Darkness and Beauty (The Fated Series, #1)

Chapter 47 - Fauna - The Day of Rivalry

The Day of Rivalry.
It's one of my favorite days of the year. The others being my birthday, Lance's birthday – which I'm still mad about not celebrating, - the Summer Ball, and any day I get to rest and sleep in. There's archery, dueling, jousting, knife throwing, wrestling, and, of course, the Bedeviled Path. You have to jump and roll under logs, run through large and sharp swinging axes, crawl in the mud, dodge arrows, swing from ropes, run on barrels...everyone loves it. I like watching people slip up, but I love getting a few challenges from bulky and confident men and then leaving them to eat my dust for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Too bad I won't be getting that privilege today.
The events are held in the Dwarf Everlasting Fields so that there's plenty of room for everyone in town to attend. If you try stopping at each event, you often find yourself only on your fourth or fifth one by the time the sun is setting. It's hard to see everything when there's so much going on.
The only problem with all of this is that it's completely open to the public and entirely exposed. If I were Will or Xaxias, today is the day I'd take aim and shoot. Thankfully, Lance convinced the Queen to stay at the castle, both because of her current health and the risk of danger. He'll have Julyan and forty or so pouting guards who wish they were enjoying the fun with him. The King and Darius will be surrounded and kept at a distance from the people, and guards stationed at every event and circling the fields.
I'm still not reassured.
I'd feel better if the Festival had just been canceled, but the Elysian Festival is tradition, and you'd be crazy to cancel such a thing. There's also the fact that if the people knew of the danger possibly surrounding them, they'd go nuts and lock themselves in their houses or ditch Vandaria and take their chances elsewhere. We mind as well as ring the War Bell and watch as people run, scream, and flee. Not to mention that everyone's already here and it was too late in the year to try and cancel it.
Dressed in a coral gown with lace sleeves going just past my elbows, a low neckline, a matching low back, and two slits that are still too high, I feel...oddly alive. I don't know what it is, but something about today makes me want to laugh and smile all day while skipping around, rather than walk. I'm normally cheery on the Day of Rivalry, but not like this. Not – for the lack of a better description – giddy. I've never been giddy. Or woozy.
Gods, Lily is changing me.
Darius is dressed in tan pants, a white tunic, brown knee-high boots, and a coral, carolina blue emblazoned jacket. I must admit, the coral color does wonders for his sea-green eyes. Looking into them kind of feels like you're looking into a cove, the water clear so you can see your feet as you walk. Reef's Coral in the eastern continent is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen with its caves that open right up on the beach and straight into the paradise water. His eyes make me want to go back there and just enjoy the sea salt breeze again.
Anyways...
Kat didn't show up to dress me this morning, and though I could've used her fashionista eye, I was more than happy to tend to myself. I'm a grown woman, not a child who needs to be pampered. I did, however, have a little help from Thomas and Darius, embarrassingly enough. They insisted, and I did need some help. Thomas helped me by tightening the back lacing perfectly – not too tight and not too loose – which made me wonder if he's done this before. And to whom, because Kat doesn't wear tightened gowns like this.
Darius was the one to do my hair. He found some silver pins with pearls on the end and pulled my hair into a half up half down, bringing the half up into an impressive, curly loose bun. After sliding a few pins in and making it pretty, he pulled a few strands loose from the front and side of my head, letting them frame my face. I never pegged Darius for the women's hairstyling type, but I kind of like that I'm not the only one who has surprising hidden talents.
Once he was happy with his work – and my jaw dropped – he sent Thomas off to go get breakfast. When he came back, he ended up bringing a small golden leaf diadem instead of food.
"No Queen should go unmarked," was all Darius said before carefully placing it atop my head. I will admit, I felt nauseous seeing myself with the diadem on, so imagining it becoming a Queen's crown was enough to make me dizzy and near fainting.
Sitting in the thankfully roofed carriage, watching the town pass by, I find the weight of the diadem comforting in a way. Even if the intricately designed metal is making me self-conscious, it's beautiful.
"You're drooling." I turn to Darius and find his own crown of gold and red jewels sitting crookedly against his forehead. On an entirely teen girl note, it makes him look adorable in a toe-curling way.
"Jealous that it's Benny I'm pining after, and not you?"
"I'm more concerned that he hasn't noticed."
"I noticed," Benny yells from atop his horse outside the carriage window.
"Well, in that case, I am jealous," Darius sulks.
"You think too much of yourself, Prince." I reach up to right his crown, but my hands get swatted away before I can lay a finger on it.
"Hey, I like it like that."
