Chapter Fourteen

Serafina

It wasn’t real, I knew that for certain. The air in the dungeon was dense and a steady dripping of water could be heard from a corner of the room. A once blue night dress hung on me in ribbons and grime caked my skin.

On the other side of the bars stood a tall figure, masked in shadows. All I could make out were a pair of bright brown-green eyes.

My voice rasped and cracked as I called out for help. They just stood there, silent and unmoving. Were they the ones keeping me here? The better question would be if I were having a vision or just a horrible dream.

“You must stay here.” The figure said, in a deep male voice.

“Why?” I rasped. It felt as though I hadn’t had a sip of water in months.

“Because you belong to our king now.”

Before I could ask who his king was, the scene shifted and I was standing before Elek in a magical circle. The gold ring in his eyes glowed brightly as he stared down at me, his face was hard to read. Words were being said around us, but they sounded so distant that they were no more than chanting murmurs. Swirling winds engulfed us, obstructing my peripheral vision and making it impossible to recognize where I was. Everything felt as though it were spinning, and then I fell.

Inhaling sharply I opened my eyes and sat up abruptly in my bed. From my window the rays of the sun were just coming over the sea. Pulling out a journal from my nightstand, I quickly recorded the scenes I had witnessed while they were still fresh. I had taken to jotting down any dreams that I could remember, just like my grandmother. So far only one had turned out to be a true vision, which I encountered the hard way that night I met Cato. But it was because of that event that I decided to not take any of my other dreams lightly.

“You’re up early.”

A jolt ran through me as I looked up to see Leena standing in her doorway, watching me intently. My other companions slept on, oblivious to Leena’s advancing movements towards me.

“He’s coming today.” She said stiffly.

I didn’t need to ask who she was referring to, and I couldn’t be more anxious about it. Both knowing and not knowing what destiny had in store for me was causing my stomach to feel uneasy. And all of that was still in addition to both Leena’s and Zander’s frustration against me. Frustration that I could still make out in Leena’s tightened shoulders and set expression.

She reached out a hand, silently asking for my journal. Normally I would have handed it over but today something stopped me. Perhaps it was because I didn’t want her to interfere if she knew there may be trouble in my future. So I gripped it tightly towards my chest.

Her set expression turned sour but she didn’t push. Rather she motioned towards the washroom.

“If you’re not going to go back to bed then you might as well get ready for the day.”

Taking the journal with me, I silently obeyed.

Standing before my full length mirror, I critically judged my attire for the greeting. I was assured that it wasn’t formal enough to warrant a full ball gown so I settled on a powdered blue summer dress, the short sleeves puffed slightly around my shoulders. The back used ribbons to fasten the dress to my frame, ending in a neat bow at the small of my back. It was one of my more favored styled dresses.

Putting the finishing touch of pinning the side of my hair back with a blue blossom pin, a sharp tap came to my door. Zander once again not waiting for a reply, showed himself in. He was probably doing it to annoy me and as a form of punishment for the day before. Rather than say anything, I slipped on my matching flats and walked past him and out the door. I knew he had come to escort me to the entrance, but I was fine finding my own way.

The tall double doors were pulled all the way back into the entrance, displaying a picturesque spring day outside with the slightest of breezes playing with the tops of the blossomed trees. My father and stepmother stood beside one another near the opening. He wore a three piece navy suit while she decided on an elegant deep purple off-the-shoulder A-line dress. Her hair hung in soft ringlets down her back. As always, she was enchanting to behold.

Dea stood outside, towards the wall of the castle, appearing as modest as ever with her high collared burgundy gown. She gazed up at me with that familiar disgust that I have grown accustomed to these last few weeks.

As if it were a competition, a mild sense of pride came over me as I approached our parents before my brother, giving a swift curtsy before them.

“You look lovely, Serafina.” My stepmother complimented and I couldn’t help but feel joy from her approval. Even my father’s eyes seemed to beam with delight at her words.

“Thank you very much, Regina. But I know I will always pale in comparison to your beauty.”

It wasn’t the first time I had told her as much, and it was true. She was a woman in her mid-forties and yet still appeared as young as her late-twenties. No matter my father’s inner thoughts about her, even he couldn’t deny that his wife was the envy of most other consorts.

