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I REST MY HEAD AGAINST the back of my seat as our caravan crosses the border into the kingdom of Zaphyre, my stomach in knots. My hands grip my brown cloak that’s keeping my costume hidden.
We’ve been practicing the routines for weeks now, and I think I’ve got the hang of them. I’ve always been a fast learner, and Scirocco and the others have given me nothing but praise, but this will be my first time performing in front of a crowd, and I can’t help but think of what could go wrong.
What if I can’t keep up with the others? What if I’m not as good to be with the Lost Souls like I’d hoped.
What if Queen Mother was right?
I immediately shake the thoughts away and clear my throat.
No, I've been practicing for weeks. I’ve got this.
We enter the kingdom of Zaphyre and I smile out the window of the caravan at the locals partying like they did at the Cogency Festival. Sol wasn’t kidding when she said the prince’s seven day birth anniversary is a big deal. The smell of yummy food and music fills the air along with laughter and shouts of joy.
The last few weeks have been interesting to say the least. Random magic wielders have been showing up to the camp out of the blue, and no one knows why. They don’t seem to be a threat of any sort. I don’t think anyone sent them, but Rowan went to the Ringmaster to ask about this strange change of events and he hasn’t given much of an answer. Only that we treat the newcomers like we’d treat any newcomer invited to the Lost Souls. So they’ve been fed and clothed and given rooms to stay.
Two wielders, who’s magic revolves around wood and telepathy, have been busy at work adding new additions to the cabin. It was my first time seeing any of the Lost Souls use their powers at that capacity outside of performing, and it was amazing. Do you know how many houses could be built in such a short time with their abilities alone? The resurgence of work that could be done and accomplished if magic users entered the workforce would be astronomical.
The new people showing up have been somewhat strange though. Many of them either weren’t aware of or have never really used any of their magic to a great extent. It seems that when they initially got a whiff that they were magic users they began suppressing it out of fear of anyone finding out. They were more surprised by what they could do than we were.
However they found us, I'm glad that they did. No one deserves to be discriminated against and isolated from society because they’re different. Hopefully they find a more fulfilling life with the Lost Souls like many others have.
The caravan makes its way across the bridge with the other steam carriages that I presume are carrying esteemed guests, and enter behind the castle gates.
One by one, each carriage pulls up to the front of the castle and drops off dignified and fashionable guests to be escorted inside. Our caravan, however, is directed by the guards around the side of the castle, where we hop out and enter through the back way. The guards waiting to receive us greet us kindly.
“Welcome to Zaphyre. His Highness is excited to have you here. We have a room set up for you where you can store your equipment.”
“Thank you.” Rowan nods. “Did His Highness secure the beams I asked for...” Rowan falls into step with the guards as he touches base with them on our accommodations and the rest of us trail behind.
I gaze around the beautiful and bright interior of the castle. It seems no matter where you go, the flashiness of royals never changes. The entire castle is decorated in burnt oranges and brilliant golds with a hint of turquoise accents in many of the fine details. It’s beautiful...just...bright.
“Come on Zemi.” Sol wraps her arm into mine with an excited smile on her face and Jubilee and Scirocco fall in step right beside us.
We walk down the long narrow halls, our feet squeaking and clacking against the polished brownish floors. The cream walls draw my eyes upward towards the high arched ceilings. Sculpted by what I can only imagine were the best architects that ever walked Zaphyre. From the elaborate detail and complexity, they must have been masters at their craft.
We finally arrive at an open and spacious room lined with chairs and couches against the wall and two big tables sitting in the middle. The guard turns to us with a smile, his green eyes bright and calming. He looks as if he’s just as excited for us to be here as we are.
“Please make yourselves comfortable. Guards will be posted outside the door and servants will help you carry in your personal items. Don’t hesitate to ask for anything if you need it.”
“Thank you. Alright team, grab your equipment and let’s prepare.” Rowan instructs and we shift into gear.
It isn’t long before we have everything ready. Most of the prep was done before we left the cabin. Now all that’s left to do is wait for our que from the royal family.
Everyone gathers around in a circle holding hands as Rowan addresses us.
