Day 15

Tẽra Trazzie was tired at the end of the day. The peace talks went around and round. She had hoped that some steps forwards would have been achieved. But the mistrust and anger kept progress from being achieved. Or made it very slow.

She ate with Joe, Rosaleighm and Spice.

“I have agreed to walk with Prince Drake this evening. I cannot say I feel for it.” Tẽra told them.

“He is very handsome and powerful.” Spice said.

Tẽra was saying everything twice, once for Joe and once for Spice.

“Do you want to marry him?” Joe asked.

“What I want doesn’t matter. What I need to do to is, marry to ensure stability for everyone.”

“Are you planning to stay when we return?” Joe asked.

Tẽra played with the food on her plate.

“Yes. It was wrong of me to pretend to be the queen. Now I can’t pretend I must be, and I must ensure the safety of the kingdom.”

“Why?” Joe asked.

“It’s the right thing to do. I must now carry the responsibilities of the roll I was playing.”

“Don’t you have family?” Joe asked.

“I do and I miss them so much. But if I just leave what will happen? The deaths that follow will be because of me. I cannot live with that. I will hurt people just because I don’t want to do the hard things.”

“Is that why you were asking about the lost heir?”

“Yes, I was hoping if she was found, I would be able to go home. But unless my leaving will be a good thing I cannot go.”

“Are you old enough to get married?” Joe asked.

“My gran thinks so. She has tried to get me to marry for years now. Guess she will get her wish after all. I will marry for reasons other than love.” Tẽra put her fork down.

“I know that Prince Drake will be a good leader. If you must bond, then bonding with him is a good choice.” Spice comforted.

“I have to go prepare for our walk.”

Tẽra got up and went to her room. She didn’t like her room anymore. It felt cold and unsafe. She dressed in her own gown and wore a fur coat over. She wondered if it was real fur, if an animal died so she could stay warm.

Otchulissa interrupted her thoughts. Her cub purred and rubbed herself on Tẽra’s leg.

“I am off to meet a prince. Granny would have liked me to marry a prince.” Tẽra said to her pet.

She left Otchulissa in the room and went to meet her prince.

Prince Drake was waiting for her.

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“My queen.” He took her hand, “Walk with me.”

She walked with him. Her arm hooked in his.

“You have surprised me, and your people love you. I do not understand.”

Tẽra stopped walking.

“I do not understand either.”

“I have heard what the servants are saying.”

Tẽra looking him in the eyes,

“What are they saying?” she asked.

“That you are different. That you cry over the dead. That you stopped the executions because you can’t stomach it.”

Tẽra didn’t know what to say. She looked away from him. Her heart pounded. It was true.

“My queen, what would you like me to call you?”

Tẽra looked at him. The sadness in her eyes was a memorable feeling.

“T…” her voice trailed off.

“My queen.” She said sadly.

“Do you not like your name?” he asked.

“Please can we just walk. I am told there are lovely flowers at night.” Tẽra said.

Drake walked with her. They looked at the flowers that glowed in the dark.

“Beautiful.” He said.

“It is.” Tẽra agreed.

“It is customary that a courtship is accompanied with a gift. Because of how our courtship began I have not given you anything yet. I want to correct that mistake.”

He gave her a long black coat with fleece on the inside.

“Thank you!” Tẽra accepted it.

“I would be honored if you wear it as a sign that we are betrothed.” He said.

Tẽra removed the fur she was wearing and put on the coat. It had an impression of a dragon on the back.

Drake was very pleased by this.

He took her hand, and they walked some more holding hands.

“Tell me about yourself.” Tẽra said.

“I am the crown prince of the Skiopia tribe. I will be glad when the war between us is over, and our people can rest.” He paused thinking “I like red hair.”

Tẽra smiled.

“Tradition is important to me, but I believe that it shouldn’t get in the way.” He sighed “I am a skilled warrior, skilled with the bow and sword. I like dragons.”

