Saan stands by his table, his eyes trained on Aaleyah on the other side of the hall.

  “High Prince Saan.” Hearing his voice his hand drops to the xaza, but it is not there. Tonight he acts as high prince, not the general.

  Prince Kian calls walking towards him with a crooked smile. “What a surprising turn of events seeing you here and being a part of diplomacy.”

  The crooked smile stays on his face giving an impression of mannerism, but the insult and sneer do not overlook Saan.

  Aidkjeen needs the alliance with the Trivplah’s. Aidkjeen needs the alliance with the fish. Saan tells himself and he forces a cool expression. “Prince Kian, it is a joy to grace tonight’s celebration with your presence. I had heard that there was trouble with trading ships, seeing you here I must have heard wrong.”

  “This prince was not aware that the royals of Aidkjeen were so interested in Trivplah affairs,” Prince Kian spits out in a belligerent tone.

  Saan scans the hall for his brother, surely pretending to happily talk to others is his strength.

  “Regardless,” Prince Kian continues, “if a prince is needed for every affair and wrong in the kingdom, then the kingdom must have a weak foundation,” his words are spoken in attempts to bite causticaly.

  Knowing murder will not help Saan looks for Helan, the captain murdering might not be as bad.

  “Where is Aaleyah, did she leave the celebration early?” Prince Kian scans the room, his eyes following the same path Saan’s was taking earlier.

  At his words Saan’s cool expression falls and Helan who he finally manages to spot takes a step towards him, but Saan waves him off.

  The dark aura pulls Prince Kian’s attention back to him, Saan's murderous intent reeking off of him like fog on a mountain at dawn.

  Chuckling nervously. “My apologies, High Princess Aaleyah,” he corrects.

  Trivplah’s live by the seas, their Goddess teaches them that when a fish is tarnished it cannot be eaten. Thus if a name and image is tarnished, Prince Kian believes it can never be remedied. The high princess of Aidkjeen is in a position that he believes she should not be in, the prestige she has is something laughable to him.

  He once said, ‘There are better uses for her beauty, and it is not wearing a crown.’ which while terrible, is still not placed high on the list of reasons why Saan desires his death.

  “Surely Prince Kian’s time can be better spent talking about other matters instead of my high princess,” Saan darkly says, sizing up the small fish.

  Hotty attitude, drenched in jewelry, blue eyes that fail to hide the lower sea creature he truly is. If Saan was told Kian never touched a balde, he would believe it.

  Truly the two princes have never gotten along. Before the tragedy of the Aljehni family, Saan was forced to visit the Trivplah kingdom. Keeping peace between the kingdom was a must and every two Blue moons the royals travelled to each other’s kingdom. Seeing Prince Kian’s face was always bothersome to Saan, and there are plenty of memories of Prince Kian somehow getting hurt in his presence. Alas shameless and stupidity must be on the same path, because it seems Prince Kian still has not learned to fear Saan and to keep his mouth shut.

  In the past Prince Kian always had a hand in attempting to tarnish Aaleyah’s title. He immediately wanted the title of high princess to be dropped, and led hundreds of people to sign a petition against her. Trivplah’s despise women in power, for the only woman who can lead is their Goddess, anyone else is a disgrace. At least that is what Prince Kian claimed.

  Luckily Aaleyah does not share in Kian’s stupidity, and together with Khor Towers they managed to eliminate further thoughts and actions.

  Saan is no fool. He knew then and he knows now just how much Kian desires Aaleyah for himself. Kian thinks along the lines of, if he can destroy her he can take her.

  Aaleyah believes that Saan places her first and does not think about the kingdom as a whole, but every moment Kian breathes and lives is a blessing that Saan has gifted him.

  Saan watches Aaleyah finish her discussion with Hestia across the room and make her way towards him. He can tell the moment she identifies Prince Kian for her her foot hesitates, and she slightly rocks back. Saan can feel all his reasons for peace disintegrate, he will kill him. Hammun and his father can figure out peace afterwards; and if it leads to war so be it. He will lead his armies with no guilt.

