A Throne of Fire and Blood

Chapter 19

The castle felt alive the following morning. Servants and nobles talked to one another as friends, and not as they usually would, on their way to their morning duties. People were decorating the halls with sugar skulls, like they do every year. Everyone was full of joy, despite what Taisayal was.
      Demetra helped Tianna dress for her breakfast with Landen and Nathan. Tianna couldn't help but feel happy on this day.
      Tianna skipped through the halls to Nathan's rooms. She knocked on his door and it was immediately opened.
"Good morning, Landen." Tianna couldn't help but smile as she talked.
"Please, do come in." Landen opened the door wider to allow space for Tianna to walk through. Tianna was surprised to see Calissia sitting next to Nathan.
"I didn't expect to see you here, my lady." Tianna greeted Calissia.
"Good morning, Evalyn. Nathan asked me to join you, so he can explain Taisayal to me." Calissia explained.
"That's surprisingly kind of him." Tianna said as he sat down. Nathan gave her an annoyed look but smiled as well.
Over breakfast, they all talked about the meal later, which made Tianna feel quite awkward. She quickly excused herself and left the room.
"Evalyn!" Calissia shouted after her while quickly walking up to her, "Sorry for bringing up the meal, I didn't realise you weren't invited, I didn't mean to make you feel awkward."
"It's ok, my lady, no need to apologise." Calissia gave Tianna a big loving smile which warmed Tianna's heart.
Tianna and Calissia walked around the castle gardens for at least an hour before they heard footsteps coming up behind them.
"Calissia! Calissia!" Lady Milena shouted as she was running up behind them. Milena took one look at Tianna and the smile from her face instantly dropped.
"You're... um... Lady Evalyn, right?" Milena asked. Tianna nodded with a forced smile, "Calissia, can I borrow Evalyn for one minute?" Milena didn't give Calissia time to answer before grabbing Tianna's arm and pulling her away, "So you're the Prince's new toy then, eh? Whatever you have with him, won't last. He's just using you to please him until the Queen finds a bride for him, and I can assure you that you're not on the list." Her words stung. Was the Prince really just using her until he has a bride?
"What, and you are on the list? Aren't you engaged to that Duke? You have less chance of marrying him then I do, so don't kid yourself. Even if you were to marry him, all you would be is the Royal baby maker. Nothing more." Milena's jaw dropped as Tianna said that.
"How dare you! You will regret that, Evalyn Havenmark!" Milena shouted at Tianna and stormed off. Tianna walked back over to Calissia and sighed.
"The things jealous, little girls will do for attention." Calissia and Tianna both laughed and carried on walking.
Calissia walked Tianna back to her room after several hours. Tianna loved hearing the stories of Calissia's home. Kaosa, the ancient City of Knowledge. Calissia held Tianna's hands when they were stood outside of Tianna's room.
"Thank you, Evalyn, for being my friend. It feels good to have someone who understands you and your past, it feels good to have allies in such a wretched place." Calissia wrapped her arms around Tianna and held her in a deep embrace. Tianna reluctantly moved out of the embrace.
"Have fun at the meal tonight, my Lady." Tianna have her a quick smile before walking into her room.
      Tianna laid on her bed, rereading her favourite book. Tianna got up and closed her window, as the breeze was annoying him. She sat down on her bed but she still felt a breeze. Tianna looked up from her book and noticed the corner of the large tapestry was flapping against the wall. Tianna stood up from her bed, picked up a candle and walked over to investigate the tapestry. Tianna put her candle on the floor and pulled back the tapestry to reveal a large wooden door which was covered in cobwebs and dust.
      Tianna fiddled with the lock  on the door and pushed it open. She picked up her candle and walked through.
      Tianna slowly walked through the long, stone tunnels until she came to three entrances. Tianna decided to go through the furthest to the left.
      She walked through more tunnels and down, flights of stairs until she saw a light. Tianna picked up her pace so she could see what it was. Tianna could start to hear running water.
      Standing high on the ledge, Tianna looked down at the sewer tunnel. At the end, the tunnel had iron bars to stop anyone of anything gaining access, she the gaps in between them were more then big enough for Tianna to get through.
      Cautiously, Tianna walked down the stone stairs which were connected to the ledge she stood on, walked along the damp floor, and slipped through the bars.

She could be free.

The thought tugged at her mind. Run. Run as far away as you can, and don't look back. She wanted to, she wanted to run more then anything, but she knew she couldn't. You could do it, you would have hours to run before they noticed you are gone. No. She can't. Her mind was torn. She wanted to go, but she knew she had to stay.
"Another time." She said aloud to herself as she walked back through the bars.
      Tianna was making her way back to her room, but when she got back to the 3 entrances, she heard voices coming from the tunnel on the right.
      Tianna walked through the winding tunnel until she reached a grate. She looked through and saw the hall where the Taisayal feast was taking place. She saw Calissia and Landen sat together, laughing and clearly enjoying each other's company. She looked around and saw Farai dancing with a young woman. Why was Farai there? With a frowning face, Tianna saw that all of the champions were there, even Harkon. Why wasn't she allowed to be there? Tianna didn't feel mad or angry, she just felt upset that Nathan had lied to her, he said none of the Champions were allowed to attend.
      Tianna swiftly made her way back to her room, before anyone noticed she was missing.
      When she got there, as soon as she closed the door and put the tapestry back to how it was, someone knocked on her door.
"Come in." Tianna called. Landen walked into her room.
"Hello, Landen, I take it the feast was good?"
"It was the same as it is every year, but it was particularly bland without you there." Tianna blushed. Landen picked up her right hand and put a silver ring on her finger, "I brought it as an apology for you not being allowed to attend." Tianna admired the simple, yet beautiful ring.
"It was wonderful, thank you." She looked up into his eyes as she spoke. Silence filled the air. Landen and Tianna gazed at each other. Landen leaned down slightly and pressed his lips to hers. Tianna wrapped her arms around him, not wanting him to pull away. She could taste the wine on his lips. She felt Landen tugging at the strings on her corset, trying to undo it. Tianna felt her hands move to the Prince's shirt, attempting to undo the buttons. Tianna forced herself to stop, she didn't want this to go too far. Tianna pulled herself away from him.
"I'm sorry, I can't... I can't let this go further, not tonight." Tianna whispered.
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it. It's just... I feel this sort of force, pulling us together, I've never met someone like you before, a woman who thinks for herself, not through a man." Tianna didn't say anything back, she didn't know what to say to him, she just smiled. Landen redid the buttons on his shirt.
"Well, I'll let you have your evening peace." He said before opening the door.
"Wait!" Tianna shouted, "um... you... you can stay the night, if you would like." He closed the door as soon as she said that.
"If that is what you wish." Tianna went and got changed into her nightwear in the bathroom while Landen got undressed in the main room.
      Landen didn't risk going back to his own room, he didn't want to be seen, especially by Nathan, he just took off his normal clothes and got under the covers of the bed. Tianna for in and curled up next to his warm body. Despite him staying in her room, Tianna couldn't help but think about what Milena had said, it 'won't last', was if true? That he was only using her for fun until he is to be married. Tianna didn't feel like this was an act, she hoped it wasn't.