Aru’kas

  The small rowboat carved a trail through the pink canal, the fallen petals swirling with each disturbance caused by the oars.

  Yzah pulled back the embroidered sky blue veil, letting it fall around her shoulders. The older Aru’kasii man rowing the boat paid her no attention as she sank back onto the large silk cushion, her gaze wandering into the treetops above. Sturdy retaining walls of irregular cut stone rose either side of the canal, behind which the cherry trees grew, forming an arch of blossom above.

  With the dappled sunlight dancing on her face, Yzah closed her eyes, wriggling further into the cushion. This moment. This perfect moment. A moment where she need not think of anything, of anyone, and not of having to endure more of it this morning.

  Another hand intertwined with hers. Her eyes opened, glancing to the right, meeting a pair of eyes as brown as her own. Matem was smiling back at her, propped up on one elbow with his head of dark curls resting in his hand. It was causing his crown to sit lopsided.

  Yzah rolled onto her side, facing him. His white robes were becoming increasingly dotted with stray petals.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked, reaching up and trying to correct the engraved golden band on his head.

  “I’m thinking—”he pursed his lips, his eyes darting around before settling back on her “—about how there’s no one else I would rather be here with.”

  Yzah chuckled, rolling back over.

  “It’s true!” Matem continued, “However, I’m also thinking that perhaps after the wedding we could come back here the following spring. I’m sure Queen Loren would be happy to host us again.”

  “I doubt that.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Matem frowned, “Why?”

  “They hate me.”

  “Who? The Aru'kasii?”

  “No, not them—” Yzah risked a glance at the rower, who remained impassive “—the others, at the dinner last night.”

  “I seem to recall them congratulating us…?”

  “I wouldn’t call it congratulating—” sunlight flooded her eyes as they exited the tunnel of cherry trees into more open water. Yzah pushed herself up off the cushion, pulling her veil back over her dark hair. The mid morning sun was getting just a little too strong to be soothing.

  “Well…” Matem also sat up, placing a hand on her shoulder, “if they ever get to decide who they marry, then we shall congratulate them too.”

  Yzah offered a weak smile. After a night of hollow formalities and backhanded compliments, they were invited to join Queen Loren and her brother this morning for tea. She turned her attention to their destination— a small island surrounded by a lower retaining wall, overflowing with white cherry blossoms. It sat a little further out in the lake than the other islands of the palace and inner city. Out across the water the outer city rimmed the shoreline, spreading up into the mountains that cut into the horizon on all sides. A natural fortress, the only way to take it would be a direct assault on the valley entrance to the north…

  She almost smiled at her thoughts running wild. This kingdom was not the assignment. Her assignment was in love with her. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, returning the smile that he offered her in response.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, “This morning will be a chance to relax.”

  Sodden white petals drifted past as they neared the edge of the garden island. The rower brought them alongside a small jetty, before stepping out and kneeling beside the boat so he could hold the edge steady.

  Matem exited first, then offered his hand to Yzah.

  After accepting Matem’s help out of the boat, Yzah thanked the rower, who simply offered a quick bow in response. He promptly returned to the boat and began rowing back in the direction of the palace.

  A path of stepping stones led from the jetty to a small teahouse in the middle of the garden.

  As Matem set off, Yzah allowed her hand to slip from his grasp.

  He turned back, “Is something wrong?”

  “Should we have brought some of the guards with us?” Yzah asked, looking back at the rower who had essentially stranded them.

  Matem’s voice lowered, “Do you feel unsafe here?”

  “My concern is Queen Loren. She has the rulers of three other kingdoms here at once. It would be a perfect opportunity—”

  “Stop,” —Matem placed his hands on her shoulders— “I appreciate you thinking about these things, but she wouldn’t dare. Her and Queen Makeena may as well be sisters, and Makeena is in turn good friends with King Ayzel.”

  “And where does that leave us?”

  Matem glanced back at the teahouse, then let his hands fall from her shoulders, taking both her hands in his, “That will depend on how cordial we are this morning.”