Nyx
A few days pass until I see the Prince again. There is something suspicious about him, about the way he carries himself. Like a dark presence amidst the pink and white trees that decorate the Court, like shadow that looms. Of course, he looks like the rest of Leptirae nobility, dressed in bright fabrics, with huge butterfly-like wings. Still, there is a dark gleam in his eyes, and I have never seen him smile.
I feel like he has something on his mind. I'm just not sure what.
Best to keep an eye on him.
I sigh as I watch the guards do their flight practice. I can't join in. Yes, fine, I admit it: it pierces my heart that I cannot.
"Jealous?" Aspen laughs as he lands next to me.
"What? No, not at all," I scoff. "I like the ground just fine, thank you."
"Then what's got you so gloomy?"
Oro looks at us, thinking he can fly back down.
"Two more laps!" Aspen yells, and then turns his attention back to me. "You are wearing quite a long face today, rookie."
"Well la-di-dah. I always wear it."
"Not like this."
I groan. One of the most annoying things about fae is that they sure are a nosy bunch. If only I could fly, I'd quickly dash off outta this situation. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here, doomed to listen to Aspen's over caring voice as he pokes and prods at my insides.
"That right there," I nod towards the Prince who is walking through the gardens. "That's what worries me."
"Prince Tasht?"
"Don't you think he carries himself a bit… weird?"
Aspen shrugs. "It's not my place to think."
I know he is lying. His eyes and mind are too bright and filled with wits that he wouldn't notice what's going on. His duties are much more than just a fitness trainer.
"I like how adept Zmian tongues are at lying," I snort.
He just smiles. "Leave the nobility to be. Do something useful instead. Kora is fixing the equipment, for example."
"I'm not fixing the fucking equipment."
And so I ended up fixing the equipment.
Aspen chased me away with his spear and pointed me to the shed, to pick up some tools and get to work. With a groan and lots of complaining I at last obeyed and grabbed some shields and swords and spears to brandish. Seriously, why aren't the servants doing this? I am a guard, dammit! Yet nobody treats me with any respect.
I take a seat next to Kora.
"Hey."
"Hello."
It's a bit awkward after… well, the whole Princess Cybelia deal.
"So. You and Princess-" I begin but she quickly clamps her hand over my mouth.
"Not that loud!"
Of course Cybelia told her I had to keep guard.
Kora immediately straightens herself and removes her hand. "You never know who may listen," she mumbles.
"And who may that 'who' be?" I raise my eyebrow. "The Prince?"
Kora flusters. "Well aren't you perceptive."
"If you plan to be mean to me I am ratting out both you and the Princess."
Kora looks at me, startled. I just give her an impassive look. Oh, I am not above doing that, but I think they are more useful to me this way. I have no plans on getting involved into things that I don't need in my life. For example, being questioned about their relationship and what not.
"Yes. Him. He wants to separate us. He's really pushing for the marriage with Lord Udvar."
"Ah. I see. And you do not fancy that."
"Not particularly."
"And I assume you fancy the possibility of returning your throne?"
If looks could kill, I'd be lying dead in place.
"How dare you!?" She jumps on her feet. "I love her! Truly so!"
"Hey, hey. None of my business." I raise my hands in defense. "Just wondering. Not like I would care if you were in it for your own gain either. I prefer when nobody comes into my way."
"And what is your way? You always slither around like you are this so troubled and mysterious dark hero or whatever! Nobody even knows what you really want!"
"Well, I want an access to the Dryad library." I cross my legs and look at her.
She seems shocked.
"It's the price of my silence."
"I don't have access to it!"
"Well, of course you don't. Not as a runaway, at least. You are a part of royalty, I'm sure the priestess would allow you access."
There are a few big libraries in Vilaria. Of course, the biggest one is held in the Court of Stars and Moons, but that's way out of my reach. The other is in mythical sunken city of Potop, in the Undine court. But Dryads also have a library - a huge thing hidden somewhere in the forest, where they keep their knowledge of herbs and cures. They are a healing tribe after all, adept at magic, surpassed only by Lunarie. Well, nobody knows what Lunarie actually do.
But while Lunarie deal in magic, Dryads deal in healing and in herbs, potions, cures, ointments. No surprise there - they are forest-dwellers after all. If anyone knows secret to a cure for my condition, it should be them.
"I don't plan to return there."
"Not without a nice Princess at your arm at the very least, right?" I grin.
"You have it all wrong."
"Do I now."
"Yes," she stands up and shoots me with a look, "you are a miserable person, Nyx, with no belief in love or hope. You think everyone is out to get something. I pity you."
With that she storms off.
I click my tongue.
The things she said do not bother me.
Really, they do not.
"Nyx?" Yvress laughs and hangs a flower crown around my head. "Do you know what your problem is?"
"Oh, do enlighten me."
"I can't. You cannot see the light. That's your problem."