Chapter 12
Iyana
“I’m sorry…your what?” Emmeric practically shouted. Iyana felt his panic down their bond.
Although Emmeric didn’t have any romantic feelings towards Kaz, they had spent a decent amount of time in a sexual relationship. An unwanted stab of jealousy speared through her, causing Em to glance at her, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“My betrothed,” Kaz repeated. “Don’t worry, grumps, we’re not actually together.”
Emmeric frowned, and Iyana could sense his relief mixed with continued trepidation.
“How does that work, exactly?” Iyana asked.
“Our parents decided on our betrothal when we were babes. We grew up and trained together, but because of that, I always viewed him as a friend. Once we were adults, our parents began to push the issue more, and we tried for a bit. But he couldn’t quite keep up with me; he’s too rigid.
I told him I wanted to see other people, experience other things, and he wasn’t okay with that.
So we went our separate ways, but he’s been pursuing me ever since, and he’s mad I won’t settle down. ”
Iyana knew Jato could hear her talking by the way his shoulders tightened with every word. Kaz wasn’t exactly trying to be quiet.
“I swear,” she continued, “you give a man the time of day once or twice and then he’s relentless in his pursuit of you.”
“Been there,” Iyana said. The two women glanced at each other, grinning, then high-fived.
Jato spun around to face them while continuing to walk backwards, avoiding all the roots and vines on the forest floor.
“It doesn’t help that you ran around with anyone who would spare you a glance.
I swear I found you in a compromising position with multiple men and women more than once.
You refuse to grow up, settle down, and be with me. ”
Kaz’s nostrils flared, and her eyes darkened. “I refuse to change myself because you think I’m ‘too much,’ Jato. If you can’t handle me, that’s a flaw in your character. Not mine.”
Jato pursed his lips but said nothing more, instead turning around and continuing to lead them through Nyr Forest. Iyana smiled, proud of her friend for standing up for herself and not letting others dictate who she should and shouldn’t be.
“Good for you,” she whispered to Kaz, squeezing her hand.
They marched forward in silence through the jungle, following Jato’s lead for several hours.
It was not any hotter than Iyana was used to in Imothia, but the wet humidity covered her body in a sheen of sweat she wasn’t sure she’d be able to wash off.
Between feeling sticky and the thick air restricting her lungs, Iyana was elated when they broke through the forest line at last. She stopped and stared at the city before her in awe.
Bustling streets full of people were lined by houses made of red and brown clay, with awnings constructed from giant banana leaves to provide shade.
There were stalls scattered throughout the city—the calls of the vendors wended their way through the throngs to reach Iyana’s ears.
Decadent aromas of food and spices invaded her nose, making her mouth water.
Children on a street corner to her right played a game where two of them swung a vine and the third jumped over it.
The vine moved faster and faster until the one in the middle tripped and collapsed to the ground in a fit of laughter.
Everybody appeared so…happy. They were all well-fed, dressed appropriately, and smiling.
Jato seemed to be the only one with a sour, pinched look on his face.
A tall animal lumbered past them, a woman riding in a saddle on its back.
The beast had a long neck with two small horns on its head and large ears that flicked away incessant flies.
Its body was a rich brown color until the legs, which were striped in black and white.
Like a horse, it appeared to have hooves, but otherwise this was an animal Iyana never would have been able to imagine without seeing it for herself.
“What is that?” she asked Kaz, pointing.
“An okapi!” she answered enthusiastically. “They’re really terrific pack animals. Horses don’t do well with the vines and forest floor in Nyr, but the okapis are native to this area. It took hundreds of years to domesticate them, but they’re truly remarkable.”
One warrior broke rank and sprinted ahead of them towards a palace unlike any Iyana could have ever dreamed of.
It sat within the trees, above the city itself, with spires reaching up and above the canopy.
It was composed of clay and bamboo but appeared impressive and sturdy.
Iyana could see it rivaled the Athusia castle in terms of strength.
There was a tactical advantage of having the high ground as well.
She could see multiple ladders and vines that gave access to the palace—all of which could be withdrawn in case of attack.
