Princess of Sky, Earth, Fire and Water

by Cassandra Finnerty

  “I would like nothing more than to have you by my side,” she murmured. “But think about what this will mean. I want you to be happy.”

  “I’ve already decided. Here’s my plan. We’ll go back to the palace. Try to resolve the issue with Zo. I’ll talk with him as well, and appeal to my father again. Let’s wrap up everything in the next few days. Will you marry me after that?”

  “When?”

  “Later this week.”

  Aisling’s head reeled. She hadn’t expected that her life would change so soon. But despite the hurried timing, she knew one thing for certain. We belong together, she thought.

  She looked into his eyes, full of light, and smiled.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He moved closer, his warm lips melding with hers. Locked in his embrace, she could feel the heat emanating from his rugged form. He whispered kisses across her cheeks and eyelashes.

  What started out as a few smoldering embers built into a sultry blaze. Her eyes closed. In that moment, it was the two of them and nothing else mattered.

  From now on, she vowed, no one can tear us apart.

  Later that morning, Aisling and Drayaen trekked across the lower hills on foot and rejoined the soldiers. Colonel Lex approached the two of them as they descended the last remaining hill, relief evident on his face.

  “It’s good to see you both. Commander, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m better, thank you. I appreciate all of your efforts.”

  “We’re glad you’re back.” He turned to the prince. “Any news?”

  “It appears they were mercenaries. The queen has planned another attack.”

  “On whom?”

  “Me. The commander’s kidnapping was a ploy to separate us from the larger army.”

  “Should we call for more reinforcements?”

  “No, but let’s return by a different route. At this point, predictability is dangerous.”

  “All right, Your Highness, we’re behind you.”

  The group saddled their horses and rode in formation away from the forest and through a number of villages. As the townspeople recognized the prince, the mood turned from cautious to cordial.

  Aisling observed him from the middle of the procession, waving to the crowds. He doesn’t know it yet, she thought, but he’ll miss this life. “I wonder if I can make him happy,” she breathed.

  They rode through the palace gates and crossed the courtyard. Drayaen motioned for his men to halt. He walked back to Aisling and clasped her around the waist, helping her dismount. He leaned in and gazed at her with intensity.

  “Remember our plan.”

  “I will. I’ll see you later today,” she said as their eyes locked.

  The prince turned and marched up the palace steps, disappearing behind the large columns. As Aisling thought about their strategy, there were approaching footsteps.

  “Pardon me, Commander.” She spun around to see the familiar face of a palace courier. “I have a message for you.”

  She reached out and grasped the note, recalling her last painful encounter with a rogue messenger. It was from the Sixth Prince.

  “Where does he want to meet?”

  “In his quarters. I’ve been instructed to take you there.”

  “All right. Please lead the way.”

  As they walked to the entrance, she thought about her upcoming conversation. There were a number of logical arguments to dissuade the Sixth Prince from his pursuit, though Aisling knew full well that when dealing with the heart, it wasn’t always a matter of reason. I must persuade him we are not a good match, she thought.

  The long corridors were decorated with ornate red panels and hand-painted murals. Under the sweeping rooflines were bright green cornices and matching window screens, rolled up to reveal open windows. A number of guards were positioned at the palace entrance, but there were fewer as she was led through the maze of gleaming corridors.

  At last, they stopped outside large red, gold, and green doors. Her presence was announced.

  She entered and scanned her surroundings. The Sixth Prince was sitting behind an ornate desk. He stood up, a broad smile on his face, and walked across the room to greet her.

  “Aisling, I’m so glad to see you.”

  “Your Highness, I’m happy to see you too.”

  “I was worried when you left without warning. Did you visit your fleet?”

  “No, I was traveling to the interior.”

  “It’s good that you’re back. I have some things I wanted to say to you. First, I want to thank you for taking such good care of me.”

  “I was pleased to be of service. Are you feeling better?”

  “Yes, I believe most of my memory has returned now.”

  “That’s a relief. Patrick will be pleased to hear it as well.”

  “I owe you both a debt of gratitude.”

  “Your Highness, that isn’t necessary.”

  The Sixth Prince motioned to the settee. “Please sit. While you were away, I’ve had time to think.” He turned and reached for her hand. “When I was ill, I felt myself slipping away. But you spoke to me. You encouraged me to get better. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I may be young, but I know that I love you. I think you are at least fond of me. Perhaps you could love me, in time. I want us to marry.”

  Aisling’s heart dropped. She had hoped that he would change his mind when his full memory recovered. It appeared that was not the case. She thought about all of her arguments, but softened when she observed his expression. He was so full of expectation and hope. He may not want to hear it, she thought, but I must make him understand. “Your Highness, thank you for your proposal. I’m honored. But before we talk about marriage, tell me, what kind of life do you envision for yourself?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A few years from now, what would you like to be doing?”

  “The king says I’ll be a general, overseeing some of his armies.”

