by Stone, Leia
I nodded and walked into the room. After shutting the door, I slid my back against it until I was sitting on the ground. I was scared to look up, to see the beautiful room, to be entranced by the new life I had been given.
"Ocean, are you okay?" Lake appeared before me.
Lake, my one piece of home. That's when the tears came. I cried for missing my mother, for Seth's cousin and wife who struggled to pay for water, for Maggie and what she said, I cried for the kiss I shared with Seth and the empty hope I had that we might have a future together. Rain pelted the windows as my best friend held me. Finally, I wiped my face and told her everything. I told her the details of my carriage ride, the kisses, the thug I killed by drowning, and even what Maggie said, all of it.
Lake’s face looked alarmed. "Ocean, that's treason. The king paid for your services, you must be loyal to him."
I looked down at her sewn silk dress, her braided hair, and ruby necklace. She certainly liked the riches they were dishing out.
She saw me looking. "I'm with you no matter what, but I like it here. Look, I got my first week’s payment." She pulled out a gold Kings Coin. "I get four per moon! I have been trained. I have a job now, Ocean. I'm happy here." The fading bruise under her eye made me quiet any retort.
My best friend was happy and safe. That's all I ever wanted. So I smiled and pushed down my feelings. "You look beautiful. Did you learn to braid hair? Want to do mine?" I asked.
She smiled enthusiastically. "Yes, there is a ball tonight in your honor. I have a lot to teach you before then."
Lake began to braid my long hair. She did three different braids and wound each one into a bun at the base of my neck, keeping a chunk of my bangs loose to frame my face. She taught me that the next time I saw the king or any other member of royalty, I should curtsy and not bow. She put a thin line of black coal under my eyes, and some red crème to stain my cheeks and lips.
My living quarters were huge. The rooms were bigger than my entire mud hut at home. It had two bedrooms, a sitting area, a private balcony, a washroom, and a large closet.
The head maiden came by with a custom stitched blue silk dress for me.
It had a stiff corset that sucked in my already tiny waist and pressed up my breasts. It flowed to the floor in soft billowy waves. "This is uncomfortable. Why can't I wear my cloth wrap?" I moaned.
Lake was standing in front of me, speechless. "You look like a goddess. Seth is going to propose marriage after seeing you tonight," she joked.
I laughed and then shushed her. "Don't tell anyone that we kissed," I scolded her.
She rolled her eyes. "Of course I won’t. Come on, we don't want to be late."
Prince Kyler
Lake changed into a pink satin gown, less dramatic than mine, and ushered me out my door. Seth was leaning up against the stone wall, polishing his sword balanced on his knee. His hair was slicked back. He looked clean and freshly shaven. He wore a light white tunic that hugged his large biceps. His brown suede pants were tucked into knee high leather boots. I swallowed hard as he looked up and nearly dropped his sword. His eyes roamed from the top of my head to my feet.
"My lady."
I curtsied as Lake taught me and he chuckled.
"That is reserved for royalty and courtiers. I am just a guard."
I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell him how handsome he looked. The words were burning a hole in my tongue.
"Shall we?" Lake asked and cleared her throat.
Seth stood up and sheathed his sword. "After you, ladies."
The great hall was a large grand room with gold leaf embellished floors and mirrored walls. There must have been five hundred people in there, a mix of common folk and upper class; I could tell by the clothes. As I entered, everyone bowed. I looked behind me and saw no one special. My heart was thumping in my throat. I looked to Lake.
“Wave to them, thank them.”
I held my chin high and waved. “Thank you all for coming.”
A woman approached me. She was wearing scuffed brown leather shoes and a cotton dress. She handed me a lavender sprig.
“Thank you for the rain, Your Grace.”
I took the sprig and tried to smile. “Please, call me Ocean.” The crowd parted and at the end was a tall, handsome young man. His hair was fair and golden. I had never seen hair like his, like a husk of wheat. Our eyes locked and he smiled charmingly.
