Chapter 20
King of Pride
"Some say the spies of the coast are of angelic blood. There to carry secrets of the world to the Gods. Prophecy however says that darkness shall command them, and to darkness they shall fight triumphantly agai-"
The following UNFINISHED text has been transcribed in an oath of truth by Volda Keely Darkblood of the Darkblood Witch Coven.
The original text has been destroyed upon command from the High King of Apollo, Solaire Gideon.
Ispent most of my morning busy to keep myself from thinking of that sinful dream. Part of me refused to wonder if it had been due to the nightingale sighting.
With Red beside me, I led the grey stallion to where we were stationed to leave. The tents were packed, all but one remaining.
His.
A golden carriage was being assembled on the far end, which led me to suspect he was to ride in it. A soldier approached Red and myself. "The prince requests his bodyguard. Announce yourself before you step in." He sneered. My jaw tensed at the man's attitude.
"What if he sends us on a mission?" Red asked, as eager as ever. No doubt enjoying this little freedom away from the brothel, even though we were now trapped with the Apollon army.
"Firstly, there is no us in the matter of protecting the prince.
Just me. Secondly, the prince will not send me on a mission that leaves him unprotected or with the chances of me running away," I spoke tightly.
"I promised your sister I would protect you.
Stay out of trouble while I'm gone." I squeezed the bridge of my nose to relieve the pressure of the headache I was beginning to sport. Red gave a half-hearted salute and some part of me felt bad for speaking to him in that manner, yet he needed to be kept out of harm’s way.
I waited behind the tent opening, hesitant to step in and touched the material, opening it slightly, freezing when I heard voices. "I refuse to step into that damned carriage."
"Adrion, don’t be difficult. You think you can ride a horse in this condition?
" a familiar voice chastised. I couldn't believe it.
The prince was lying on an armchair, holding a cloth to his forehead, looking as if he was in pain.
And it was Inanov that called the prince by his name as if they were friends.
"I will ride a damned horse in this condition. You think I'm going to let these brutes think I am weak?" The prince bit out.
"And they won't think you're weak when you fall off your horse on your arse in the state you're in?" This made the prince quiet.
"You need to use your power sparingly. You already blasted it in the arena, making the whole of Merlanis feel it, and then you used it yesterday. Too much, unnecessarily, when you should have ordered to have that man's head for the disrespect."
Sparingly?
"It needed to be done. No one should ever question my place. I already get enough disrespect from my father and maniacal sister." The prince threw the washcloth that was on his forehead to the ground harshly. His eyes still scrunched closed from the pain he seemed to be in.
"Mature," Inanov observed with no amusement.
"I'll use the damned carriage. Now tell me where is—" He inhaled suddenly.
His eyes flickered. "It seems she is already here.
Have you ever been told that eavesdropping, especially on a royal, could get you killed?
" Inanov's head swung to the tent opening, mildly startled.
His stare hardened at me once he caught sight.
I cleared my throat. "I was about to announce myself, but did not want to disturb," I calmly explained, opening the tent further and stepping in. They didn't seem to believe me.
"Well then? Announce yourself." The prince smirked. And I felt humiliated under his stare even though it was only him and Inanov in the tent. It toyed with my pride and something dark and twisted roamed in my heart. I stood up more boldly.
"Morana, bodyguard to the Prince of Apollo, heir to the Kingdom of Light."
Something danced in Adrion's eyes, something close to satisfaction until his face twisted and scrunched in discomfort.
He placed his palm atop his eyes and waved to us.
"Please explain to my bodyguard what is expected of her today.
" It was the first time I had seen the prince offer someone else to explain something to me instead of him doing it himself.
I surprisingly felt...
Worried.
No, not really. He deserved it.
"You will be riding in the carriage with His Highness. You are to protect him and ensure you are on full guard as we make our way to Viridis Aurum—"
VIRIDIS AURUM?
"Our journey was to Abdera. Why on Terran, will we be going to Viridis Aurum? No one is allowed there." I was so shocked that my mind seemed to forget whom exactly I was talking to.
"The visit to Abdera..." Inanov trailed off, seemingly trying to think of an explanation that didn't require him to explain all of the secrets these two seemed to share.