  Aaleyah locks gazes with him and his hand unclenches his murderous air lessons at the sight of her golden eyes.

  Prince Kian stands before him, anger and annoyance always the emotions he feels in his presence; but the heavens are graceful. His Leyah is truly a feathered umbrella in the middle of a storm. Water in the midst of a desert. Lord of Heavens as his witness, anger is an emotion unfounded when she stands before him. Her intelligence, her grace, her dress. How can she walk as if the ground is made of petals she will never smash? Has his Lord gifted him a goddess?

  Prince Kian turns to see what has grasped his enemy’s attention, and his eyes lock on Aaleyah. His face contorting to one of jealousy, his blue eyes flashing with vengeance.

  Rumours say Prince Kian once drunkenly confessed his thoughts on Aaleyah. That she was a prize he has continuously failed to obtain. He confessed that he loathed the way dresses always accentuate her small waist. A waist he dares to believe his hand can hold perfectly.

  In his drunken state he confessed that her long black hair, golden eyes, and small mouth were features he fantasized about. The bulletin that was posted stated all of Kian’s secret desires. He wishes to see her hair a mess. To hear her beautiful lips open and scream for him to stop, for her rare golden orbs to be filled with fear and submission.

  Saan’s fist tightens and he forces himself to remember that Hammun has a plan to arrest the fool. He can torture him in prison.

  But if Saan hears him cry out to his Goddess of the Sea to grant him Aaleyah, Saan will rip his tongue out and feed it to the fish.

  A servant approaches Aaleyah with a tray. “Would you care for grapes, high princes?” He bows and holds it up towards her.

  Breaking her contact with Saan she smiles politely. “Thank you Tah.”

  Tah beams. “It is always a blessing to serve you, High Princess Aaleyah. Please try the soup tonight, the cook allowed Maghe to help make it,” he announces happily.

  When he was young Tah had met Zale Aljehni. Tah had repeatedly thanked her family. Saying it was rare to meet noble families who were kind to servants, especially children who had not yet perfected any skill sets. It was Zale who helped him and his sister, assisting them in finding jobs.

  After Tah excuses himself, Aaleyah slowly chews the grapes and prepares herself to approach Prince Kian. In preparing for tonight’s celebration and assisting Hestia in dealing with her nerves, Aaleyah has forgotten her own.

  Preparing for tonight Aaleyah spent her time telling Hestia to keep her head high. Giving Hestia notes on how to remain calm and regal. This dinner is to celebrate peace, but that does not mean the people in attendance happily agree that Hestia is a princess. That Nevalvn is still a kingdom with protection. Not to mention, in preparing for tonight’s plan with Hammun, she did not have time to think about he she would feel seeing certain people.

  Standing paces behind Prince Kian she feels naked, her bare arms suddenly cold and she hugs herself covering her skin. She should have worn her own robe or clothes that did not make her stand out. Or kept her hair completely down to hide her face. Her thumb rubs against the nail on her index finger.

  Then her eyes are pulled to Saan. He seems to call her silently. The dress she wears is to match him, he is here too. Prince Kian can do nothing, he was never able to do anything. Taking deep breaths she focuses on her husband. His long hair braided in an intricate fashion to hold his crown, his stance powerful and all those around him can never mistake him for anyone lower than royalty. Her husband, surrounded by so many eyes, only focuses his on hers.

  “Princess Aaleyah.” The world spins again and her nose crinkles in disgust as her shrill voice shoots into her ears. Aaleyah debates ignoring it, but the options are to turn to the one behind her, or walk to her brother.

  Turing with a polite smile, “Princess Mauhna, you grace tonight’s festivities with your beauty.”

  Sharp blue eyes, blond hair piled atop her head with a high crown. “Yes it is a pleasure to show Trivplah beauty to the Aidkjeen people.”

  “Every kingdom is filled with its beauty,” Aaleyah replies diplomatically.

  Princess Mauhna sneers while playing with her pearl necklace, “Yes, but I have never understood the obsession with bare feet.” Her eyes dip down to her shoeless feet. “We were told to remove our shoes how- different,” she says in a tone that makes it obvious she wishes to say disgusting instead.