“That’s the prince. Curtsy,” Lake whispered.
I curtsied as he walked toward me. Music started up and he extended his hand and flashed me another big smile. He had dimples and perfect teeth.
“Would you do me the honor of a dance?” he requested.
I could feel Seth’s eyes burning into my back. So this was why he worried? That the prince would come sweep me away? Or maybe he didn’t care about me in a serious way, just a physical attraction. I glanced at Lake who urged me to take his hand.
I did. He pulled me close to him but kept enough distance between us that it was not improper.
“I’m Prince Kyler,” he told me.
“I’m Ocean, and I have a confession,” I told him nervously as he began walking to the right and I tripped over his foot. The music was different than in my village.
“What’s that?” He smiled. He smelled of musk and sandalwood.
I tripped again and he grinned.
“I’ve never danced like this,” I confessed.
He laughed deeply, and for the first time since everything happened, I laughed.
He slowed down and then broke away, linking my arm in his and leading me outside to a balcony. “That was foolish of me, I’m sorry. Of course you don’t dance like we do. I also want to apologize for not being here to greet you today. I was on a hunt. I trust you got along well with Seth.”
I tried not to widen my eyes. “Oh, that’s okay. Yes, Seth is … great.”
He scanned my face but didn’t comment. “I hope my father’s offer was good and your village will prosper. You will be well cared for and protected here.”
I sighed. “Yeah, it was fine.” He was only trying to be nice.
He stared at my eyes. “You must miss your family.” He looked genuinely upset.
I turned and looked for Seth, but couldn’t find him. Wasn’t he supposed to stay close to me?
“Come and meet my mother,” Prince Kyler told me.
Kyler led me over to an elevated stage where the king and queen sat. I curtsied and the queen nodded and smiled at me.
"All this rain is doing horrible things for my hair," she told me jokingly.
I bit my lip nervously. "Sorry about that."
She took my hand. "I'm teasing. My name is Cassandra and we are delighted to have you here."
The king watched me out of the corner of his eye. "You know, I wonder if I could have a moment alone with Ocean," he said, ominously.
Kyler frowned but asked his mother to dance and left us.
I curtsied again unsure what to do. Where was Lake?
"About all of this rain." He gestured into the air with his hands. "I wonder if you could control it better."
I pinched my eyebrows together. "Control it?"
He leaned in toward me. "Yes, my well master tells me almost no one came today. Instead, they collected rain water and I have lost one thousand Kings Coin over it."
I nearly fainted. He made one thousand Kings Coin a day on water!
"I can't control it," I said through gritted teeth.
He leaned forward. "Figure out a way. You are, after all, my employee."
His sneer turned to a fake smile. "Now run along and enjoy the night, it’s for you, after all."
I left the stage, shaken. I searched the crowd and found Lake over by a food table. I was making my way over to her when a crashing sound rang throughout the great hall. Out of nowhere, Seth appeared and grabbed my waist, pulling me to the ground and tucking me under his body as glass sprinkled from the high ceiling.
A large rock wrapped in pa
per had been thrown through the window. Two words were scrawled on the paper in black coal. 'Water greed.'
The king barked orders at his guards as they ran outside, then he walked over and picked up the rock and looked at me.
"It looks like Coal Mountain is a sore loser," he exclaimed to everyone and they laughed nervously.
"Unfortunately, we will have to end the evening for safety reasons. Thank you all for coming. We are blessed that Ocean is with us." The king’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
He looked at Seth and motioned for him to take me back to my room.
Prince Kyler appeared and extended his hand to help me up. "I'm glad you weren't hurt. May I walk you back to your room?" he asked kindly.
The situation was getting awkward. Lines were blurring and I wasn’t sure what to do.
"Don’t trouble yourself. I'll be fine with Seth," I said nicely. I still wasn’t sure what I had started with Seth. With those kisses.
