A month of everyday training quickly passed. Gina’s skills increasingly became better and better and soon she was able to engage in small mockery battles with her trainers and, consequently, was able to hold her own against anyone in her new city. It was time to be tested.
Sure enough, Gina arrived one morning to find her trainers sitting at the edge of an obstacle course they had set up. First was a sand pit, probably to be used for hand to hand combat. After that, two swords were placed on opposite sides of the course, resting on a block of hay. Finally, two white horses stood waiting, a bow and quiver filled with arrows by each.
“What’s going on?” Gina asked.
Gloria explained. “We figured it was time to put you to the test. You’ll be running this course against an opponent. First, you will battle hand to hand. Whoever falls for more than five seconds loses. Next is sword fighting. The swords have been jinxed so to show a hit without causing the person any pain. Finally, you both will jump on the horse with bows and arrows to fight with, the sword too, if you wish. The arrows have been jinxed the same as the swords.”
“So which one of you do I get to fight?” Gina inquired.
“Neither of us,” responded Kaleb.
“You get to fight me.”
Gina spun around to see Leyance standing behind her, ready for battle. He looked quite striking in his battle gear, she observed.
“You?” Gina stammered.
“Me. Why? You think you can win? You haven’t seen anything yet.” Leyance smiled and put down his supplies. “I’m ready when you all are.”
“I’m ready,” Gina stated strongly.
Kaleb smiled. “Then may the best warrior win. Go!” With that, both were off. Gina made the first move. She faked one direction and then drove in her fist from another, right into his stomach.
“Ow! That was too low of a blow!” Leyance howled.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Gina stammered. She straightened up, and Leyance took his chance. He swung and nailed his target.
“A piece of advice. Never feel sorry for your opponent, no matter who they are,” he told her as she swung. Their fight continued for a good amount of time, but, finally, Leyance caught Gina off guard and pinned her to the ground. Kaleb counted out five seconds.
“Leyance wins round one. On to the next round!” he shouted. Leyance got to his sword first and came towards Gina, but she was quick. She rolled over and kicked her feet in the air, causing her body to flip up and upright. She reached for her sword and spun away from Leyance’s blow just in time. This fight was a little quicker then the first. Gina allowed him to get his sword dangerously close to her and then spun out and hooked his leg. He went down as her sword went down to him. As she drove down, the blade disappeared and a red light shown out from the hilt, the sign that she had won.
This time Gloria shouted out the winner. “Regina wins round two. On to the final round!” Gina ran around the block of hay and flung her sword into it. It stood high, hilt sticking up. Next she grabbed the bow and quiver, ran to her horse, and jumped on. Quickly she attached her quiver to her back as she saw Leyance was doing as well. She grabbed the reins and was off. She willed her horse to race past Leyance’s horse. Swiftly, she let go of the reigns, looked behind her and fired. Leyance dodged it easily, as he fired one towards her. She dodged as well. Gina looped back around and raced towards a patch of trees. Leyance followed. Gina guided her horse around the trees, but Leyance did just as easily. Gina looked around and saw a heavy branch resting pretty low right in her path. She ducked and missed the branch, her opponent guiding his horse under it as well. But Gina had seen her chance. She raced back to her sword, grabbed it with ease and turned her horse back to the trees. Leyance burst in front of her and fired, but she ducked in enough time to avoid it. Taking a quick turn, she rode towards the low branch. Leyance took the bait and followed close on her tail. Just close enough. She dodged another arrow and then reached up and struck the branch. Her sword sliced through it and the branch fell behind her, blocking Leyance and catching him off-guard. She took her chance. Letting go of the reins once more, Gina turned and shot. The arrow turned invisible just before it would have hit him and her bow glowed red.
“Gina wins round three and the match!” Gloria shouted from the clearing. Both riders turned back towards the field. Leyance quickly dismounted and walked over to Gina and reached out his hand to help her down. She instead hopped down effortlessly.
“Good job,” he said. “I’m impressed.”
“Thanks. You too. I didn’t know you were that good.”
“I’ve led many teams here. I’ve been a warrior pretty much my whole life.”
“Really? I’ve pictured you more as a lover than a fighter,” Gina stated, smiling.
“Well, I can see that,” he responded, returning the smile. “Come on, let’s go get something to drink. Gina is released from practice today, I assume?”
“Yes, she is. Good work,” Gloria stated.
“Have a good afternoon,” Kaleb added.
Leyance and Gina walked back to the manor and began to walk up the stairs.
“Want to have the drinks in my room?” Leyance asked.
Gina choked. Yes, yes, yes! “Sure. That’d be fun.” They walked down the hall, up another flight of stairs and turned the opposite direction of Gina’s room. “So, who else lives in this manor?”
“Pretty much everyone involved in the government and royalty. Our hospital is also here so all of the doctors and nurses also reside here,” he responded. They approached a set of double doors and opened it. Leyance’s room was smaller than Gina’s and only had one face of windows but was still impressive. He had a small balcony, which Gina walked over to and looked out its glass doors. She could see part of the city below and the river as was similar to her view. Past that, she could see hills with a lonely cottage sitting on the top. It looked welcoming even though it stood alone, without the attractiveness of the other houses.
