Chapter Eleven

Elek

A violent thump of a wheel leaping from a rock jolted me awake, green and gold flecked eyes fading to the dark recesses of my mind. The familiar throbbing of my head rose up as we lurched over another rock in the road. I wondered if the driver was doing it on purpose, seeing as how it was down-pouring outside and we were nice and dry in the carriages.

I insisted on at least two carriages. We took three. One for luggage, one for my father and Celina to share, and then the last one confining me with Huri, and it was a long trip. Although we could have arrived in a fraction of the time if we were just allowed to fly, I kept advocating to my father. He would just tell me that it was a waste of their energy and that we didn’t need the whole world to see that we had wings. He seemed to have thought that our lineage was a secret when most were aware that many of us could fly. It is what made others fear us, as our accuracy in the air was unmatched - even by the fae.

“Where are we?” I asked, peering out the window in vain as the water pelted against the pane, leaving no gaps to see through.

Huri pulled their attention away from their book, appearing as comfortable as a cat by the fire with their oversized soft lilac sweater and black sweatpants. Whereas I wore my bear pelt cloak, leather pants, and a knitted neck shirt, which wasn’t the most comfortable travel wear but I would be damned if we had to stop somewhere and I stepped out of the carriage looking as though I just rolled out of bed. Appearances mattered, especially to where we were going.

“We just got into Regnum. I believe we should be at the springs in just a couple of hours.” They replied, closing the book shut and positioning themselves to face me with legs folded underneath them.

“Are you anxious?” They asked.

“No.” I clipped. At least I wasn’t for the reasons they were thinking of.

I had to keep reminding myself that Nolan was a good choice. He was experienced, resourceful, and well respected among the other leaders. I just didn’t like the idea of someone doing my job for me. Making me obsolete.

Huri gave a soft mhmm, a sign that my short answer was not good enough and they were going to press me further on it. Rather than allowing them to come up with ludicrous ideas about any hesitation I may have about this trip I simply told them outright. It was something I wished more people would do when they spoke to me. To not allow for any misunderstandings and to get straight to the point.

“You definitely needed this vacation.” They laughed after I explained my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes.

“This isn’t a vacation. This is a hostile negotiation because my father seems to think this girl means something.” I countered.

Huri’s features sobered at my words.

“She is something. Something very important.” Their voice shifted to a lower octave and they bore into my eyes with their own.

“But why? And why won’t anyone answer?” I leaned into my elbows that rested on my thighs.

“Because she holds the other end of your fate.” Huri replied, but I shook my head and pointed a finger towards them.

“No, that’s not the answer and you know it. My father doesn’t give a shit about that. There’s something else at play that you both are keeping from me. What is it?” My patience was wearing thin.

Huri pulled their legs from under themselves and sat square facing me.

“All that I can tell you is that your father has grown tired of the Gavriil family believing they call the shots when it comes to treaties and alliances between other countries. If both you and Celina marry and have children with both of Jovan’s offspring then Marek sees it as a double connection to controlling the World Peace Alliance.”

There was no denying that it made sense, at least in my father’s mind, but I could tell that there was still more. More that I knew they weren’t going to share, at least not yet.

A cacophony of popping erupted from my joints as I stretched outside the carriage. The rain had finally cleared and before me lay a bustling tourist destination, the infamous hot springs that were swindled during marriage negotiations between Regnum and Durant. King Fallon always liked to mention how it was stolen, but his grief with Jovan wasn’t going to prevent me from soaking in the spring.

The grassy plains that one would usually see in southern Durant, sprawled out as far as I could see, surrounding the quaint city. In the center was the spring massive and with a layer of fog hovering over it. Or at least it was most of it as some of the water was funneled to other parts of the city to be used for bathing houses and inns.

There were some residential houses, made of stone, that sat by the waters but I know most of the other buildings were inns and other tourist attractions.

As royalty from a foreign land we were greeted quickly with a small escort of six guards to the largest building sitting on the spring. It was all one floor with smaller buildings trailing the rim of the spring, spanning close to three acres around it.

It had a dark wood foundation and despite being only one floor it still appeared quite grand with blooming cherry trees around the front perimeter and figures of their deity, as well as the others lining the porch at the top of a five stair walk. It was to act as a welcome sign to anyone and everyone.

The roof was shingled with painted blue bamboo, simple and yet complimented the rest of the building quite nicely. I had heard that when it was built that the architect had taken inspiration from some of the resorts found in Kai, a place known for its residents’ laid back lifestyles and female warriors.

If someone had said that the outside wasn’t that glorious then they would have to pick up their jaw from the floor when they walked inside to the guest greeting entrance. Glossy dark cherry wood ran through the entire building as the ceiling was peppered with luminous hanging red paper lanterns, each with depictions of our gods and heroes through the millennia. Small potted trees, bonsai I believe, rested on ornate small tables against the walls.

A small waiting area with red cushioned benches and chairs sat in a U-shape greeted us with pamphlets promoting other attractions in the area on a dark wood coffee table between them. Behind those lay the concierge, a tall and long stained red desk with a small gold plaque on the wall behind them saying so. The women workers behind it were wearing light colored textile garments with blossoms and that wrapped around their frames elegantly.

Even a proud and noble man such as myself can be humbled by such a building. Not that I would say it out loud.

We each had a room with a sectioned off part of the spring for our enjoyment. My room, continuing with the theme of the entrance, had many reds and dark colored woods. The king sized bed in the center lay neatly made with bright red coverings embroidered in gold threads to make up the seven deities. It was spacious and a welcomed sight after riding with Huri for the last three days.