The prince looked at Seth. "It’s no trouble at all. Besides, the captain is a weak swordsman, so I may be of assistance if we are attacked."
A grin broke out on Seth's face. "If I am such a weak swordsman than why did your father send me to retrieve and protect her?"
Kyler shook his finger. "Now, now. Let's be modest about our accomplishments." He smiled at Seth. Their friendly banter made it clear they were close.
Seth laid a hand on Kyler’s shoulder. "I almost missed your sarcasm on my weeklong journey."
Kyler smiled. "Let's get together tomorrow, I want to hear all about it," he told him as we walked back to my room.
Seth gave me a side glance. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I stared straight ahead. They acted like brothers. I couldn't stop thinking about what Seth had told me about Kyler considering me for marriage.
Would it be so bad to be a princess? I let my mind wonder. Seth certainly didn't seem interested in extending our relationship outside of the private walls of the carriage. Maybe he was embarrassed to be seen with a village girl, but Kyler certainly wasn’t. He asked me to dance in front of an entire room full of people.
"I saw my cousin and his pregnant wife in Mule," Seth told the prince.
"How are they?" the prince asked. Before Seth could answer, I decided to answer for him and see just what kind of man the prince really was.
"They are struggling to make ends meet with the thugs increasing water prices at the well," I declared.
Kyler nodded in understanding. "The thugs are a big problem in the outskirts."
"Perhaps Mule city and Jewel Kingdom would both benefit from protection at their wells with a flat rate for water and no thugs," I suggested.
Kyler gave me a long look. "We tried to make Mule a Jewel Mountain territory years ago. They declined."
I shrugged. "Years ago the problem with the water thugs was not as bad. Maybe they could be persuaded this time. You could split the profits."
Kyler nodded and then looked at Seth. "She's pretty incredible, isn't she?" he asked Seth.
Seth sadly looked my way. "That she is, Your Highness."
I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say next.
We reached our two doors and I stood there awkwardly. Where was Lake?
"Well, good night," I told them both.
Kyler grabbed my hand and kissed it. "Good night. Thank you for the horrible dance."
I laughed and Seth walked into his room, shutting the door harder than necessary behind him.
"Yes, I'll have to work on that," I told him and retreated into my quarters.
I undressed and lay down in bed waiting for Lake to return.
A little while later, there was a light knock at the door. I padded over to it and opened it to find a gift laying on the floor. It was haphazardly wrapped in brown paper with a note.
Jewel Mountain’s finest. –Seth
I smiled and tore open the package. It was a bunch of small bottles of colored paints, a few rolled parchment pieces and a horse hair brush! It must have cost him a fortune. I saw there was green, for his eyes. Now I was utterly confused. Did he like me?
Lake came home sometime later, but I pretended to be asleep. In reality, I tossed and turned all night. Whenever I shut my eyes, I saw myself falling into a huge body of water, not able to reach the surface. If the Fates were sending me messages, they weren’t positive ones.
Maggie
"Ocean, quickly, wake up!" Seth’s voice cut into my dreams. Last night it had taken me forever to fall asleep. I groaned, heavy with need for more sleep.
"Ocean, Maggie has been found dead."
I sat up quickly, my heart hammering in my chest.
"What, what did you say?" I asked him.
Seth looked sullen. “My father found Maggie dead this morning.”
Oh Fates.
"You are not to leave this room without me," he declared while sitting on my bed.
“Okay,” I said in stunned silence. My legs were bare and one of them peeked out of the sheet. He glanced at it and then went to get up. I reached for his hand.
I know it was a horrible time to say it, but part of the reason I couldn't sleep last night was because of Seth.
"Seth, in my village when a man wants a woman, he declares it for all to hear. He doesn't let the woman go a single day without knowing she is his."
I could see the reflection of my blue eyes in his. His chest was rising and falling, his eyes bore into mine. He looked tenderly at my hand, holding his.
I continued. "That way, all of the other men and the woman know where they stand," I urged him.
