Page 18 of Veil of Vasara (Fate of the Five #1)

CHAPTER 18- LORIA

I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t. I didn’t know what I was going to say to the Prince at this ‘presentation’ or what I was meant to say.

This is where it would begin. This is where I would need to start coaxing him towards the trap we were laying.

But laying traps was something Nathon was adept at, not me. Nathon, who seemed to have found getting through this whole ceremony as easy and naturally as breathing.

“It’s an honour, Your Highness,” Tarren said, as she curtsied low in front of him. Rhana made eye contact with me and made an ever so subtle expression of mocking disgust.

The Prince smiled subtly and nodded his head in acceptance of her greeting.

“My father respects you and your family to the highest degree. It would be the greatest honour for me to serve you, as he has served your family for generations," Tarren declared.

“Maybe not in quite the same way,” Nathon muttered behind me, grinning. Rhana and Jayli, who were standing to our left, were the only ones to hear him. Rhana held back a smile.

There it was. Nathon could charm someone in one breath and choke them with another.

“Indeed, your father is a great ally to me,” Prince Eliel responded courteously.

I wondered who her father was. Since she was his offspring, I found it highly unlikely her father could be a great ally to anyone, rather a great thorn in their side.

“I was humbled to have been chosen.” She placed her hand on her chest.

I knew Tarren was playing her part well. I knew she was only following the script we were all expected to follow, but I couldn’t help but feel disgusted at the complete and utter contrast between her real life and constructed persona.

I would have to build my own, and swiftly. That was the true reason for my revulsion. I was not revulsed at Tarren, but at the inevitability I would turn into her.

Prince Eliel stood in front of her like a statue, patient and serene. “I am pleased to hear it.”

“ Elated, I’m sure, ” Nathon quipped again, more quietly this time.

“If you’ll allow me, Your Highness, you look wonderful this evening,” she added eagerly.

“You yourself, have been hard to ignore all evening, My Lady.”

I squinted, ascertaining the hidden meaning behind the Prince’s double-edged words.

Tarren displayed some more forced humility and curtseyed again. “You are too kind, Your Highness.”

“I speak only the truth.” Prince Eliel nodded very slightly and moved onto Dyna.

Dyna curtseyed and rose shakily. “Your Highness.” She sounded both overjoyed and petrified.

“My Lady. Thank you for being here.”

“I…You need not thank me, Your Highness, I am happy to be here.”

“Of course, but still. I know things are difficult for Kalnasa as of late.” The Prince gave the Captain behind her a long look. “I hope you know we will do everything we can to help.”

The Captain nodded curtly. It seemed he was unsure of whether he could speak.

“That’s very generous of you, Your Highness.” She stared at him wide eyed.

Watching Dyna talk to the Prince was physically uncomfortable. There was no missing the fact she worshipped, admired, and revered him. Neither her age nor life experiences had afforded her enough to be able to look past his overwhelmingly majestic exterior. Her joy over what the rest of us knew to be a heavy task, felt like watching someone laugh throughout a funeral. It was so misplaced that I wanted nothing more than to drag Dyna away by the wrist, and tell her to go back home, to live, to be a child a while longer.

But I couldn’t do any of those things. So, I stood there, a mirror of Prince Eliel’s perfect statue.

He moved onto Maiwen next, who seemed to look into everyone she met rather than at them.

“Princess. I am pleased you are here, and even more so that your brother, the King, sees me as worthy of you.”

Maiwen looked utterly startled at the implication he should be the one honoured to marry her, and not the other way around. Her gaze shifted across his face, as if searching for some kind of trap.

“You are the future King, Your Highness, you would be worthy of anyone,” she replied carefully.

“How is your brother?” the Prince asked. I could sympathise with Maiwen. I, too, was questioned about my sibling on far too frequent a basis.

“He is well, Your Highness. He would be glad to know you asked after his welfare.”

“You may inform him I did then, if it will please him.”

“It will.”

The exchange continued for another minute or so, and then Prince Eliel strolled to Rhana, who was certainly the calmest of the five of us.

