On Wings of Love

Prologue

  A cool breeze rolled off the water of the nearby lake, a sharp contrast to the lingering heat of the end of summer. The last of the day's sun glinted on the surface of the softly rippling pool and I watched as it slowly dipped lower and lower. Someone cleared their throat behind me but I ignored them pointedly. The last rays of the sun far too tempting for me to turn now.

 "Will you run? There have been bets placed over you throwing yourself from that balcony." 

I clutched the railing tightly and turned to glare at the man behind me.

"This may very well be my last moments on this earth and you mock me?" I bite out. The words are far more formal and cold than I'd like for them to be. Even in the face of death my conditioning controlled my every action. What I really wanted was to throw myself at him and scream with hysterics. I wanted to beg him to help me run away.

 Murrough watched me with a soft smirk, though the humor did not find it's way to his eyes. I stared at him for a long moment, memorizing his face because after tonight I might not ever see it again. Pale red hair was pulled back and loosely tied with the ribbon I had given to him as a joke. Pink, the worst color for red hair according to his mother but he had never cared. His skin pale but his freckles much more prominent from the summer sun. Green eyes watched me with the same intensity I was giving him, dampness beginning to pool on his lashes.

 I swallowed the lump in my throat and allowed myself to look away. If I stared any longer I would lose my emotions and we could not afford for that to happen. 

"We both know as soon as they feel the bite from your sharp tongue you will be sent back. Any man with half a brain and ears would rather fall on his sword than face you when angry." 

I rolled my eyes and gave a soft smile, "Are you implying you have no brain at all then? You antagonize me so often that is the only logical conclusion."

"When it comes to you Apphia, it does seem as though my mind no longer functions properly..." He pauses and clears his throat, " I am meant to bring you downstairs to the carriage. However, all you have to do is say the word and we will be out the servants entrance and on our way to the border before they even know you are gone."

"Don't be ridiculous, why would I run from what I have been raised to do? This is my duty and I am honored to do so if it means war can be prevented and peace of some kind can be brought to our people." I stand up straighter and raise my head. I clasp my white lace gloved hands and turn to look in the mirror.

 The woman that stared back at me looked radiant and confident, the exact opposite of what I felt. Her black hair plaited with intricate interlocking braids down to the small of her back. Delicate red flowers were woven throughout the braids, the color the same as her lips and nails. That burst of color would be looked down upon by the people of my kingdom, but the kingdom of Efernia's royals always wore the color of bright red blood. The flowers seemed to crawl down her shoulder and onto the white gown she wore. Her off the shoulder sheer sleeves attached to the corseted top which was laced with an equally bright red ribbon. Her waist appeared so thin, is that why it felt so hard to breathe? The skirt of the gown swept along the floor with a long train, intricate silver embroidery following the hem of the gown and crawling up her body towards her waist. I might have thought she was am Efernian royal already... had it not been for the dragonfly-like sets of wings that sprouted from between her shoulder blades.

 "Yes my lady, how could I forget?" The words were strained but I didn't look to him.

"Murrough... it is time to go. Please bring my things and don't forget the chest with the gift for my new hu... my husband." I struggle not to wince with the words. "I can't be late to my own wedding. It would reflect poorly on the people of Litrian."  

"Apphia... please don't-"

"I said I can't be late." I snapped and strode ahead of him into the hallway. There was no response as the heavy wood of the door slammed shut behind me.