-Victoria-
I laid on my bed, my arms cradling my head, staring at Azax as he dressed with the help of some servants his father sent. We'd been sharing a bed for months now but he typically still went back to his room to get ready. Imagine my shock, and delight, when he emerged from my shower in nothing but a towel, water dripping down his sculpted chest. When he leveled me with that flirty smirk, I was positive it was over. Then the moment was ruined by the aforementioned servants bursting in the door.
Now he was looking every inch the prince he was. His blue cape embroidered in gold, the wolf howling on the back. The military like uniform, very similar to the one my father had worn to the ball. Sword by his side and crown of gold and sapphire on his head. He truly was royalty.
"Keep staring like that and I'll be late." He joked.
"Would that be so bad?" I played along, shifting my body so he could only see a peek, "We could make up for this mornings…interruption."
"How you tempt me." He said, shooing the servants away.
He knelt before me at the end of the bed. Taking my face into his hands, pulling me into a searing kiss. Tongues clashed and teeth nipped as I reached out to grab the front of his uniform, crumpling the neatly pressed fabric. One of his hand left my face, beginning its descent. It barely crested my collarbone when…Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Let's go, Your Highness!" Wall's voice tore through the moment.
"Those tattle tales." Azax mumbled as he pulled back.
"What?" I asked, still dazed from the intensity.
"The servants won't say anything," He explained, running his hand over my collarbone and up my neck causing a shudder, "So they found someone who would."
"I can understand why," I sighed, moving my hand from his chest to cup his cheek, "This sounds like a very important tradition for your people."
"It is," He agreed, "The Prince's Journey from Pelmora to the capital only happens when one is enrolled here. Most of the people I will speak to over these next four years may never have the means to make the trip for themselves. Or to have their problems heard by royalty instead of advisors or lords."
"Maybe someday I could go with you." I suggested, causing him to chuckle.
"When we are married, we will journey to every town and city in Evania and hear everyone's worries." He told me.
"That sounds fun," I leaned in closer, "As long as we go together."
I initiated a soft kiss, full of happiness and a promise of forever. We didn't get to far when…Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Come on!" Wall yelled again, "Let's go!"
"Alright already!" Azax yelled back, pulling away from our kiss.
He stood back to full height, adjusting anything rumpled or out of place. Once he was satisfied, he looked back at me.
"How do I look?" He asked.
"Like a prince." I smiled.
"Well then, my princess," He went back to a knee, hand over chest, like a knight pledging his service to a King, "I will return to you as soon as I can. Think of me while I'm away."
I stood, wrapping the bed sheet around me. I took his hand guiding him to stand. Using his support, I dipped into as low of a curtsy as I could manage.
"I appreciate your loyalty to your people, my prince," I said, continuing with the formal display he had started, "I wish you a safe journey. I trust you will keep me in your thoughts along the way."
He pulled me from my curtsy, placing a kiss on my hand. He put on that dazzling smile as he backed away.
"Always." He said, before turning to leave.
As soon as the door closed, leaving me alone, I felt a bright blush cover my face. I flopped on my bed, giggling like a mad woman. Who would have thought this was how my life would play out? All this prince and princess stuff. It felt like I was living in a fairy tale.
I spent another fifteen minutes just basking in the happiness before I decided to start my day. Forgoing a shower, I threw my hair up into a ponytail and pulled on my uniform. Heading out the door, still lost in a daze, I didn't even notice the people waiting.
"How was your morning?" Anna's voice asked, causing me to jump.
I spin to see Anna and Ani, barely holding in their laughter, leaning against the wall opposite the door.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked while trying to calm my racing heart.
"Since before the Prince's party left," Ani explained, "We were waiting with Itrix, Nothall and Wal."
"Makes us wonder what Wal interrupted," Anna gave a knowing smirk, "I'll ask again, how was your morning?"
"As you said, we were interrupted." I pointed out, walking away towards the dining area.
"Yeah but still you look a little ruffled this morning." Anna winked.
"They were only alone for like 5 minutes." Ani said in an attempt to be helpful.
"I don't know maybe that's all a prince is worth." Anna shrugged.
I sent a bit of magic at her, lightly stinging her bottom.
