My Shadow and His Flame

Eight-Preparation

Layden

A stolen kiss. A future queen I kissed last night. A kiss that would mean nothing in just a few hours.

Where would this go. I am only her guard until I am too old to be of use. No morer can have an attraction to a court person, especially a royal. It's insane to feel this way. I just wonder how she feels now. Kissing me then having to be with her betrothed. Maybe it was an accident, maybe it means nothing. 

The day starts quick. Ushering us guards around to make sure every bit of the arena and palace is perfect. I don't get to see Rori until later in the day, before she starts Kingstrium. 

Suddenly, the idea of her having to marry a stranger twists my stomach. I know court marriage usually means nothing, especially the royals. Not many court people and even lesser royals marry for love. The children follow their parents orders to marry someone who is strong an will create stronger children to rule. 

Although the court people have it easier with life, at least us morers can marry who we'd like. Be friends with who we please.

The rest of the court people pile into the palace. Colors of the people vary so much. Pale, tan, olive, dark, light, and some have a tint of blue. I assume the blue tinted are the water or ice people. I'll learn closer to noon. 

Primree and Raven are the first to start loading into their boxes. Their boxes are next to eachother with overgrown plants decorating it. Tiny birds are in Raven's box and plants of all sorts in Primree's. 

I'm one of the people to help guide the court people into their boxes. As I do, I notice the different skin tones on each of them. Primree I saw was tanned with the slightest green hue I only saw it when I was up near them. Raven was also tanned but only a tanned white. I discovered Court Wren were the pale people with a light blue tint. I wonder if the tints are natural. Hali, Imizo, and Delphia were all dark skinned, but Hali's was different. It was a deep brown and they glowed. Rather beautiful. Makani, Lynx, Maira, and Chaflon were all tanned like Primree but it was different. The grandparents of the children were all sorts of colors creating what their children are. 

I believe the rest were either extraordinarily pale, plain white, or tanned like Raven. Court Cyrus was a tanned white, like me. I could easily hide away in their court if only I had their eyes. Golden bronze with hints of red. Like the fire they wield. In the woods, that's how Rori knew I wasn't a Fearion. Because of my eyes. But, I wouldn't need the flamerings they all have either. It would only strengthen the ability I already have, to produce flame.

Court people fussed a bit when they saw me seating them in their boxes but they saw the patch on my uniform. A royal patch telling them I work directly with the royals. Seemed to calm them a bit. 

The last court I sit down is Audra. Storms I believe. Purpley magenta seems to be their court color as their box is filled with it. It seems that they are also slightly similar to Rori's family, also Indra. They usually only can use their lightning while creating a thunderstorm. Still pretty cool.

It seems that all the courts are seated. It's crazy how some are so filled then some are less than eight people. I wonder what made some of their families so small.

At around eleven things seemed to be set into place. The Courtli's seem to be fine as they have servants bend at their will. Some courts are more respectful with their servants. I'm currently posted near Hali so I noticed how they were with them. I heard they treat their servants differently. The aquarians treat them with respect and I ask for things when needed. If they can get it themselves, they do. If only all the courts treated them this way. 

Court Velius is also near me, frightening. No respect towards their servants and won't even look at their faces. Dark blues and blacks swarm their box to represent their hearts. At least it looks to be that way. The wisps do have a blue tint to their skin but it is only in the highlights of their face. Not throughout their body like other courts. I wonder if it is possibly artificial. Could ask Rori later.

Rori! I get to see her very soon. Her designers or whatever are with her now. Helping her prepare for the long day ahead of her. She doesn't even want to be queen. You'd think they would just let her twin be king since his firstborn will rule after them anyways. But no one is smart enough for that.

I head to Rori's chambers a little early. Since the kiss, I'm eager to see her again. Even though it most likely will lead to nothing. If only she could change the rules.

As I'm about to knock on her door, I realize it's cracked open. Which it never is. I open the door and I don't see her anywhere. I go into her bedroom and she isn't there either. I rush out the doors panicking, then turn towards the balcony. Of course she's there.

Letting out a breath, I walk over to her quietly. God does she look beautiful. The outfit they had picked out for her is stunning. She's looking out to the sea, not noticing anything or anyone. I move myself next to her and do the same.

"How are you doing?" I ask her.

Rori looks down at her hands, "I don't know." She looks almost sad.

I put my hand under her chin and turn her face to mine. Sadness definitely fills her face. I ask another question, "Why are you sad?" A single tear rolls down her face and I wipe it away. "Hey now, don't ruin the makeup they worked oh so hard on," I say. A small laugh escapes her mouth but doesn't stay.

"I used to dream of this day when I was little, but as I got older I realized what it all means. I won't be allowed to be me anymore. I lose the option of being with anyone I truly love," Rori says but the last word was quieter. She looks up to me again and reaches up. She kissed me. 

A simple, passionate kiss that filled me with warmth. When she pulls away she puts a hand to my face. Another tear rolls.

"I'm sorry," she says softly. Sorry. For giving me any ounce of hope this could become something bigger. For wishing we could become something. For kissing me.

"Rori, it's going to be alright. You're direct royal blood. Whoever you're going to marry won't have as much power as you. You can still be you and do what you'd like," I say to her. Hopefully I'm right. 

"True. It's still not ideal I guess," she trails off. Silence surrounds us for a while now.

After a long time, she finally says, "Lets go. I don't want my parents mad at me for being late."

We start heading to the arena. I take her to behind the box where the rest of her family waits. Time goes fast. The announcer calls for her parents to walk out to their box. Soon enough, he calls Rori's name. 

I turn to her, giving her my arm, "Ready to go Rori?" I smile at her, I'm reminded of her beauty.

Rori smiles back. Then she straightens up and turns, "Now, lets get this over with."