Rose's Thorns: The Wolf's Prophecy

8

Orion's pov

He entered after the girl, into the open room above him and could not see a thing for many moments. After he had hoisted himself up completely, he could just make out the future of Princess Rose scurrying about, lighting lanterns. All around him was odd, mismatched furniture, pictures hanging from strings, strange objects, aged china, and soft quilted blankets. Large feather stuffed pillows and lopsided tabled littered the space, and one large arched window with sparkling glass dust where the pane once held a beautiful stained-glass piece took up one wall. It was by far the most beautiful, rustic, calm space Orion had ever been in. On the other side of the wall, opposite of the window, were huge maps dating back to centuries before them. Maps of the entire kingdom, including the grounds, were hung on the walls. He chanced a glance at Rose and saw her admiring the space with a tender look. he could see why, it was magnificent. Rose gestured for him to take a seat as she continued to pace around, stopping at the hole in the wall. "This is a beautiful space Princess Rose, and I'm honored"

"Just Rose, please." She looked around and Orion saw pride in her green eyes. She had done this all by herself. He could tell. "Just Rose?" He was confused. How could anyone be so lenient with a name? A title? When he mentioned this to her, she just shrugged.

"What good is a royal persona? When all around, when people address you by the title it is out of fear of being perceived as rude? If your people are intimidated by you, how do you expect them to come to you when they need help?"

"You aren't like I imagined Rose."

"You imagined me?"

"Well, not you particularly, but the Meadow as a whole."

"How did you picture the Meadow?" She asked

"Well for one, I didn't think it would have been so easy to sneak into. But I pictured it like all the other kingdoms I've gone to."

Rose's eyes narrowed. "So why did you sneak into the castle?" He knew this question would come up sooner or later, and honestly, he would have preferred it to be later. He studied the red-haired girl in the dim-lit room and decided the truth would be more helpful here. At least part of the truth. So, he took a deep breath and began.

"I've been moving from place to place, traveling here and there. Ever since the second wave of the sickness came, I have been on my own. A loner, one might say. Every spot I stayed, all I needed, all I asked for was a place to stay, a dry bed. And something to eat. The other kingdoms drove me out with their own forms of magic."

He paused at the question in the girl's eyes. And was in shock as her eyes changed from green to blue in an instant, but he continued. "So, I stopped asking. It was much easier to take what I needed. When I arrived in the Meadow, I assumed it would be the same, but this kingdom, well you, didn't"

"So, what are the other kingdoms' gifts like?" Rose asked.

Orion shook his head and smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Rose rolled her eyes at him and he laughed.

"So why are you wandering then? Where is your family? Your home?"

No more laughing. Orion looked at her, startled at her bluntness.

"Oh, I. I um." He stammered. Think think think. Quick. He could not think of a lie.

"Well, my mother died of the sickness back home. And my father-" What? He what? Went crazy? Power-hungry? Revenge thirsty? Insane. Insane. "-my father was heartbroken. He shut himself in so I, I left. I moved on. It was easiest for the both of us at the time." Something flashed in Rose's eyes, but it was gone before Orion could recognize it.

"It's time I went to bed," she said getting up. "And it's time you did the same. Get some rest, Orion. You can stay here for as long as you might need. I'll bring up some food in the morning" she shot him a look. "So, you don't feel the need to steal it."