The morning sun lit the room and awoke Maya out of her dream, but in protest, she rolled over and tired to go back to sleep. She didn’t want to face the day and wished time would rewind just to delay the banquet next week.
When birds started chirping, she sighed and got out of bed—and her sleepy body tripped over its own feet.
“Damnit.” She hissed after hitting the floor. Getting to her feet, she slipped behind the folding screen.
“Oliver, hurry up!” Her father called from down stairs. “You’ll be late for training.”
Upon hearing this, Maya scrambling to throw on her blouse and skirt. She loved to watch the young men practice with swordplay. Thought it was a man’s thing she loved to watch the blade strike, thrust, spin and block. It amazed her how a blade could protect or even destroy lives, though she like the first option better than the second. And the technique and practice that went with learning fascinated her.
Throwing on her knitted socks and leather shoes, she quickly tied her hair into a ponytail and hurried out of the room and down the stairs to the first floor. But as the front door came into her vision, someone from behind grabbed her forearm and yanked her back before she even got near it.
“And where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Harken asked.
Maya looked up. “To a volcano to bathe in lava.” Her father gave her a look. “I’m going outside. It’s sunny today.”
Harken gently pushed her towards the kitchen. “And it’s the perfect day to help your mother with house chores.”
“Sucks for you.” Oliver commented from the table.
“And you get to help clean the pasture of the manurer left by the cows and sheep after training.” Harken said with a smug smile.
Oliver dropped his head on the table. Maya snickered as she walked into the kitchen. Then her mood suddenly shifted as she sighed a very heavy sigh.
Her mother, Syria, stood over the sink with a bucket full of water, dipping a ceramic plate into the water and washing away remains of Oliver’s breakfast. She gazed over at her daughter with her brown eyes. “What’s wrong sweetie?”
Maya rung her hands. “Mama, were you forced to marry Dad?”
“Of course not. We knew each other since we were little.” She placed the plate upon the counter and began to dry it. “And nature took its course, bringing us in love.”
Maya walked up to the skin and started helping washing dishes. “I don’t want to get married. Not to one of them.”
Syria smiled sadly and placed a hand on the back of her daughter’s head. “Do you truly hate them?”
She handed her a goblet and a desperate look, “If you knew how they acted around me you would too. They’re perverts, both of them.”
Her mother raised a warning brow. “Maya.”
“It’s true.” She muttered. “This tradition sucks. Why can’t I marry who I want? I feel like one of those princess in those stories; they have no control over who they marry.”
“That’s not always true.” Syria said as she dried her hands. “Some of them break their traditions and marry someone not of royal blood. Now go run along. I got things handled here.”
Maya perked up. A smile curved upon her lips. “Really?”
When her mother nodded, Maya threw her arms around her then ran out of the house. The sun was still low in the sky, barely left the horizon. She made her way down the steps—and stepped on her skirt, sending her forward down upon the dirt trail. “Ahh!” She cried as she fell. Pain struck her palm like nails being jabbed into her skin.
YOU ARE READING
The Dragon Seal (Guardians of the Equilibrium Series, Book 1)
Fantasy'He forcefully slammed her wrist down upon the table and gazed at the mark. "Do you know what this mark means?" She swallowed hard and though his eyes were covered by the hood, she felt his cold, angry glare focused on her. "Should anyone find out t...
