Of Blood and Fire

Chapter 18 - Khani

Khani could sense a change in Sora that night when the cameras broadcasted live at dinner. It was as if something had connected for her – she seemed more focused, more rigid – more tense. Perhaps, after two weeks in the competition, she'd finally clicked, finally realized that a life in the palace as Henri's wife and queen was worth fighting for. Even her dress she seemed to be more conscious of – while all of the girls wore evening gowns at the appropriate ankle-length, Sora's was a pure snowy white, and a bejeweled pin lay across the front of her head in a subtle reference to a crown. She looked magnificent, regal, bridal. She had outplayed the other four in a masterstroke, the very embodiment of the princess.

Khani had, mercifully, been given the night off. She and Amity sat on Khani's mattress, eyes glued to the holovision, clutching each other's hands. Khani wasn't sure if she wanted Sora in the final three or not. There was still a jumble of emotions that needed to be worked out when it came to their now-complicated relationship. All she knew was that in mere minutes, the course of Sora's entire life was going to be determined – and, as a byproduct, Khani's own.

The king and queen looked less intimidated than their son, who wore the exact expression that a deer caught in the light of a hunter's headlamp might, even though it was them who were picking for him. Henri was perfectly still. His only movement was that of his eyes, which shone with fear as they darted from girl to girl. He hadn't even touched his fork and knife despite the very scrumptious and very large leg of lamb on his platter. He seemed to be sizing up all five of them – Jemma, Emmalee, Cordelia, Pandora...and Sora. There was an element to his face which Khani couldn't quite identify.

At long last the king blinked at his wife, pursing his lips, and she nodded in return. Khani felt the strain, the dread, the trepidation thickening the air in that room such a short way away, felt it choking her. Please, she begged, please just get this over with.

"After much thought and consideration," began King Ryan, as if an answer to Khani's thoughts, "We have decided to keep the three following ladies at the palace: Lady Emmalee."

Khani glanced over at the brunette, who had broken into a gleeful smile. Her gown was scarlet, a strategic move but nowhere near the feat that Sora had pulled together. Khani had definitely noticed the subtle shift from sheer, girly day dresses to more sophisticated garments. Had the king taken that into account, in these few moments before the decision was made?

The cameramen had taped at lunch, too. As I know who will be staying...

Was Henri telling the truth? Or was he trying to look on top of all the palace affairs?

"Lady Pandora."

Her reaction wasn't much of a surprise. A satisfied half-smirk, an arrogantly cocked eyebrow. Khani's dislike for her deepened. She thinks she's entitled to everything, her mind whispered. Which could make it easier to take her out.

She shoved the notion away. It's not up to me who wins. Besides, I'm not even competing. But stars, I wish I was.

"And..." King Ryan looked straight ahead and nearly hissed the last name through gritted teeth. "Lady Sora."

A rosy blush spread across her friend's cheeks and she gazed down at the floor. Khani exhaled. The decision had been made – Khani didn't yet know whether she liked the outcome or not – but it had been made.

Beside her, Amity let out a high-pitched squeal. "Dear stars! Khani! She's in! Sora's in! She got picked!"

Khani nodded. You're more enthusiastic than I am and you don't even know her, her brain piped up again dryly. "I know. Shh, let's hear what King Ryan is saying."

It was nothing important. Nothing that she really should have shushed Amity over, but she took the chance to look over at Jemma and Cordelia, who seemed ready to cry. "But, Your Majesty, there must have been some..." Cordelia began, then trailed off. She gave the impression of being mostly surprised, while Jemma was too devastated to add on. King Ryan gave the pair a steely glare. "Yes, Your Majesty," Cordelia muttered, the back of her neck turning scarlet. "Come on, Jemma."

She thought she'd make the cut, Khani noticed as they ambled somberly away. What made Sora so much better? And why did the king seem so reluctant to let her stay?

Henri was staring into space. He blinked hard three times and took a shaky breath. "Congratulations, ladies, on being chosen for the final three," he said. Pandora snorted but covered it by sneezing, earning an icy frown from Sora. She hadn't made any adjustments to her wardrobe – a blue gown with black speckles, resembling a robin's egg, was in Khani's opinion one of the least elegant of all her fashion selections. Emmalee and Sora had at least tried. Pandora doesn't deserve to continue. Cordelia, or Jemma – one of them should have filled her spot.

"Beginning tomorrow, I will be rotating through the three of you, and take each on special one-on-one outings." Henri swallowed uncomfortably and continued. "Dates, you could call them. In five days, there will be another elimination. From then on, I will have nine days at the maximum to choose my bride, and the future sovereign. This may all be over in six days, as I may make my choice before the two weeks are up."

This was met with silence. Oh. Suddenly, despite the genuineness that Khani had come to terms with, this whole thing seemed much closer to her, much nearer. Sora might not even be in the final two. But what if she was? What if she won?

Khani rolled her eyes at herself. Though it was horrible to think so, who would realistically pick a girl with no wealth, no power, and no experience over two with educations in politics and rich businessmen and mayors as fathers? She allowed herself a small grin, safe in the knowledge that Sora had no chance whatsoever in marrying a man so obviously created as Khani's perfect counterpart. He was the moon to her sun, the dark to her light, the sand to her sea. Without Henri, there could be no Khani; without Henri, Khani could simply not be, her existence an impossibility. He had, even unknowingly, shaped so much of Khani's life. Shouldn't that mean something, anything? Shouldn't she at least get to know him before he was married to a girl that happened upon him by a random, albeit lucky, twist of fate?

Amity wrapped her arms around Khani's shoulders. "Hey. You're good. So long as it isn't Pandora –" She shrugged and gave a halfhearted laugh. "I mean, Sora's a good person, and Emmalee sounds nice. Henri's smart. He'll choose well. I promise."

Khani smiled, feeling her heart break again over Henri, the prince for whom she would never be a princess. "Yeah."

Maybe she didn't want Sora on the throne.

Maybe she'd prefer Emmalee, because after all, Emmalee was well-versed in the ways of the palace, and a pretty face to stand beside Henri on the holovision.

Maybe Khani was mad, after all.

Amity's hands fell away. "Stars. It's almost seven. I've got to help make dessert," she said, hopping up and stretching. "See you tomorrow, alright, Khani?"

"Uh-huh. Yeah. See you."

Amity slipped through the doorway, her pale skin glowing, and Khani closed it behind her. She didn't want to be angry at Sora; it was something she just couldn't help. Sora had stolen all of Khani's dreams, every last one, and somehow, Khani would make sure Sora knew it.

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Wow! Foreshadowing! That's a new one.

Oh, man. If you've picked up on all the subtle little hints I've been throwing in here and there, I must commend you, because I tried to make them as difficult as possible to notice.

So Khani's beginning to figure out where she lies when it comes to Sora. Will she really be able to tell Sora what's been going on and how betrayed she feels? What will happen if it does? Will Khani and Sora ever be able to reconcile if things go horribly wrong?

It's not next chapter. I just wanted to get you thinking.

Happy reading! It's Snowfall, and peace out!