Lotus Blossoms - Part Two

       “He’s so handsome, and sweet, and kind, and giving, and I think I am in love already, Pry!” Charday stood on a small box, as they dressed her in her wedding gown. “Yesterday, when he taught me to ride a horse, he was so patient. Even when I was terrified, he didn’t let go until I was ready.” She sighed, and looked over at Pryene.
      Her guard wore a dark red ball gown with white lace trimming, the square cut chest showing her cleavage, more so then her normal clothing did. Her hair was curled and pink roses strewed about within the locks. The green see through fabric that covered her arms, draped down towards her feet.
      “I am so excited, Pryene. You in a dress, me getting married. What a beautiful new life I have.”
      “Don’t get use to it.” Pryene mumbled, as a servant placed a white headpieces with a white silk tail onto Charday’s head, it was mostly to keep her hair up.
      “Pry, just for one day, you promised remember? Be civil and courteous, please?” Charday stuck out her bottom lip, as a servant girl helped her down from the box.
      “I remember, and I always keep my word.”
      The princess smiled, “Last night over dinner, Edric told me what you did to poor Adrian. I think you should apologize.”
      Pryene tried to hide both her shock and irritation, “He treated me in a most ignoble way, I shall not apologize. He received the punished that he deserved.”
      “And how was it that he acted ignoble?”
      “I would rather not say, it is… embarrassing.”
      Charday raised an eyebrow, “You embarrassed? Now, I must know!”
      “He touched his lips to my own without my permission, and he was man handling me!” Pryene didn’t mean to yell, but the more she spoke the angrier she became.
      The princess looked shocked for a moment, then a coy grin built upon her face. “He kissed you?”
      “I would hardly call it a kiss, as brief as it was.”
      She giggled.
      “It isn’t humorous either, Charday. I am a Zsusanu, I don’t need some human fawning over me. In order to ensure that my oath be uphold, I must bare the child of pure Zsusanu lineage.”
      Her smile faded, “I still think leaving him in the sun, though extremely amusing, was cruel. He deserves an apologize, you really did hurt his pride, though he is too full of pride to admit it.”
      “Perhaps then, he will think twice before acting so uncouth again.” Pryene stood straight, as she had formerly been leaning against the wall.
      A servant offered her a bundle of pink flowers, and gave another bundle of white flowers to the princesses.
      “Just remember to walk behind me and stand to the left when we get to the alter.” Charday reminded her, “Oh, and take my flowers too.”
      Pryene reached for them.
      “Not now, when we get to the alter.” She sighed. “You would think you’ve never been to a wedding before.”
      “Not one that I had to stay awake for.” Pryene replied, and followed behind her as they exited the cathedral’s changing room.
      Music began to play, as they made their way down the isle. Pryene and the other servants walked slowly behind the princess. Edric stood at the front with Adrian at his side, and the pews were filled with people that Pryene hadn’t even met. Anyone of them could of easily been a spy or assassin and Pryene wasn’t in the position to protect anyone.
      Reaching the front of the cathedral, she took the princess’ flowers and stepped to the left. The priest began his ritual, and for the first time, Pryene attempted to listen. Her eyes wandered ahead of her, where she found Adrian. He smiled at her, a gleam of wonder in his eyes. Pryene jerked her eyes and head downward, as her cheeks began to fill flushed. She prayed that it had gone unnoticed by the knight.
      Looking up, she kept her gaze between Charday, the priest, and Edric. She could feel Adrian’s heated stare, though internally she joked to herself about it being his sun burn.
      “Then ladies and gentlemen of the court, may I now present to you; Prince Edric and Princess Charday Orador of Goutine!” The priest declared.
      The two newly weds turned to wave at the crowd, and began their way down the isle to the carriage that awaited to take them to the castle. Pryene followed behind them, and nearly jumped out of her skin when Adrian forced her to take his arm and walk with him.

      Outside the cathedral, the bells rang, letting all the people of Goutine that their prince had just been wed. Pryene could hear the cheers, and some of the people awaited outside to throw rose petals at the newly weds. This was hardly what Pryene would call a secure setting, and she became even more flustered when Adrian and she took a different carriage then Charday.
      “The maiden of honor and the best man are suppose to walk out together, and ride behind them.” Adrian informed her, when they got in the carriage, and he noticed her confused eyes.
      “I was not notified of this arrangement.” Pryene looked out the carriage window.