Regina’s eyes drifted to behind my shoulder, where I was certain my brother was only just now coming down the stairs. She raised an eyebrow and I felt compelled to follow her line of sight.

I hadn’t really looked at him when he came to escort me, but looking at him now I regretted not taking the time to ask him why he dressed so casually. His hair seemed messier than usual. White sleeves rolled up to his elbows, displaying toned forearms. He left the first two buttons unfastened, showing off a pronounced collarbone and muscular chest. If I hadn’t known any better, I would guess he was off to a local tavern to pick up girls. Was he protesting something?

“Zander, you are about to meet your future bride if all goes well. Could you have at least tried to appear like a civilized man rather than some slob?” Regina scolded.

I restrained myself from chuckling. Zander merely shrugged as he joined us.

“I’m making sure she knows what she’s getting.”

What in Cato’s name had gotten into him?

“Oh honestly.” Regina rolled her eyes.

“Women want more than just eye candy, you know. I would tell you to go and change but we are out of time. They just made it through the city gates.”

My heart wanted to leap out of my chest and up my throat. I turned back towards the bottom of the stairs to see Leena and the others watching. Leena continued to keep her face blank. Laney, Elisa, and Jelena, on the other hand, seemed to be watching in anticipation. Everyone was aware that this first encounter could very well set the tone for the rest of the visit and marriage contracts.

In a front facing line, we stood in the doorway. My father took the lead with Regina close beside him. Then Dea stood just a few feet apart from them with Zander and I standing at least six feet from her.

Vibrations simmered up from the bottom of the hill from the clopping of heavy horses. Breaking away from the cherry tree lane came three massive carriages being led by four black horses a piece.

The frames were sleek with a black coating and golden embellishments of flying dragons on the doors. Dark curtains hung in the windows, obstructing any view of the occupants inside. But I knew he was here. He was finally here. A clank in my chest nearly lurched me off my feet as the carriages came to a stop before us.

The doors of the two front carriages swung open, each containing two occupants. In the first came a large man with shoulder-length scrunched black hair and beard. His eyes were violet, much like the man’s from my dreams, but he was clearly older. Marek Drakonis, the king of Demarcus.

Behind him stepped out a beautiful young blonde woman with golden eyes. Beside me, I sensed Zander tense at the sight of her. She must have been Princess Celina.

Joining them from the second carriage was a person whom I couldn’t tell was a man or woman. They had fuchsia colored hair though, which wasn’t a typical human color. I wondered if they were like the people Jelena once told me about from her nation. People who didn’t identify one way or another. I didn’t have long to think about that when he stepped out. Elek Drakonis.

The world around me faded away as he held my gaze. There was a familiarity shared between us, and not just from when we were children. No, there was a more primal connection. Something that existed long before we were even born.

His face surveyed my own with mild interest that melted into nothing. Soon his glance turned away and he became stoic, bringing back to me the world around us.

Marek approached, hand outstretched towards my father.

“Jovan, it’s been some time. Gods you look old.” Marek’s loud voice greeted.

What boldness, I thought and winced as my father return the tight, appearing, handshake with a strained smile.

“Well, that’s what happens when a responsible monarch cares for his people and is in charge of the World Peace Alliance,” my father retorted back.

I watched in interest as their hands began to turn blue as they continued to greet one another.

“Marek, it’s so wonderful to see you again. Will you introduce your beautiful family to us?” Regina intercepted.

The foreign king’s eyes lit up as he pulled away from my father and bowed deeply before her. Any lower and the strands of his hair would have touched the ground. As he rose up, he brought Regina’s hand up with him and pressed it delicately against his lips, earning a distasteful look of horror from my father.

“My sweet and virtuous Regina, you have not aged one bit since our youth. Just as enchanting as the day we met at your debutante celebration.”

Pieces of the puzzle were beginning to form in my mind. My father’s true issue with the Demarian king was the candle he still clearly held for his queen. Yet Regina seemed blindly ignorant to her husband’s sour expression as she giggled at the attention. Marek then made a motion to the bodies behind him.

“This is Huri, my beloved Aurora’s sibling.” He pointed towards the fuchsia haired individual.

