The Prince of Ilios

Eighty-One

"Nicola, it's cold. How much farther until we stop for the night?" Nadia shivered. They had had to slow their pace because of the dense trees. Nicola had insisted they stay off of the main roads at least until they made it out of Anemos.

Nicola looked at his sister in pity, "The nearest town isn't for another three miles. I know that it is cold at night, but please bear with it. We have only been traveling for an hour." He adjusted Noelle, who was half sitting half sleeping in front of him. She had not fully recovered, but they had little option. She could be asleep for days. He had thought about buying a cart in the last town for her, but the journey would have been slowed. Every once in a while she woke up just enough to throw a light slap at him. He hoped there would be a day when she would not hate him so much. If he had been alone, the journey would have only been a day and night's ride.

"I never knew that Flora was so far away from Anemos." Nadia complained. She was sure she was getting saddle sores and her fingertips were stinging.

"Would you rather I set up a house for you?" He called from ahead.

"No." She said immediately. Nadia most certainly would not want to be alone with Noelle in a cabin for safekeeping, "You must think I am acting like some sort of porcelain doll."

Nicola thought for a moment, "I think you are learning." He glanced upward. The moon was far overhead. They had chosen to travel in the night and rest in the day. They were unlikely to encounter anyone that way. It had been the safest option. Nicola remembered the province of Anemos from his childhood. They used to come here and play in the forests, walk the paths and see all of the villages on their tours. The people were always respectful, and distant. It was no secret that Nicola had been one of the youngest lightbearers on record. His power scared many. However, there had been one particular red head who had not cared a smidgen. Nissa and Nicola had played endlessly at their manor, made mischief in the education centers, and had laughed and tricked each other for years. So many pranks had taken place in Anemos. But, eventually Nissa had to grow up. She found her place in society, and the playing had turned into proper conversation, the mischief had turned into wit, and the pranks had disappeared altogether so that they could maintain the proper image. They had become acquaintances rather than friends. We cannot go back to the past, it is all now cherished memories. That was how sibling relationships were supposed to go. Instead, his sisters had been sequestered from him.

"So..." Nadia began hesitantly, "who's the girl?"

"What girl?" Nicola was pulled from his thoughts.

"You keep mumbling some girl's name while you sleep. We heard you spent the last few months auditioning a wife, so which one made the cut?" Nadia caught up with him easily so they could talk side by side.

"Oh, yeah. Don't you think there are more pressing matters?" Nicola sidestepped.

"Nicola, we are riding through the woods in the middle of the freezing night with nothing to do. You could at least tell me the results."

"There were none." He huffed, "There were still several girls there when I left, I hadn't chosen any of them legally." He couldn't help the contortions of regret on his face.

Nadia's head tilted, "But you had already chosen one in your heart."

"Yes. I did not have the chance to tell her." He bit the inside of his cheek, his face heating in embarrassment.

"It is dark, but are you blushing?" There was just enough moonlight to light his face through the trees in patches. Nadia giggled, he is human after all. I thought he was just some cold, goal driven prince.

"Quiet, you." He rode on ahead. They were nearing the border between Anemos and Flora. Once inside, hopefully he would be able to find some help. Anemos had been too turbulent to even try to seek out help in their capital city. Without knowing what he would be facing, Nicola would need to amass a large army to take Ilios back. He hoped each province would spare some guards, and he even had a plan to make certain that such a takeover would never happen again. He only hoped that the provinces would also be convinced it was a good idea.