      He grinned, remember the blush on her face inside the cathedral. It had returned now that they were alone in the carriage together. “You look quite lovely today, Pryene.” Speaking her name felt strange.
      “I know.” She growled, keeping her eyes outside the carriage.
      He chuckled, “And with that loveliness comes the vanity that every beautiful woman keeps close to her heart. I am glad to see that you too possess it.”
      She turned her eyes away from the window and towards Adrian’s green eyes. “Vanity, you say?”
      “Uh, I meant no offense. It was merely a jest. One I did not think through before saying, forgive my hasty words.”
      Her eyes remained deadlocked with his for several moments. He could the thoughts fly past her eyes as she stared at him.
      “I am sorry for leaving you out in the sun.” Pryene said suddenly, “Had I known that you burned so easily, I would have helped you to stand.”
      Adrian smiled, “It was already forgotten, and I did not burn. Just reddened, it’ll be a tan in a couple days.” He poked himself in the face, “See doesn’t even hurt… well the poking did, but not because of the burn… or the red, eh…”
      “I understand.” She waved her hand to stop him from explaining himself further, before looking out the window. She hoped that would be the last of their conversation.
      Moving from the seat across from her to the one beside her. “Why won’t you tell me anything of the Zsusanu? Don’t tell me that you don’t have time, or because you have to live a certain way to be Zsusanu. That isn’t the truth.”
      Pryene felt his thigh against her own, she turned her eyes to him. Like Edric, he was wearing a dark frock and leggings. Adrian looked nothing like the knight she had grown accustom to seeing the past couple of days. The clothing made him look larger, and more muscular. “Because you aren’t Zsusanu.”
      Her words stopped his breath, “I thought you said anyone could become Zsusanu, even Charday.”
      “Anyone could live a Zsusanu’s way of life, but to teach you the deep meaning, the truth of my people would do them a disservice. Besides are we really talking about teaching you the Zsusanu teachings or why I am not accepting of your childish courting ritual?” Pryene spoke the words, and then remember that Charday had ordered her to be kind. “I’m sorry, my words came out harsher then I had wanted.”
      The carriage bounced, “I am one fourth Zsusanu.” He said ignoring her question.
      “And three fourths human, you are not Zsusanu.”
      “Yeah, well then what am I? Because humans say I am Zsusanu, and here you are telling me that I am human.”
      Pryene stayed silent as she thought over his question, “I do not know, which do you feel is more closely related to the person you are?”
      “How do I know if I have never been exposed to the Zsusanu?”
      “Then I would assume that makes you human.” Her view reverted back outside the window.
      Adrian caught her chin with two fingers and pulled her face back to look at him. “My father was half Zsusanu, he died protecting his people from brigands when I was very young. He never got a chance to teach me of that part of my heritage. I can’t help but wonder if maybe I crossed paths with you so I could learn. The chances of me meeting a Zsusanu this far south are thin.”
      Pryene could feel his breath on her cheek as he spoke, it sent a wave of uneasiness down her spine. “I am an apprentice of the Zsusanu way at best, not a master. I am not fit to teach you anything, knight. Nor would I know where to start in your unusual case. I do not believe that you actually want to live this life style, and you are only curious of our history. You live like a human, so call yourself human.”
      When she began to turn her head, he dropped his forehead to her own. “And what is the Zsusanu ways were what I was meant to live?”
      “They aren’t. You are ashamed of that part of your heritage, perhaps because of the humans that surround you now or as a child.”
      He scowled, “I am not ashamed of it.”
      “Then why do you cut the white path of hair? Do you even know what that means?”
      He stared into her eyes, believing that he was about to receive his first lesson.
      “Female Zsusanu grow their white patches on the top of their head, males at the back. The more in touch you are with your inner being, and the Zsusanu way of life the larger the surface the white hair covers. If you let that part of your blood go, the white hair will disappear altogether.” She tried to shake her head to break his hold on her forehead, but it remained. “If I taught you, then that patch would grow if you accepted the teachings. You do not wish this, and that is what I truly meant when I said you were not Zsusanu.”
      He was silent for several long minutes, and when he hoped his mouth to finally speak, the carriage came to a stop. They were in front of the castle now, and their conversation would have to be put off for another time.

      Inside the ballroom, Pryene found herself a nice corner to hide in. She never liked large celebrations, but more importantly she felt insecure. It was impossible to keep her eyes on Charday, and the princess refused to let her follow behind her. Charday demanded that she enjoy herself and act like a lady on her wedding day.
