Charades

Chapter 15

     I was at work. It wasn't busy and I was alone in the small shop, my eyes gazing out the window. I could see Ronan from where I stood behind the counter. And at the sight of him surrounded by three maidens, my heart sunk. I grew sick, but I couldn't pull my eyes away.

     I was the one to pull away, I was the one to tell Ronan we couldn't be anything, but yet, I hated seeing him with other women. I hated thinking he wouldn't be mine. All I ever wanted was to kiss Ronan. To run my hands down his strong arms, to place my lips across his strong jaw, but I couldn't. Not when I was a princess and not when I was being hunted down by my uncle.

     I jumped when I heard the ringing of bells and my eyes darted to the front door. Indira was there and my jaw dropped at the sight of her. But when she smiled, I broke out into a smile as well.

     "Hey Amara!" Indira exclaimed, rushing to me.

     I moved away from the counter and Indira leapt into my arms. I held her tightly, taking her in. Despite everything seeming so scary, Indira was a ray of sunshine I always welcomed.

     "Hey," I said. "What are you doing here?"

     "I came to visit you," Indira said, pulling away. Her eyes were lit with joy. "How are you?"

     "Good. And you?"

     "Great."

     Indira moved to the counter and she hopped on top of it. She sat on it, her short legs dangling in front of her, and she smoothed out her gray dress. Indira's dark blue eyes were on me and I faced her, glad she visited.

     "Did you hear?" Indira asked. "The lost princess wasn't found here, so the soldiers are moving onto the next kingdom. I think two soldiers will stay behind in case, but the rest will be gone."

     Relief overwhelmed me. I fought back the urge to fall to the ground and scream with joy, but with Indira there, I simply smiled.

     "Really?" I said. "That's good. I hope things will be less tense now."

     "Right!" Indira shivered. "I hated the soldiers. They were terrifying."

     I nodded. The soldiers wore guns and swords on their backs and I knew they weren't my soldiers. They were Vispur's and there were rumours that they beat some of the townspeople, hoping they'd spill the beans on me. But, no one spoke. No one knew I was the lost princess and guilt tore at me because I was the cause of others pain.

     My eyes went to Ronan and my heart twisted at the sight of him. He was still with the other maidens, laughing and chatting with them, clearly on his work break. My heart painfully pounded against my chest as I wondered. What if? What if I was born normal? What if Ronan and I could be, and we could be one happy family.

     "Don't mind Ronan," Indira said. "I told you, Ronan's just being polite. He never cared for any woman, until he met you."

     I blushed and lowered my eyes. My face felt on fire and I cursed myself, knowing I was acting childish.

     "Do you like my brother?" Indira asked.

     There was a teasing tone to her voice and I felt like I'd die of embarrassment. My eyes rose to meet hers and when I saw her grinning, I gulped.

     "No, he's my friend," I said. "That's all."

     "Sure, Amara. Sure."

     Indira was grinning mischievously and I shook my head. But, a question couldn't help but blossom in my mind.