No, that wasn’t it. She only seemed the least concerned about the outcome.

“I was sorry to hear about your father, Princess. The Prince sounded remorseful. “I met him a few times. He was a very kind person, from what I could ascertain of his character.”

Rhana smiled warmly. “He was. Thank you, Your Highness. I was sorry to hear about the late King and Queen. Their death was a sudden shock for us all.”

She was brave, I thought, to bring up his parents.

“They were. I thank you for your condolences. They mean a great deal.”

“I hope you will find a worthy Queen, Your Highness, to sit on the throne your mother once did.”

It was an odd remark, I thought. There was the sense, at least to me, that Rhana was implying Prince Eliel’s parents had never been worthy of the throne in the first place.

The Prince’s tense silence made me suspect that he too, had felt strangely about her comment.

“I am sure she will be even more worthy, considering the candidates.” He smiled tightly.

“Of course, Your Highness,” she looked at him with sadness in her eyes, attempting to convey some sense of shared grief, I guessed.

“Your escort is the first female in the history of this event,” Prince Eliel stated.

“Yes, Your Highness. That is permitted, is it not?”

“Of course. In fact, I am glad to see her here.” He cast his eyes over Rhana’s head and at Jayli. “I have always said myself that we should allow more female warriors into our ranks.”

“An excellent proposition, Your Highness,” Rhana confirmed.

“I believe so as well. Unfortunately, not everybody agrees. It is something I hope to change.”

Behind him, Fargreaves and the two members of the Council who had remained behind, glanced at each other with an understanding.

“I look forward to witnessing that, as well as the many other things I am sure you will achieve as King.”

This was the first of the four encounters that had felt like an actual conversation. Rhana was far more natural at this than any of us could hope to be. But it was disconcerting, to see her speak to the Prince in such a relaxed manner.

“Thank you, Princess Rhana.” He smiled. He turned around.

Those blue eyes again. They were staring at me now, as Prince Eliel leisurely walked in my direction. I looked away. I couldn’t bear the intensity of his gaze. Of him. If Maiwen looked into everyone she met, Prince Eliel looked through them. It was if he could see everything you ever wanted to hide about yourself. As if truth, your truth, was his right to know.

He stood in front of me. I had noticed it before, but now, his height felt even more impressive. More intimidating. I summoned up the courage to raise my head, to look into his eyes. His lips were slightly parted, his bottom dark red eyelashes brushing against his upper cheek. My heart was thumping so quickly in my chest, I was starting to think I would lose consciousness before I could even introduce myself.

We stood there, I had realised, in silence for too long. I opened my mouth to speak. He closed his and squinted, anticipating my first words.

Once I had come to my senses slightly, I curtseyed and rose, having to bend my neck up to fully take him in.

“The cloak becomes you, Princess,” he remarked, speaking first after all.

“I thank you for it, Your Highness.”

He smiled slightly. “Thanks are not necessary. It is of little use to me. I am sure whoever it belonged to can live without it.”

“No, Your Highness, I insist I return it.”

“As you wish.”

His face relaxed and he tilted his head. He had noticed the necklace.

He moved his hand and quickly stopped himself. I followed the movement and caught his eye, indicating I had seen it.

“Your necklace,” was all he said.

“Yes, Your Highness?” I asked.

“I didn’t notice it before.” His eyes travelled its shape, the way it curved around the sides of my neck and rested slightly above my collarbones.

“It was a last-minute addition, Your Highness. I wanted to…” I hesitated.

“Yes?” he urged me on.

“Wear something green.” I looked at his chest as I was saying it, the deep cherry red of the fabric that covered his torso. My veins were flooded with fear, such intense fear that I couldn’t stand to watch his reaction.

“Green… why?” he asked.

I slowly made eye contact with him again. His lips were slightly parted, in a faint grin this time.

“It’s my favourite colour.”

“I see.” He looked at my neck again, then back up at my face. Slowly, so agonisingly slowly, as if time was his to stretch and break.