"Hey!" She yelled, jumping up and rubbing her behind.
"You kind of deserved that." Ani told her.
I felt Anna's hostile intentions before she even thought up her spell. I created a barrier causing the magic to ricochet back. She yelped in pain as the much harsher stinging magic hit her.
"That's not fair!" She cried, "Why can't Zekora teach us all the secret stuff you've been learning? We're gonna be helping you once you're Queen."
"We all learned about the variety of barriers months ago." Ani reminded her.
"We did?" Anna scratched her head.
"Yeah," I shook my head in disbelief, "You were there. You accomplished the ricochet barrier first out of the three of us."
"Oh…either way, we should attend those lessons." She doubled down.
"Anna, the lessons have nothing to do with magic and everything to do with history." I informed her, "You'd sleep through all of it like you do our normal history lessons."
"Well, as long as it's just history." She conceded, though still looked suspicious.
"I promise that's all it is." I told her.
"Ok then," She was once again filled with excitement, "Let's get some breakfast. I'm starving."
Ani and I followed behind her, lightly laughing at her antics. She really could be a bit much.
Breakfast and morning classes went by without a hitch. Even Ustrea seemed more subdued. Everyday I felt her staring holes into the back of my head but today other things seemed to occupy her mind.
On the way to lunch, I glanced out one of the windows over looking the courtyard. It was absolutely pouring rain and the grounds were seemingly abandoned. That's until I noticed one solitary figure in the center. They looked to be dancing and I could barely make out the magic swirling around them.
"Hey guys, do see that person?" I called to Anna and Ani who were walking away.
They turned back, coming to peer out. They shared a confused look before Ani addressed me.
"There's no out there." He stated.
"What about that person in the-" The words died before I could finish. The person was gone.
"I swear there was someone dancing in the rain right in the middle. On the crest." I told them.
"Wow, only takes a few hours without her prince and she officially loses her mind." Anna joked.
"Shut up!" I shoved her over, "No but really there was someone there and now they're just gone."
"Perhaps they decided they were done dancing and teleported back inside to dry off." Ani offered, trying to be helpful.
"Maybe, but they disappeared so quickly…" I trailed off trying to think of any explanation but coming up short.
"You could always ask Zekora when you see her." Ani said, "She seems to know everything and everyone."
"Yeah I'll do that." I agreed.
"Great, now let's get lunch." Anna said, clapping her hands together, "I'm hungry."
"When aren't you hungry?" I asked with a laugh.
"Hey!" She shouted.
The day continued. Anna, Ani, and I went out separate ways for dinner. On the way to Zekora's office, however, Ustrea approached me.
"Off to Professor Zekora's office for lessons?" She asked, not a hint of malice in her voice, just genuine curiosity.
"Yeah." I confirmed, "There's a lot to learn."
"There is," She agreed with a bit of pity in her eyes, "Took me ages to learn."
"I can see why," I said, still very wary and confused, "Probably take me to the end of the summer to get it all straight."
"Maybe I can help you study?" She suggested, my eyes went wide, "Say after the lesson. Over some dinner."
"Well, the lessons usually go till almost 10pm, and I'm normally drained right after." I told her.
She looked so disappointed. I couldn't take letting her down, not after everything that's happened.
"But we could do dinner tomorrow." I offered, "I'll ask Zekora for the night off. We can study and eat in my room."
"That sounds great!" Her smile lite up her whole face causing me to join her, "I'll see you then."
She skipped away, happiness radiating off her. I was over the moon that for once I could make her happy.
I began making my way towards Zekora's office once more. I hadn't made it very far when a slight glow caught my eye through the window. Though the rain had stopped, thick clouds still covered the sky. That wasn't what caused the glow.
There in center, once more, stood someone. Magic flowed all around them but they weren't dancing. They were staring. I could feel the pressure of their eyes even from this far. Their magic swelled and the sky once again opened up but the eyes never left me.
I felt the electricity in the air. They looked to the sky. A massive bolt of lightening struck them but they remained unfazed. My mouth hung open at the display. I heard something move beside me. I had barely looked out of the corner of my eye but it was enough. The person was gone once more. I definitely needed to talk to Zekora.