The Dragon Prince The City of Smoke and Night

Chapter Twenty Three Roses and Tarts

The Sunfire Inaugural Ball was just a day away but it was one of the major things occupying Naima's mind. After the festival in Neolandia, she found herself juggling between two fixations at the same time. One minute she was obsessing about what to wear and how to behave at the ball, and the next she was worrying over what talent she should showcase at her audition. It was an overwhelming and wearisome balancing act between the two worries. She tried to distract herself from the stress of the two pending events by decorating the wall over her desk with her poems that she'd brought to Lux Aurea and inspirational quotes. She took a step back and smiled at her handiwork. But she knew it wasn't enough, so she decided to look through her closet. She was in the middle of deciding whether to wear a gown of yellow brocade or a navy blue silk dress with long sleeves and a sheer cape attached to the sleeves' cuffs when her aunt's voice called, "Naima! Zivon's here!" "Don't worry, Inaya, I'll just come in," Zivon told her. She turned to see Zivon and hung her dresses in her closet. "Zivon, hi!" She smoothed her hair. "What brings you here?" "I just came to check on you," he said, his cheeks blushed sheepishly and he quickly adjusted his tone. "Just to make sure you're doing okay. I hope you're not cracking under the pressure with your ball tomorrow." She collapsed dramatically into her vanity chair as she let out an exasperated sigh. She buried her head in her hands. "Ever since I defeated Ephai, things are changing so fast," she said. She hated to act like such a diva in front of Zivon. "You've gone through change before, Naima," Zivon told her. "You can do it again. When you first arrived in the camp, you were scared of what the other Sunfire Elves would think of you. But you adapted to the camp's surroundings really fast and you've become more self confident and breaking free from your shell. I don't care if you're half human. Either your family and friends. I love-I mean they love you just the way you are. You're one of a kind, selfless, hardworking, brave, caring, smart, perseverant, strong, funny, talented, and beautiful both inside and out. You always get through a situation by going with the flow and wearing your heart of gold on your sleeve. You're a phenomenal girl and you're going to have a phenomenal life. If your parents were here, I'm sure they'd be proud." A fat teardrop formed at the corner of Naima's eye and she wiped it. "Thanks, Zivon," she said. "What you need is some serious relaxation before your big day so your cousin has scheduled you a day at the royal spa and I want you to meet me at the garden at noon." Zivon brought Naima her bathrobe and white slippers. "But why the garden?" He smiled secretively at her. "You'll see." The royal spa was the grandest place Naima had ever seen. It was a picturesque beachside establishment with an outdoor massage parlor under a cabana, while the treatment rooms for facials, body treatments, baths, and body rituals were held in white and gold villas that were located in a massive verdant garden. The villas had lounging areas and plunge pools where guests could enjoy before or after their treatments. It was like stepping into a living dream of serenity and fulfillment. One of the welcoming staff members explained to Naima that the royal spa at Sunset Paradise was her mother's favorite place in the castle where she could escape from her grueling royal duties. The spa staff doted upon her because they were honored to have the daughter of their favorite client visit their establishment. The organic beauty treatments were inspired by the ocean's environment such as sea salt massages, sea mud facials, seaweed body wraps, and pearl mud masks. She was treated with a Rosy Indulgence ritual where she was provided with a rose water soak, a rose clay mask, a rose and chocolate body scrub, and a rose petal mani-pedi. She thanked the staff for their hospitality by giving them a basket of Durenian baked goods. Then she went home and changed for her meeting with Zivon. She wore a billowy sugar white blouse and a pair of blue pants. Then she put lapis blue ballet flats on her feet and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She looked like the old Naima: the farm girl who'd constantly pushed herself to work harder and worked for twelve hours straight without rest. But she was no longer the overthinking, overachieving barmaid from Duren anymore. Naima smiled confidently at her reflection in her vanity mirror before leaving her bedroom to meet with Zivon. It turned out that he setted up a picnic under the blue wisteria tree in the castle garden while she was gone. They talked and laughed together as they found out that they shared a lot in common. Both of them were easygoing, gentle souls. Both of them loved to play the guitar and write poetry. Both of them loved nature and reading books about legends, myths, and the history of Xadia. Both of them experienced a tragedy in their lives but made peace with their pasts. "Sometimes I can lose my cool when people make fun of my father," Zivon said as he bit into a jelly tart. "They think he's an insane man whose potions never work but he's a great healer." "I know what it's like being bullied and being misunderstood," Naima sympatheized after she'd sipped on a homemade winterberry punch. "But I kept my patience and pretended they didn't say anything by remembering this rhyme that humans know. Sticks and bones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." "My parents taught me that message too." Naima smiled. "It taught me to have thick skin when people start to make fun of me." "They must have been wise people," Zivon said. "You got your good head on your shoulders from both of them." She blushed. "Thanks. So why did you set up this date?" Zivon took a deep breath and said, "Okay, you remember what I said about your friends and family loving you just the way you are?" She nodded. "Well, the thing is." He rubbed his neck nervously and his brow gemmed with sweat. "I think it'd be best if you read these yourself." He handed her two envelopes, each with a red heart at the center. Did he write her love letters? She opened the first envelope and pulled a piece of paper out. It was an acrostic poem about her name that read: N is for Nice, need I say more? A is for altruistic, unselfish you. I is for inspirational, you uplift those around. M is for memorable, a delight to know. A is for amiable, for you are everyone's friend. Naima, a blessing from heaven. When she finished reading the poem, she looked up at Zivon. "Oh, Zivon, that's so sweet," she said to him with a smile. "Read the second one." She put the acrostic poem aside and opened the second envelope, revealing it to be another poem. In black ink, the title of the poem said: For my Kind Ocean. The poem read: Roses are red, Violets are blue, Terms are kind, And so are you. Orchids are white, Ghost ones are rare, Mirrors are shiny, And so is your cinnamon brown hair. Magnolia grows, With buds like eggs, My fitzgerald is dancer, And so are your legs. Sunflowers reach, Up to the skies, Sapphires are blue, And so are your eyes. Foxgloves in hedges, Surround the farms, The position is strong, And so are your arms. Daisies are pretty, Daffodils have style, Your voice is cheerful, And so is your smile. The ocean is beautiful, Just like you. Naima put her hand over her mouth and she cried tears of joy. This poem was about her. "You're a phoenix of a girl, Naima. As strong as fire. And as gentle as water. I couldn't take my eyes off of you from the very first day, and you've been on my mind every day since then," Zivon told her. "Naima Gentlekind, will you make me the happiest Sunfire Elf in Lux Aurea and be my girlfriend?" "I thought you'd never ask!" She threw her arms around his neck and they kissed. It was pure and loving like Naima had dreamed it would be. When Naima and Zivon went to tell her family the good news, Karim and Miyana watched them hold hands as they went. They were both misty eyed. "I remembered how excited I was when we confessed our feelings for each other when we were their age," Miyana told Karim, who nodded. "And now they will have many happy years together."