by M. L. Greye
There had been so many changes to her life in the past few months that she had given up on many of her childhood dreams, making way for new ones, which included Archrin. Even though she wasn’t proposed to in the manner she had originally planned, the real event with Archrin had been sweet, touching, and characteristic of him – blunt, simple, and gentle.
After the conquering of the Kendren brothers, Tiara saw very little of Archrin during those first three days of Tlaidian independence. He and General Gyrvin Voiel were kept busy with the deconstruction and realignment of the Kendren armies. But one night Archrin decided he had endured enough time away from her and snuck out of the castle with her for a midnight ride. Apparently, Archrin was raised in Desnbi, the capital of Tlaid, so he knew the area exceptionally well.
They rode to several of his favorite spots as a child while he spoke of his life before his parents had died. His mother and he were the only Craeles in his immediate family. With Craeles, if both parents were half-human and half-animal then all of their children would be the same. However, with a mixed marriage, it was always a surprise. Children were either all Craele or all human.
Following Archrin’s birth, his parents were sure they would have another Craele, but his two younger sisters were both Saerds. It never bothered Archrin, though, that he and his mother were the only Craeles. It had created a special bond between them. When she died, Archrin was devastated. Even now, his heart often ached for his mother. He wished Tiara could have known her.
Following their tour of Desnbi, Archrin veered the horse carrying them into a nearby forest, called Lorvn. There, he took her to a small cavern cut into the side of one of the low mountain ranges surrounding the city. For a short period after his parents’ death, Archrin chose to live in his animal form within the walls of the cave. His sisters were under the care of his aunt, thinking he had joined the Kendren army. Although that was his original plan, Archrin decided to cater to his instincts for a while.
As a panther, Archrin could avoid the pain of losing portions of his family. Life was simpler as an animal. In fact, many Craeles chose to remain in their animal forms all their lives. However, after several months of living as a panther, Archrin learned he preferred being human. That was when he actually joined the Kendrens.
Archrin explained all of this to Tiara as they trotted around the area atop his horse. When he ceased talking, he slowly leaned in to kiss her, letting his lips linger over hers. Then, he whispered, “Tiara, you are my mate. I love you dearly and never want to leave your side. Marry me, please.”
The warmth that had spread through her that night was nothing she could have imagined. It was perfect. Archrin was to be her king. She could not have been happier.
“Do you approve, your highness?”
The voice brought Tiara’s attention back to the present with a snap. She was still in a council room of Desnbi Castle and she had no idea what she was to approve. The man who had asked was a burly former Kendren officer, loyal to Voiel and now Tiara. He was a good man. Tiara wanted to answer him. She shot Archrin a quick, desperate glance for his aid. Apparently, he was well aware of her lack of participation. He barely nodded his head once, hardly noticeable. It was enough.
“Of course.” Tiara smiled. “This is just the sort of thing we need to implement.”
“Agreed,” Archrin added before Tiara had to continue. “My friends, it is almost time for dinner. Shall we adjourn until morning?”
As the room cleared, Tiara and Archrin remained still in their seats. Protocol demanded that the sovereigns stay until their subjects had all left. It was a Kendren tradition. Tiara wasn’t very fond of it, but with so many changes occurring to the people of Tlaid, Tiara decided this was a battle not worth fighting yet.
While she waited, Tiara once again allowed her eyes to wander over the room. Unlike the great hall with large and elaborate tapestries lining the walls, the room was bare except for a massive oval table, high-backed chairs, a thick rug of compiled furs beneath the table, and a wide fireplace along one wall. The fireplace was the room’s only source of light, but it shed plenty. It was almost the length of the room and was the height of a man. When she first saw it, Tiara had been afraid that it would produce too much heat since they were still experiencing the Tlaidian version of summer. The design of the room however, kept the area quite cool.
“Would you like to know what you said yes to?” Archrin asked in Saerdian. They never spoke to each other in Arthelian.
