Heir of the Forgotten

~The Poison~

The days blurred together. Hours went by, dragging along as they sat in a carriage.

Selene occupied herself with naps and puzzles in the newspapers they bought when they stopped. This became a group activity, considering Selene needed to learn how to read.

Every day was the same.

Eat, get on the road, entertain themselves, stop to rest and eat, then head back out.

Selene would take in every city they stopped in. She was traveling, seeing sights she'd never seen before. She was smiling again, fearing the dark less, and gaining more confidence as each week went by.

Seeing the ocean again made her heart sing. She requested one night. Just one night so she could sit on the balcony of a beach house and watch the sky.

Sitting on the railing in the inexpensive dress, she felt at peace. For the first time since this journey began, she was at peace. She listened to the crash of the unfamiliar tides. She watched the busy port. It seemed so peaceful here. Her lips pulled into a smile larger than she'd smiled in weeks. The wind on her face felt nice.

"You look beautiful like this." Dorian steps beside where she's seated. He leans on the railing, staring at the water. "Did you do this often at home?"

Selene nods. "Every night I would watch the sky reflected in the rustling tides. The soft waves, the glimmering reflection of the moon. It's just something I enjoy. I can't describe the feeling exactly, but it's like being at peace." She whispers as she keeps her eyes on the scenery.

Dorian chuckles, trying to listen to nature and see what she sees. He doesn't understand the appeal. "Will you do this on the boat?"

Selene laughs with a shrug. "I've never been on one. I adore the water and the night. If I don't get seasick, I'll be out." She swings her legs back towards the balcony floor and hops off the railing.

"Am I interrupting something?" The annoyed tone of their friend, the reason they can't seem to have a moment alone.

The atmosphere of the port and the quiet night have their effects. The full moon makes it easy for them to see. For Selene, a full moon brings out her beauty in ways rarely seen. The light bounces off her hair, causing the lighter strands to stand out. Her eyes glimmer, and her skin appears light as the moon itself.

"Not at all. We're watching the night over the ocean." Selene has gotten a lot better at their dialect over the weeks. She can also read basic sentences.

Vincent nods, joining them at the railing. "It is pretty, but the boat will leave in three hours."

Selene nods. It's more time than she thought he'd budge with. Three hours of sky-gazing were plenty for her.

~

She held on to Dorian tightly in the crowd. She listened, making sure Vincent's feet were the only feet behind her.

Stepping onto the ship, everything changed.

A trumpet blew, startling her, and Dorian sighed, dropping her hand. So many men, males, women, and females bowed their heads to Vincent, then saluted Dorian. Both held themselves in ways she'd never seen them walk before. Dorian moved to stand beside the prince as they walked to the captain of the ship. Selene was left lost, unprepared for this change.

"We are prepared to leave, Your Highness." She bows and then turns to Dorian. "Captain Dorian," she salutes Dorian. The woman must be ranked below him.

"I take it there are Fae to keep this on track." Dorian asks, his voice steady and without space for anything but authority.

The woman nods towards the sail. "Got 'em up there workin'."