"It’s been postponed due to the urgency in Viridis Aurum," the prince replied for him.
He rose and began to discard his white shirt that clung to him with sweat, possibly from a fever.
I blushed and looked away. I could feel the prince's smirk as he strode to me.
I bit into my cheek. He touched the material of my cloak in thought, suddenly schooling his features, turning away.
"Come in, Lorian." His voice was no longer challenging or teasing.
I felt a faint thumping in my heart as I turned to find a pretty man step in with dark soft hair styled messily.
There was gold dust that sparkled under his warm honey eyes that seemed to gleam when they met my stare.
He wore black leathers that seemed to be made of very expensive material and his scent was familiar, yet I couldn't place what it was or where it was from.
The room temperature seemed to drop and there was static energy in the air which surrounded me.
I hid my facial expression, just like the prince as the man walked in with feline grace.
"Morana darling, you have grown! I've been anticipating our reunion."
Inanov's eyebrow quirked up. "You two know each other?"
"No," I answered the same time Lorian had said, "Yes."
I was confident that I did not know this man.
"Ah, well in truth, introductions were never made from my side. I have seen your magnificent performances. Your outfits could have used a lot of tailoring, so impractical, always getting torn up. It’s good I'm here now to finally meet you and to be able to make clothes worthy of a specimen like you.
" Lorian was a spectator from my previous performances?
I gave a slight bow of my head, completely out of habit when meeting spectators. "I am glad you enjoyed the performances." I made no comment to the clothes he seemed to insult however, coming from a man that was wearing glittery leather pants.
A growl came from the prince. "My clothes, Lorian. NOW," he commanded.
"Impatient as ever," Lorian mumbled and with a snap of his finger, he made wooden cases appear in the blink of an eye in front of the prince. I jerked in surprise.
"Those are yours, gold, white, and red. As always." Lorian rolled his eyes and I fought the urge to smile. I looked to Inanov, whose stare was indifferent, as if he was used to this. His eyes caught my questioning ones.
"Lorian here, tailors and designs clothes for the royals," Inanov explained.
"And now for you. As the prince's royal bodyguard." Lorian smirked.
"You're early, Lorian. I only sent word for clothes yesterday," the prince said, suspicion lacing his voice as he slipped on a white tunic with gold embroidered designs that fitted his frame with lethal precision. It looked striking, especially on him.
"I was in the area." A short distracted answer came as more cases of clothes appeared. "Those are yours. Apologies for the colour, it was as per customary Apollon instructions from Mr. Grumpy over here." I frowned while Lorian opened the box, taking out a magnificent gold and black armour.
My mouth dried as I stared.
"Now, now, boys, our arena warrior needs to change, some privacy please." It was disorientating to see this man usher them out.
"We need to leave now, let it be fast," the prince warned.
"Always so grumpy." Lorian tsked as he laid out what I was to wear.
"Will you also be leaving?" I asked expectantly.
He pouted. "If you wish."
"I do," I firmly stated, annoyed and yet slightly amused from his antics. "Will it fit?" I asked just before he stepped out.
"Of course it will," he answered softly. "You will look magnificent, like a queen." I stiffened.
He left the tent and I looked at the gear, finding it odd he knew my size. It felt all the more unsettling as I zipped up the tight black compress inners that fit perfectly. I donned the golden lined armour, which was light and yet hard to penetrate.
Lorian was good indeed...
I realized I preferred the black and gold more than the normal Apollon colours. The prince did not have entirely bad taste after all.
Stepping out of the tent, I made my way to Inanov. "Where is Lorian?" I asked, his company was much more enjoyable than the rest I had experienced so far and it would be rude not to thank him.
"Gone." Disappointment filled me lightly while Inanov turned to face me, his eyes widening.
"What?" I asked but he just stared.
"Mor? Is that you? You look fearsome! As if you're out to battle! It’s kinda turning me on." Red flirtatiously announced. I almost scowl at him for dragging the attention of others to me.
"The prince is waiting for you in the carriage." Inanov finds his voice, motioning toward the assembled gilded carriage.
"Stay out of trouble," I warned Red.
And be safe. I narrowed my eyes at him.
***