i***t,” she pauses considering further. “I also agree with what Lyra calls him. What was the term she used?” The princess’s eyes roll up to the ceiling, her head inclined upwards in contemplation. “What was it again… manwhore! That’s it!” She exclaimed triumphantly. “DEANNA!” Cried the queen horrified. I look studiously into my lap struggling to suppress the inappropriate laughter bubbling up in my chest. I suppose I should see what the other lords and ladies think of him. It might give me a more reasonable answer, something else to work with.

The double doors open allowing a procession of dishes to be placed on the table. Roasted duck, suckling pig, mouth watering desserts. Devine scents seduce my senses. In Achromatica we eat for sustenance, to fuel our bodies and minds but this banquet is pure indulgence. From the use of colour and texture in the presentation to the soft candlelight enhancing the atmosphere.

The Queen and princess Deanna waste no time filling their plates before them. “You better start, because once dad and Nero get here there’ll be nothing left.” Deanna advises. Taking the young princess’s advice I begin filling my plate. As Deanna passes a plate of greens, my fingers brush hers.

My vision begins to tunnel and fade around the edges, the serving platter falls from my nerveless fingers. I hear distantly both the princess and Queen calling my name, my awareness dulls to silence and the absolute absence of light. With intense brilliance my second sight flares like an explosion. Fire of differing intensities rage, rubble everywhere, screams and roaring of many Mehndi, distant,near, everywhere. Such a sense of chaos. I shift my second sight trying to make sense of the surroundings, there is no familiarity within the scene before me. Amongst the rubble a vast void opens, the blast of magic is phenomenal, staggering even. The rushing of wind as it is sucked into the void. Princess Deanna, bloodied and injured with her unbound hair whipping about her face, leads a large group of Mehndi through the rubble towards the void. An unfamiliar female voice calls out to the princess. I cannot see the woman. “Deanna!” The princess turns towards the voice and her face looks anguished. Try as I might I cannot see who she is seeing. Princess rushes over and kneels. I can hear the princess sobbing. “Take it,” the female voice commands, “We’re depending on you. They’re depending on you.” I cannot see what the princess accepts from the woman, I can only see that princess Deanna hugs it close to her body, as if it is precious. The princess looks back towards the void and screams “Go! Go now!” Towards to crowd of Mehndi accumulating at its entrance. Then blackness consumes me again and all I know is nothingness.