I unfastened the buttons of my shirt and threw it in a corner, ready to sit in the hot bath until my stiff muscles evaporated with the steam. Just as I was going for my pants a light knocking came to my door. I wanted to growl in frustration but held it in, not needing people to think I was some raving lunatic.

Trudging over to it, I threw it open to find my twin on the other side, dressed down from her travel clothes and into a more weather tolerant spring dress. She looked up at me at first with a wide tooth grin that vanished quickly when she saw my scowl.

“Can I help you Celina?” It came out more polite than I intended.

“Yes, you can.” She quipped and then brushed past me and into my room to then flip onto the bed I hadn’t even sat on yet.

“Yes, Cel, of course you may come in. Would you like to nap in my bed as well?” I said with sarcasm as I glared at her and then closed my door.

She propped herself up on her elbows and puffed out her cheeks. I personally didn’t think it was cute but I knew others delighted in seeing her obnoxious expressions.

“Stop giving Father such a hard time.” She said and I looked at her in disbelief.

“What?”

“You heard me, Elek.” She continued, sitting up and pointing a perfect manicured finger towards my face.

“The more you fight with him about Jovan’s daughter the more likely you are to jeopardize my engagement to Zander. Just get over it, marry her, and move on.”

“Did he send you in here to say all that garbage?” Tension rose up the back of my neck.

Celina shook her head.

“No, he didn’t. This is from what I have been witnessing for the last week. Besides, it’s not like you’re going to do much better. Other monarchs don’t like you enough to give you their daughters.”

It was just one insult after another with her. And that’s what infuriated me the most about her. To everyone other than myself she is a petite, docile, and naive little princess. Yet in front of me, her true nature came out. She could manipulate anyone but me, which irritated her to no end. Yet, it didn’t stop her from trying.

“By Thanatos’ nut sack! Will you give it a rest!” My voice raised, though I was careful not to shout.

“I already told the old man that I would marry her if that’s what he wants. There’s nothing more I need to do.”

“Then quit dragging your heels about it and actually put an effort in when we get there. No one will marry you if you keep a sour attitude the entire time you’re here.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose so hard that I thought it was going to bruise. I clenched my eyes and teeth and exhaled slowly. It wasn’t enough that I agreed to everything they were making me do, including giving up my role to Nolan while I was away. They wanted to strap me to the altar to make sure I followed through with it.

“Cel, get out and be grateful for what you’re getting out of all this. Out of everyone you actually get what you want. A human prince to give you human babies to match your human mutation.” I said coldly, refusing to look at her in case I may regret my words if I saw her break.

It was a low blow on my part in calling out her lack of abilities. There was just enough human blood in her to override what would normally have been a much more dominant gene, and I knew she was sensitive about it. Especially when most of our companions growing up could at least do small things like conjure fire, rapid cell regeneration, and form wings.

I still didn’t open my eyes as I heard the weight leave my bed and felt a light breeze brush past me. Then the door clicked shut and I was alone once more.

Sighing, I reopened my eyes and looked to the sliding door at the back of my room. Slipping out of the remainder of my garments I passed through it and was greeted by a thick steam that coated the fenced area. Inhaling deeply, I slowly submerged myself and leaned up against a sitting rock. My muscles soon relaxed. This was exactly what I needed.

It would be another full day before we reached the southernmost tip of Regnum. We stopped for the night at a lavish coastal inn. None of us wanted to appear rugged and unkempt when we reached Nautica the following day.

I could not deny that the salty breeze held a pleasant aroma. It was warm and gentle and unlike the brisk strong winds that blew from the mountain range near Maleko. Sitting by the open window of my given room, it played with my hair as my view showed ships pulling in and out of port. The room itself was nautical themed, using recycled ship parts to make up the furniture but giving each piece a lavish finish.

A sharp rap struck my door, and before I could utter a word it opened, revealing the Dragon King himself. Resting my chin on my palm, I stayed on the window sill, peering at him from my peripheral.

“Huri says you’re asking questions about my motives.” He said, inviting himself to pull up a desk chair beside me.

“I just want to know what I’m actually agreeing to. I will do it either way, but going in blindly is not in my nature.” I replied, turning back towards the port.

“I know it’s not, but I need you to understand that it’s not a matter of whether or not I trust you.” He said, rolling a hand as he spoke.

“Then why the fuss?”

My father gave out a long sigh before answering.

“Because I want to have an advantage over Jovan. Call it pettiness for an old grudge, or however you want to view it. The fact that it’ll be my line regardless to inherit his throne and his coveted role in the World Peace Alliance fills me with enough motivation to push for this. And having you connected to that girl the way you are can play to our advantage.”

The same answer Huri gave me earlier. Maybe he was just that petty. Having a rivalry with a human king seemed so ridiculous. Realizing he was still waiting for me to speak I simply nodded my head, acknowledging his reasoning even if I didn’t agree with it.

“Good. Now turn up the charm, you’ll be using it tomorrow. Not just on the girl but on Jovan too. He won’t give her up easily.”

As soon as he was gone I moved away from the window, coming to rest on the bed. I stared up at the wood beamed ceiling, thinking of how to approach a woman that I hadn’t seen in fifteen years. What were the chances she even remembered who I was?

Rolling over, I closed my eyes, falling into an uneasy slumber with images of her.