She let out a short laugh. “So, you did notice.”
He grunted. “You are to be my wife. No one knows you as well as I do.”
Tiara fingered her new silver engagement band on her left wrist, unable to hide her grin. Even though in Drivian betrothed couples exchanged rings, in Tlaid the custom was for the woman to don a bracelet of silver, etched in wispy, connecting patterns. The bracelet had been another battle Tiara hadn’t cared to fight. “Alright, what did I agree to?”
“Unlike the Kendren brothers, you are to have a council of political advisors. These advisors will be elected by the people of Tlaid.”
“Elected?” Tiara blinked. “Have Tlaidians ever voted for their leaders?”
“Not since Queen Lorianna.”
“A council of advisors,” Tiara repeated to herself. “What do you call all the people we sit through these meetings with?”
“They basically are your council for now, at least until the people can vote on new members.”
“Oh.”
The room was empty now. Tiara and Archrin stood. It was time for them to return to their chambers to change. Dinner was a stately affair. They needed to dress their best.
As they made their way through the stone hallways, their path lit by torches mounted to the walls and sporadic stained glass windows, Tiara let Archrin recap the last thirty minutes she had missed. But she was having a hard time focusing on what he was saying. It was a rough day for her. She kept drifting off, thinking more about the sound of the Tlaidian lilt in his voice rather than the words leaving his mouth.
“What’s distracting you?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re obviously bored with anything of or related to your new position as princess,” Archrin mused. “What are you thinking about?”
“Sorry, I can’t seem to focus today. Don’t worry. I’ll be better at dinner.” She paused, noticing that they were no longer walking. “Why did we stop?”
Archrin released a sigh and shook his head. “We’ve reached your room’s door.”
“Already?” She glanced around in surprise. He was right.
He frowned. “Are you sick?”
“I don’t think so.” She ran her tongue along the back of her teeth. “I just feel restless.”
“Maybe you need a break. How would you like another midnight ride?”
She grinned. “I’d prefer one right after dinner.”
“Deal.” He kissed her softly. “I’ll come back to get you for dinner once I change.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Good.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I love you.”
“Why do you always act like you’ll never see me again whenever we part?”
“You have a special gift for getting yourself into trouble. How am I to know that I will see you again?” He was teasing.
Tiara grunted and gave him a playful shove backwards. “Go. I’m not going anywhere.”
Archrin left her with a smile on his face as she entered her room. Once the door was shut behind her, she stepped across the stone floor and braided rug beneath her bed to the wardrobe at the opposite wall. Protocol demanded that she call for her handmaiden, Leiselle, to help her dress, but at the moment Tiara was content to do the work herself. She had done so all her life on her own. It was nice to have some time to herself.
Castle life was one of being surrounded by people at almost every waking moment. She was lucky to ever escape. Fortunately, when Archrin was near she wasn’t required to have
a following of guards. Apparently, to be a princess was to be in constant peril, or so her soldiers and handmaiden believed. Leiselle was a nice girl with pretty hazel eyes and flaming red hair, but she was also paranoid. She was convinced that Tiara was in danger no matter the hour or place. If only Leiselle had been with Tiara in Tamorre Forest a few months before. The poor girl would have fainted.
With a small laugh, Tiara yanked open her wardrobe. Her eyes were greeted with fine silks and satins in all shades and colors. This truly was her favorite part of now being royalty. Her gowns were beautiful.
“You look far too enraptured in things you simply wear.”
Tiara whirled. “Trier!”
Leaning up against her bedpost, arms folded, stood a figure with features similar to her own. The man had the same dark hair, green eyes, and high cheek bones. Tiara couldn’t help but gape. When had she last seen his face?
He winked. “Hello, Tiara.”
“Trier!” She cried out again, running into his outstretched arms. “Ohreen doveem naunt, I’ve missed you!”
“It has been a while,” he admitted, holding her tightly against him. “How have you been, little sister?”