“We’ve worked hard for this day, Lost Souls. I want you to look at the person to the left and right of you. These are your brothers and sisters. If at any point you need help, don’t be afraid to look to them for it. Remember, we move as one. Let’s get out there and do what we do best.”
With infectious smiles we all nod and break. It’s like I can almost feel the electrifying feeling of the performers as they get pumped to perform.
“Ready?” Scirocco asks. I nod, even though a gang of butterflies are having a fist fight in my stomach.
“Ready.” She leads the acrobats and aerial dancers through a series of warmups, and before we know it, one of the servants is letting Rowan know that the king is ready for the entertainment.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”
We get in a line, making sure our brown hoods are up, and walk down the long halls in silence until we arrive right outside of the banquet hall. The sounds of the guests and music trail out from behind the closed doors, further amplifying my excitement. It sounds like everyone is having a good time.
Well, it’s about to get even better.
The music shifts to a high pitched shaky tempo, like a rattlesnake, and the guests gasp as the tall double doors open, revealing our cloaked hooded troupe.
We slowly and dramatically file into the room as a hushed silence blankets over the guests and they shuffle away from the center of the large room. Our footsteps barely make a sound against the marble floor as we move as one until we’re right in the middle of the banquet hall, facing the platform where the king, queen, and prince should be sitting.
The music comes to a slight crescendo and we dash off our cloaks, revealing beautiful blue leotards that look like they’re made of sparkly blue dragon scales with delicate orange designs.
The crowd bursts into applause. Sounds of wonder and excitement flitter through them.
The uptempo music goes into full swing and the rest of the troupe breaks away from me and the other aerial dancers as silks dangle down from the high ceiling, seemingly out of nowhere. We grab onto them and are hoisted into the air. The crowd cheers excitedly as we begin our routine.
I climb up my silk and swing and dangle from it like we’ve practiced in rehearsal, and I’ve never felt so free. I intertwine and untwine my silk with Sciroccos as we dance around each other like two butterflies in battle.
The crowd and nerves seamlessly melt away as I focus on my movements and doing my best. At times I almost forget that I’m entertaining an entire crowd if it weren’t for the constant cheers that brought me out of my trance.
Then it’s time for the move Scirocco allowed me to add to the routine. I climb to the top of my silk, the crowd gasping the higher I go. This drop is much higher than any drop I’ve practiced so far, but my fear melts away as my body intuitively wraps around the silk.
When I reach the top I strike a pose, then, without warning, I drop, twirling down my silk like a tornado until I reach the bottom where I pose, suspended in the air. I use this moment to look out onto the sea of guests and lap up the applause and cheers of joy. As I’m slowly twirling, my gaze catches onto a pair of deep brown eyes surrounded by long lashes. The intensity of them grabs hold of me that I can’t bring myself to look away.
The prince of Zaphyre smiles up at me in wonderment and I almost lose my grip under the sudden twist of my stomach.
My cheeks warm as I force myself to refocus and complete the routine, dropping down from the silks with the aerial dancers and joining the other performers in engaging and dancing with the crowd. They stare up at me in delight and wonder. Although I get stares like this back in Hivena because of my title, these stare’s seem more innocent. Like they actually admire my physique simply because it’s unique, and not because of the status that comes with it.
I join Jubilee and grab a loose silk from the side and set it on fire with a candle sitting in the middle of one of the tables. The guests nearby squeal in worry and excitement. The fabric immediately catches with help from Jubilee. I begin twirling it around my body and draping it across my skin, trusting Jubilee to manipulate the fire so as not to burn me.
The crowd erupts in awe and I feel invigorated and playful. My confidence only grows as I work the room. Engaging with the crowd becomes just as natural as breathing, like I was always meant to do this.
The party continues for the rest of the night in a drunken haze of dancing, magic, and singing. By the time the party's over, the sky is at its peak darkness, right before the sun makes its presence known and peeks over the horizon.
After all of the guests have retired for the night, we’re finally released from our duties and are able to return to the room where our equipment is set up. The green eye’d guard from earlier comes over to us.
“That was a great performance!” He beams. We bow our gratitude and thanks. “We have your accommodations ready, sir Rowan. If you’d please follow me.”