I gape at him and his utter seriousness. He can't be serious. "You are not getting out of this carriage looking like that."
"And why not?" This time he catches my wrists as they raise again. "Jealous that it'll make a pretty lady swoon and whisk me away from you?"
I open my mouth to tell him, no, but nothing comes out. Of all the comebacks and retorts I've stored in my mind for situations like these, not a single one steps forward to be used. Typical.
Darius lets go of my wrists, smiling at his victory as he sits back in the seat. Kicking myself for several reasons, I turn back to the window and try not to squirm and calm down my pounding heart before it bursts through my ribs. It's not often that people irritate me to the point of fidgeting, but Darius always seems to make me want to shift in my seat uncomfortably or twiddle my fingers.
The last of the factory buildings pass, and then we're drifting onto a dirt road and entering the fields. The sounds of cheering and metal clashing sounds, and as my heart beats faster in excitement, I shove my entire upper body out the window and take in the commotion. People are everywhere. Dressed in costumes, normal clothing, and dresses like mine. A good handful so far with gowns of less coverage, and others – mainly wives and older women – with more. Some are singing songs already sounding drunk, while kids run around with wooden swords and shields pretending to have fights of their own. There are smiles everywhere, laughter everywhere else.
My mother used to say that the Day of Rivalry should be called the Day of Freedom. She said that though people come to the fields in search of competition and a good fight, if you looked closely enough, you could see the people entirely free. Their smiles come easier, their laughter lighter. There are no masks worn aside from those of costumes, and people come to do what the rest of the year can prohibit. The only sad, mad, or gloomy faces you see are those who lost their fight or their money where they placed bets.
It's on this day that the Jades often dressed in anything but their assassin attire, and find themselves as just another commoner.  The people would welcome them as travelers and they'd fit right in with everyone else. When you come with a reputation of the Jades and walk the streets with our color, you're always avoided rather than welcomed. Today is the day that they get to relax and step into a life that they could've had. With me and Lance, we'd change it up every year. Sometimes we'd come in our suits, other times dressed in costumes or the normal clothing of a traveler.
One time, someone saw us in our suits and decided to play a prank on his friends visiting from the east coast. He told them that we were wearing costumes and to come to try to steal the blades at our hips. Three of them approached us asking about who we were supposed to be and if we made the suits ourselves or had them made. Then the other two who had heavy and loud feet scratching against the dirt tried to come from behind and grab the blades. Thirty seconds later, all five of them were on the ground with bruises, and the people nearby clapped thinking it was just another show. Their prankster friend was also on the ground, but he was laughing rather than moaning in pain.  
"Scoot over." Pulling myself back into the carriage, Darius's head pops out next to mine, and a few screams and squeals sound, making me jump and hit my head. I fall back inside, rubbing away the pain, and stick a finger in my ear trying to shake out the sound of hormones spiking.
"So which one are we going to do first? Archery? Knife throwing? Wrestling?" Darius looks back at me wiggling his eyebrows and pointedly looking at my exposed legs popping out from the slits.
"We aren't going to do any of that."
"What?" He slumps back into his seat, his face falling.
"Darius, after Will showing up, and no sign of The Demoni or Xaxias in cycles, I don't want to take any chances."
"I know, but you can't blame a guy for trying." He looks out the window with yearning. I feel my own disappointment rise up within me, sending shivers along my skin. "We're still going to have fun though, right?"
"I'm offended you'd think so little of me."
He shrugs his shoulder. "I would've thought you'd be used to it by now."
"Touché."
The carriage comes to a stop suddenly. My excitement shoots up so fast, that I choke. We may not be able to kick some ass – literally speaking – but I'll be dammed if I don't enjoy the day. Vlad opens the door, the sound of a crowd already gathering outside filling my ears. Darius straightens his crown and moves to get out, but I shove him back into his seat, climb over his legs, and then spring out of the carriage. A small breeze hits my skin, and I instantly smell something roasting somewhere nearby. Gods I'm hungry, and that meat smells good.
"After today," Darius says, climbing out of the carriage and straightening his jacket. "We're going to discuss Queenly manners and how not to treat your fellow royalty."
"I think I'm doing an excellent job so far." I catch sight of the Bedeviled Path in the distance and my excitement spikes all over again.
"That's clearly debatable."  
I'm about to start debating, but then I hear someone calling Darius's name, Lily's along with it, and turn to find Kat pushing her way through the crowd. Her hair's up in a messy bun that's lost a few of her hairs, her cheeks red and sweat glinting on her forehead. Has she been running?