      Of course, this brought on another set of problems all together, as she was obviously Zsusanu, so no one was willing to treat her as a lady. She was a savage to these people, not a respected race like she was in the north.
      Adrian had been snatched away from her by a dark haired woman, the moment they entered the ballroom. He had kept a hold of her fingertips, but she had allowed him to slip away. In truth, she preferred it this way. At least now, she could gaze around the room to find any defense weaknesses.
      As she surveyed the room, she realized how many people she didn’t know. In Aluke, she hardly ever set eyes upon a stranger inside the castle, and when she did, they wouldn’t remain strangers for long. Mostly because her mother was outgoing, especially for a Zsusanu. Her father would often grumble about how his wife always made best friends with everyone she met, though it really was what he loved about her. That reason alone was why he had chosen her as a wife, even though the reasons grew every day he was with her.
      Her eyes fell upon Adrian on the dance floor, he was holding a woman within his embrace. She guessed that to be Karessa. The woman was very attractive with black hair, blue eyes, and a small, thin frame. The Zsusanu women could not be considered small, though they were still shorter then most human males. They, like their men, had toned muscles that were thought of by humans to be masculine in shape. Though Pryene had kept an hourglass figure for the most part.
      The music came to a stop, and the woman in Adrian’s arms shoved him away before joining another group of women. Pryene placed her eyes on Edric and Charday, who had begun to dance with the new song. A large chest dressed in a frock blocked her view, along with a gentle smile.
      “Would you grant me this dance?” Adrian offered out his hand.
      “No.” Pryene pressed herself against the wall to show her determination.
      He arched an amused eyebrow, “Is it just me that makes you hostile or do you just dislike everyone?”
      “What do you mean?” She asked looking down to the goblet in his hand.
      He offered it to her and she rejected it with a shake of her head, “I mean you never seem to be in a pleasant mood, and I wish to know if my presence is what places that mood upon you. And if so, what can I do to remedy that?”
      “What does it matter?”
      “I already told you, I want to become your friend. Edric and Charday will not need our services as often as they have before, and it would be a shame to stand alone during those times.”
      She squinted one eye at him, “I am not afraid of being alone, knight. Perhaps, your female companion could be of service to you during that time.”
      He couldn’t of been certain, but he thought he had heard a slight quiver of jealousy in her voice. It brought a smile to his face, “My female companion thinks showing me her favor will gain her sympathy among the upper class women… and it does.”
      “How?”
      “Because they believe that the poor girl can do no better then a mixed breed, and so they invite her to social gatherings, and purchase her items that she lusts over.” He sipped from his goblet.
      “And you allow her to use you in this manner?”
      “Like you said earlier, I am not Zsusanu nor am I human, and therefore finding a wife is a challenge for me.”
      “Yes, well, in order for me to find a life partner, I must have several males come to me down here. However, just because it is difficult, doesn’t mean I will bond with the first man to make the journey.”
      Suddenly, Adrian was the one who was jealous. “Your people in Zsusa… they will send men down here to wed you?”
      She gave a gentle nod, “There are not many of our people left, those who travel far from our country normally breed with humans, like your father… or rather his Zsusanu parent, that would be more accurate.” She looked up from her hands at him, “They want to ensure that our race continues onward, and many young Zsusanu males are without a life bond partner.”
      He nodded before dropping his head, “Am I anything like a Zsusanu, will you answer me that? Or am I completely like that of a human?”
      Pryene gave a rare grin, “Yes, I have seen some Zsusanu traits in you.”
      Looking up from the floor, he waited for her to finish her response.
      “For instance, Zsusanu are very affectionate with both those familiar to them and those who are not. You often touch the people that you are speaking with, a common trait, though I am sure it’s learned and not passed through the blood. Same with your persistence, male Zsusanu can be quite hard to discourage with good reason.”
      “Yes, Charday mentioned that females send the males away in order to test them.” After he spoke, he wished he could take back the words. She looked at him with widened eyes.
      “Charday needs to learn that not all knowledge should be shared.” No wonder the man had constantly returned, he must of thought she was testing his perseverance.
      “There you are, love!” Karessa took Adrian’s arm. “The ladies have asked me to bring you to them.” She looked over to Pryene.
      “Karessa, this is Pryene, Princess Charday’s personal guardian.” Adrian introduced them.
      The soft looked on Karessa’s face hardened, “Oh, a savage from the north, how amusing.” She grinned, “Don’t you look adorable in our clothing, dear. It must feel strange to cover your body… you people do run around naked, don’t you?”
