“He won’t!” she said, beaming. “Oh I am so happy, Mera! I feel so free! Free like a bird! I even feel as if I can fly!” Natalia said as she stood up and twirled around.
“But, princess. You know the dangers of going out into the streets! And especially with a bandit!”
Natalia faced Mera. “It’s okay, Mera.” Her eyes continued to sparkle. “He protects me.”
“Oh, dear princess,” sighed Mera as she shook her head.
“What is it, Mera? I thought you would be happy for me?”
Mera replied, “Oh, my dear princess.” She gently placed her hand on the princess’s cheek. “You are a princess. You cannot be seen with a bandit. This will destroy your family name.”
Natalia stepped back. “What? Why not?” Her smile disappeared. “Should I not have the right to my own love? Should not my heart be able to choose as well? Or must I be stuck in this prison and let others decide my own heart’s desires?”
“You have responsibilities, princess, and they do not include running away with bandits!” responded Mera sternly.
“Mera?”
“Do not worry, princess. You will find your true love soon. Just be patient,” pleaded Mera.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, Natalia felt lost. Thoughts of her time with Elijah swirled as her fears resurfaced.
Mera whispered, “That must be your father.” The maid turned toward the door, but quickly turned back. Her eyes narrowed. “Do not leave the palace again, princess.” She abruptly turned. Moments later, the sultan stood before them in his great robe and cape, his rough face peering through. “Hello, Your Highness,” said Mera as she bowed.
“Leave my daughter and me in private please.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Mera as she turned to leave, but not before she shot Natalia one last glance.
“Hello, Natalia.” His voice resonated throughout the room.
Her shoulders dropped and her heart ached. “Hello, father,” replied Natalia as she tried to regain her happiness, but it seemed too far away to try. She thought back to when she was a child and her father had brought her so much happiness. But those were only distant memories today as she gazed into his hardened eyes.
Almost gruffly, he asked, “How has the day treated you?”
“Average, at best,” she said and quickly turned away.
The sultan crossed his arms and said, “Well, I have some news that may lift your spirits.”
She turned back to her father. Her smooth skin radiated from the glowing lights and barely hid the raised crease above her eye.
“You have come of age and it is time for you to be betrothed,” he said quickly.
Natalia yelled back, “What?” Her heart started racing.
He continued, “We have several princes coming to offer their hand in marriage,” with his arms still crossed.
Natalia’s voice was still raised. “And who does this benefit?” She felt a throb in her throat.
He smiled. “Why, the kingdom, of course.”
“And what? I just choose which one I like the best?” she said as she threw out her hands.
His face flushed slightly when he replied, “I will help make your decision.”
Natalia blurted out, “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” and rolled her eyes.
In an instant, his face darkened. “I do not have time for your belly aching, Natalia!”
Natalia fired back, “You never do! Why must I be married? Why must I give my heart to someone it doesn’t even yearn for?” She felt her breathing increase and wanted to cry. If only Elijah could take her away from this was her next thought. Her heart felt so heavy. She caught a glimpse of the city through the windows and wanted to run as far and fast as she could.
The sultan quickly replied, “You are the princess. It is your duty. Whoever you marry will seal an alliance with their country that we desperately need! The barbarian hordes grow in strength and number! They will overtake us soon if we do not have an alliance!”
Natalia shouted back, “As long as everyone is happy, right, father!” Inside, she was seething. All of a sudden, her disdain of palace life, her father’s heavy rule, and her princess’s responsibilities came crashing down. Something came over her and kept trying to pull her away, far away from these pressures. She felt herself give in as it screamed at her, “It’s not fair, Natalia! Why can’t you just be a peasant! Why can’t you be free like everyone else?” The only thing that saved her from running out of the room was a cool blast of reality from a rush of wind. The wildly swirling drapery seemed to match her confused thoughts perfectly.
He yelled back, “Do not speak to me like that again!” His eyes narrowed.
But she raged in return. “I choose not to be a princess! I do not want to marry a prince!” With one sweep, she sent her makeup and jewelry flying.
“Natalia!” shouted her father.
Tears flooded her eyes. “It’s not fair! I do not want to be miserable for the rest of my life. I want to be free, father! I just want to be…” She dropped to her chair, head in hands.
“Hold your tongue, girl!” he yelled. His flickering shadow spread across her small shoulders as he continued. “You will start acting like a princess. Do you understand?”
The room was filled with her sobbing.
He continued. “You will marry one of the princes. You will save this kingdom! My father and his father before him have kept this kingdom safe, protected, and cherished! I will not let a selfish, spoiled little girl ruin that tradition!”
She didn’t lift her head. The pain was too great and the struggle too powerful. Those voices kept at her, both from without and from within. Darkness swirled around and around and slowly dampened her ears as she sat there alone.
“The first prince will come three days. He hails from the east, from the city of Nisa. If you are not ready to act like a princess then, I promise you, you will wish you were never born!”
He stepped away and shouted back, “Three days!”