“Well, I’m engaged.”
“Congratulations.” He grinned, releasing her. “What’s my future brother-in-law’s name?”
“Archrin Lorth,” she replied. “He’s a Craele.”
Trier laughed – a rich sound like what their father’s had been. “Of course you would fall in love with a Craele. Good to see you haven’t changed.”
“Oh, please.” Tiara rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here? How is everyone?”
The everyone she referred to were her other siblings. Tiara was the middle child of five, crammed between two sets of twins, oddly enough. Trier was the eldest, but not by long. His twin sister, Tiana, was just three minutes younger. Tiara came three turns after. Then, two turns later, Tamina and Travin were born. Two boys and three girls within a five-turn span. Even though all of Tiara’s siblings chose to follow in their mother’s footsteps, becoming Equilan, she had always stayed close with them. Well, except within recent months while she was out on her adventures.
“We’re all doing great,” Trier told her. “Tamina and Travin wish they could have come with me. I think Tiana was planning on it, but something came up so she wasn’t able to either. They all send their love.”
“Please send them mine as well.” Tiara dropped onto the edge of her bed, staring up at her brother. “You didn’t answer my question though.”
He smiled slightly. “I see you still remember the Equilan ways.”
To see any of her siblings, Tiara had to send for them. Trier showing up by himself meant that a Fraer had sent him to her. “Why are you here, Trier?”
He sighed and sat down beside her. “The Other Worlds are not in good shape. But I’m sure you are well aware of this, your highness.”
“Realistically, it’s your throne,” she retorted.
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m the Equilan. You’re the princess.”
“Is that all you came to tell me?”
“The Fraers know you wear mamma’s Time ring.”
She blinked. “And they’ve sent you to tell me this?”
“You were never meant to have it.”
Tiara frowned. “That’s not true. Mamma said that she saved it for me.”
Trier raised his hands to stop her protest. “Equilan are not permitted to take their rings with them once they retire. Mamma kept hers only because she always intended on returning to her old life once her children were grown.”
“But she was thwarted in her plans,” she finished for him, suddenly feeling cold.
He nodded sadly. “It was wise of her to give it to you instead of letting it fall into the hands of the Kendrens.”
“But…” Tiara let her voice trail off.
Her brother frowned. “But you are about to be brought into something far greater than what is occurring in just Tlaid.”
“What do you mean by that?” She asked slowly.
“You will need the power that the ring offers in what you have yet to face,” he explained.
Tiara raised her eyebrows. “What power? The ring has power?”
He let out a short laugh. “It isn’t a well known fact, but the Time ring is the tool we Equilan use in traveling through time.”
“So, the Fraers want me to time travel?” Tiara couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“No, there are other unique advantages the ring has to offer,” he replied. “Those are the uses the Fraers wish you to become acquainted with.”
“Which are?”
“I can tell you, but you must be the one to discover how to work the ring for your benefit.”
“Of course.” Tiara grunted. Why would a Fraer just give me the training? I’m no Equilan.
“You are to learn to see the future.”
“What?” Tiara nearly choked on the word. “The Fraers want me to learn to see the future? How?”
“I’ve been told that the gift is already inside of you,” he assured her. “You can do it, you simply need to learn how.”
“See the future,” Tiara repeated to herself slowly. She couldn’t remember hearing about anyone other than a Fraer to have ever done such a thing. “Trier, what reason did the Fraers give you for me being able to do what they can do. I’m not one of them.”
“But you could have been,” he said softly.
Tiara didn’t think she could’ve been surprised any further. “Me? A Fraer?”
He nodded. “Apparently you currently have a gift that they use to see the future. All you lack is training.”
“If I could have been a Fraer, then why was I never invited to an apprenticeship? I was born in Time,” she pointed out. “It would have been perfectly normal for them to approach me.”
Trier smiled. “Because you were always meant to be queen of the Saerds.”
