“Well, we have our work cut out for us,” said Mythiara to Laranthel as the two descended the spiral staircase to the bottom of the tower. “Are you any good with a sword?”

  “I’m quite good for someone of my age,” replied Laranthel. “But if I have to go against some century old arms master or a veteran soldier than I will most assuredly lose.”

  Mythiara nodded her head. “Well, I suppose there’s little to be done about that in two short weeks. We’re better of spending our time polishing your etiquette.”

  The two reached the bottom of the staircase and Mythiara pushed open the heavy wooden doors that led into the compound’s center courtyard. It was a cloudy night, barely any moonlight shone down upon the city. The only source of light in the courtyard were a few lanterns scattered about the grounds. Mythiara turned to make sure Laranthel was still behind her then began to lead him back to her chambers.

  “Bah, I was hoping to have more time for myself,” muttered Mythiara angrily as they crossed the footpath leading to the southern portion of the compound where she resided. “But I should have expected this, those shrewd old fossils never miss an opportunity in even the most hectic of circumstances.”

  “What is it they want from me exactly,” asked Laranthel. She turned and found him gazing at the glow orchids growing beside the footpath they were on.

  “They want to figure out how much of a threat you’re going to be to them. Once they ascertain that information, they will either plan to kill you or capitalize on your uselessness to the family.”

  Laranthel nodded, still focused on the glowing white flowers. He had a faraway look in his eyes, like he wasn’t all there. Mythiara sighed.

  “Hurry up and let’s get to bed. It’s been a long day and we’re about to have an even longer week.” Mythiara had surprised herself with the amount of empathy she had shown for Laranthel over the past few days. She still enjoyed being cruel too him of course but being able to share some softness with someone felt good as well.

  This arrangement has proven to be quite interesting, she thought as she watched Laranthel turn from the garden and continue down the path.

  They entered the southern wing of the compound and walked along the lantern lit halls towards Mythiara’s room on the second floor. A few of the guards on duty gave the pair some curious glances as they passed by, doing their best to hide their amusement. It must have been strange indeed for them to see a Lady of the House in her nightgown, her dark-haired husband in tow. Let them gossip, thought Mythiara.

  The two climbed the stairwell leading to the second floor and immediately headed for their room, passing under the crystal chandelier that hung in front of her reading room door. Before they entered, she turned and looked upon her new husband, scanning his face. He looked down at her, a bored expression on his face.

  “Could you love me,” he asked breaking the silence. “Is that something you’re capable of?”

  Mythiara stared back at him, hiding the shock his question had stirred in her. Where the hells did that come from? “I don’t know,” she answered after considering his question. She stopped thinking about it when her considerations grew too complicated. It was too late in the night for such a question.

  “You seem to like my body well enough, but I don’t think that’s good enough for me. I’ve lost too much to have gained so little.” Laranthel’s face grew determined, his eyes slits as he stared down at Mythiara. She’d find him imposing if she thought he’d kill her.

  “Woof, look at you!” Mythiara gave Laranthel’s chest a soft punch, biting her lip as she struck him. “I personally appreciate that sort of insolence, but the Matriarchs do not. I know you’re smart enough to understand that, but I can assure you that when it comes to males, the other Great Mothers are brutal. So please, keep this sort of behavior between us.” Mythiara reached up and grabbed Laranthel by his chin and brought their faces close.

  “I guess we have plenty of time to figure this out,” said Laranthel, tearing himself from Mythiara’s grasp, “Please my Lady, let us retire for the night.”

  “Of course, my husband.” Mythiara turned the knob to her reading room and the two shuffled into her quarters, quickly heading back to their bed to put an end to a long and eventful day.

  “Princess, it’s morning wake up.”

  Mythiara’s eyes fluttered open and she began to scan her surroundings, blinking sleep from her eyes. “You’re like a rooster, you annoying dog.” She rose up and straddled Laranthel, pushing down on his stomach. She yawned and looked down at her husband, he had a look of curiosity on his face. “All that talk about me only liking you for your body, and there you are such a hungry look in your eyes.”

  Laranthel shrugged. “You’re easy to look at.”

  Mythiara threw her head back and laughed, rolling off Laranthel and back onto the bed. “You’re an interesting thing, Laranthel. Very interesting indeed.”

  “I try. Let’s hope I’m more magician than power at this upcoming meeting of ours.” Laranthel pushed himself on to his elbows and looked over at Mythiara.

  She gave him a quizzical look. She didn’t understand his joke. “What’s a power?”

  “Its an Imunani thing, don’t worry about it.”

  “Hmm.” Mythiara rose up and got out of bed, climbing over Laranthel’s legs. “We’re having a little banquet for you today; you’ll be meeting with the family. Well, some of the family. A few unimportant cousins, my nieces and nephew, as well as the arms master.”

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  Not waiting for Laranthel’s reply, Mythiara walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out a casual dress to wear. She stripped out of her nightgown and threw the dress on, pulling out a leather belt from the wardrobe to tie the garment around her waist. When she was finished, she turned and found Laranthel idly watching her. She glared at him and prepared to scold him, she was tiring of his insolence.

  “Alright, alright, I’ll go get ready.” Laranthel rose to his feet and pulled on his clothes.

  Watching him, Mythiara considered getting Laranthel a wardrobe of his own to put in her room. She was getting tired of watching her husband go to the maids in plain clothes to be dressed. It was beneath her.

  “Be so slow after waking me up so early again and I’ll whip you,” teased Mythiara as she watched him wrap his ankles.

  “Whip me and I’ll wake you even earlier,” Laranthel shot back. “I’ll see you after I’m dressed. In the reading room as usual.” He rose from his seat on the bed and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  “How you make my heart flutter,” murmured Mythiara as she went through her drawers to find her hand mirror.