  “What else?”

  “I’ll live in the palace and have a compound on the grounds. I’ll raise my children here.”

  “That all sounds wonderful. But to have that kind of life, you’ll need someone by your side who wants the same things you do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just as you have obligations to your father, I also made commitments to mine. I can’t stay here. My life involves traveling all over the world.”

  “We could go together.”

  “That’s possible, but then you’d not be able to serve as a general for the king.”

  “Well”—he hesitated, his gaze wandering round the room—“that’s true, but I suppose there are benefits to living onboard a ship.”

  “Yes, there are. There’s an opportunity to see remarkable sights and to meet extraordinary people. But life with the fleet is very hard. Many elements are beyond your control.” She thought about her existence and how different the reality of a seafaring life was from the romantic notions sometimes conjured up by people. “There are ongoing battles with pirates, weather, and disease.”

  “You have an army to protect you.”

  “That’s true. The crew defends our ships, every day. They also need to be fed, clothed, and protected. Their families depend on us. That requires considerable effort.”

  “Perhaps I need to get used to the idea.”

  “Your Highness, I care about you. I want you to live well. But I don’t think we want the same things.” She glanced at the prince, whose head was lowered.

  “What about the Fifth Prince?” he asked. “He told me he also has feelings for you. Does he want your kind of life?”

  “I believe so.”

  “Does he know what he’s giving up?”

  “I hope he does.”

  He reached for her hand. “I see now that our situation may be complicated. I need to think about it.”

  “Of course, Your Highness. Thank you.”

  To Aisling’s concern, though
, he still seemed to be considering his options as he escorted her out of his chamber and back to the entrance. When they parted, he had a hopeful expression on his young face.

  Drayaen entered the palace and headed to his chamber. A while later, a messenger knocked on his door.

  “Your Highness, there’s someone who wishes a private word with you.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I’ve been instructed to bring you to their quarters.”

  He wondered if it was Aisling, but they had left each other earlier in the day. Perhaps it was one of the princes.

  “All right.”

  The path behind the palace led to an ornate building with soaring ceilings and elaborate murals on three walls. The lack of sunlight cast dark shadows across the chamber. At the far end of the room, perched on a gilded chair, was his enemy. Surprised and confused, Drayaen gave a brusque greeting.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Ah, Drayaen, thank you for coming. I asked you here to clear up any misunderstandings between us.”

  “Which misconceptions are those?” he fumed. “Killing my mother and brother? Trying to poison the commander? Oh, and don’t forget the attempts on my life.”

  “You’re so cynical for one so young. It sounds like you’re blaming me for all your unhappiness.”

  “No, just your heinous deeds.”

  “Come, come, we must be friends. The deaths in your family were so long ago. I understand they both passed away from natural causes.”

  “I may not be able to prove it, but I know you had something to do with their early graves.”

  “If you have no evidence, I would be careful of such accusations.”

  “What about conspiring with General Neo?”

  “It seems that he was too greedy for his own good. Now that he’s been caught, he’d like nothing better than to slander others to gain leverage. No one can trust a thief.”

  “And your attempt to kill the commander?”

  “That was an unfortunate accident. It’s too bad that servant ended up poisoning herself.”

  “She’s dead?”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  He reeled at the news. “How?”

  “I don’t know the details.”

  This is just like her, he thought. She’s a monster who eliminates her enemies before they have a chance to implicate her. Drayaen thought about Aisling’s kidnapping and decided to keep that to himself until he had time to speak to the king.

  “Why did you leave the palace right before we were attacked?”

  “Of course, I knew nothing of my brother’s activities. He invited Quell and me to his compound. How could we refuse?”

  Drayaen glared at her. Beneath the surface, he was boiling with rage. “What do you want?”

  “To tell you that I approve of your union with the commander.”

  “What?”

  “I understand you told the king about your wish to marry her. The Sixth Prince is also interested. He just proposed.”

  “When?”

  “A short time ago. I hear their conversation went well.”

  He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. There must be an explanation, he reasoned. She’s trying to throw me off balance. He pushed back his hair, which had fallen out of its queue.

  “What are you telling me?”

  “Your father and I have a solid relationship. If you approach him with your frivolous accusations, I will do everything in my power to fight your alliance with the commander. I may even advocate for her betrothal to your brother. As you know, I can be very persuasive. Your father will refuse your request if he thinks it will drive a wedge between his sons. Your plans for a happy ending will be ruined.”

  So that’s what this is about, he thought. My silence about her contemptuous deeds, in exchange for her support of my marriage. “I don’t like blackmail.”

  “Come now, you’re overreacting. I’m trying to help you.”

  “Please don’t make any effort on my account. If I were you, I’d worry about your own brother. I’m sure he has plenty to say about your activities.”

  “Ah, yes, well, he’s gone now.”

  “What?”

  “It’s unfortunate that he became too greedy. He’s been exiled.”