      Pryene didn’t reply, she had meant humans like this before, and it was better just to allow them their say.
      “Come then, dear.” Karessa pulled on Adrian, dragging him over to the group of women in a distant corner.

      Finding her way down the castle halls, Pryene left the celebration behind. She needed a moment to rest her senses and silence her thoughts. Adrian’s female had caused her some uneasiness that she knew would explode into anger if she met the woman again that evening. Zsusanu needed to control their emotions, and always be in control of their bodies. She felt vulnerable standing in the ballroom, and finally decided to remove herself from the situation. Knowing that she would have to apologize to Charday in the morning.
      Standing on a balcony that she had come across, she stared up into the sky. Her mind wandering among the stars for some time before she felt the presence beside her. “You do not give up easily.” She mumbled.
      Adrian grinned, “It’s the Zsusanu in me.” He followed her line of sight to the stars above, “If I grew out the white patch, would you teach me then?” She felt his warm hand rest gently atop of her own.
      She didn’t answer his question, just remained looking up into the heavens. After several moments, he removed his hand and dropped his head. “I have already started to teach you, whether you listen and learn is up to you, knight.”
      Adrian looked over to her, “Have you?”
      She turned her head to look at him, “You must teach yourself, by learning to listen past words and taking the knowledge offered to you behind them.”
      He stood straight, turning his body to face her.
      “I will warn you only once more, however. The more you learn from me, the larger your white patch will become. You’ll either have to display it proudly or shave your head.”
      Adrian nodded, “I am sorry for what Karessa said earlier, she…”
      “Do not apologize for someone else’s ignorance, nor be shamed by it. That is the very reason in which you hide your ancestry from these people. I will not be shamed because of who my people are.” She leaned her hip against the rail, and faced him. “And besides, she might of given me a pass to run around naked in her presence.”
      A smile played on his face, “I hope I am in attendance when that occurs.”
      “See the ignorance of others is fun, when you have someone to share it with.” Pryene smiled.
      It was the first genuine smile that he had seen upon her lips. He had wanted to make a jest about the alien facial feature, but his heart pounded too wildly to think of anything. “You should do that more often.” He finally caught his breath long enough to speak, reaching his hand up he ran it along her chin.
      “And you be less bold.” She smacked his hand down.
      He grabbed the hand that shooed away his own. “Trust me, Pryene, that was the least bold thing I thought of doing.”
      Narrowing her eyes at him, she frowned. “Do not be presumptuous, knight.”
      “Do you not know my name? Is that why you keep calling me that?”
      “I know your name well enough, but I have chosen not to use it.”
      She had never spoken his name, and it was beginning to irritate him. “Then what is it?”
      Pryene grinned, “You believe yourself to be clever, do you? Try to trick me into saying it, that will not be.”
      “I see, so you don’t know my name?” He spoke the words with a dare.
      She said nothing, just kept her eyes deadlocked on his, challenging him to back down. Her hand still in his own, he pushed it behind her, and came to stand in front of her. Pinning the woman between him and the railing, Adrian challenged her back with his eyes. Keeping his glance downward, he grinned as she stared back up at him.
      He enjoyed that she was not one to shy away from advances, and that she was too proud back down. It allowed him to intake his daily allowance of her touch with ease. Her skin touching his own always left a burning sensation that didn’t end until he was able to touch her next. It was a longing that began when he first looked up on, causing him on that first day to touched her nose, and now only two days later, he was already an addict.
      “Is this your attempt to intimidate, knight?” Pryene asked, her voice slightly shaken.
      “No, this is my attempt to make you speak my name, as well as touch you.” He felt her try to jerk her hand from his grasp, but in retaliation he grabbed her other hand. “Now, I have both of your hands as hostages, what shall you do now?” He mocked her.
      “I will ask you to unhand me, this is quite improper, don’t you think?” She yanked on her hands, but he didn’t let go.
      “When you say my name, I will.” Adrian kept eye contact with her, knowing that she would be to proud to give in to his demand.
      “Adrian.” She said immediately, and tried to pull away, but he did not release her. “I said your name, now let me go.”
      Perhaps, she wasn’t as proud as he thought. “I lied.” He hadn’t meant to say the words out loud, and was shocked when Pryene smirked at them.
      “I knew you were, but I trusted you anyway. Very clever, knight.” She saw the look in his eyes, he was going to try to kiss her again. “You lust after what can never be yours. Do not do what you are thinking of, least you destroy the friendship we have begun to build.” She spoke the opposite of what she truly felt, but these were not emotions that she wanted. Controlling them was a test to herself, and she would not be subjected to loss of self control, no matter how handsome of a form it came in.