Sol and Veronica look at eachother with wide excited eyes. Despite being utterly exhausted, they manage to squeal and jump around in delight as we approach the rooms that were set aside for us. All of them are lined up next to each other. They look pristine and decorated with the utmost care. The royal family's signature colors of blue and burnt orange accent the white and gold walls and are dispersed throughout the rooms on the couches, chairs, in the small seating area, and across the beds.
Sol turns to me with a giant smile and wide eyes.
“I love performing at the castle! Have you ever seen rooms so luxurious?! I can’t believe this is where we’re staying for the next week,” She gushes. I smile at her question and look around the space. They are very nice rooms.
I go into mine, leaving the others to gush in the hall, and set down my stuff to settle in for the night. I freshen up in the bathroom, so relieved and satisfied to wash the sweat from our performance away.
It was exhausting...It was exhilarating.
I smile to myself under the water.
It was everything I imagined.
I replay the events of the night in my head over and over again as I prepare for bed and settle under the plush blankets.
Finally, my muscles relax in satisfied relief and a sigh drifts from my lips. I’m comforted by the silence and the plush bed, until the quiet suddenly becomes...too quiet. The euphoria from the performance gradually drains away and the lavishness of the room creeps in unexpectedly, stifling me.
I jolt up, throwing the heavy blanket off of me. My chest constricts in on itself as my breathing thickens. The excitement of the performance feels like a distant dream and the coldness of the room slams me back to a time I wish to forget.
No.
A sudden familiar laugh from right outside my door makes me jump out of my skin. I try to gulp down deep breaths.
It isn’t possible to hear that laugh!
An aching warmth coats my heart and makes me want to collapse in on myself all at the same time...
“S-Suri?” I call out. I sit up a little straighter, listening closely.
Silence.
I swallow and scoff at myself, embarrassed. Shaking my head of the foolishness.
I’m hundreds of miles away from Hivena...and Suri’s gone.
I lie back down and turn over with a harrumph, attempting to go to sleep, only to fail miserably. The more I try, the harder sleep evades me, and eventually I’m left staring at the ceiling. Afraid of what I might see or hear if I close my lids.
Tears sting my eyes.
This is torture.
I get up and go to the bathroom to rinse my face with cold water, then pad to the door, peeking out into the lit hall where a couple of guards are stationed.
“Excuse me? Where can I find the kitchen?”
“Right this way my lady. I can escort you there.” I grab my shoes and follow the guard down a few quiet halls, past a couple of servants, to a small cozy kitchen where servants are surprisingly still working.
I guess it is almost morning time, and they have to prepare breakfast for the guests.
“How can I help you, miss?” One of the servants comes up to me from wiping the counter.
“Oh, I was just wondering if I could get a cup of tea?”
“Of course miss, coming right up.”
“I’ll leave you in his capable hands. When you’re ready to be escorted back to your room just inform one of the other guards stationed in the hall.” The guard says as she takes her leave.
“Okay, thank you.” I sit at the counter waiting for my tea. Minutes later, the servant sets a delicate peachy tea cup in front of me with a light brown liquid steaming inside.
“This is ashwagandha and chrysanthemum tea, it should calm you for a good night's rest.” I smile at him and thank him for the beverage. He seems to be a very intuitive servant. I wonder if I look as tired as I feel.
He walks away and I forgo the sugar he set on the counter and take out a little vial of royal jelly from my pocket, pouring some into the cup. I stir and give it a sip. It’s still really hot, but the flavor is nice and pleasant.
I don't want to be in the servants’ way so I decide to take my tea and nurse it while it cools on my way back to my room.
I step out into the hall and look around for a guard that could escort me back, but I don’t see one.
Getting here wasn’t that hard, I’m confident I know the general direction to get back to my room. And I’m sure if I just start walking I’ll eventually stumble upon a guard.
But before I can turn towards the direction of the guest rooms, a bright warm light coming from further down the opposite hall, along with the fresh scent of water, catches my attention.
I pause for a moment and debate on if I should listen to my tickling curiosity or head back to my room.