He seemed to consider my words and looked longingly at my lips. Then he gritted his teeth. "Good to know."
My mouth dropped open and my heart broke. I dropped his hand, I felt so stupid! He only wanted me for pleasure, not because he liked me. I stood quickly as thunder cracked outside and rain fell.
“Goodbye.” I ground the words out and hoped he got their meaning.
He gave me a sad look and turned and left.
I ran out of the room to find Lake and forget that Seth and I ever kissed.
Remembering the king’s words, I took a few deep breaths and tried to stop the rain.
*
After sulking for two days to Lake and not leaving my room, I was getting antsy.
There was a knock at the door. Lake and I shared a look.
She opened the door and bowed deeply. “Come in, Prince Kyler.”
Kyler came in but left the door open. Lake busied herself cleaning the other room. I was dressed casually in a wrap from home and sat perched on the luxurious sofa.
Kyler wrung his hands nervously. “I haven’t seen you around. I know this is a bad time with Maggie’s passing and all, but I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay.” I sat up straighter.
“Well, I had a good time the other night with you at the dance and my father is pressuring me to take a wife,” he stated boldly.
Oh my Fates.
He must have seen the fear in my eyes. “Oh, no! No, not that. It’s just … when a prince wants to court someone with the possibility of marriage, it’s a formal process. So, I was wondering if you wanted to begin a courtship. Get to know each other better? My mother or someone will have to chaperone all of our dates, which I’m sure sounds really tempting, right?” he joked and smiled.
Those dimples, my heart warmed. He was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor. He was making his intentions known, unlike Seth. I would be stupid to turn him down.
“I’d love to,” I told him, unsure what to do next.
“Good, I’m glad.” He smiled and took my hand kissing it, then he turned to leave. “Oh! I almost forgot. I drafted an agreement with the city of Mule to bring them into the kingdom. They will have to pay taxes and live by our rules, but in turn we will guard the watering hole and only charge a flat rate.
“You did all that? In a few nights?” I smiled.
He grinned. “I couldn’t sleep much that first night we me
t. So, my father is presenting it to them today.”
My mouth hung open. I didn’t know what to say. I made a suggestion and he listened. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “I’ll see you later? Maybe we could walk the rose garden?”
“That sounds great,” I told him with excitement.
Kyler was just what I needed. A nice, normal, and stable gentleman.
I changed and got ready for the day. When I opened the door, I saw that Seth was leaning up against the wall. He perked up when I came out. "Listen, Ocean, about the other morning–"
I fit him with a glare. We had a saying in my village. Marry for water and you would never be parched. Marry for love and you could die of thirst. I was done with Seth.
"Don't talk to me about that morning. If you do, I will ask the king for a replacement."
His mouth opened in shock. He closed it quickly and nodded. "Okay, I deserve that."
“And I have agreed to enter into a courtship with Prince Kyler. He made his intentions clear, even to his parents,” I said with confidence. I didn’t really even know what a courtship was. I would have to ask Lake about all of the rules.
He winced but recovered quickly. I couldn’t bear to stand there and stare at his beautiful face, remembering our passionate kisses. Knowing I was just a play thing to him. I began to walk down the hall.
“The king needs you to fill the water tower on the roof, now that Maggie’s gone.” He stopped me, his voice was empty of all emotion.
“Fine, lead the way,” I told him.
After filling the water tank, I decided to go back to my room. It was the only way to get rid of Seth.
After closing the door and turning the corner, entering into my bedroom, I nearly fainted. Seth’s father stood there. I prepared to scream, but he clamped a hand over my mouth.
“Shh, it’s okay. I have to tell you something,” he whispered.
I gripped my throat and calmed down.
“We never were officially introduced. I'm Sebastian, Seth’s father.”
I had fully regained my wits. "Hello, I'm Ocean." I extended my hand. He shook it and placed a small folded note into my palm, giving me a look that worried me.