Gates of Annika

Chapter 16: The Lady Larkin

  Oona sat at the window frame staring at the setting sun. She sighed heavily and rested her head on the frame. Though there was a bright smile on her face tears rolled down her eyes.
She still felt like she was dreaming. Nohr's death, married, they were all good to be true. Sage stood by the door watching oona's back.
"Aren't you tired?"
Oona quickly wiped her face and climbed down from the window. She was already wearing her nightgown. "You're back"
She smiled and bowed to him. It's already been a week since they both got married yet things were still akward around them.
"Hmm" Sage walked in with a strange looking bottle in his hand. He walked up to Oona and gave her the bottle.
Oona collected the bottle confused, she shook it a little bit. "It's ash"
Sage said as he walked to his side of the bed. "Your brother's ash" Oona stared at the bottle plainly. Tears wet her cheeks once more, she didn't even know how to feel.
"When you're ready to sprinkle it tell me" Sage who was now wearing a robe walked into the bathroom. Oona walked to the bed and laid by her side, gripping the bottle tight.
 

Sage rested his head at the edge of the pool. His blonde hair stuck to his perfect jawline and muscular shoulders. His golden lashes which his his glowing eyes stared at the ceiling of the bathroom which had a drawing of a tree painted in it. The tree had golden outlines that glowed in a dim manner. Giving the bathroom a whole different atmosphere. He slowly closed his eyes and exhaled.

"Have you told her yet?" Leander sat on a chair opposite Sage, he seeped his tea slowly and stared at his brother. They both sat in the center of the castle's palace. The sun shined brightly on the garden.

"No" Sage replied coldly. Both were silent for a while. Leander stared at Sage warily, he had a bad feeling about the whole situation. Ever since Sage's marriage, Leander had been brainstorming on the possible things his brother might do this time.

"Get me ash" he pulled out a bottle from his russet and threw it at his brother. "One from a dead body"

"Isn't it best she knows?" Leander caught the bottle and stared at it blankly. It had an odd shape that confused him. He didn't even what to ask where he got the bottle from. He put the bottle in his russet and sighed.

"Knowing would only give her baseless hope. We both know that he's either dead or death"
Sage crossed his legs and leaned on the chair. "I'd rather not risk that" he replied calmly. The Sun gradually basked on his white and golden russet.

"What are you planning this time?" Leander looked demanding, he really couldn't understand what ran through Sage's head most of the time.

Sage smiled darkly, his green olive eyes began to emitt a shade of red around his pupil. "The future, Leander. The future" his face gradually twisted back to its normal passive expression. The atmosphere became a little bit eerie and serious.

"He might be unto me already" Sage whispered to himself. He opened his eyes slowly and the painting on the ceiling gradually glowed brightly, just like Sage's eyes.

The next day, all the princes were summoned to the palace and their wives were meant to escort them. Oona wore a little blue gown. Her hair was packed in a half ponytail and decorated with sapphire pins.

Cornette who stood aside and watched the maids dress her up kept yapping about etiquette and posture. Oona shook her head tiredly and smiled to her, reassuring the woman she'll do her best.

Waving the manor goodbye they both left for the palace. Sage sat opposite Oona just like last time. He had his eyes glued to her the entire ride. Making Oona feel uncomfortable.
"Is something in my face?" Oona touched her pale cheeks lightly and sighed. "Please stop staring at me like that" she turned to the window and rested her head on the frame. Watching the trees passing by always calmed her nerves.