Of Blood and Fire

Chapter 9 - Sora

This chapter is not yet edited nor finalized.

It had been so difficult to keep her situation secret from Khani, but she'd managed, and while the last few days had torn holes in her heart, she knew it was for the better. Khani had been none the wiser until Sora had been announced to the kingdom, and even then, they wouldn't talk to each other. In all honesty, Sora felt terrible about it. She didn't realize it would be so taxing to hide the letter and her predicament, and she definitely didn't anticipate the devastation on Khani's face as she laid a steaming platter of strawberry-chocolate turnovers for dessert that first night.

It's not my fault, Sora told herself miserably as she trudged off toward her familiar room. Perhaps seeing her odd trinkets, lined up haphazardly on the nightstand, would cheer her up. I didn't want this!

Oh, Khani, I'm so sorry!

"Lady Sora, your quarters are upstairs."

Sora blinked in surprise and glanced around. She hadn't noticed the guard standing only a few paces away. "Oh. I'm sorry." It was then that she realized that, having never been needed anywhere other than her room and the Dungeon – Oops, Sora thought, I mean, the dish-washing room – she'd also never been upstairs. "Um. Can you point me in the right direction?"

"Of course." The guard hesitated, then offered his arm. "If you're this lost, I should probably escort you all the way to your door."

Was Sora imagining the mischief twinkling in his eyes?

She took his arm, and decided to break the awkward silence with the most basic, non-intrusive question she could think of. "What's your name?"

"I'm Shamir," he said.

"Sora," Sora replied, then froze. "But you already knew that. District?"

"Anula," said Shamir. "So I guess, technically, we're competition, since I should be hoping Margareta gets the crown." He lowered his voice, smiling. "But you're much more likable. I've seen Margareta around town on occasion. Snobby. Sticks her nose in the air."

Likable? Sora gaped at him in amazement. Me? Likable?

"Th-thank you," she stammered. Shamir snorted. "Really," Sora added more seriously. "You're the second person to tell me that in my life. Ever."

"And who was the first?" Shamir asked mischievously. "A boyfriend?"

"A nice man named Zander, actually, who said – I quote – 'I'm routing for you'."

Shamir nodded, feigning solemnity. "And how many years ago was this?"

Sora gasped in mock outrage and hit him lightly on the arm. "A mere guard must never talk in such disrespectful ways to a lady! And certainly not to his future queen!" They'd almost reached the Guest Hall. Sora read her room number from the back of the letter she'd been sent, which she hadn't noticed until the night before. It hadn't held any real significance until Shamir had stopped her; she thought it had been a serial number due to the large S.N. beside it. "I'm Suite Number Four," she told him.

"Must be a lucky number," Shamir commented.

Sora tilted her head. "How so?" She racked her brains. Nope. Nothing I'm aware of that involves the number four. Her eyes darkened. My parents died on Lifeboat Four of the Sea Sapphire. But that wasn't so lucky. She'd heard the whole tragic tale. A minor noble, Temu Larkwood, and his dear wife Keya had gone whale-watching for their fifth anniversary, leaving their eight-month-old daughter in the care of a close friend. Off the shore of Frost Cove, the whale-watching yacht Sea Sapphire was struck by an iceberg. Temu and Keya had been lounging below deck and were instantly plunged into freezing ocean water. They'd been pulled onto Lifeboat 4, but hypothermia had already set in. There was nothing the onlookers could do without a medic, and their lives both slipped away into the frigid air without anyone lifting a finger to help.

"Queen Regina was housed in Suite Four when she was betrothed to the king," Shamir continued amiably, unaware of the suppressed tears glistening in Sora's gaze. She nodded, trying to preserve her dignity. "He didn't have a competition. His marriage was arranged the second that little Princess Regina was born all the way in Nerali."

"It must be hard to live your life knowing you don't have a choice," Sora mumbled.

Shamir blinked. "Yeah." Then he stopped. "We're here. I suppose I've got to turn you over to your maids now."

My maids? "Okay." Sora turned. "Thank you. For helping me." And for being nice. And for saying you'll cheer for me. It means a lot.

At least someone would be happy if she won.

Her maids were nice.

Not entirely energetic but not lazy. Not sugary-sweet but not unhappy either. Mostly they just seemed to have nothing to do. They'd been cleaning since sunup – of course they had nothing to do. When she walked in, she was greeted by a flurry of curtsies as her maids introduced themselves as Bailey, Caisey, and Lunette. From what she could tell, Lunette was mostly in charge, Caisey was funny, and Bailey was quiet. Lunette was the one to speak first.

"Hello, Lady Sora! We've been waiting–"

"–for ages," Caisey interrupted. She grinned. "Well, this dress won't do for tea." She reached down to run the ragged fabric through her fingers. Several years ago, it had been the same shade of fir leaves. Time and sun had worn the color away.

Bailey blinked at Sora uncertainly. "We have several in the closet for you to choose from."

Sora's wariness melted just a little bit. Bailey was so shy; it reminded her of the smaller children that she saw begging during her time on the streets. "Can I take a look?"

Bailey gave an almost imperceptible nod and slid open the doors. Sora had to close her eyes hard before she believed what she was seeing.

At least a dozen evening gowns hung, ironed to perfection, bedazzled but not to overwhelming. Entranced, she stepped inside, feeling soft ribbons of satin and fluttery tulle drift over her fingers. "It's incredible," Sora cooed. "But I don't think I need all of these!"

Caisey began so say something, but Lunette cut her off. "Hopefully you'll be making it to the final three for Henri to choose from," she said, "But for now there are fourteen dresses. If you make it through the tests, we'll make more."

"I think you can do it," Bailey added. Sora turned, touched, and almost tripped over a pair of jeweled heels. Bailey flushed bright red. "Nobody's as nice as you are." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "The girl across the hall from you? In Suite Three? I heard her yelling."

Caisey shuddered. "If that monster makes it to queenship, I'll never sleep soundly again."

Sora's brows shot up and a laugh burst from her belly as Lunette shushed her fiercely. "Caisey!"

"What?" Caisey stepped in beside Sora and considered a sunset-orange gown. "Hmm. Too bright. Not good with your hair."

Self-consciously Sora drew a blonde lock over her shoulder. I guess they didn't know who they were getting. "Do you have any green?"

Caisey shrugged. "No idea. I'm not a seamstress, although a lot of us maids are. I'm really good with cleaning, and generally –" she winked "–great with company." Sora grinned at her. I think I'm going to like these people.

Bailey had entered as well and was slipping toward the back. Her pale skin shone in the gloom. "We do." She carried a dress in her arms and brought it out into the light. Sora gaped. The fabric was subtly patterned in a darker shade and had small golden highlights accentuating the waistline. The sleeves were off-the-shoulder. Sora had always admired that look, despite the fact that she never thought she'd wear it. Small ruffles in the skirt reminded Sora of ripples on a lake, or of rocks disturbing the flow of a river.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Lunette touched Bailey on the head in an almost motherly gesture. "Thank you."

"Well?" Caisey asked. She looked disproportionately excited. "Let's make you up!"