Destined

6. An Invitation

We all got up, but I hardly slept with the same nightmarish vision I have had every night since Judas died. I sat in the small parlor between the many rooms in the east wing. Nothing extravagant other than a large area to move about in. I sat on the emerald cotton couch while mulling over the dream.

Monsters and beasts springing up within a realm with the Amerlise emblem melting in the heavy blaze. Screams and mayhem ringing in my ears. However, another filled in before it appeared. The Valkrylupis growling at someone I could not visualize, but the words that left the beast's mouth I could not ignore.

"I will be the one to kill you. I promise you that much."

Someone laid a hand on my shoulder and I jolted to see Artemis dressed in a thick-fabric red wine dress. Her hand fell away from me and she sat next to me with the grace of a lady. "Did you sleep well at all?"

I shook my head and rubbed the back of my neck. "Not any better than normal, but I will manage."

I felt her warm aura next to me and it soothed the tension in my shoulders. I smiled briefly.

"If you need help sleeping, I have something that can,"

I glanced at her and then at the small pine table in the center of the room. "Artemis, I appreciate your help, but you do not need to worry. This is not my first vision and I fear it will not be the last either."

"But," she started when a door opened from behind us and she never finished what she wanted to say.

Zelme joined the two of us in the main parlor and sat across from me. He sighed and let his eyes wander over to the door. "We will have company soon, your highness. I suggest you be careful many of the lords in the north make a habit of taking interest in guests. Especially when the guests have a flare to speak plainly."

"What was up with Annalise last night?"

Zelme's eyes darkened and his body tensed. "She has had that same conversation many times before with her father. She constantly gets reminded that she is the king's daughter and expected to act according to the court's needs, but Annalise has bested every man who tries to take her hand in marriage."

"Why fight them at all?"

"It is customary to have a sparring match before an engagement is made. It may seem strange, but I never accepted the engagement from her sister." Zelme paused before continuing. "A lady can choose this right to test how far a man will go for her and the same for him as well. However, Annalise is one of the most talented warriors in the north but her position forces her to meet expectations others have of her."

"So she feels compelled to deny it every time someone brings it up." I got up and wondered if Annalise was being stubborn or determined. "You know her better than I do, so why would she be worried about it?"

"The lords push it on her every chance they get. Kid, she can handle them so leave her be." Zelme stopped when the door to the east wing living area opened.

A young man stood in the entryway and bowed at his waist. "Your Highness, my lord wished to have some of your time." He raised his head. "He wished to invite you on the morning hunt."

I stared at the young man. "You can tell him I am honored by his invitation, but I am afraid I am not much of a hunter."

Artemis jabbed me in the side. "It is not wise to decline, just go."

I glanced at her and then at the young man. "I will join them nonetheless, but do not expect much from me." I wandered over to the young man who smirked at me. I had a feeling this was a ploy to get me to marry Annalise or worse.