The Royal Witch

Chapter 3 - The Courtship

“I-I will think about it.”

King Dante looked at his daughter sternly.

“King Dante, I think we need to give Princess Soraya a chance to think it over,” Prince Killian came to the princess’ defense.

Soraya looked up to him gratefully as he gave her hand another squeeze. The adults looked so content that Killian seemed confident and happy with the princess. No more words had been spoken. They all just looked at each other as if they thought it was safe to let things go for now.

The next few months found the Swordsmith royals visiting more often. Traveling back and forth to and from their minor kingdom took a little over two days on horseback and carriage. Some paved roads were coming from the main kingdom to the minor kingdoms strongly allied to it. The rest of the forest was rugged and dangerous, at least according to Soraya’s library books, some whispered warnings, and her own parents’ fearsome lectures.

Soraya might be adventurous, but she was not stupid. She obediently stayed within the borders of Kingspell. At 10000 square miles, the kingdom was large. The distance between Kingspell and Swordsmith, however, was only a little over 200 miles. It would be a feat to walk towards the other kingdom, but it would not be impossible. Soraya was more afraid of the unknown dangers that might populate the forests between the two domains.

One day, she thought she would ask Prince Killian about what lay beyond her kingdom, nay her palace walls. She had not even set foot beyond the gates. According to the palace guests, her parents were well-loved. Therefore, Soraya could not understand why she could not walk amid a peasant market. She had so many more things to experience in this world, most of which were forbidden.

“Prince Killian –“

“You can call me Killian,” he teased.

“We are not betrothed yet. I have yet to agree to your family’s proposal,” protested Soraya, but softly. She emphasized the word “family,” gauging how the prince would react to it.

He brushed it off. Soraya was a little disappointed, but she decided to get back to business.

“Prince Killian, what was the forest like?”

The prince was surprised that the conversation seemed to have swerved that way. They were walking in Kingspell palaces’ main garden, and they both came to a halt. They were right in the middle of the 100-acre garden, right in front of the maze entrance, where Killian was tempted to drag Soraya in. He tensed.

“There are many dangers in the forest, Soraya. Witches and their minions.”

“Witches?”

“Yes, these are women who had turned their backs to God so that they could have power over not only men but the rest of mankind.”

But Soraya could tell that Killian was just reciting something that everyone else seemed to believe. He did not seem to be completely sure of what he was saying, as if he was convincing himself. The princess was not even entirely sure whether witches were evil. Nobody could really tell her why they were to be avoided or even condemned. There were no details…

“How do we know they are evil?”

“Soraya, they are witches!”

“That does not explain everything. I have been reading about them for years. I have not read anything tangible. Some say they drink blood and kill babies. Surely, I would have heard if some peasant has had their babies stolen from them?”

“Would you have?”

“Would I?”

Soraya stopped there. She did not have any contacts beyond her family members, their guests, and their immediate servants.

“Would a witch steal a royal’s baby?”

“Do you think one can get a chance? You are always within the walls of your palace?”

Killian’s voice was still steady, but Soraya was losing patience. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her hands were making wild gestures.

“But that is why I was asking you about the forest!”

“My family is heavily guarded, princess,” the prince reminded her, nodding towards the entrance of the palace where some of the Swordsmith knights were lined up, straight-backed, and ready for orders.

“I guess you are right. And I guess I am jealous of you and your family. I have never been out of the palace gates. I am a princess, but I have never seen the world!”

“The world can be an ugly place.”

“Well, what if I come to visit your family in Swordsmith?”

“We are not yet betrothed, as you say.”

“I could come with a companion, a chaperone.”

“I don’t think your father will allow that, my dear, unless we are betrothed. Nay, not even that. He will only allow that if we are married. Even then, we are to settle here in KIngspell.”

The declaration infuriated Soraya. It reminded her that she was a Vessel, only being offered up as a pawn to unite two kingdoms and for her father to find someone to pass on the throne. She would not be a Queen but a consort. It was Kingspell, after all, not Queenspell. To think about it, the name Queenspell had a certain witchy quality to it. Perhaps that was why they had to keep the tradition?

“Is your family only offering me marriage because I am a Vessel and the heiress of Kingspell?”

Killian looked her in the eye. She noticed how his blue eyes could easily be icy at times. That moment, however, they were gentle. He took his time to respond as if he was trying to find the right words. Still, he held his gaze to assure her that he was sincere. At least, that was what Soraya believed.

“Soraya, of course, I have ambitions. Nevertheless, I told my father, the King Jurgen, that I had no plans to marry if there was not even a little bit of attraction – even for Kingspell.”

“Is there attraction, then?”

Soraya saw that Killian was moving towards her. She walked backward. He did not look threatening. It was something else – something more dangerous. She kept on moving backward. Killian glanced to his back and saw that his guards were preoccupied. Then, he gently pushed Soraya right into the maze, where she was slowly backing up.

Then, he kissed her. For some reason, Soraya’s eyes just closed. It was a gentle, close-mouthed kiss, chaste but forbidden all the same. Since they were doing something they were not supposed to, anyway, the princess reached for the prince’s neck to hold him closer. The kiss deepened. She felt his tongue between her lips, inching in and making love to her mouth. She moaned softly.

Then, she heard someone running just outside the maze. That was when her eyes flew open.

“No, Killian!”