Page 28 of Ahelno
After dinner, I returned to my cell, full of hope and resolve. Tomorrow, I would be home. And I would claim my mate.
CHAPTER 32
Dakleth
Kashtinela was a thoughtful sibling. She had scheduled a bathing and oiling session for me in a city halfway between the prison camp and the Capital. I washed away several weeks’ worth of dirt and grit - the prison did not allow us to bathe frequently - feeling better than I had in months. I stretched my wings, eager to fly. I was out of practice and would need to take short flights initially to build up the strength of my back muscles.
The technician who rubbed oil over my skin paid special attention to my wings, for which I was grateful. The accompanying massage helped to ease my soreness, and I felt like a new male upon leaving the shop. My sister had also brought a new skirt for me, so that when I walked into the Palace gates, I looked every centimeter a Prince and not the bedraggled prisoner who had hunched before her yesterday. One might think it a kindness on her part, but it was also a political strategy. Our detractors needed to see the royal family united and strong. I could not appear weak upon my return. My fall from grace had already harmed some of our trade agreements, Kashtinela told me. That I had harmed the planet’s only beloved Lumanela was cause for some zealotsto say that our continued rule would anger the gods. We did not believe such nonsense, of course, but we could not afford to let such rumors fester. Thus, my Father’s greeting was somewhat perfunctory, and he got down to business quickly.
“Greetings, honored son. You bring blessings upon this house,” he began. “In twelve days we celebrate the Harvest Festival. There are already plans for a large celebration here at the Palace. This is when we shall formally introduce you back at Court.”
I had hoped for more of a reprieve to court my mate, but of course, his plan made sense. Everyone’s mood would be high. It was an auspicious time for us to show our strength and prosperity. My father had always known how to seize a moment and turn it to his advantage.
“My sister tells me that my mate is a frequent visitor to Court. Will she be in attendance?” I asked.
My father sighed. “Your obsession with Andie will be the end of us. She has been invited, and I do believe she will attend. However, she has made her disinterest in you clear. We do not need you following her around the ballroom begging for her attention like a jarenan pup. You will attend to your duties, which include greeting all of the prominent families as usual and entertaining many of the offworlder dignitaries. You are to present yourself as charming, diligent, and restrained. You shall be polite to your human mate, should you come into contact, but do not make a fool of yourself.”
“You are correct on all counts, Father, but truly, I do not know that I can. I feel the bond, Father. It pulls me toward her, and I have not seen her for a year. Do you not remember your bond with Mother? Did you not behave a fool at times during the early days of your courtship?”
The King’s eyes glowed yellow at the happy memory. “I suppose I did. It is true that I had to convince your mother to accept my courtship. She had her sights set on another.” He looked to the side, lost in thought. “I would have done anything to gain her attention.” He smiled, which was rare for him, then narrowed his eyes at me. “However, I never harmed your mother. What you did to Andie, she may never be able to forgive. I understand your need to court her, but you will need to take it very slowly. She does not even wish to see you. It could be years before she is ready to accept even the smallest courting gift from you.”
I will wait as long as she needs,” I declared. “But I will never give up.”
He heaved another sigh and flexed his wings. “I understand, but I need you to show restraint at the festival. I will see if she is willing to meet with us before the festival so that you can at least become accustomed to one another’s presence at court events. She is a sensible female and will understand that the shock of seeing one another for the first time at the celebration could be disastrous.”
I thanked him profusely. If I could get her alone at the Palace and apologize to her properly, perhaps she would accept my courtship. My hearts practically seized in joy.
“She will be angry at me for this,” Father concluded. “Fortunately, I had already commissioned a gift for her in thanks for her willingness to forgive you and commute your sentence. I hope it will soften her somewhat.” He glared at me. “Do not ruin this for us.”
CHAPTER 33
Andie
Katishnela surprised me one morning by appearing on my doorstep. She rarely came to my cottage, since we had lunch together weekly at the Palace. “Greetings, honored visitor,” I said as I opened the door.
“Blessings upon your house and all who dwell within, Andie,” she replied. I invited her in for Oonag. “I see you are working on a new weaving,” she commented as she saw my latest work on the stand.
“I am still a bit sloppy, but Camavel says I am improving,” I said.
“So I see. The pattern is very intricate. This is a difficult piece to attempt.”
“I like a challenge.”
“Good, because I have one for you.”
I wasn’t sure I liked the sound of that as I handed her a cup of Oonog.
“My brother has returned to the Palace,” Kashtinela began.
“Yes, I heard.” It was all anyone could talk about. Everyone in the village claimed to have seen him. He was wearing a blue skirt when he entered the palace; no, it was red stripes. He was skinny from malnutrition; no, he was bulky from hardlabor. A billion conflicting stories were floating around, none of which I suspected was true. I had never seen the Ptexari so… gossipy. I suppose it was to be expected. The return of a Prince wasn’t an everyday event. Whenever their speculating eyes turned to me, I tried to steer the conversation towards the weather or the upcoming harvest festival. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t.
“He will be presented back at Court at the harvest festival celebration at the Palace,” she continued.
Ah, so this was why she had come. And, how stupid was I, that I hadn’t thought of that already? I had committed to attend the event weeks ago, but now the Prince was going to be there. Katishnela knew that I didn’t want to see him, so she was warning me so that I could gracefully back out. Having me there would also be an unwelcome distraction, I was sure.
“Thank you for telling me. I am happy to stay home and not attend. The villagers are having their own celebration in the Bowl. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“No, you misunderstand me. Father is adamant that you both attend the celebration at the Palace.”