  Drayaen was shocked by this latest admission. It appeared that the queen had convinced his father that others were culpable in the recent attacks. As he gripped the handle of his sword, he thought about all the misery this woman had caused. “I want nothing from you. Stay away from me. Keep away from my future wife.”

  “Well, we’ll have to see about that, won’t we?”

  She waved her arm in dismissal.

  A short while later, Drayaen was pacing in front of the Throne Room, waiting to see his father and thinking about the queen. Her tactics unnerved him. He was used to confronting the enemy where there were clear lines of demarcation between right and wrong. When he and his troops engaged in battle, their targets were clear. Queen Vila, on the other hand, excelled at deception and obfuscation.

  Her constant hunger for power needed to be fed. She understood people’s weaknesses and satisfied their greedy appetites in exchange for favors. When the players were no longer vital to her plan, she eliminated them by any means possible. The pawns in her web always shifted, masking the enemy.

  He thought about their earlier confrontation.

  “She’s trying to distract me,” he muttered. “There must be a larger objective here. What would she gain from a marriage between Aisling and Zo?”

  He blanched. The fleet! If the queen were to control the crew and ships, she would have a private army at her disposal. With the commander and his brother out of the way, she could steal the crown.

  Drayaen swept into the interior chamber and walked to the edge of the dais where the king sat on an elevated platform. He descended the stairs and stood in front of his son.

  “Welcome back. I understand the commander has returned to the palace.”

  “Yes, she’s safe now.”

  “Who was responsible?”

  “They were from General Neo’s unit. The men claimed they were paid by the queen.”

  “Do you have proof?”

  “No. Do you want me to find the parties responsible for the kidnapping?”

  The king paced in front of the throne. “Not now.”

  Drayaen glanced at his father’s pained expression and decided to be circumspect. “Do you feel that all of the instigators of the attempted overthrow have been caught?”

  “All of the obvious ones.”

  “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

  The king shook his head.

  Drayaen considered his next move. It was clear that his father didn’t want to discuss issues relating to the queen. His thoughts turned to Aisling. “Father, have you considered my request to marry the commander?”

  The king sighed. “I have.” He turned to Drayaen. “You’ve not had the constancy of a father in your life. I know that must have been difficult.”

  Drayaen had not expected the conversation to evolve in that direction. “I realize now,” he said, “that you had to make tough choices.”

  “This request is one of those hard decisions. If you marry her and leave this country, I will be without one of my sons.”

  “I understand. But I can serve you by being an ambassador during my travels.Your interests can be represented elsewhere.”

  “I’ve come to depend on you. During the last battle, you were the key to our success.”

  “Father, I believe I have another purpose. I’m meant to be with Aisling. I hope you agree because I will fight for her, and for us.”

  “I’m not convinced,” said the king in a flat tone. “As a member of the royal family, you have an obligation to support our people and their interests. If I say yes, what kind of precedent will it set with your brothers?”

  “I speak for myself. I can fulfill my obligations by expanding trade.”

 
The king sighed again as he tilted his head and stroked his chin. “I haven’t yet made a decision. I’ll let you know when I do.”

  Frustrated, Drayaen bowed and swept out of the Throne Room. His future was at stake and he needed another plan.

  The king summoned the courier. “I’d like to speak with the commander.”

  Later that day, Aisling entered the king’s chamber. The interior was breathtaking. At the back of the room, in the center, was the throne, a two-story structure with a canopy, flanked by large red columns. A set of stairs led up to the dais.

  Behind the king were carved wooden screens and paintings in gold, green, red, and blue that soared to the height of the ceiling. Decorated panels on the roof and canopy matched the colors in the murals.

  She crossed the gleaming sandstone floors, and noticed a rose-colored glow emanating from the red brick walls and columns. The sovereign seemed remote on his elevated perch, arms resting on the gilded chair. Aisling clutched her father’s pendant, which she had worn for luck.

  The king descended the stairs.

  She bowed.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you for coming. I wanted to express my appreciation for your help in the recent battle. I’m also grateful for your efforts to aid the princes and your contribution to our food supply.”

  “I was happy to be of service.”

  “The Fifth Prince told me about your unique strategy.”

  “It was a team effort. Without the princes, the soldiers, or local townspeople, it wouldn’t have been a success.”

  Ah, a diplomat, he thought.

  “I’d like to reward you with one wish. It can be wealth or anything else I have at my disposal.”

  “That’s most generous.”

  “What will it be?”

  It was an unexpected question but she was ready with the answer. “I’d like your ongoing support of my union with Prince Drayaen.”

  He gazed at her with a familiar intensity.

  “What do you like about him?”

  She thought about everything they had been through together. He has strength of character, confronting the grain thieves, she realized. At great risk to himself, he protected the citizens. His objectives weren’t fame or glory but a need to improve the quality of life for the people around him, no matter how inconvenient or difficult.