Her brush teetered again from the slamming door, and only then did Natalia lift her tear stained face. She suddenly ran to her bed, crying and wishing that her dream would appear. As she fell to her knees, her only escape was Elijah’s radiant smile, beckoning her on.
Chapter 8
The wavy radiation dancing above the rooftops was more than Elijah could stand. He glanced out one more time, and grinned as he turned and headed for his mat. Soon, he was fast asleep in the cool of the hideout, thanks in part to the thick walled construction designed for these hot summer days. He lay there on his back with his hands tucked gently under his head. The shuffle of feet roused him from thoughts of Natalia and her beauty when he realized that his fingers had fallen asleep. He pulled them out from under this head and shook them gently just as Karim walked in.
His sleepy eyes focused on images of dancing horses, multicolored, nestled in a band decorating a fanciful, earthen jug. Karim, with small beads of perspiration on his forehead, snickered. “So when did you become so lazy?”
His fingers came to life as he rubbed his eyes. “Late night,” stuttered Elijah.
Karim nodded. “I saw you down in the crowds talking to that crusader.”
Elijah had to think about this for a minute, and then he remembered the caged man with the promise. “Oh, yeah.”
Karim asked, ‘Did he say anything?”
As he continued to shake off his drowsiness, he replied, “Nothing important.”
Karim grinned. “Of course.”
“What have you got going on today?” said Elijah as he yawned.
With a shrug, he replied, “Nothing important.”
Elijah chuckled as he thought about the heat. He felt the same way.
Karim grinned again as he
carefully set his colorful jug close to his friend.
“What’s that for?” asked Elijah.
“Oh, there is a man who makes these jugs outside of town. He is really good as you can see,” stated Karim as he rotated his art slightly.
“Look at that! How did he paint those horses on there? They look so real!” Elijah leaned in closer.
Excitedly, Karim continued, “He is a master. He makes necklaces, pots, portraits, just about everything you could ask for.”
“Did you steal it?” chuckled Elijah.
Still focused on the horses, Karim chided, “Not everyone is like you, Elijah.”
Elijah frowned. “Yeah, I guess not.”
“I bought it,” added Karim.
Elijah’s forehead wrinkled. “You did? With what?”
“You keep your secrets with the princess, and I will keep mine with the silver, okay?” laughed Karim.
Elijah grinned, “I thought we were closer than that.”
“Never,” said Karim, smiling.
Thoughts of Natalia in the garden kept flashing in Elijah’s mind. He breathed in and tried to recreate how beautiful she smelled that night she visited the hideout. Suddenly, he was overcome with desire. He wanted to connect with her in a special way and thought that, maybe, this artist could help. “Take me there. I want to see this place,” he said.
Karim’s jaws clenched a little. “I will not let you steal from this man.”
Elijah quickly replied, “I do not intend to, Karim.” He slowly stood up and stretched. “I only steal food for us so that we can eat.”
Karim’s silence didn’t change Elijah’s newfound focus. “Will you take me to him?” said Elijah with a marked degree of urgency.
Karim stepped back. “Of course! Why do you want to go so badly?”
Their eyes met. “Maybe I can have him make something for Natalia.”
Suddenly, Karim grinned. “He can do anything. What is her favorite animal?”
Elijah paused. “I do not know yet.”
“Well, maybe you should find out,” laughed Karim.
Elijah joined in. “Don’t worry. I’m on it.”
Karim nodded his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”
The two men ran across the neighboring roof and scaled down to the crowded streets. Several carts lumbered by, overflowing with orange and green gourds. Their camels let out loud screeches when Elijah and Karim hit the ground. A bouncing ball landed in the street just as a running kid kicked it up against the wall. Elijah’s instinct kicked in as he ducked, causing Karim to chuckle. Just then they approached a street vendor selling fat oranges, and Elijah quickly stuffed two in his pouch. They quickly sped off past the outskirts of town and were soon approaching a small shack. Karim pointed just as Elijah focused in on a bunch of hanging ornaments and pots. His imagination sparked and he ran closer with Karim by his side.
Elijah gleamed. “I like it,” Elijah said as he handed Karim an orange.
“He is a good man,” laughed Karim, throwing his head back slightly.
Trying to be careful, Elijah stepped closer to some brightly colored pots, swaying in the breeze. “Can’t wait to meet him.”
Karim reached up and rang the bell. Before long, the door opened. They were greeted with kind eyes set in between a large grey and black beard and a loosely wound turban.
Waving, Karim said, “I am back, Markis.”
“Ah! Karim. Back so soon? Are you here to make another purchase?”
Karim pointed toward Elijah and grinned. “No, but I have a friend that is interested in your work.”
Without an introduction, Elijah said, “Hi. I am Elijah.”
Markis bowed. “Pleasure to meet you, Elijah. What brings you to my store?”
“I need a gift.”
“Ah, yes. A gift. A gift for someone special? A gift for someone you love?” He twirled his dye-stained hands.
Elijah chuckled. “Well, I do not know about love. But very special indeed.”
Markis perked up. “You are not in love?”