“Who lives in that cottage up there?” Gina asked Leyance. He didn’t look up as he responded.
“No one. It’s abandoned. The queen used to go up there with her fiancé a lot though. It was their romantic get-away spot. Sometimes I go there too, to get away from everything.”
“Oh. I have a spot like that too,” she shared. Leyance gave her a knowing smile.
“I’m sure you do. What do you want to drink?”
“Oh, well, what do you have here? I’m guessing there isn’t soda.”
“No, sorry, no soda. Here, I’ll give you one of my favorite drinks. Sound good?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“Okay. Make yourself comfortable and while I get the drinks.” With that, Leyance walked out the doors. Gina looked around and saw a small table with two chairs under a window by the balcony. She walked over, opened the glass doors, and stepped out. From here, she could look around the corner and see her balcony. She stepped back in and sat down in one of the chairs just as Leyance came back in.
“Okay, here we go. Two Roses,” he said.
“Roses?” she asked, taking the pinkish liquid he handed her.
“That’s what we call them because they are pink.”
“What’s in it?” she asked warily.
“No alcohol if that’s what you’re wondering and nothing that will kill you. Just drink it. You’ll like it, I promise.” She did. The sweet juice slid easily down her throat and seemed to ease her entire body. She couldn’t recognize any tastes in the drink, but she figured this was probably what they would serve in heaven.
“That’s good!” she exclaimed.
“I knew you’d like it. The past queen did too…” he said quietly, drinking.
“Well, I think anyone would,” Gina stated.
“I suppose.”
Chapter 4
“Trials of the Heart”
A few days passed. After a particularly hard but accomplishing day, Gina found herself walking down the path she had once found herself on
that saddening night more than a month earlier. She soon discovered, however, that she was not alone.
“Leyance, what are you doing here?” she asked, unaccustomed to seeing him in her personal get-away spot.
“You aren’t the only one who comes here to think and get away from it all,” he smiled. A shimmer from her sword caught Leyance’s attention. “How was training today, Your Majesty?” A mischievous smile escaped from Gina’s lips.
“Fine, thank you,” she replied. Then, swiftly she exposed her sword and held it to Leyance’s chin. “And what are you doing out so late, might I ask? Up to no good?” She laughed, but he did not stir. Seeing that his mind was on something more serious, Gina put away her sword. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Your Highness,” he replied mechanically.
“Please, Leyance. Don’t say ‘your majesty’ or ‘your highness.’ I wish everyone would drop it,” she explained. “I look up to you. I mean you are the one who’s helped me through all of this. I’m comfortable with you. Please, don’t put me on a pedestal like the others have - I beg you.”
“Sorry, Gina,” he said, finally smiling.
“Thanks for saying that.”
“Saying what?”
“’Gina,’” she replied. “Everyone else insists on calling me ‘Regina,’ but I feel comfortable around you because you call me ‘Gina.’ I like it.”
“Good,” he laughed, “because I’m not changing it. You’re not on a pedestal, remember?” Gina now glanced towards the lit water.
“That water looks so nice and refreshing,” she observed and once again, a mischievous smile shown from her, but this time, Leyance noticed.
“What?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing, nothing at all.” Gina quietly set aside her bow and arrows and took off all her remaining weaponry. Then, swiftly, she took a flying leap right into the water. She came up to the surface and laughed at Leyance’s look.
“Are you crazy?” he asked, not sure if he should laugh or scowl.
“Maybe, who knows. It’s nice, come on in,” she replied smiling brightly.
“Like this?” he asked, motioning to his clothes.
“Yeah, I’m in my clothes too. It’s fun, and we need to relax. Do I have to order you to come in?” She laughed.
“You wouldn’t do that,” he countered smiling.
“Then come in before I’m forced to.”
“Fine, fine, you win,” Leyance responded. Then he too leapt into the water. The coolness seemed to heal them both as they enjoyed splashing, swimming, and relaxing as the lights danced below them.
“Hey, I learned some new moves today,” Gina shared, and, to demonstrate, she attacked Leyance. They playfully struggled for awhile but suddenly stopped as they realized that they were both holding each other, lips inches apart. They both breathed heavily, as if to take in the essence of the other. Leyance leaned in as his hand slid up Gina’s neck to cradle her head. Gina’s world spun around her as Leyance became closer and closer, their lips were about to touch. She wanted them to but something held her back. Just as they were about to kiss, Gina pushed Leyance away. He looked up, stunned as if coming out of a dream. She avoided his eyes, afraid to see his look of hurt that her rough action had caused.
“I can’t. I’m sorry, I can’t,” she stuttered. She swam to the edge and crawled out.
“Gina…” Leyance began, but she grabbed her belongings and ran off down the hidden path. He called after her. “Gina, please come back! Gina!”