It was an unusual feeling. No information of any consequence had been exchanged between us, and yet, we had acted as if the revelation of his favourite colour had been a secret only we would keep. As if it was the most valuable piece of knowledge, held only by us.

How many more secrets would I keep? I was already holding enough within my heart to last me a lifetime. I was already filled to the brim with them, that I was, at any time, moments away from spilling them all in one horrifying scream.

And here I was, staring at him, in a way that felt far too intimate and far too distant all at once, with the most dangerous secret on the tip of my tongue.

I’m here to kill you.

“I hope you’ve enjoyed the evening,” he continued on my behalf.

“Very much, Your Highness. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

Prince Eliel replied instantly. “It was the least I could do for you, for you all.”

He walked back towards the Councilmen.

“As you all know, the Season comprises of a variety of stages, activities and events, which will be used as a way for me and my most trusted advisors” – he gestured towards them with his left hand – “to evaluate your candidacy. This Season will be unique, in that you will be invited to attend my Coronation as part of it. At the end of the Season, after five weeks, I will ask one of you to be my Queen.” His eyes travelled along the line, from Tarren, to Dyna, to Maiwen, to Rhana, and rested on me.

“Whatever the outcome, you will all be welcome back here at any time, and we will always remain most grateful for your participation. It has been a long day, and many of you have travelled far. Please rest. Should you need anything, our servants are at your disposal.”

All the candidates curtseyed in response. The escorts bowed.

Tarren moved with her escort to walk out of the hall, followed by the others. I turned to Nathon, who appeared lost in thought. I walked over to him, ready to depart.

“Princess Loria,” a voice called out from behind me.

Nathon and I spun around. The other candidates who were closer to the door, did the same.

“Would you stay for a moment?” Prince Eliel said.

I turned to Nathon, who was looking at Eliel with a suspicious glare. Despite our clear discomfort with the situation, both he and I knew what I must do.

“Of course, Your Highness,” I tentatively answered. I moved forwards. Nathon grabbed my hand, more gently this time, probably thinking of the way in which the Prince had first found us.

“It’s alright,” I muttered to him.

He looked at me doubtfully, but took a deep breath in, and let go of my hand. “I’ll find you later,” he whispered.

I nodded in response. Nathon made to leave. The other candidates were still frozen in place.

“He said Loria ,” Nathon spoke to them all, in an equally lightheaded and menacing tone.

Tarren opened her mouth to object but halted after her escort whispered urgently in her ear. Nobody would dare defy Nathon. Nobody was strong enough.

Nathon took several quick and wide paces past them all and opened the doors.

“Ladies first.” He smiled at the candidates. Tarren scowled back. Rhana looked amused. The Captain was the last to reach the door, looking at Nathon blankly, after which Nathon, with a wink in my direction, closed it behind him.

I focused on the door for a few more seconds. Once I turned around to face him, then it would begin.

I did turn, at the sound of other doors opening and closing behind me.

Fargreaves and his two companions were gone. There was nobody left in the hall but Prince Eliel and I. Alone.

Neither of us said anything. He was still standing on the raised platform next to his throne. The one he had been on when he had dismissed us, making our height difference even more stark.

I didn’t move. He didn’t move. We were at an impasse.

I knew I should move. He was the future King. I was meant to be doing everything I could do to make him want me as his Queen. But I couldn’t.

Slowly, painfully slowly, Prince Eliel walked towards me. Each step echoed in the hall like a large drop of water splashing against a pool in a cavern. Each reverberation prickled against my skin like warm sunlight, burning me more and more the closer he came.

He stopped. He was so unnaturally still.

“Take off the cloak,” he said.

My eyes widened in alarm and confusion. Did he have the right to demand something of me so soon? Would I be wrong to refuse him this request? Why had he gone to all the trouble of honouring and respecting my wishes, only to disregard them now?

Sensing my inner turmoil, he spoke again. “Let me see.” His voice was so soothing. So deceptively soothing.

“Why?” The hint of despair in my voice was impossible to disguise. “Your Highness?” I quickly added.

Prince Eliel lowered his brows in a sympathetic way. He looked as if he pitied me.

