It was the time of year when the nights were longer and the days shorter. The Magi called it The Longest Night. The Children of Light referred to it as Holy Night. It was the same celebration for two different religions. For the sake of keeping everyone happy, the empire long deemed the holiday as two days, with two different celebrations, and since the Queen of the Magi now resided at the Imperial Palace, the celebration took place at the North Tower.
The empress watched the events from her window, a bonfire surrounded by singing and dancing as people cut down various trees to bring inside. The concept was to bring the "outside" in and decorate with greenery to remind oneself of hope and happiness in the midst of winter. Although it had yet to snow, the custom was very… sweet.
Catira led the youth around the trees surrounding the tower as they fed the trees and placed garland of fruit and nuts for the birds to forage in the cold. Soraya couldn't help but smile at the queen as she told stories to teach everyone of the meaning of their celebration for the longest night.
"…So we kindle the fire the entire night until she sun is reborn the next day."
"Do you stay up the entire night, your majesty?"
"I did before I became the princess, but tonight Priestess Nala is tasked for this special occasion."
Suddenly, Lord Nolan appeared and pulled the queen aside to whisper in her ear. "His Imperial Majesty would like to join the festivities this evening, My Queen."
"And what's stopping him?" she looked around for a moment until she caught his eyes from the doorway of the North Palace.
"He does not wish to draw attention to himself…"
"Understood," she noticed that he was without his guard. "Cast a transmutation spell and change his features. He can be a visitor from Kalan this evening."
"As you wish," he bowed before dashing back to the doorway.
She smiled as she turned toward the bonfire, taking in the crisp evening air and the smell of the burning wood. Fire and air were once again mingling on this night and she had a feeling it would continue to do so.
"My Queen," the emperor, in the form of a man with ginger hair and dark eyes, bowed before her. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized that the ruler of the Navan Empire was in fact bowed at her feet.
"Welcome, traveler. Please help yourself to the food and wine prepared in my kitchen to celebrate the longest night."
"Would you mind showing me around your home? I've never been inside before."
"Of course," she allowed him to take her hand as they walked through the open door. They walked to the kitchen where she poured him a mug of mulled wine before taking a drink of her own.
"You do exchange gifts on this night, yes?"
"We do," she spoke slowly.
"Good," he produced a box from behind his back.
"That's sneaky," she held out her hand as a small brown packet wrapping in red ribbon appeared. "This is for you."
"Ah. Thank you," he smiled as they exchanged their gifts. He watched as she opened the box to find a holly wreath tiara that seemed to be extremely old.
"Aiden," she gasped in surprise. "It's beautiful."
"I've been spending a lot of time in the royal vault, looking for things I thought you might like. I believe this piece is over 200 years old," he took it from her hands and placed it on her head. "See? Perfect."
"Thank you."
He smiled before opening his to find a sprig of mistletoe. "The plant that blossoms even during winter. It is supposed to bring good luck."
"Among other things," she smirked at him.
"Such as?"
"Fertility and vitality."
"I appreciate your concern for my progeny," he laughed at her. "Will you attend the Holy Night Ball tomorrow evening?"
"My ladies spoke to the empress' ladies to ensure we didn't choose the same color."
"Red is the empress' signature color. She looks very good in red."
"Then I shall stick to green," she nodded humbly.
"Please do," he handed her his empty mug, which she gladly refilled for him.
"You know, you should take advantage of your disguise to actually have fun. You need to let loose for once," she glanced over his shoulder and pursed her lips before leaning in closer. "If you wish to be discreet in your visits with me, watch yourself around the eldest of my housemaids, Alma. She is a spy for Her Majesty."
He cocked his eye while smiling. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
"My ladies are constantly running her off from places she has no business… such as my bedchamber."
"That's interesting… the only Alma I am aware of is a noble widow who frequents the empress' tea parties."
"I do nothing I am ashamed of or should be hidden, other than matters of state. I see no issue in her running my goings on back to her master at the moment, so long as the consequences of our… relations…"
He gently placed his finger over her lips and smiled. "It is my responsibility to handle the repercussions of my actions."
She searched his eyes for a moment before pulling away. "We should rejoin the festivities."
"I agree," he reached out to take her hand and pulled her out to the bonfire.
As the night drew on, a pair of strangers watched from the Empress' Gardens, in awe of the entire event.
"I didn't write this," she murmured. "It was in my notes, but… I think… could that be the emperor dancing with Catira?" she whispered.
"He looks like a random man, My Lady," her valet sighed.
"I wrote everything about these people, and yet Queen Catira is more beautiful than I ever imagined. The light of the bonfire reflects off her skin as the sun reflects off the moon… I need to write that down."
"If you are caught spying on any royal, I fear our time here at the palace will end poorly," Scott warned her.
"Okay," she gave in. "Tomorrow at the ball… if I don't wake up by then, I want to have as much fun as possible. I will speak to my characters and see what they want to happen in their story," she nodded as though she had made up her mind. "I need for my characters to write their story. That's what I'm here for."
"And I hope you succeed, My Lady," he led her back toward the Southern Palace.
Back at the bonfire, the night waned on until the exhausted and inebriated began to stagger off, signaling the end of the party. Ever the hostess, the queen saw her guests off until only her staff and the stranger remained.
"As often happens, all good things must come to an end," Catira curtseyed to him. "I suggest you search your pockets once you arrive at your quarters. "I do hope you're able to greet the sun properly dawn."
"And you as well, My Queen," he once again knelt before her and kissed her hand. "I have quite enjoyed celebrating the Longest Night with you. Good evening."
"And to you," she watched him walk off before turning to enter the tower.