Well, I’m not quite sleepy yet. I look down at my tea. And it’ll take a minute for the tea to take effect. Maybe a little stroll will speed things along.
Intrigued by the warmth and smell of water, I turn right towards the light. It grows brighter as I amble around the bend of the hall towards a giant arch filled with foliage that spills over a wrought iron balcony and looks out onto a beautiful indoor pool and garden.
The warm lights cast the garden and pool in a dreamy tranquil state that takes my breath away. Viney foliage creeps up the walls and drapes down from many other various sized balconies staggered around the perimeter of the room. The pool looks warm to the touch, and surrounding it are intimate and soft looking couches dispersed through more tropical plants and foliage.
Now that’s a nice place to finish my tea. How do I get down there?
I continue my way around the bend and find a set of cobblestone stairs that descend. I can already smell the water and plants before I hit the landing.
The bottom opens up on the left to the beautiful indoor pool and garden. The sound of trickling water from the fountains sounds so melodic and calming to my nervous system.
I stroll around the pool and a beautiful green hedge until I come to the middle of the room. The rest of the floor looks like it’s also made of cobblestone and would be warm on the soles of my feet. In the left and right corners of the room, closely compacted bookshelves stand tall, providing cozy passages to peruse and read the books at your leisure .
Wow, Reyna would have loved this place. She would never leave.
A pang of grief hits me in the stomach.
I take a sip of my tea to soothe away the sensation when someone between the shelves to my right clears their throat. I whip around, startled by the piercing brown eyes and thick brows gazing at me from the low lit corner, and my cheeks ignite in embarrassment.
The Prince of Zaphyre!
He steps out of the shadows and bows his head in greeting. A calm smile spreads across his lips that makes my legs go numb.
“My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you. You’re from the amazing Lost Souls troupe. If I’m not mistaken.” He says, putting a book he was holding back on the shelves. He’s changed out of his dazzling garment from the party earlier and is now in a white tunic with blue embroidered pants. It makes him look relaxed and regal at the same time. He continues as he steps closer.
“I am–”
“Prince Kuruk of Zaphyre. Of course, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I bow hurriedly, remembering my manners. When I rise though, I can’t help but lock on to his eyes as he smiles again. A silence stretches between us.
I didn’t get permission to be in this part of the castle. If this garden is only for royals I should excuse myself quickly.
“Please forgi–”
“Don’t tell me you couldn’t sleep. I wouldn’t want any of my guests to be uncomfortable. Especially after the magnificent performance the Lost Souls have given us.”
He breaks eye contact and gestures to my tea.
“Please let me know if there’s anything you and your troupe need to be more at ease in my home.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Everything has been splendid. Your home is beautiful.” I point to one of the balconies. “I-I saw this room from one of the balconies and was drawn to it. My apologies if I’m intruding.”
“Not at all. Please enjoy it. You can visit this place as often as you’d like while you’re here. Especially if it’ll help you sleep more peacefully.” I nod, a blush creeping up my cheeks as I fiddle with my tea. “Also, your performance was amazing. My father invites the Lost Souls to perform for him all the time, but I don’t remember seeing you in any previous ensembles. I hope I can see more of you...w-with your performance that is. I hope I can see more of your performances with the Lost Souls.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. That is very kind of you to say.”
Another stretch of silence before he clears his throat.
“I’m going to get back to letting you enjoy your tea. Please have a good night's rest.” I nod.
“Thank you, Your Highness. You as well.” He walks off from the shelves and turns down a short corridor next to them that must lead to another set of stairs. Warm shivers wrack through me as I try to squish a smile pulling at my lips.
I traipse over to a small table and chair and set my tea on it before sitting, when another clearing of someone’s throat behind me causes me to jump. I turn to see the prince has come back, standing with his hands behind his back. I immediately stand and straighten.
“I wanted to ask you your name.”
I stare at him, surprised.
“Oh, Z-zemira...my name is Zemira.”
“Zemira...that’s a beautiful name.” He smiles and I can’t help but smile back. Especially with the appearance of that dimple.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” He clears his throat again and nods.
“Yes, of course. Goodnight...Zemira.”
“Goodnight...Your Highness.”
