Thief of Your Soul

Ch 8 Allura

Princess Allura leaned over the edge of the ship and let the saltwater spray cool her face. Her father told her that this union between her and the High Prince of Keane would strengthen both of their countries, adding more imports and building a better army. Her stomach rolled as she thought about how the weight of their kingdom, both of these kingdoms were on her. Her and this prince she didn't know a thing about.

She'd been told he was a brave warrior and that he was kind, and she did trust her father to make a safe choice for her, but this wasn't what she wanted.

Her advisor, Councillor Coran, had spoken at length with the prince's council, and Coran felt good about the match as well. They didn't speak much about the king or queen, and there was a sister as well, but Allura's people were mostly doing the job of speaking well about the prince.

She wasn't afraid of him. She wasn't even afraid of getting married. She had always harbored the hope though that she would marry for love. But the way that everyone spoke of the prince, she figured it wouldn't hurt to try and find love with him.

She sighed again and wiped the ocean spray and maybe a tear or two away.

"Are you alright, Princess?" Allura turned around and saw her guard, Katie, standing at attention but looking worried. "You've been sighing quite a bit since we came out on deck."

"I'm fine, Pidge," she answered. Pidge was the pet name Allura had given her. She was small and demure, and loved sitting high so she could survey everything around, but she was mighty, powerful, and had a tongue that bit sharper than any beast. Allura felt safest with her.

"I know you've got so much pressure on you right now. Wanna swing my sword a few times? Shoot the bow? We could go spar maybe?" Pidge wiggled her eyebrows and Allura smiled.

"That's not a bad idea. It would certainly let me release some steam. I think I'm okay with the pressure, you know. I can handle the weight, but... I don't know this man, I don't know his heart, I don't even know his kingdom. If it were strictly my home I wouldn't be as nervous. I'm a stranger here, among strangers, building and uniting a strange life, with a strange man."

"Your father did say if you weren't comfortable you could return home. If we spend two minutes in the castle and you aren't alright, I'll turn you around myself." Pidge's intense golden-brown eyes were strong and they both calmed her and warmed her. Allura knew Pidge would fight through anyone, be they peasant or king in order to keep her safe.

"I trust you to keep me safe," she whispered, and she grabbed Pidge's hand. Technically when Pidge was on duty, she wasn't allowed pleasantries like this, but Allura didn't care. Pidge was more to her than just a soldier.

"Your Highness," a voice said behind them, and both women turned. Councillor Coran was walking toward them, his hand steadying him on the edge of the ship. "We'll be docking within 5 hours. You'll be able to see land soon, and then we'll take a trek up the river to the capitol where the castle and the royal family are."

"Thank you, Coran."

"How are you feeling, Princess?" He too, like Pidge, was worried. Allura didn't tell anyone, but she had head her father and Coran arguing about sending her away. Coran didn't want to marry her off to just anyone, and certainly not someone out of the country, but her father knew the match was prudent, and so he had exercised his power and Coran had to stop speaking about it. He had promised though that he would leave with her and make the arrangements only if they were promising.

Coran was like an uncle, almost as close as another father, and she trusted him to keep her safe. Between he and Pidge, she knew she'd be well taken care of.

But she also had to trust herself. She had to be wary, watchful, and always on alert. She wasn't going to let her family or her kingdom down, no matter the cost.