The Meeting.
Her shivering body, left a pool of water as she walked towards the grand hall. She was seconds away from her destiny, as the future queen of Eldiot.
The guards came to a halt, taking Älia away from her thoughts. She stood firm as her bear feet peeked their way from the long gown she wore.
"I apologize for the abruptness in which you were brought here. Lady Älia." She said nothing.
Her lips trembled as she remained still. She had been preparing for this moment, since the oracle has prophesied her future when she was still a babe. Her destiny had been sealed since the moment the old woman had taken her hand in the market. She would be the Queen and and she was mere steps away from her future husband.
Behind her quick steps approached, a scolding voice emerging.
"This is no way for her to meet the king!"
A guard stopped the old woman from getting any closer as the captain of the royal guard turned to face her.
"Melda, the king ordered that she be brought to hime upon arrival."
The old maid stood silent, lowering her head.
"As soon as his majesty assess his soon-to-be bride. Bring her to her chambers..." She looked Älia up and down. "So that she could be properly clothed." She left, not another word said.
✿
The grand doors opened slowly, the room was heated. She thanked the heavens for that.
the silence that inhabited the grand room only made her nervous; the guards stood aside to allow her to walk towards the king. Älia could see him, at least his back since his face was facing the fire place. He was tall, from what she could see his hair was dark his hands looked firm as they rested in his back.
Her ragged breath made him aware of her presence which is why at that moment he turned to face her. All he saw was a frail young woman, her dripping hair covered the entirety of her face, her small figure was shaking as she looked up to him. When he met her eyes he remained still, mesmerized by the fire within them.
He remained silent and so had she. the king in that moment shot a glance at the captain of the royal guard
"Leave us." he ordered.
She notice his voice was firm, but not intimidating she felt safe and she was grateful.
The guards did as ordered and it didn't take long for them to be left alone.
"We are to be married in a week." The words left his lips, no emotion detected.
She nodded feeling quite absurd, she should say something. After all they were to be married soon enough.
" I expect that within this short period of time we can become acquaintances." He cleared his throat, walking closer to her. "You must be freezing. A maid is waiting outside to escort you to your bedchamber."
"Very well." she whispered as she turned around and began walking towards the closed doors.
There was something about her silence that made him feel uneasy. It may have been the guilt of taking her away from the world she knew, perhaps the fact that he had been cold towards her. But how else would he speak to a person he did not know? Yes, she would become his wife but something about the whole ordeal made it much harder for him to feel anything. His father made sure that he knew his place and what was expected of him, even when his heart and conscious wanted something else. Someone else.
Rheie.
She who'd been patient enough to wait for him even though they were both betrothed to other people.
Iriedne and Cerulian Reunite
"The Ocean seems to agree with you, my love." Her eyes smiled as she remained composed. After all a princess should not show emotions.
"It is not the sea but you, your highness." Cerulian took a step forward. "The smile upon my face has everything to do with seeing you again after this long voyage."
A coy smile appeared in her face. The room was now empty, only the reunited lovers. The great hall where they first saw each other was once again the setting of their reunion. The cristal chandelier above them sparkling as the sun died out.
"The Wedding will be in a couple of hours." Iriedne confirmed.
"Plenty of time to get reacquainted. Shall we take a walk in the garden?"
Stretching his hand towards her, Cerulian smiled and so did she.
"Lead the way, my prince."
Those words escaped her lips quickly before she pulled him towards her and kissed him. It was an unexpected surprise, he grabbed her waist pulling her closer. If there was anything that he missed from being in land was the woman in front of him. He missed the lips he was kissing, the eyes that followed his every move since the moment he got there, he missed her smooth dark skin and how it fit perfectly between his own body.
Iriedne pulled away, their eyes met and for the first time in a year she whispered the words he had been receiving from her messages every month.
"I love you."
The Prophecy.
There is a hidden world far away from this place. The voices whispering across the sound waves, there is no escaping. He is coming. He will not take no for an answer, so don't try and challenge him. The oracle has spoken and so has the royal council. He is coming for you. You are to be his Queen, ruler of the men and every magical being. Do not be surprised when he comes. The King of Eldiot; he is cunning and very clever, not to mention handsome. My dear Äila he is coming. There is no escaping the fate that has been bestowed upon you. the first winter will not be kind to you unless you change your perspective. But you shall conquer it all, the love if his kingdom as well as his heart. Be willing, be prepared. It has been written.
The golden snake a kiss will blow, the emerald will pierce your soul.