“Then there is the diamond of my eye, my daughter Celina.” He was really laying the pride he had for his family on thick.

“And this is my heir and commander of our armies, Elek. A true warrior to be certain.”

From beside Zander, Dea cleared her throat and stepped towards Marek.

“You have a lovely family, Marek. I am sure that our own prince and… princess will get along splendidly with them.”

“Queen Dowager, you certainly do not appear old enough to have grandchildren.” Marek commented as he kissed her hand.

Dea’s cheeks flushed as she gave a girlish giggle of delight.

“You always knew how to use that charm of yours.” She replied before motioning towards Zander.

“This is my grandson, Prince Zander. I’m sure someone as handsome as him and someone as beautiful as your daughter will produce very attractive children.”

I wanted to retch at how she spoke about my brother. Mad at him or no, he was still someone I cared about and whose happiness was important to me. Listening to them chatter about future heirs just didn’t sit well with me. Nor did it seem to with Zander either, as he visibly grimaced, only to quickly return to being expressionless.

Marek looked my brother up and down, taking in his aloof appearance. He broke out in a grin as he extended a hand.

“Yes, I’m sure my daughter will be quite entertained by you. Just be sure she is the only one you entertain, hmm?” His eyebrows lifted in a suggestive manner.

Would he kill him if Zander were to stray away like our father had?

Then my turn came as Marek motioned for Celina to introduce herself to Zander.

“And you are the infamous Princess Serafina. It’s a pleasure.”

His frame fully eclipsed my own, as he brought my hand up to kiss. I couldn’t shake the nausea that came with it from the depths of my stomach.

Beside him stood Elek, who looked down on me with indifference. Maybe he didn’t feel the chain like I did. Marek placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.

“This is my son. I think you two will get along well. Perhaps you can teach him a thing or two in a duel. I hear you are skilled with blades.”

Elek bowed slightly before lifting my hand to his lips, a slight smirk pressing up against my flesh. The scent of charred cedar wafted through the breeze, feeling my senses.

“I would enjoy that very much, if you have the time, Princess.” He said, his voice light and playful. His indifference melted away to reveal something charismatic about him.

My words had left me and all I could do was look foolish as I nodded at him. He was more charming than I envisioned.

“I’m sure we will meet again for dinner.” He said, and then pulled away.

Once again, I could only nod as they all were escorted up the stairs and to their assigned rooms. As they left I caught a glimpse of that Huri being. I had once seen them in the void, peering back at me as if truly seeing me. They cast me the same glance now before they turned away completely.

“Jovan, do hurry with your so-called ‘negotiations.’ I want to make the official announcement at the ball.” Dea said, walking towards the stairs.

My father’s teeth audibly gritted against each other.

“She needs to go home.” He said through his strained teeth.

Regina placed a comforting hand on his forearm and smiled up at him. The gesture took me by surprise. Did I miss something in their dynamic?

“I’m sure she will once everything is settled.” She said gently.

His eyes seemed to soften as he took her in, then he brought her hand up to his lips and pressed lightly. I definitely missed something. Then he turned to face Zander and I.

“Dinner will be at five tonight and we will begin negotiations during lunch tomorrow. Both of you can show if you want but the talks will involve the Grand Council.”

Meaning that it was possible for a contract between Elek and myself to happen rather quickly if the rumors of Marek’s generosity proved true.

A large hand grasped my upper arm as I went to leave. Zander turned me to face him. I peered beyond his shoulder, only to see our parents had left through the front door and were walking together.

With a heavy sigh, Zander released me and rested his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.” He said, eyes cast to the floor.

“Are you apologizing because Dad told you to?” I crossed my arms before me.

He started to shuffle his feet.

“Yes, but I also knew that I owed it to you. I shouldn’t have gone about this the way I did.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” I snipped, finding mild satisfaction as he visibly winced.

“But if you promise to not pull rank like that again, then I forgive you.”

He gave a vigorous nod and when he looked up at me there was a grin on his face. I returned it and went to poke him in the ribs.

“She’s really pretty. You got lucky.”

“We’ll see, I suppose.”

He walked me back to my wing and joined me for lunch. I was grateful for the return to normalcy between us.