“Oh.” Tiara ran her tongue along the back of her teeth. “Well then, I suppose I will go search for a tutor.”
“It’ll be easier than you think to find her,” he returned.
“Her?” Tiara blinked.
“Yes, her.” He winked and stood. “I must go.”
“You can’t tell me her name?” Tiara eased onto her feet as well. “It’s always such a treat when you stop by.”
Her brother laughed again and bowed. “Until next time, your highness.”
With that, Trier disappeared as suddenly as he had come, leaving Tiara to miss him, despite her shock. She released a sigh and sank back onto her bed. Her eyes drifted to her bed’s right nightstand. Inside one of its drawers was Olinia’s shimmer stone, hidden in the middle of a cutout book. Archrin had suggested they hide it. Could she use it now to escape her responsibilities and expectations? The notion of her being capable of learning to see the future of the Other Worlds seemed a little too surreal.
Letting her breath out in a rush, Tiara stood and began back to her wardrobe. She still needed to dress for dinner. She would tell Archrin about Trier’s visit when they went for their ride that evening. Until then, she would try to rid her mind of the many questions rolling around inside of it.
All at once, though, Tiara’s stomach felt like it would turn itself inside out. Tiara collapsed onto the floor, cringing in agony. She knew what came next, but as always was not prepared for the pain. It had been about a month since she had last felt the nausea. Not again! She pleaded silently.
But it was too late – her world was spinning. Tiara clamped her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. When was she going now?
: : : : :
Kissing the princess had been a mistake. Even while he was caught up in the moment, Sazx knew that he would regret his actions. If he had listened to the warnings within his head, Sazx could have built a sensible relationship with the young Lantz Legann. Now, he was doomed to a foundation of mistrust. Sazx should have been thinking more clearly. It was not in his nature to act
out irrationally.
The problem was the princess. She was intoxicating. In a sea of Ethon Saerds, she shone all the brighter. Sazx had always believed Eveon women to be superior to all other races, but when he met the Wend Olinia he’d realized his error. She far surpassed any female he had previously encountered. No Eve could compare to a Wend in beauty. When Sazx was near her, all rational thought dissipated. She was evidently his weakness.
Sazx groaned and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He was on the couch in front of the muted television. Some local news channel was spewing Ethon information at him. During his time with the Key, Sazx had enjoyed watching any form of news. The events of Ethon were so different from that of the Other Worlds. In his realm, worlds were separate entities with multiple allies and enemies of other worlds. The internal rivalries of Ethon baffled Sazx.
Along with the politics of Ethon, it had been strange to discover that Trenton Alridge the Key – an old Balnorrean hero – was still alive. Sazx had never imagined himself meeting the man who had aided in the fall of Balinorre. But then, Sazx had always assumed the Key to be dead, as Dagon should have died generations ago, had he not partook of the Velvitor elixir.
He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. He missed the Other Worlds. The rhythm of his realm was completely different than that of Ethon. At the moment, he was certain that admittance to any world of his realm would sooth his agitated nerves. How odd to think that just a few short weeks before he had been in Caprith, wishing for a way to be rid of it forever. To be trapped now in Ethon seemed like a rather ironic solution to his previous predicament.
In truth, Sazx enjoyed the princess and her brother’s company, but he was not pleased with the circumstances he found himself within – trapped in Ethon. He doubted he was alone in his desire to return to the Other Worlds. The Princess and Lantz could not be entirely happy here.
Sazx sighed. He needed to get out of the house. Inside, his thoughts of Olinia were far too acute. He wasn't feeling himself. Sazx shut off the TV and began toward the laundry room that connected the garage with the house. Legann’s car keys hung from a peg beside the washer and dryer. When Sazx returned Trenton’s rental car a couple days back, Legann agreed to let Sazx use his car while he was at school during the day. Generous of the young Lantz, especially since Sazx had clearly left a sour taste in his mouth.