They took their time approaching the palace.
Many people on the streets recognized Kaz, giving her a beaming grin or welcoming her back.
Iyana took note that none of them bowed or stopped for her, but the princess didn’t appear to mind.
Instead, Kaz greeted many by name and returned their warm smiles.
It seemed she was beloved by most of her people.
The palace grew the closer they got, and Iyana started to feel nervous. The last monarch she met had tried to kill her, but seeing Kaz and the people of Nyr eased her nerves somewhat. Hopefully, the king and queen here would be equally kind.
In what seemed like no time at all, their party reached the palace in the sky and alighted a ladder made of sturdy bamboo.
Kaz made her way up, followed by Emmeric, then Iyana.
Talon and Zane were behind her. She was surprised to climb into a courtyard complete with a bubbling fountain and gardens.
Emmeric reached down for her hand and helped her to her feet.
He lingered close to her as they followed Kaz inside.
“Your parents are waiting in the throne room,” Jato told Kaz after a staff member had run up to whisper in his ear.
“Now?” Kaz balked. “Look at us. We’re in no state to attend to the king and queen.”
“My orders are to bring you there immediately.”
Jato led them through halls filled with windows and plants—none of which Iyana could appreciate as her anxiety increased tenfold.
Nausea churned her stomach, and she was thankful that it was empty, otherwise she’d be in the corner vomiting into a planter.
The chatter and footsteps faded until all Iyana heard was a ringing in her ears.
But she walked, one foot in front of the other, into yet another throne room.
The last one she had been in, she was dragged out of and immediately dumped into a dungeon, then tortured.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her forward momentum.
“We just need a minute,” she heard Emmeric say. Then his hand was on her back, steering Iyana towards an open window. A gentle breeze cooled her warm skin, and parts of the world creeped back in.
“Mouse,” Emmeric murmured. He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head until she was gazing into his bright blue eyes. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
“What if they’re like Uther?” she whispered.
“I don’t think they are. Look at the difference between Zane and Kaz. Her parents can’t be the same as Uther.” His finger traced slowly down her throat, his dilated pupils following the motion, before he removed his hand. “Besides, I promise I won’t let that happen again. I’d die first.”
Iyana sensed the honesty from his statement, and she truly believed he would fight to the death for her.
“And you’re not exactly defenseless now,” he added. “Your magic is getting stronger, and you know how to wield it. You defeated Uther. He’s dead. You’re going to do great in there.”
She swallowed roughly, then attempted a small laugh. It didn’t convince either of them. “I guess my track record with royalty isn’t that great.”
“I’d say it is, actually.”
One of her eyebrows raised. “How do you figure that?”
“Well, you defeated one despotic emperor. And you’re great friends with the new emperor and a crown princess.”
Iyana took a deep breath. “I can do this. Thanks, Em.” She reached out and held his hand, making sure he felt her appreciation through the bond.
“Any time, Mouse.” Emmeric led her back towards the others.
“All good?” Talon asked.
“As good as I can be,” Iyana replied. “I only wish I could bathe first before meeting a king and queen.”
“They won’t care,” Kaz said. “Promise.” Her gaze flicked towards Jato. “We should hurry, though. Mother gets grumpy when I’m late.”
Iyana steeled herself further, locking away her nerves. Emmeric was right. She wasn’t helpless anymore, and she had powerful friends behind her. She could do this.
Her back straightened, and she raised her chin as they walked through a large pair of open double doors.
Panic threatened to overtake her again as she saw two identical thrones sitting side by side on a dais.
But soothing emotions flowed to her from Emmeric, and for once she allowed herself the aid.
There was no use in pushing him away when he was helping.
The thrones were wooden with black upholstery. Overall, they could be described as plain; however, the monarchs sitting upon them were anything but.
To Iyana’s left was the king. He sat on his throne, his left hand hanging off the armrest lazily while his right held a spear.
He was an identical complexion to Kaz, and his hair was cut short in a similar fashion to Jato’s.
The king watched them approach with a blank expression.
The queen seated next to him was much more intimidating.