  “The palace floors are very clean, the royals walk without shoes. However it is understandable that this may be uncomfortable to those outside of Aidkjeen.”

  Aaleyah motions to a servant to come to her. “Please retrieve slippers for Princess Mauhna.”

  Turning her attention back to the princess. “May these slippers provide you with comfort princess.”

  Princess Mauhna huffs. “The slippers will not match my beautiful blue dress tonight. I told my brother that the customs of Aidkjeen are physically taxing.”

  “Your brother,” Aaleyah repeats.

  Princess Mahna sneers bitterly. “Yes, my brother. Did the princess believe that he would not come tonight?” She addresses Aaleyah incorrectly once more. “He is no fool, if he did not make an appearance at this dinner it would show that our family does not truly support the treaty. This is not a celebration but a farce, and even worse an excuse for him to see you.”

  “Princess Mauhna the Dlumaeni royal family is well aware where the Trivplay loyalties lie.” She scans the hall, where is Prince Hammun? Surely he knows how to walk around disrespect with a smile. Between the two siblings Aaleyah is not sure who is more taxing to speak to. Princess Mauhna, or her older brother Prince Kian.

  “Beautiful High Princess, how ravishing you look this moon.”

  His strident voice reaches Aaleyah’s eyes and she bites the inside of her cheek in annoyance. She should not have questioned it. The most taxing one to speak to is definitely her brother Prince Kian.

  Her voice is full of strain as she reins in her emotions. “Prince Kian,” her strain fades seeing Saan walking towards her from the other side of the room. “How are you this evening?” Her hand opens slightly, a signal for Saan to come to her.

  Saan’s swallows down his irritation, he only turns for a moment to address Lord Valyt, and the fearless fish surround his wife. His annoyance must show on his face because he watches Aaleyah’s eyes lift in a slight smile. He smiles in response as he makes his way towards her.

  “You are exquisite tonight. As always Aaleyah’s skin is bathed in the sun’s favor leaving us only kissed,” Prince Kian comments.

  The idiot's obsession with his wife’s skin always seems to be on his small mind. While he is aware of the beautiful red hue Aaleyah’s skin emits, Prince Kian needs not comment on it. He need not see it!

  Saan repeats that murder is bad as the fish’s eyes travel Aaleyah from the crown on her head, to the bracelet on her ankles. Catching the way he soaks in his wife, eying the slither of skin revealing itself from the end of the top of her dress, to the belt at her beautiful waist is all that he gets; Saan can not get to her side fast enough.

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  Aaleyah crosses her arms over her waist, her eyes falling on Saan’s and he finally reaches her.

  Stepping before her, he blocks her from Kian’s view and removes his scarf, draping it over her.

  As he stands before her he speaks without breaking eye contact with her. “The high princess acknowledges Prince Kian’s compliments.”

  Ever so slightly Aaleyah nods, and Saan turns to face the idiots barely concealing his rage and annoyance. “The show will be starting soon, and high princess and I shall extend our welcome to all the guests beforehand.”

  This fearless crustacean, is he not aware how easily fish can be speared? It would only take one swing, and the fish scales would be destroyed. Saan starts to wonder if Hammun's idea of imprisonment will be punishment enough. How is he going to get Kian to admit to his acts anyway?

  Aaleyah’s soft hand on his arm pulls Saan out of his murderous thoughts.

  “Yes.” Aaleyah speaks with her head high, a graceful smile on her beautiful lips. “It is a pleasure to hear such words from the Trivplah royals. We thank you for your presence.”

  She motions to the dinner tables with their collapsed hands. “This moon we especially added crab toast to the feast tonight in your honor.”

  Giving the evil siblings a parting nod she allows Saan to pull her away.

  Saan’s parting words are not as graceful as Aaleyah’s. “My High Princess Aaleyah has many things she must attend to. If there is anything you require, speak to Prince Hammun instead.”

  When they are some distance away Saan leans his head close to her ear. “I apologize, because of my incompetence you were forced to inhale the scent of the salty ocean,” he tells her with a frown.