From that day on, Gina avoided the one person who had brought her comfort and happiness. She couldn’t help it. Gina knew she’d been attracted to Leyance since the day he saved her. Now, she knew that he must care for her, but she was not about to complicate her life any further. It was best if she kept away. So, instead, Gina concluded to drown herself in her training and royal duties. Still, she could not get her mind off that man. One moment, she’d be fighting her trainer, then her thoughts would drift to that night, and, before she knew it, she’d be imagining kissing the man she knew she could not want. In fact, Gina was constantly questioning why she continued to imagine kissing Leyance and holding him close to her when she knew that it would be too complicated for her taste. She had not known many men before, especially not many whom had liked her when she liked them. Besides, she felt too young for him, despite the fact he seemed near in age to her. Yet, to have someone show her such affection, she could not help daydreaming about giving in to it. She felt that this was often a problem in romantic emotions. In her experience, there had always been a fine line between liking someone because she truly cared for him and trying to like him simply because she knew he liked her. Suddenly, pain interrupted these thoughts as her scream pierced the air. These emotions and thoughts, which constantly swam in Gina’s head, were obviously affecting her work greatly.
“Your Majesty? Are you alright?” Kaleb asked. Gina lay on the ground. Her thoughts had completely prevented her from blocking her trainer’s blow to her side. She now felt the consequence.
“Forgive me,” Gloria said, “but you seem to be a bit distracted.”
“I know, I know,” Gina said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Then might I suggest taking the day off?” Gloria suggested. “You won’t accomplish anything with your mind on something else. The only thing you can accomplish is becoming frustrated.”
“I agree,” Kaleb joined in. “Take the day off.”
Leyance lay awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts and emotions swam through his head as well. Finally, he restlessly rolled over and got up. He then hurried out of his room. Slowly and quietly, he entered Gina’s bedroom. She lay sleeping. He walked over to her and sat on her bed. From his pocket, he produced a glittery powder and turned to the sheer canopy hanging from her four-poster bed. Gently, he blew the powder from his open hand onto the material. As a result, little lights appeared throughout the material as if sewn in, illuminating the bed and Gina’s peaceful face. After awhile of silently observing, Leyance slowly leaned down and very lovingly did what he had been unable to do that night. He kissed her lips. This awoke Gina, and her eyes opened slowly. Seeing him on her bed, she sat up quickly.
“What are you doing here?” she began but suddenly stopped as she realized what he had just done. Leyance continued to gaze at her with love in his eyes. “Wait, did you just…you did, didn’t you?” Then she saw the lights. “What did you do to the canopy?”
“Just a little trick I know,” he replied. “Gina, you can’t keep avoiding me like this.”
“Why not?”
“My feelings for you are no secret. I’ve felt this way about you for our whole lives. I know you’re feeling something too. Please, let’s just talk about this.”
“You barely know me…” Then realization came over her face. “Oh, my God. We were in love, weren’t we? We were engaged…”
“You remember!”
“No.” Gina shook her head. “I read about it in the entries about the prophecy, but how can that be? You would be dead by now.”
“Not exactly. Because of our diet, we live very long lives. We basically mature until about twenty-five or so and then age very slowly for about hundred years before we continue to grow old normally.”
But Gina wasn’t paying attention. “How could I have been so blind? It was you all along! I should have known.”
“I knew it.”
“Knew what?” she demanded.
“You love me,” he stated. “Well, I mean your heart remembers loving me.”
“No, I…”
“No, Gina, I really think it does. Darling, I’ve been without you for so long. It’s been the hardest thing in the world to have the one I love return to me not remembering that she loved me.” He came in closer to her and held her close in his arms. He rested his forehead against hers. “Not being able to tell her how much I love her, how I never want to leave her side again. Just talk to me. Let yourself remember.”
“I…I…I don’t know what to do…Leyance…” Gina stuttered.
He looked deep into her eyes, captivating her gaze. “I love you.” Gina quickly shut her eyes.
“I…I don’t know…Leyance, please…” Gina’s heart was racing, and she couldn’t say anything that would make sense. She was close to falling into his arms. She had so many butterflies in her stomach that she was beginning to lose all control.
“What? What is it?” Leyance asked. “You want to let yourself love me again, don’t you? It’s okay - I love you. I love you.” With that he cradled her head as he passionately kissed her. Gina finally gave in and embraced their new romance. They held each other close for a long while as they kissed tenderly. Their lips parted for a second, but it was enough of a break for Gina to regain more composure. Leyance leaned in to continue kissing her, but she didn’t return the romance.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because I just can’t, alright! I don’t know how to react to this. I feel hurt that you’ve had to go through this pain, but I don’t know how to make it better…”
“It’s easy, just…”
“No,” she interrupted. “It’s too much - it’s all just too much. How can I tell you I love you when I don’t know who I am? I don’t know who I am. Would you after what’s happened? What if I’m not her, what if I’m not the queen? If that’s true than you don’t truly love me – or worst you’ve fallen in love with me and have to deal with the conflicts that arise when she returns and remembers. I’m just filling a role. A role for the Nythagiéns and especially for you.”
Metanoia Page 5