      “You would not want me to?” Adrian asked.
      “No, do not do it.”
      He grinned, “I think you are the one lying now.”
      “And I think that if you ever want to truly understand the Zsusanu way, then you should begin to control your carnal urges. Self control is key, Adrian.”
      She called him by his name, sending a warm shiver over his body. “And how long would I have to control them?”
      “Until you met a mate willing to share in your lack of control.”
      “I think you do.”
      In truth, she would of loved to, but Zsusanu could spend years choosing a mate. She had known this man no longer then two and half days, and he wasn’t full bloodied either. If he did kiss her then she would allow it, and probably reciprocate, but guilt would soon follow. This was not the way she was taught her entire life to act. This was a test of herself, and she had to come out on top.
      “You presume to know my thoughts, and therefore you presume too much.” She retorted.
      “I do not presume to know your thoughts, Pryene. I can feel you pressing your body against mine.”
      She realized then that she was indeed, forcing herself against him. “I am tense, and determined to escape your clutches. Which I could do now by throwing you off the balcony if I so wished.”
      A wicked grin played on his face, “So, my life is at your mercy then?”
      “Will you just get off me? I tire of this game.”
      She shivered when he ran his lips tenderly across her own, though not allowing it to linger. It was as if he was testing her words to see if her reaction matched, it hadn’t. Pryene was at a loss for words, though her mind told her to shove him away.
      “Don’t do that.” She finally said, her voice husky.
      Ignoring her demand, he brought his lips down to her own, this time kissing her bottom lip. When he felt her body straighten taunt against his own, his kissed her top lip. He didn’t want to give her time to shift back into the disciplined warrior, so he nibbled softly on her bottom lip. Her mouth opened slightly, and her body tension eased.
      “If you want an intimate kiss, Pryene, you have to initiate it.” He mumbled in between kisses and nibbles. As much as he wanted to bring the kiss into full bloom, something told him that Pryene had to control the moment. If not, then she could say that she had never wanted it.
      She sighed audibly when he continued his onslaught of small, well placed kisses. He knew that she was close to giving in.
      “Adrian!” A feminine voice barked as the balcony doors blew open, revealing a dark haired woman.

      The woman’s voice snapped both him and Pryene from the lust induced states. Flipping around, he looked at Karessa, hands on her hips, and rage in her eyes. Immediately, Pryene gathered herself and shoved past the woman and out the hallway.
      “People could see you!” Karessa snapped, and yanked him into the hallway. Holding his hand, she dragged him through the halls until she found an empty servant’s room. Once inside, she shut the door. “Are you insane?”
      “I’m sorry, I didn’t…”
      “At least, when I take a lover I insure that no one sees us together! How dare you embarrass me in front of the ladies of the court!” She punched his chest.
      “When you take a lover? You sleep with other men?” His voice was shocked, he hadn’t even bedded her.
      She crossed her arms, “Of course, we both know that this relationship is but a front. You use to get my father to promote you, and I use it to gain ranking in society. When we are married, you can not be blatantly throwing your affairs in front of others.” She inhaled deeply, while she thought.
      Adrian was too stunned to say anything, he knew she didn’t really love him, but he had no idea that this whole thing was arranged. Her father liked him, and he had thought that she was with him under her father’s encouragement.
      “It’s alright, Adrian.” She laid her hand on his forearm, “I’ve known a couple men who were with another woman before their wedding, they were scared. We can just use that excuse, and say that the savage entranced you. They will understand, and everything will be alright.” She bit her lower lip, “Except, you haven’t asked me to marry you, so we will just say that you already have, and be surprised when people say they didn’t know.”
      “You… you will say nothing of the sort. I will not marry a woman like you. How… how dare you think that I could be used in this manner! And how dare you call Pryene a savage!”
      Karessa was not shaken by his words, “Do not play naïve with me, Adrian. We have both known this for a long time.”
      She was right, he had known, though he never wanted to admit it to himself. “Perhaps, I have, but I am afraid I can go on like this no longer, Karessa. I… I am taking the steps to live the way of the Zsusanu people, and…”
      “What by bedding one?” She snorted. “Don’t throw this away, Adrian. We have a good thing going here. You will become the captain of the guards when my father retires, I will receive high ranking from…”
      “And what of children, Karessa? How will I know any children that you birth will be mine?”