  Her eyes lighten at his creative insult. “This one must not always expect you to move with me. This one is able to deal with anyone, regardless of comfort.”

  “Why can’t you expect me to be by your side?” He asks with hurt eyes, and an expression of indignation.

  “This one only implies that one must always be prepared. Not that high prince is not reliable,” she tells him in apology.

  Shaking his head he adjusts his scarf around her small shoulders. “Me being on your side is as sure as the sun rising East. You need not fear, you can never get hurt if you fall. I vow to defy the heavens and always catch you.”

  “What if you fall?” She asks.

  It must have been a passing thought she did not intend to say out loud; the range of shock, fear, hope, battle to take place as her expression until her stoic robustness takes control over her features.

  “When I lost you I prayed to the Lord of the Heavens. I vowed if you could return to my side I would protect you. If you are not protected I am failing my promise to our Lord. I can only fall by not protecting you.”

  She softens at his words. Glancing around at the people she moves a strand of hair out of her face. “Recently, High Prince Saan seems,” she twirls the bangle on her wrist, “more…”

  ? More what? Saan knows if he rushes her to finish the sentence she will give a perfunctory response. So he forces himself to stay silent.

  “-punctilious.”

  Saan tilts his head, drawing his face closer to her.

  “High Prince Saan has recently been very,” her words are slow, not even she knows what she will say next, “attentive towards me,” she whispers.

  Clearing her throat she steps back into his hand that was hovering behind her back. “High prince Saan-” Her tone is soft, clearly uncomfortable with the next set of words she plans to say.

  “My radiant love, tonight allow my words to ring true to you. For tonight I plead for you not to think too much,” he gently asks her, not wishing to hear her disagreement.

  Nodding her head in understanding she turns her gaze to the royal siblings of the Trivplah kingdom. “From a political standpoint the Trivplah loyalty is necessary. Please keep murderous intent out of one’s gaze when looking at them.”

  Saan scoffs. “If the fish prince learns to treat you with respect I swear to spare his life.”

  “The prince,” Aaleyah says with a tired sigh, “enjoys speaking to me. Tonight the Trivplah’s must be placated. For the sake of the kingdom and for peace,” she moves out of Saan’s hand, “shall we not deal with it?”

  Saan’s face fills with disgust. Given the history between ocean garbage and Aaleyah, she should be uncomfortable with the sight of him alone. Why is she suddenly able to placate in his presence? Or is this another one of her sacrificial ideas? Somehow in placating the idiot, she and his brother have planned something? Not voicing his thoughts aloud he walks with her towards their table. Whilst helping her sit on the cushion, “It is not your job to make anyone happy. You need not placate anyone.” He moves into her line of sight. “Not for the kingdom, not for anyone.”

  One of the servants sees them taking a seat rushes to pour wine into the chalices breaking their eye contact.

  Once the servant leaves Aaleyah returns her attention to Saan. “High Prince Saan, you read my words too deeply. This one only meant that for the sake of the kingdom-”

  “No. for the sake of you. For the sake of Aaleyah Aljehni, you are not to force yourself to make anyone happy, especially him.” Lifting his chalice he clinks it against hers. “How can I help you adjust your thinking? It is not you who must sacrifice for the kingdom, but the kingdom that must sacrifice for you.” After all that has happened because of fish prince Saan still cannot wrap his head around Aaleyah asking him not to kill him and play nice. Hammun has a plan to imprison the idiot and he will definitely release his anger then. Opening his mouth to ask a question he pauses when he recognizes the distant look in her eyes.

  “In this place your every action is for another. Every breath that we grant you to take best be used to our benefits. Dignity,” she scoffed, “if you still foolishly have that you’d be wise to throw it away. There is nothing you can do without my permission.” The elder woman paced in front of the row of terrified girls.

  On Aaleyah’s left there were two girls whose tears silently fell down their cheeks. Aaleyah bit her tongue to erase her fearful expression. Her brothers always told her not to show others that they have caused you pain. Zale told her to never allow others to learn that they have won, that they could break her. ‘Winners learn to conceal their fear of defeat,’ he had told her. That is the way an Aljehni wins.

