Where the Land meets the Sky

Chapter 3 - Kiraleth

 For a few seconds before I wake up, I almost forget about the whole fiasco at my birthday celebration, but then it all comes back to me: I interrupted Amelia's introduction. She slapped me in the face in front of everybody. I'll never forget the look on her face as she ran away.

I bury my face in the pillows and groan. I might as well jus as stay here in bed for the rest of my life, since there's no way I can face my subjects after that screw-up.

No matter how much my stomach growls, I just can't motivate myself to get to the dinning hall. It would be so much easier to just lay here and die!

I'd be bored to death in here if it weren't for the stacks of novels I keep hidden in the closet.

I'm currently reading a romance about a land draconid who falls in love with a human servant. At the end of the book, the main character gets down on one knee and asks the human to marry him, despite the fact that their love is forbidden.

I close the book and hurl it at the closet door. I really thought I understood the concept of romance. I did everything they do in the novels: I brought her gifts, I got down on one knee, I kissed her hand. I understand that the party didn't go exactly to plan, but I still don't know what did I do so wrong for her to slap me.

"Your highness."

There's a knock on the door. I hide under the covers and moan.

"Go away."

"King Xerxes requests your presence immediately."

Oh no. I throw the covers aside and rub my temples.

"He expects you in his office, immediately." I hear the paige's footsteps echo down the hall as he walks away.

I get out of bed and dress quickly. I put on a simple black shirt and white leggings. I stand in front of the mirror and comb my hair. The two stripes Amelia left on my right cheek are starting to scab over. The wounds are so thin that they're barely noticeable, but to me they stand out like a giant signpost.

If I could put a bag over my head, I would happily wear it all day long.

I shake my head at myself in the mirror. Even if I feel like I'm crumbling apart inside, I'm still a princess and I can't let anyone see past my facade. I draw my shoulders back and take a deep breath before stepping into the hall.

I hear whispers and murmurs from the servants as I walk through the palace corridors toward the king's office. With every step I take, my stomach grows a little more uneasy.

Finally, I arrive at the tall mahogany doors of King Xerxes's office. I raise my chin and step inside.

"You called for me, Master?" Before I even look at his face, I put my fists together and bow.

"There you are, Kiraleth."

King Xerxes's voice is low and booming. Its no wonder our poets refer to it as rolling thunder. But even now, there's something inexplicably kind in his tone.

I look up. King Xerxes is standing behind a grand oak desk. The walls of his office are lined with books. A small window looks out over the palace courtyard where a couple of sparrows chase each other.

The Sky King has four large horns growing straight out of the top of his head, resembling a crown. His wingtips have large spiraled spikes growing out of them. A pulsating red jewel embedded in the center of his chest glows with the rhythm of his heartbeat.

The Sky King is the only draconid in all creation to have these unique traits. One day, when King Xerxes dies and I become the new sky king, I will receive those same divine traits. I touch my chest. Just the thought of him leaving me, makes my mood dip even lower.