"The gift from king Sharchan." The spidery servant brought a neat packet on a silver platter to Sienna again. Sienna sighed and opened the silken wrap. Everyone was watching again. A golden snake goblet showed up."This one is at least gold, not so poor as Tiger King's gift. But given Snake King's wealth is embarrassing."Thurssa scoffed again and tell the servant to show it around. Everyone frowned. It was really a very small gift from the king who can hear the gold sing to him.
Then Sienna pick it up again. She looked inside the goblet and read aloud."Drink your tears to my health."She felt a flinch in her heart, this was cruel, even from him. She felt a bit of rage deep inside. Yes, she asked them for parting gifts, but this was too embarrassing. Do they really hate her or what? She suddenly felt insecure about their love for her. "That letter must hurt them a lot," she sighed in her mind.
"Well proper parting present.How rude."Thurssa noted."Anyway, your tears belong to me now, only I can drink them. What a disastrous gift". He shook his head. Sienna placed the golden goblet on the table." When I finish the ceremony, please let's melt it." She said sadly. Then she stretched her hands and started to recite;
"His rudeness will hurt my heart no more, as this goblet will melt away, so my heart will melt my feelings for the crude king. The cage of the serpent will not keep me inside the darkness, away from silver bells of songs. Have your gold sing to you instead of me, you cruel Snake King."
Thurssa looked at her curiously."What an interesting poem. Did Snake King really lock you into the golden cage? "
"The cage of iron, with gold roses will hold my tears no more, as the blue fire burned in rage, eating possession of the one so cruel. Three roses bear the secret door which let me to freedom, leaving king for a fool."
Everyone looked at her confused. Only Thurssa could understand her poems.
Sienna nodded. But looked at others and gave Thurssa a secretive look." She wants to tell me in private." he thought. Let's open the last present."Thurssa was elated.
"The present from king Sarcos."Two spidery servants pointed to a big statue covered in red silk. Sienna pulled down the fabric and a majestic scorpion statue with golden decorations graced the room. It was truly a piece of art.
"This one look quite nice, of course, king Sarcos's gift. Maybe we can place it in the gardens? " Thursa approved noddingly. Sienna looked at the statue and held her hand on it. Her heart felt sweet and she smiled sadly. This must be her Trojan Horse. She had to have it in her room. She walked around the statue and said;
"A statue worthy of the big king, made of stone is strong, but are not the tears more powerful? Does not water crumble the stones of the mountain? So my tears will crumble this statue to free my heart for you."Sienna smiled at Thurssa."Please my king, let me have these gifts for three days, for my parting ceremony."
Thurssa nodded and sent servants to take the gifts to her room.
Sarcos was inside of the statue and listening to everything that Sienna said. He was so surprised at her ability to make poetry on the spot. He was secretly happy Sienna did not like Tyrell's and Sharchan's gifts. Her poems were way too much hard on them than on him. And he smiled in satisfaction."Thurssa was right. Their gifts were embarrassing!"
Madame sent one of the concubines away with a wicked smile. She come back shortly with a fake smile on her face and went to kneel in front of Sienna.
"Allow us one more parting gift my queen, as you do not wish to be part of the harem as well," and gave her a small packet.
Thurssa was curious and looked at Sienna unwrapping it.
Sienna opened it and it was full of small iron nails.
"You can use it with that hammer sad queen," madame bowed and laughed loudly and everyone in the room giggled as well. They found it funny. Sienna found it a bit funny too, but when she looked at Thurssa, he was getting upset and his face darkened dangerously. Sienna reached to his arm, "My king, please let me thank the concubines for their gift."
Thurssa looked at her curiously and nodded. He wanted to see what Sienna will do.
Sienna stood up and looked at the people laughing faces."To think you can mock me with your gift just prove your small-minded crudeness. Let me show you how small nails can be used to create beauty with a poetic soul and artist's heart." Then she turned to Thurssa."My king, may I ask please for a small wooden desk and reel of silver thread?"Sienna asked. Thurssa looked at her curiously. Sienna sat on the small chair. When they brought her the desk, she hammered the nails inside quickly into a star shape. "Then she took the silver thread and laced it up to look like a silvery star.
" What is it for? "Thursa asked.
"It is a decoration for the wall, my king." she said and sent a servant to show it around." Thurssa clapped his hands, "Marvelous. You used the rude hammer and crude nails to create something beautiful. But what do you tell me about the silvery star my darhling?" he asked her. Sienna smiled at him and recited, moving poetically;
"Every star above is born from shimmering matter, it grows and lives and shines. Bringing joy divine. Her silvery heart will one day shatter and she descent on us all. Granting one wish to those who witness her fall. With a burning tail in her last breath, she astonishes the world."
"Oh, lala, you are astonishing my queen, just like the sparkling star." Thurssa nodded. Then he stood up and offered Sienna his hand."Now come, let's go dance my darhling."
Sienna took Thurssas's hands and looked into his eyes. "It seems his affectionate speech depends on his mood rather than his personality," she thought.
The slow music started to play and Sienna felt Thurssa's hand holding her tight. She was not flinching much today. He seemed more human to her after she spent all morning with him. Truth is, she still saw him as a predator, but her mind fell somehow asleep, getting used to his presence, following the sleepy tune of the music, she felt relaxed and her eyes closed for a sweet moment.
"You seem a bit tired, my darhling?"Thurssa looked at her closely.
"It was a busy day my king."Sienna smiled, "But your presence is refreshing as the mountain spring with sparkling water, which sings the songs of freedom."
Thurssa looked at her. The poetic words just flow freely from her mouth like it was not a hard work of scholars to create perfectly matched verses, hard to think about.
He tightened the grip on her waist, "I can feel your heartbeat so strongly without the corset, and the way you move is entertaining my imagination. I do like this dress on you, is pure and alluring alike. I think of how can I have you sooner in my arms."Thurssa whispered in a dangerously low voice.
At this moment Sienna went completely sober. And awoke from her sleepy state abruptly.
"Please, let me finish the parting ceremony, my king. I want all the space in my heart to be filled with the sweet notions of you only."She smiled.
Thurssa suddenly scooped her up into his arms and looked into her blue eyes dominantly."My queen Sienna. I'm burning in passion for you. I want your heart, your soul and your body. I want to possess you all. Go to your room now and finish your ceremony, but if I see you running around again, I will not guarantee you, that I will hold myself any longer by the alluring sight of you."
Sienna nodded her head lightly. "Thank you, my king. I will do as you say."She was thinking he will put her down and let her go, but instead, Thurssa just left the ballroom with her in his arms. Everyone stopped dancing and stood speechless. Sienna just held her head up and pretend she did not see them. She felt like Thurssa's lapdog or a white cat the villains like to pet in the movies.
Thurssa carried her to her room. He felt her body in the thin silk dress so close, that it was making his blood boil and he was reluctant to let her go. The gifts were already placed in the middle of the spacious pink room. Thurssa sat on the bed with Sienna still in his arms." How beautiful are your golden hair, how soft your pale skin, how pink your full lips. Don't make me wait longer, Sienna." he leaned to her and kissed her cheek slowly. Sienna held his shoulder lightly and pressed her hand on his cheek, trying not to-touch his extra set of eyes which seemed too close right now. "Just wait a bit more my king, so our love will be sweeter and alone. Even the best wine needs its time to mature, so please be patient with my heart."
Thurssa looked at her. He stood up a bit upset." I give you tonight then, but be careful,so I do not see you outside of this room."He picked up the beautiful pink vase and smashed it on the floor. Sienna flinched and watched him leave her room in hurry, slamming the door behind him." I need to get out of here."She panicked as she saw his unusual temper.