  Mythiara found herself greatly enjoying her life since Laranthel’s arrival. Her days never lacked intrigue and when her responsibilities cut short the fun she was having in weening him, she grew upset. She was beginning to understand why the other women enjoyed toying with their man-things and consorts so much. It was fun. Mythiara had to remind herself she was a princess, soon she would have to step into the game of politics and the responsibilities that came with it. Laranthel was a pleasant distraction, but ruling was her future, her destiny.

  She finished examining her face in the mirror and left from her quarters, leaving to find the maids to have them dress her.

  What shall I wear today, she thought as she moved through the spacious, vaulted hallways of the Halana compound.

  This is always so weird thought Laranthel as the maids finished dusting off his tunic. They regarded him with curious looks, still unsure about him after a week of cleaning and dressing him.

  “Thank you,” said Laranthel as they stepped away from him, finally satisfied with their work. Getting dressed usually took half an hour, Laranthel found it inane.

  The two women gave Laranthel a nod and allowed him to step away from their doting. One of the women scowled when they thought he wasn’t looking, he laughed at her openly as he left. He was glad to have a companion in his misery.

  He left the dressing room and headed for Mythiara’s quarters, mentally preparing himself to be in close proximity with the rest of the Helana’s within the compound. He had seen a few of them in passing, some of Mythiara’s nieces and nephews, but he had never spoken to them. Now he would have to spend gods knows how long besides them in a banquet chamber. At least Meganira and Metanira won’t be there, he thought. Those two had their own properties outside of the city, where they thankfully remained.

  He turned the corner into the hall where Mythiara’s quarters were and found another silver haired woman standing in front of the door, wearing the airy dress most of the noblewoman liked to wear around the compound. The women in Nyxea had a very diverse and classical approach to clothing. Laranthel might have appreciated it if he hadn’t been abducted and handed to them.

  “Hello there, Prince Laranthel,” said the woman in a singsong voice. She smiled at him, motioning for him to approach.

  “Good morning my lady,” replied Laranthel with a bow. He approached the woman, stopping a few feet in front of her, in front of the door to Mythiara’s chambers.

  “No need to bow, boy. You need only do that for the Matriarchs and perhaps Meganira.” Her smile continued to beam, and she examined Laranthel. She allowed her eyes to blatantly examine his body. “Please, show me inside, won’t you?”

  Laranthel didn’t know what to make of the woman nor had any clue who she could potentially be. He nodded, assuming she was another Princess and opened the door to Mythiara’s quarters, politely gesturing for her to enter first.

  “Thank you,” she said in a bubbly tone before entering the room.

  She moved over to one of the cushioned benches on the far side of the reading room and took a seat, then motioned for Laranthel to take a seat at the bench across from her. He sighed inwardly and walked over to the bench. This should be interesting, he thought.

  “How do you like it here? Have you been enjoying yourself?” She folded her left leg over her right and stared into Laranthel’s eyes. He couldn’t tell if she was planning on toying with him.

  “Certainly, I expected it to be worse. But the city has a certain beauty to it. Somber and soft.”

  The woman nodded, seemingly intrigued at his answer. “I’ve never heard it described like that. Interesting. How has your time been with Mythiara? My sister hasn’t spent much time around men, I’m interested to know what you think of her.”

  So, she is a princess, thought Laranthel. He had to ere on the side of caution as he continued to speak with her. “She’s a very energetic girl. I find her work ethic very endearing. I hope to be of use to her in the future.”

  The woman laughed, nearly falling out of her chair. “The correct answer, of course. Well, I’m glad you aren’t suffering completely from under her at least. What a twisted fortune for you, to be abducted and put in bondage, even if the chains are made of gold.”

  Just then the reading room door swung open and Mythiara appeared. She was wearing a white dress that revealed all of her back and shoulders but covered her legs. A rare thing for her. She also had on a golden laurel crown over her head.

  “Hello Merope,” she said as she noticed the princess sitting across from Laranthel. “Sort of rude to show up to my room unannounced and before a banquet. But I suppose that is normal behavior for you.”

  “Oh, be silent sister,” Merope replied with a wave of her hand. “I just wanted to check up on you!”

  “Check up on my husband you mean.” Mythiara glared at her sister, hands on her hips. “Leave us. There will be plenty of time for discussion at the banquet.”

  “Fine.” Merope rose from her seat gracefully and strode out of the reading room, allowing the door to close on its own with a soft click.

  Mythiara turned to Laranthel, her suspicion palpable. “What did she talk to you about?”

  “She asked the normal question about how I felt about the city and how I felt about you,” replied Laranthel.

  “What did you say?”

  “I told her I love you and the city with all my heart! And that no dream could compare to the life I have with you now!” Laranthel crossed his arms and shot Mythiara a smile. She shook her head, trying and failing to hide her amusement.

  “Ah, you’re hilarious Laranthel! A true jester, surely, you would have been popular in some king’s court in the north or south. But alas, you belong to me. Now be serious, what did she ask you?”

  “You’re no fun,” replied Laranthel turning his head. “Basically, what I said, asked how I felt about the city and how I felt about you. I gave the usual answers.

  “Good. Keep that up at the banquet.”

  Mythiara walked into her room and emerged moments later, diamonds now hanging from her ears. “Come, lets head to the banquet hall.”

  Laranthel nodded his head and followed Mythiara from her quarters in the south wing to the banquet hall in the west wing. They cut through the courtyard, allowing Laranthel to admire the strange glowing white orchids he had been so taken with last night. He found it surprising that in this dark and somber place something so beautiful could shine. He tore his gaze from the plant as Mythiara continued ahead, her gait strong and confident. He did his best to follow along with his usual quiet stride, he liked the idea of surprising the girl should such an opportunity arise. He had to get in as many jabs as he could from his status beneath her.