The Cerulean Bride

Unwanted Storm Clouds

One would think diamonds are a girl's best friend, but after a day of sorting through a rainbow of jewels, Brienna was tired to the bone and didn't want to look at another rock in a long time. Her fingers rubbed her temple feeling the pounding headache that was about to happen. She had been sitting here all day sorting out what color jewels she wanted in her sharp golden crown. Brienna peered down unimpressed at the twisting gold vines that wrapped around four points.

It was tradition when a princess of Pheros turned 18, she got to design her very own tiara. Something that would represent her for all her life. Brienna had been waiting for this moment since she first found out about it, but she didn't think sitting on her throne for eight hours straight was a dream come true.

"Henry, try the square emerald again I can't decide between those or the pearls." She said feeling restless. The servant plucked a pearl from the velvet pillow and an emerald off of the other holding each to one side of the crown. Brianna had to admit the emerald and the gold looked fabulous together but the pearl and the gold were soothing to the eye. She simply couldn't decide.

"I've narrowed it down this far, why is it so hard to choose." She thought out loud. Henry, her servant, glanced at the two gems then back up to her.

"Why not use both of them, Your Highness. It would complement your dark hair and eyes." He suggested holding the gems higher.

Brianna raised an eyebrow, why didn't she think of that before. "Yes, you are right. Both then. Inform my step-mother Queen Fawn of my decision. I am sure she will finally be pleased that I have made my choice. The jeweler must be finished by nightfall anyhow, best we save him some sunlight."

"Yes, Your Highness." Henry bowed and scurried away just as her father swept in. Instantly she set up straighter with a broad smile on her face at the sight of her father. He was like a ray of sunshine in the midst of a boring afternoon. But as soon as she beheld the stormy figure that trailed behind him, the corners of her mouth fell.

The man was like a storm cloud walking into the spring woods. He kept his head high scanning the room unimpressed by the color or decorations that were within. The stranger had shoulder-length jet black hair that seemed to gobble up the sun that came through the windows bouncing off the green walls. His storm cloud colored eyes held dead ahead showing nothing but boredom after he stopped scanning his surroundings. Brienna blinked, wondering where he must have come from to be so gloomy and reserved. He reminded her of the moon on a cloudy night just by a glance.

"My beautiful daughter, I thought I'd find you here as your stepmother guessed." He said cheerfully. Brienna waved her hand in the air dismissing his comment.

"I've been sitting here for so long I can nearly feel my ass." Her father barked with laughter but the stranger oh so slightly narrowed his eyes. She did the same and took in his all-black attire. There was no telling where his hair stopped and his clothing began, they blended so well together. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the fabric, she caught a glimpse, shades of midnight blue hidden along the seams.

Her father started to talk to the young man about something political while Brienna studied them. There was no indication of who this oddly handsome man was. No sash across his chest to tell her what noble house he came from. Nor a simple seal upon his tunic. Yet Brienna could practically smell the northern air on his clothes, He was from Eos, the kingdom in the north. Their enemy.

Straightening slightly Brienna kept looking at him from the corner of her eye until her curiosity consumed her.

"May I ask who you have brought to me, Father?" She smiled like pins. The King turned his gaze to his daughter as if he had forgotten that she was standing there. Brienna rose a single brow, they had interrupted her day after all. She was supposed to be at the seamstress by now getting fitted for her gown.