Elijah squirmed. “No…I…no,” as he felt the blood rush to his skin.
Markis glanced at Karim and said, “His face tells us a different story, does it not?” Both Karim and Markis chuckled.
“Ah!” sighed Elijah.
Karim said, “That’s cute, Elijah,” as he chuckled again.
Markis threw his shoulders back slightly and rearranged his turban. “So what kind of gift do you want to give this princess?”
Elijah practically shouted, “Princess?” His eyes darted between the two. “How…what…how…?”
“You seem troubled, boy,” replied Markis, shaking his head.
“I…I…,” stuttered Elijah as he listened to Karim laugh.
“You do not call that special someone your princess?” asked Markis, hand on his chin.
Elijah’s eyebrows quickly lifted. “Oh, you mean not literally a princess.” He tried to chuckle. “Oh, I…”
Markis stepped back. “Do you call that special someone your prince instead?”
Karim let loose with laughter.
Elijah stuttered again, “Ahem. What could you make fit for a princess?”
“Anything.”
Elijah thought for a moment. “How about a necklace?”
“Okay. What would you like on the necklace?” nodded Markis.
Elijah paused again. “Uh, I don’t know. How about…a…” He tried to imagine what would look especially beautiful, laying against her graceful neck, but came up with nothing. He quickly wiped his forehead as Markis continued.
“Does he have a favorite animal? A favorite symbol?”
Elijah quickly looked up and frowned. “No…she…I…really don’t have a clue.”
Karim and Markis waited patiently.
“Look, I need something fit for a princess. Something that will last throughout the ages.” Elijah breathed a sigh of relief.
Markis quickly responded, “Ah.”
A breeze kicked up as Elijah thought about what he had just said. He was about to say something else when Markis continued, “Then you will need the best product. I have only rope for my necklaces. However, if you were to get me some gold or silver, I think I might make a necklace with a symbol on it or with an animal! So much better. You will need a diamond or an emerald for the animal.”
Elijah asked, “Yeah, but where do I find gold or silver? Or a diamond or emerald?” He had never needed or owned such things.
Again, Markis quickly answered, “If you think this person is that special, you will find it.”
Karim glanced at Elijah.
“I’m doing it! I will be back!” said Elijah.
Markis smiled and said, “Now that’s a good lad.”
Elijah suddenly smirked at the two men. “I will find what I need, and you will make the most beautiful necklace. And I will give it to my princess.”
Chapter 9
Last night, on the way to the palace, Elijah noticed a small street he hadn’t seen before. Several houses along that way connected him directly toward his destination, but around a pesky guard station. He almost forgot about it tonight but remembered at the last moment. It was a good thing because the guards had been doubled ahead on his normal route. Soon, he was obscurely on his way. As he sat in the cool of the night, eyes on some passing guards, he started wondering what her favorite animal was. His only reference was the bold-faced tigers from the passing Chinese caravan. Natalia had to be pried away from that spectacular sight that night. He wondered if Markis could make her special gift of a tiger. Suddenly, images of her beauty flashed through his daydreams and his heart started pounding. He looked over at the awaiting tree and was just about to leap down when “Hey” broke the still of
the night.
Quickly turning around, he instantly broke into a huge grin. There was Natalia, standing in the shadows, fully dressed in commoner clothing. He stood up just as she sprang out from the roof corner. “Natalia!” A second later, they were in each other’s arms.
He felt her warmth as she sunk into the hug, gently laying her head on his chest. They held each other tightly, neither making a move to let go. A rush of emotions suddenly surged through his body. He had never felt something so good convening together like this—ever! His knees started to buckle and forced him to hold on even tighter.
Natalia tensed her arms, hesitated, and pulled back ever so slightly, just enough to glance into his eyes.
Tenderly, Elijah asked, “How are you?”
Her gentle words floated across, “I’m okay.” But Elijah sensed that everything was not all right. Her words didn’t hold their usual spark, and her half-hearted smile convinced him. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
She quietly shook her head and answered, “No, it’s not.”
A pang went through his chest as he lifted his hand to her chin. “What is it? Hey. I’m here for you. What is it? What do I need to do?”
She turned toward the palace and sighed. “I am expected to marry a prince soon,” she said as her voice trailed off.
He closed his eyes for a second as he embraced the inevitable. She was a princess after all. He had battled this fear earlier and couldn’t stand thinking about it. He felt his pulse quicken as he imagined someone else holding her hand. But he also knew that he could not let her see him so angered. She was a princess, his princess. He stirred deep inside and shut the negative feelings down, knowing that he had to be positive—for her. Anything less ran the risk of losing her. His tender glance gently embraced her fears. “Hey. It’s okay,” he said.
“No, it’s not,” she snapped and stiffened. “I thought you would understand!”
Elijah pleaded, “Then help me understand. What is happening? Please tell me. Maybe I can help?” He reached out and waited.
Their hands met as she replied, “There are some princes coming to impress me. I have to choose one of them.”
Fire in the Heart : The Princess and the Bandit (9781629020112) Page 7