Fireshrine

Five: Noella

I found Sylver pacing in the library. I could understand why the Princess seemed uneasy, if one didn't know my brother like I did, it would be natural to be intimidated by him.

He was tall, lean, and muscular; a combination that made him deadly on the battlefields, which only added to the name the people gave him.

The Blood Prince.

I winced. Even thinking about it made my skin crawl. His gift never quite sat right with me, and after our father was killed, he became so bloodthirsty that the title fit him.

Not anymore, though. Sylver had changed after the battle in Bosworth valley two years ago. He said he saw something in the aftermath that made him realize the path he was headed down would only lead to endless bloodshed. I never pressed him to tell me what had caused him to change back into the peaceful brother I had known for most of my life. Once he did let something slip, about a goddess on the battlefield, but that was the only time he ever spoke of it.

I had tried not to laugh, the Gods hadn't shown their faces since the creation of the continent. Yet, he believed it all the same.

"Sylver," I said.  He stopped pacing and turned to me.

He turned his icy blue eyes at me. "Has she arrived?"

I nodded. "The Princess is resting in her quarters at the moment and will join us for dinner. I'm sure Uncle is thrilled to meet her tonight."

He scowled. "Doubtful, you know he doesn't approve of the union."

I sighed and threw myself into one of the overstuffed chairs. "Regardless, he has no say in the matter," I huffed.

"Unfortunately as King Regent he has some influence among the court, which is divided enough without his whisperings of distain in their ears." He ran his fingers through his hair.

"You will be king soon enough, brother," I said. "And with the Crimson Princess as your queen, no less. Uncle's sneaky tactics will be useless once you take the throne." I paused. "She's quite beautiful you know," I added.

I swore I saw him blush as he turned his back to me. "Pretty or not, I am certain this will end the war."

"Of course it will!" I exclaimed. "It was my idea of course, and you know I am far more clever than you." I winked at him but he was now looking out the window.

I felt the the mood in the room shift to more somber. "It has to work. This is my last hope, our last hope, as a family and a kingdom." I heard the pain in his voice.

Unfortunately, hope was the only thing holding off the war at this moment. I remembered what Davina had said at the War Council meeting.

I had never even hoped to see the end.

"What was that?"

I blinked, not realizing I had said the princess's words out loud.

"Nothing, brother." I looked at him again. Sweat dotted his brow and he was wearing his training armor. "Now go bathe, you don't want to meet your future wife like this." I shooed him out of the library.

After he had left, I sat down in the chair again. I pulled a flask from my hip and poured the contents into a bowl that was sitting on a nearby table.

Closing my eyes, I placed my hands over the bowl and mustered what little power I could. "Show me Princess Davina Vermillion."

I opened my eyes and peered into the bowl. The water shifted until it showed me an image.

I couldn't hear sound anymore, that had gone away about a month ago, but I could tell she was crying. The image was jagged, like I was only seeing frames, but she was sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

She looked up and I could see the tears rolling down her freckled cheeks. Her golden eyes were bloodshot and the tip of her nose and cheeks were flushed. I felt a pang in my heart for her. I knew she was terrified, as anyone in her position would be. Engaged to the Blood Prince, one of the fiercest warriors the continent had ever seen. If only she could know him like I did.

The water bubbled and the image was broken up. I cursed under my breath. How long had this one lasted, a minute? Maybe less.

I willed the water back into the flask and recapped it. Doing as much left me drained. How much longer could I last?

I waited at the end of the hallway for Aquaria and the other servant to finish dressing the Princess. I chewed on my lip and watched the sun set over the glistening water. Everything hinged on how tonight would go. She could always walk away, letting the war rage on. But even through the fear and sadness, I saw the determination in her eyes at the Crimson War Council. She would see this through. I would just have to keep telling myself that.

The doors to her rooms opened and Aquaria and the Princess's maid exited. She stood behind them, wringing her hands.

The bodice of her gown was cream with ornate burgundy and gold embroidery. The skirts were chiffon and layered with different hues of orange and red, making it appear as if it was a blazing fire.

Her fiery hair was curled and fell down her back like a waterfall, with a few pieces pulled away from her face, revealing her delicate features. Her golden eyes flittered around and I could tell she was uncomfortable.

I smiled at her. "We shall have to pick my brother's jaw off the floor when he sees you!" I exclaimed.

Her pale cheeks flushed pink. "You flatter me, your highness," she said.

I waved my hand. "Please, if I am to call you by your name I insist you do the same."

"Of course, Noella." She hesitated slightly before saying my name.

I looped my arm through hers. "Do not worry so much, I managed to convince my brother to keep this first meeting small. Only family at dinner tonight." She walked far more gracefully than I had expected in her heels and gown.

She must have sensed my surprise. "I much prefer pants, or a lighter dress," she said, looking out at the ocean. "But my mother always insisted on teaching my sister and me how to be proper ladies." She paused for a second. "And my brother insisted on teaching us how to defend and protect ourselves."

"Between all of that, plus your extensive knowledge of the other elementals, it seems like you are quite a force to be reckoned with," I said.

"I do what I can for my Empire."

"I know that," I said. "You wouldn't be here otherwise."

She didn't answer, but instead stated out at the ocean again.

"It looks like fire," she said softly.

I looked out to see the sun dipping below the horizon, it's rays reflecting off the waves. The golden sky did make the water look like fire.

"I suppose it does. Perhaps fire and water are more similar than we realize," I mused.

We stopped. Before us stood the massive doors to the throne room.

"We're here," I said. She nodded in acknowledgment. "Steel yourself," I said in an attempt to joke.

We both knew it wasn't.