  Her body ached with every inhale, and every exhale of her breath was shown in the cold air. Her grey dress barely clung to her, the autumn gown did nothing to warm her from the early frost.

  This was all Saan’s fault. She thought to herself. Those words ripped at the strings of her heart. Of all people, why was it him who betrayed her? Aaleyah stood listening to a cruel woman tell her she amounted to nothing and the only one she could think to blame was the treacherous Dlumaeni.

  The more she thought of her hatred and betrayal the more her body seemed to warm. Saan betrayed her, she hated him. High Prince Hammaan betrayed her father, she hated him. The king, oh just the thought of him filled her with so much fire her body seemed to be channeling the sun. If only he could perish, three times worse, no ten times worse than the way her family did. May his soul be forced to experience the ten karmas, the curses of the human soul and be ripped apart.

  Then the kingdom. The entire kingdom of Aidkjeen should fall. May everyone citizen that turned against her family, may every Stilit that invaded, may every soul across the world, across every kingdom may they experience the despair she was forced to feel, may they-

  Her cheek exploded with pain and Aaleyah cupped her cheek to soothe the ache.

  “Pay attention girl!” The lady sneered, and seeing the fire in the young girl’s eyes she laughed. “You can go with Darras. He will take pleasure in teaching a prideful girl like you.”

  She gave a bright smile to one of the men behind her. His strong build and scarred face sent a shiver down Aaleyah’s spine.

  Pulling her hand to his lips, Saan kisses each knuckle one by one. “Come back love,” he whispers. “Leyah you are not there anymore, come back. The banquet you created with Hestia is underway. The moon is full, high in the sky. In the middle are people dancing to the music you helped the musicians choose. Hestia will come soon with energy, her feet bouncing off the floor. She will need her big sister, come back, Leyah.” He pours her a cup of tea and hands it to her when her eyes clear.

  Blowing air slowly out of her mouth, Aaleyah accepts the cup from Saan, her fingers lingering on his hand as she accepts it.

  Saan asks a servant to make sage tea, then turns back to Aaleyah. “My high princess is lovely tonight. A red star shining bright in the night. Thank you for matching with me.”

  Setting the tea cup down Aaleyah pulls on the scarf, twirling the fabric around her hand. “This one apol-”

  “No.” Saan pulls her hair to fall atop of the scarf. “To say these words when they are not needed can cause them to lose their meaning,” he tells her in a soft voice.

  Aaleyah reaches for his hand, but with a glance at the guests pulls her hand back. “Seeing the blue garments worn by the prince and princess, it was wise to have me wear red.” Her tone is off, obviously forcing herself to sound calm, but he can hear the quiver in her words.

  “Had you matched with a bottom feeder fish, I would have found a way to create new work for Hammun to fix,” he threatens. The picture of Kian’s dead body brings a deathly smile to his face.

  Avoiding his earnest gaze Aaleyah stares off behind him, and suddenly rises from her seat. Catching her hand, his face an obvious question, ‘where are you going?’

  “Come greet the guests with me.” She gently pulls on her hand urging Saan to stand. Together they walk to the leaders of the Heahnian kingdom. Making their way, the king and queen see them coming and cease their conversation to approach them.

  Greeting each other with a bow, King Ion speaks first. “High Princess Aaleyah, surely this beautiful banquet is your doing,” he surmisses with a smile.

  Aaleyah smiles warmly at his compliment. “King Ion is too kind. There are many languages spoken throughout the kingdoms, but it is still difficult to find the words to thank you for your presence.”

  An ally is not one who is always seen, but one who always comes when called,” he tells her with a raised brow and soft chuckle.

  Lightly patting her husband’s hand, Queen Thyia smiles brightly at Aaleyah and Saan. “The last I was able to see you was on your wedding day. Sweet child, tell me, have the God’s blessing been enough?” She asks with a slight accent, her eyes falling to Aaleyah’s stomach.