He looked at Tẽra.

“What do you want to know?” he asked.

“Tell me about your family?”

Drake took a deep breath.

“I am the oldest of four brothers, I have a sister who is still to bond. My parents have ruled our people with grace and led us through war. They have taught us all, the importance of duty to our people.”

Drake thought about his younger brother who tried to hurt Jessica and have him disgraced so he could become the ruling prince.

“Have you ever killed someone?” Tẽra asked.

“Many.” Drake replied.

“How do you sleep?” Tẽra asked.

Drake didn’t know how to answer.

“I sleep on my left side usually.” He replied.

Tẽra smiled. He was funny.

“How do you sleep?” He asked.

“I sleep in the middle of the bed. I turn a lot.” She replied.

“Do you snore?” she asked him.

“Snore?” he asked confused.

“Yes, you know snore…” Tẽra made snoring noises.

Drake laughed.

“Night grunting.” He corrected.

“Yes.”

“Sometimes. But nothing like what you just did.”

Tẽra laughed a little embarrassed.

“Do you?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She replied, “If I do not one has told me.”

They both laughed.

Drake and Tẽra talked and laughed. They didn’t ask deep questions, and both were happily surprised by the other.

When Tẽra returned to her room she was smiling and not paying attention. She opened her door and went in. Thinking about how marrying Drake didn’t seem so bad anymore.

She kicked off her shoes and lit a lantern.

A woman with a crossbow pointed at her, was sitting on her bed.

“Can I help you?” Tẽra asked.

She wasn’t sure what to say. People didn’t just barge into her room, nor did they threaten her, until she came to Chayim.

“Are you the queen?” she asked.

“Are you here to get my head for that gold?” Tẽra asked.

“Yes” the woman answered surprised by Tẽra’s directness.

“Griffith is dead. So, no one will pay you.” Tẽra replied.

“What?!”

“Griffith put out the bounty on my head. Now he is dead. No live, no pay.” Tẽra said slowly.

“It was Griffith that put the bounty out?” she asked.

“Yes, it was, and he is now dead.” Tẽra repeated.

“So, I won’t get paid for killing you?” she said.

“No, but I will let you leave so you can spread the word. Griffith the man who put the gold reward for my head is dead. But if I see you in my room again…” Tẽra shrugged like ‘I will have you killed’.

“Thank you.” The woman said, “I will spread the word.”

Tẽra watched her walk out her door. Not even the window.

‘How is it that people can just walk into my room?’ Tẽra asked herself.

She changed into a sleeping dress. But she didn’t want to sleep in her room. She sighed and went to find someone to share a room with.

She went to the sick bay. But it was so sad, and she didn’t want to sleep there with everyone looking at her. So, she went to Joe’s room.

Joe was woken up by someone knocking on her door.

Joe went over and opened the door. Tẽra stood there is her nighty.

“Hi, I had someone in my room that wanted to kill me and now I don’t want to sleep there. May I sleep in your room?” Tẽra asked.

“Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” Joe asked.

“I am fine. I just don’t want to be alone.” Tẽra replied.

“Come in.” Joe said.

Rosaleighm waved at her.

“Hi” Tẽra responded.

“I can have a bed made near the fire. So, I won’t disturb you.” Tẽra said.

“Just get in.” Joe said.

“Share a bed?” Tẽra asked.

“Yes.” Joe said getting back into bed.

“I have never shared a bed before.” Tẽra said.

“Really?”

“Why would I have?” Tẽra asked.

“Why not?” Joe asked.

“Because I am a duchess, it’s not proper.” She responded.

“Now you are queen, and you can do whatever you want.” Joe stated.

“Like sleep.” Rosaleighm moaned.

“When did she start talking?” Tẽra asked surprised.

“Today, and it hasn’t stopped.”

“Wow!” Tẽra made herself comfortable in Joe’s bed.

“My first slumber party.” Tẽra added.