Roland Davadas responded to Tylla's letter immediately. He was not promised to another, he assured her, and if she would allow it, he wished to speak to her parents at the earliest convenience.
"What have I done?" Tyler moaned when she read Roland’s message, dropping the scroll in her lap.
Rigel plucked a pink rose from the palace garden where they were enjoying their afternoon tea. Threading it through Tylla’s dark hair, he said, "You did what you had to do. Short of marrying me, you have no other choice. You can't stay here, not with ..." He cast anxious eyes to the queen's balcony and sat down next to Tylla on the stone bench. "I'm sad Jabe had to leave, but he's safer in the country. Nazeers aren't too popular in Oran these days."
"Yes, I've noticed," Tylla distractedly replied. She rolled up the scroll tightly and retied the red ribbon around it. "But how can I give myself to a man I don't love?" She stood and walked over to a bed of purple lilies and ran her fingers gently over the tender blooms. "What about Carmelle? I can't just abandon her, Rigel."
Rigel rose and trailed after her. "You don't have to. Marrying Roland Davadas is the first part of the plan.” His voice was gentle. “It will not only get you out from under your parents’ rule, but you will also have your own household, your own servants to do your bidding, and I will happily be a guest at your house. You must resolve yourself to do this. It's the only way."
Tylla turned to face him. "And Carmelle?"
"That's the second part of the plan. In less than a year's time, the royal family will be traveling to the Weir to witness the God Gate opening. We will all be there," he lifted Tylla's chin with thumb and forefinger, "and so will Carmelle. By then, I will have all the details worked out."
"But how is any of this fair to Roland Davadas?"
Rigel hugged her tightly and whispered, "We all must sacrifice something for love." He was thinking about Jabe. Because of the tension with the Nazeers, he had sent his lover back to the country with a pile of books from the palace library and a kiss on his lips. He planned to ride out and visit him soon.
Tylla nodded solemnly. She would broach the subject of Roland Davadas to her parents over dinner. She knew they would be pleased with her choice.
* * *
From high in Oran Tower, Flenn Illymium watched Tylla and Rigel walk arm in arm from the garden to the shaded colonnade. Flenn detected sadness in both their young forms.
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A caw distracted his reverie. He turned to see Raki flapping her wings from her perch, her feathers shimmering like mica in the bright afternoon light.
Flenn reached out to stroke her and said, "Patience, my friend."
The old mage had spent a week creating a magic potion that would allow Raki to make the extended trip to Nazeera with Flenn as her omniscient companion. Flenn was still confused as to why the princess was captured in the first place. Certainly, there were better ways to find a bride for one's son than to risk war with an already prickly adversary. Flenn knew there had to be more to the story, knew there had to be more to Illym's prophecy. And what of the sudden disappearance of Moranna Nazeer?
Well, Flenn thought, shaking the worry off his ancient shoulders. One thing at a time. I don't know about the rest of the Davadas household, but getting princess Starlex back safe and sound is my top priority.
Flenn swallowed half of the potion, a purple iridescent liquid made from an ancient alchemical formula recorded in one of the grimoires of old Mynimium. Then they held up the vial to Raki's beak. And after the bird had drunk, Flenn closed his eyes, stroked Raki's feathers, and chanted in ancient Illymium, "Omi oo lai. Omi mio saka. Zibaka ka me NA!"
Raki took off in the air with a shrieking caw, flapping her wings so hard that Flenn's long white hair blew back from his face. The enormous bird flew from the balcony, girded the great tower once, and soared over the city and citadel walls.
The magic potion worked and soon Flenn was flying along with Raki, looking down from the dizzying height. Flenn would discover what had happened to Princess Starlex in Nazeera and report back to the king and queen.
* * *
Hyperia was more than happy with Tylla's choice of Roland Davadas. King Scipio, who was loathed to bequeath his daughter to any man, realized she was no longer a child. If she had to marry, there could be no better choice than his head henchman's son. The family dinner, which included Rigel and Roselynn (her mood considerably lifted after her private talk with Hyperia), turned into a night of celebration. Word was sent to Roland inviting him and his family to dine the following night along with other dignitaries.
My fate is sealed, Tylla thought as she lay in her soft bed that night. She gazed out through her open balcony at the mother moon with her daughter peeking shyly out from behind her. Alone in her misery, she let the tears flow freely. Roland Davadas was a fine young man. She hoped they could at least be good friends throughout their marriage, but she didn't love him. And the thought of offering up her body to any man felt alien to her, an awful violation. She hoped Roland would be understanding, but she knew she would be expected to have children.
She turned her face away from the violet moonlight to hide her shame from the mother moon's judgment.
Great Illym, she prayed silently through her tears. You have given me so much, and I am grateful, but please let Carmelle know that I haven't abandoned her.
Tylla shuddered with a deep sob. Please let her know that I will come to her when I can. Tell her not to give up hope.