Star Crossed Haters

Chapter Four (Kaeda)

My head throbs as I walk into the ship, the wood creaking underneath my boots, the pair of obnoxious princesses taking a toll on my patience. We would be travelling across the Rumé Sea, one known to border the most enjoyable beaches in Dodomi, but obviously that meant hot weather.

I hate hot weather.

It's most definitely why my powers are much weaker, and why I preferred the chilly seas by my home kingdom, the waves of the Delyla Sea.

So obviously the gods wished for a painful trip as the sweltering heat and humidity of Watarumi's beaches made the open breeze of the main deck feel so much stuffier.

Not to mention I had to be stuck with Princesses Cari and Apex for a week, the shark and her remora fish.

The princess of Hydeau wasn't an heir, as her older brother King Aquian was coronated a year ago, gifted a Reya from not Thanirrh, but his nymph, Mist, or her ancient name, Tuumaan instead. Aquian isn't eligible for becoming Syla as he wasn't born during the year of the Choisi, the year where each generation is marked and the year each Syla was born. Cari is a year older than both Princess Apex and I, though not as diligent as the two of us in our studies, having to stay an extra year as punishment for a Reya training incident.

And obviously she and Princess Apex got along great, as they stuck together throughout the years.

Walking towards my room among the ship, I overhear two people arguing above.

"We haven't heard anything from Eran. We need to stay here until we do." a deep voice says, and I recognize the name of the man they were talking about – Eran, the owner of the docks back in Dodomi.

"Are you out of your mind?! We have three royals on board. If we're even an hour late they'll have our heads."

"But-"

"I'm not risking it. Go and check the rigging while I go over to the wheel."

I hear the heavy padding of footsteps above and my stomach churns with uncertainty.

Not sending a letter to signal departure was unlike Eran; he was one of the few people who received a Reya and wasn't part of the nobility, using his electrical senses to alert ships on the weather overseas and whether or not it was safe to travel.

But no news is good news.

Right?

That's what I tell myself as I enter the small room provided for me on the ship, the slow rocking putting my mind at ease, even though the humidity was unbearable at the moment.

I look around briefly, making sure no one is around, before I strip down to just my bodice and leggings, feeling less stuffy, thankfully, but very improper – a princess shouldn't be seen lounging around in what it typically considered to be men's clothing.

But whatever. I feel better at least.

Flopping down onto my bed, I sigh contentedly, as the sea breeze tickles my nose.

A it was nice, my heartbeat matching with the rocking of the boat. I hear more voices surface from above.

"That Kaeda girl is so annoying."

"Oh, I know."

I deadpan at that, rolling over to my side, as the creaks of the boat's tether's straining against the dock provided some, if any, comfort.

I wish I was home.

Watarumi was the place where I grew up, but Khaenpanii is where I belong.

Even if I had my fair share of bad memories there too.

Namely Prince Dyor.

Crown Prince Dyor of Akameen was a suitor of mine back at home, talks of marriage had been spurring since my mother was pregnant with me.

I remember when I first met him, I was 4, only 8 months before I would leave for Watarumi – Dyor left only 2 months after the encounter himself since he was a year or so older than me.

We both didn't want to be married to each other – and that just made us closer.

We weren't allowed to see each other during our studies here on Watarumi, those with Reyas that utilized powers gifted from the Ancients had to undergo special training as their powers were more unstable. The Ancients were the first two gods created from the Amma, also known as Allaida. Those two Ancients were the gods Elektras and Kuhlwen – one reigning over storm and the other of the earth.

We sent letters to each other when we could – studies being a priority and all, being able to send a letter to the other was a rarity.

Life was lonely on Watarumi, the letters I exchanged with the earth prince were the only form of interaction I could have. We were inseparable, I showed him sides of me that no one else saw – as did he. We told each other secrets that would fracture Dodomi's economy as we knew it if they were released to the public. Things that were supposed to be buried six feet under. We were best friends.

Until one day, Dyor sent a letter saying that he didn't want to be friends anymore.

He wanted to be more.

It was terrifying – stepping into something new – we were only 10, and the concept of romance was entirely foreign to me.

I didn't understand my feelings about the situation – the crushing burden of knowing I'd have to respond in some way was nauseating.

And so, I did what my instincts told me to.

I stopped talking to him.

It plagued me for the next year or so – my only friend gone due to my own cowardice.

But as devastating as it was, I kept up appearances, as I always have.

The people only need to know what you want them to know.

Voices resurface upstairs.

"Okay, we're releasing the anchors now. I pray you know what you're doing, Cap'n."

And only a deck below them, I prayed they knew what they were doing too.