"Glad to see you're in a happy mood, Kat," I say, noticing that she's finally glowing as bright as the afternoon sun. I knew my brother was happy last night.
Her wide smile switches into a quick scowl. "Shut up."
"What is it you're so excited to tell us?" Darius asks. He looks her over too, suspicion in his brow.
Kat doesn't answer right away. Instead, she stands there catching her breath and smiling like a lunatic. Okay, one, she needs to get more exercise. Her lungs are struggling...And two, "If you tell me Arthur proposed, I'm going to-"
Her eyes go saucer wide. "What? No, it's not – why did he say something? Is he going to propose? What did he tell you -"
"Kat."
"Right." She shakes the thought from her head, clearly overthinking my poorly made joke. But she did just unknowingly confirm what I was only suspicious of before this. Those two definitely had sex last night. "Um...the Queen has gone into labor."
"What-" Before I can go on, Darius's hand snatches mine and pulls me back toward the carriage.
"Wait, you can't go!"
"Why not?" I ask, planting my feet and stopping Darius. Huh. I would've thought I'd need more force to hold him back. Guess not. I look at him, just to double-check that he's okay. He's fuming, but there's no arrow protruding from his chest or blood spilling.
"Let's go," he orders, trying to tug my arm. Emphasis on trying.
"But-"
"I'm not waiting one more second. Now if you'll be so kind as to get in the carriage, I'll be-" Kat moves so quickly that I don't even know what to do when she jumps onto Darius's back. Everyone, including me, gawks at her. Normally, servants don't jump on a Prince's back - like ever, but with us, as promised, Kat can do as she pleases. Darius doesn't do more than attempt to look at her over his shoulder. "Kat!"
"The Queen requests you stay and enjoy the festival and come to her in the morning-"
"Kat-"
"I'll pinch your nose," she warns, her hand threateningly lifted in front of his face.
Garrison and Henry give me a questionable look. I have...no idea...
"The Queen said if you didn't cooperate, to pinch your nose. Apparently, he has a sensitive nose," she tells me. Of all the things, I would've never thought to use his nose as a reinforcer. Or just for my satisfaction.
Thank you for that, Queen Claritia.
"Alright," Darius relents, looking entirely put out. Kat hops off his back, once again smiling. She never ceases to amaze and surprise you, I'll tell you that. Never a dull moment with this one, that's for sure.
"Well," I cheer, stepping closer to Darius just in case he tries to make another break for it. "Thank you, Kat."
"No problem. I should get back, I told Arthur that I'd-"
I wave her off at the sound of my brother's name."Go. And take the carriage."
"What?" both Darius and Kat shout at the same time.
"So long as that carriage is here, you're going to try to escape back to the castle and disobey your mother's request," I tell Darius. He glares at me, mad that I knew exactly what kind of plan was forming in his head. I turn back to Kat and gesture toward the still-awaiting carriage. "Take the carriage, Kat."
Trust me, I want to go back to the castle to give Lance another thirteen pairs of hands, but a woman can be in labor for hours on end, and I'd much rather be here. Not to mention that the scattered mood swings they go through while giving birth are a headache. One second they're crying and telling you that you're the best thing that's happened to them, and the next they're ripping off your head and cursing at everyone in the room. It's like our monthly cycles times a hundred, and Darius didn't necessarily take mine with a grand smile.
He steps aside and with an annoyed expression, gestures for Kat to take the carriage. She doesn't even hesitate and walks up the step and into the luxury within. More gasps and comments come from people behind us, but a glare from me and The Bhaltayr has them quickly shutting their mouths. Oh, what will King Neven do when he hears about this? Probably nothing. He can suck it for all I care. It's not like he can get mad at me when I stop his fist from making contact with Darius's face. I mean, he did bring me here to protect Darius, so protect him I will.
The carriage leaves back to the castle, Kat's breathing finally returning to normal. "I think I sense another babe on the way."
"You're unbelievable," Darius sighs.
"Unbelievably attractive in every way, I know." He rolls his eyes, looking back to the shrinking carriage with nervous eyes. Mother hen.
Reaching up to his crown, I shift it so that it's once again hanging crooked. "There, now you're almost as attractive as I am."
His mouth twitches as we walk into the celebration, The Bhaltayr cleaving through the parade of estrogen who extend their shoulders, pushing out their chest, and then scowl and size me up. I'm flattered, really. There have been many times when I've been them myself, but after Will and the whole shenanigan, I've bitten my tongue and schooled my face into neutrality when it comes to handsome men. If I'm swooning, I'm either faking it or drunk.