“I will not force you to do anything. Unlike some.” He smiled knowingly, clearly thinking of Nathon. “But I am curious.”

“About what, Your Highness?” I dreaded his reply.

“Princess. I can imagine how this may seem. But I assure you, this request is not fuelled by… personal interest.”

“I…” I cleared my throat. “I don’t understand, Your Highness.”

Prince Eliel closed his eyes fully and exhaled for a fraction of a second. He opened them suddenly and took another step towards me.

“Do not be afraid. I am not trying to…” He seemed at a loss for words. I was so stunned by his uncharacteristic uneasiness that I took a step backwards.

What was I doing?

“Are you… afraid?” Prince Eliel asked, straightening up. He sounded faintly disappointed.

“No, Your Highness.” It was true. I wasn’t afraid of the Prince, rather what our interactions would inevitably lead to.

“Then what is it you are uneasy about?”

He stepped back slightly. It seemed an effort to make me less uncomfortable.

“If you would oblige me?” he prompted.

I pondered on the benefits and consequences of doing so, and finally decided to say.

“Of everyone. Of everything.”

Prince Eliel peered at me, a deep pondering in his eyes. They were only the icy surface of a vast ocean, rippling with thoughts.

“Then you will endure far longer than those who are not.”

He turned around and began striding towards the doors Fargreaves had exited from. “You may go, Princess,” he declared with his back to me. “As I said, I will not force anything upon you.”

I wanted to let him leave. But I couldn’t bear the thought of informing Nathon I had refused the Prince a request. I couldn’t stand to imagine the look on his face, what he would say, what he would do when I told him.

“Your Highness.”

Prince Eliel stopped walking and slightly turned his head over his left shoulder.

I walked towards him this time, as he fully pivoted. I stopped a few steps away, keeping a distance that didn’t feel so entirely suffocating, but felt close enough to indicate I was, indeed, not afraid of him.

My shaking hands rose to undo the golden clasps of the cloak. Prince Eliel was watching me, undoubtedly able to notice my tremor, but he was either indifferent towards it, or polite enough to keep silent.

As I loosened the final clasp, I looked down, embarrassed and quickly, before I could change my mind, removed the cloak.

There was no sound or indication from the Prince he was even there. Just silence, silence as he took in what I was wearing.

Thin black strips of a transparent material started at my shoulders, fastened with a silver clasp in the shape of bird feathers. They cut down across either side of my torso so low that my skin was visible from my neck to just above my belly button. My back was completely bare save for a single black thread joining the two sides together. A similar thread held the two front sides across my breasts, which were only just covered. The remainder of the gown was just as fine, with only a slightly thicker part cutting across my hips at the junction between each thigh. Those pieces of fabric, affording me the slightest piece of modesty, dropped to the floor, trailing against it.

I winced involuntarily at the silence. The Prince took a few steps forwards.

“You do not want to be here, do you?” the Prince asked.

Of all the things he could have said, of all the reactions to my attire, this was the worst possibility.

I tried to look away unconsciously, hoping it would be easier to fabricate a lie if I could just tear myself away from his gaze, but it was impossible.

“Do you?” he repeated.

“Do you, Your Highness?” I asked timidly.

“I live here” he responded coolly.

“As do I…now.”

Prince Eliel’s eyes fell down my body and back up again, purposefully, but there was no satisfaction in his gaze, no enjoyment.

“This tells me much.”

I didn’t reply.

“As does this.” His delicate, long fingers touched the necklace, careful to avoid the bare skin of my neck and collarbones. His touches felt so light, so considerate.

“What does it tell you?” My voice was barely audible now.

Prince Eliel withdrew his hand. He smiled, his lips closed, but there was an authenticity to it that felt different to any of his previous smiles I had witnessed.

He took a step back. A tense quiet hung in the air, an uninvited companion to our strange conversation. An unwilling one.

“Thank you, Princess. For indulging my curiosity.” His eyes lingered on me a few moments longer.

Before I could respond, he turned around and briskly left, leaving me standing in what was likely the grandest and largest room in the world, half naked, and alone.