  Aaleyah shyly turns to Saan but he has no intention of speaking. Pulling her hand out of his, she clasps them together. “Marriage is a blessing,” she answers, revealing nothing else.

  King Ion turns to Saan. “High Prince Saan, I have received a folded letter,” he says in code.

  If the letter is rolled, whatever aid the Aidkjeen Kingdom is asking for is unable to be given. If the letter is folded then it means the Heahnian Kingdom is able to assist.

  “Thus, is it possible to lend you some medicinal personnel?” He motions to himself and his wife. “The plants and herbs that grow in Aidkjeen are so different from our home. Knowledge is the path to the heavens, thus I ask for you to house some of my physicians so that they may learn.”

  To anyone listening to the conversation it sounds very candid and simple. Everyone is aware of the Heahnian’s thirst for knowledge. Their doctors are the best out of the kingdoms, that must come from their devotion to learning more.

  For the four of them it is a different conversation. Hammun had sent a letter asking for a physician discreetly. To send one in a way no one would question the queen’s health for a second. Therefore these words of sending doctors to learn about plants and herbs are purely to have a Heahnian physician enter Aidkjeen’s borders.

  “Such talented physicians, of course, are welcome within our walls. I will personally ensure they have a place with the palace physicians.” Saan tells him with a grateful smile.

  King Ion takes his wife’s hand, “Then I dare not take any more of your time.”

  “The journey between our kingdoms is long, if at any time during tonight’s celebrations weariness meets you, there are rooms available for rest,” Aaleyah respectfully tells them.

  Queen Thyia kisses her hand and places it atop Aaleyah’s as a farewell.

  Across the hall Hestia taps the headpiece just above the bridge of her nose. “What do you think?” she whispers to Hammun standing next to her. “For my first night this is turning out well, correct?”

  Hammun nods once. “Yes.” He continues watching his brother speak to the Heahnian king, hopefully they will send physicians. He scans the room for Prince Kian nervously. Will the alcohol be enough, will Aaleyah manage to do it?

  “My nerves were in preparation for nothing. All the families are in attendance, and civility is shown by everyone including, the Trivplah siblings are respectful,” Hestia happily states.

  Hammun nods once more. “Yes.” Aaleyah said she could do it, as far as he knows she rarely fails, but the plan relies on Saan’s anger, will Aaleyah be able to deal with it?

  Hestia flips her hair back, the bangles on her wrist create a harmonic sound as they clang together. “Everything is going well, and your hard work is paying off. May you enjoy it? This celebration is to enjoy not to work.”

  Hammun turns his eyes towards Hestia, and her indignant eyes remind him to grant her his undivided attention. “The king and king of Trivplah have reached an understanding. There is to be no disrespect towards you. Their children will be civil and do nothing to disappoint their parents.” All the work to create this treaty being anything but civil would be an insult. Not to mention the higher the climb, the higher the fall. Prince Kian must do the unforgivable.

  A servant walks past them with a platter of grapes. Hestia happily stops him to pluck the sweet fruits into her mouth. Holding a bundle in her hand, “Thank you.”

  Hammun’s eyes fill with slight confusion. “Tah?” he asks, causing Hestia to focus on the servant beside her.

  Tah bows, “Prince Hammun, this one thanks you for remembering me.”

  Hammun waves his hand to dismiss the comment. “No, why are you here? Were you not training to be a guard? Surely a spear fits your hand.”

  Tah lowers the platter of grapes, his smile diminishes. “Times have changed Prince Hammun. The light that I wished to be has lost its cause.”

  Hammun swallows his bitter comments. “I see.”

  Tah bows deeply and walks away, his head downcast.

  As Tah walks away Hammun shakes his head. “ Zale would be disappointed to learn of Tah’s dreams being forgotten,” he mutters.

  Hestia arches her brow. “Who is Zale?”

  “Hestia, have you seen my brother?” Hammun asks with a sudden burst of energy.

  Finishing the last grape, Hestia turns with one cheek filled. Chewing quickly she finally swallows “High Princess Aaleyah was by the left wall the last time I saw her. High Prince Saan is sure to be with her.”