Kaija: Queen of Stone

1.5

Sleep wouldn't come to me. It was a stranger.

I watched as the canvas of the tent transformed from red to black as night robbed day. From the entrance of my chamber, slivers of moonlight poured in, creating malevolent shadows. I stood, touching my pale flesh, missing Ronian's touch immensely.

I imagined his rough fingers tracing my throat until they touched my lips then explored, learning every part of me. Just like the first night when we entertained lust.

Later in the night, after the confession of love, Ronian took me to his home. He had lived there, alone, since his parents passed when he was six. It was the perfect place to hide. Loneliness would have to find a new mistress tonight.

We snuck through the night, bound to steal away hearts. The lights in the tenements were off, shadowing our crime. The forbidden love we sought to share was a secret only the dark knew.

We moved beyond the bridge between the houses and toward the edge of town where his home stood. Though it was small compared to my tented fortress, it was comfortable. I had not been here in a long while.

The last time I remembered being here was when I was small. Ronian picked me a red dahlia from the pathway and placed it in my hair. I remembered the smile on his face as we walked, hand and hand. There was a flutter in my chest with each step we took.

As soon as we were in the shadows of his small home, he took me into his arms, and drove his lips hungrily to mine. My body filled with want and desire as the taste of sweet honey appeared. I kissed him madly, cupping my hands to his face.

I wanted every part of Ronian because it was forbidden.

His hands traced my body from my waist to my stomach, stopping at my breasts. As he went higher, I gasped and shuddered as a euphoric tingle touched my spine. His hand continued its path until it came to a stop at the base of my collarbone. His fingertips touched my skin, soft and wanting. I felt his fingers delicately wrap around my throat.

"You're mine now, Tara."

I abandoned the memory, no longer subjecting to my own torture. Though sorrow struck my heart, my mind was convinced he was out there, alive and well like I stated to my parents.

I wanted another moment like this.

I walked to my wardrobe, and flung the doors open. Ignoring the flamboyant gowns I normally wore, I grabbed one I hadn't seen in a long time. I used it once ago, when I was just a child and smiled, thinking of the absurdity of the memory. How I conned many with the ruse. I played the servant girl rather than the king's daughter, striking a nerve within my father. He wasn't thrilled when he learned I was the culprit behind the fuss.

Undressing out of my silver clinging gown with gold threads and inset ruby jewels on the trim, I traded it for a brown tattered dress usually worn by a servant. I placed it on my body, my figure straightening.

For a moment I thought I looked like a servant or a peasant but... I looked like a savage. A monster, like my father called those heartless beasts. I was ready to infiltrate and blend in.

I took the dagger from the bedside, remembering how my love gifted it to me long ago when we were younger. The hilt bound together with black cord and was crafted with silver. The color of honor and glory, worn by warriors of our kind. I gripped it tight in my hand.

The decision came to me easily while I was avoiding sleep... I would find my Ronian and plunge the dagger into the heart of his captor.

My bare feet pounded against the ground as I left my room and a trail of dirt behind. Rocks pricked the bottom of my toes like tiny needles. Even though I had a mountain of shoes in my chambers, I opted for none. The pain reminded me of my mission and drove me to stay the path.