      She laughed, “Do you honestly want to have children, and force them to bare your burden?” She looked at the seriousness in his eyes, “Fine, I will not bring another man into my bed until after I have bared two of your children.”
      This conversation was all too familiar, he had once over heard his mother telling a friend of a similar situation that she had with his father. She had promised to bare three children for him, but he could never touch her again after the children were born. She would also be allowed as many lovers as she wanted.
      “You would hate them, because of their Zsusanu blood.”
      “I wouldn’t hate my own children.” She sighed, “Adrian, please. Let’s continue with what we’ve been doing, it can bring nothing but good things our way.”
      He crossed his arms, “I will have to think about it.” It was his lack of confidence that spoke, but he didn’t want to throw this away completely.
      “Fine, but if you do decide to, I expect you to come to my home when the ladies are present and beg for my forgiveness. Understand?” Before he could answer, she twisted around and headed out the door.
      Adrian fell to his knees for a brief moment, trying to clear his mind. Damn woman, acting as if he was an object to be used because of his blood. Perhaps he had feigned ignorance this whole time, but something deep down in him had wanted it to be real. Though, he never felt anything towards the woman. Karessa had been cold towards him since the day they met, even when he told her of her intentions to court her. She had agreed that a union between them would have it’s benefits, but he hadn’t expected this.
       Rubbing his hands over his eyes, he wiped away the frustrated tears. He wasn’t going to do this to himself, and he wished he had had the courage to send her away with a solid answer. With a hefty sigh, he stood from the ground. His mind wandered to Pryene, though not of what they had been caught doing. Instead he thought of her self-confidence, and how she seemed prepared to handle anything. He wanted to be like that, it was what attracted him to her.
      He wasn’t normally a man who would actively court a woman the way he had with her, but being around her made him assertive. He felt the courage and confidence flowing from her and into his own inner being. With another sigh, he released his frustrations, and decided that he would need another dose of her before the evening was over. Though, he didn’t want to seek her out immediately, going to his quarters, he had a bath prepared, and waited for the celebration in the great halls to end.

      Pryene leaned against the wall beside Edric’s bedroom door. She tried to keep her mind from Adrian, but it kept returning. No matter if she thought about battle strategies or even attempted to meditate, he would return. Her lips still felt the trace outlines of his kisses, though she repeatedly told herself that she had failed herself.
      He was a betrothed man, and he wasn’t Zsusanu. But what was even worse was that she had known the man for three days, what was she thinking? She was smarter and stronger then that. In Aluke, she had men offering themselves to her, and she never once fell to their charms. Even several Zsusanu that lived in and around the castle who had been relentless to gain her favor for years, never got as far as Adrian had. This was not like her, and she was not going to let it happen again.
      She decided that it had to be homesickness that was causing her to lose her focus. Clearing her throat, she checked to ensure that her weapons were in acceptable shape. She had removed her dress, and changed into her black leather attire once again. That was something else she blamed the kisses on, that damn dress, it made her feel like a helpless maiden. Now, she looked like a Zsusanu warrior and she felt like one as well.
      Propping her left foot against the wall, she leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. She really didn’t want to listen to any noises coming from the newly weds bedroom, and for the most part they were quite. Every couple of minutes, she would hear Charday giggle, or Edric mumble something inaudible. Had she strained, she probably could of understood him. She already knew that Charday would explain everything in the morning, and so she didn’t bother, not that she wanted to hear Charday’s tale come sun up.
      “There she is, the Zsusanu warrior. I saw this beautiful maiden in a dress at the wedding, looked just like you.”
      Pryene lifted her head, keeping her foot on the wall and her arms crossed. Her eyes met with Adrian’s as he took the position across the hall from her. “I am in no mood, knight.”
      He smirked, “Don’t you feel uncomfortable out here, knowing what they are doing in there?” His finger pointed towards the bedroom door.
      “No, it’s a natural thing. Besides in Aluke, me and my brother shared a room with our parents… well, until I started sleeping in the hall.”
      “Maybe that was the reason.”
      Pryene grinned, “Partly.” She sighed, “Did Karessa yell at you for long?” She cursed herself for bringing the subject up, but she had felt guilty about getting him into trouble.
      He shook his head, and leaned against the wall behind him. “Turns out, she is having affairs of her own, and is alright with me taking other women into my bed. Apparently, our relationship is merely to get us better social standing.”
      “How romantic.” Pryene said dryly, then laid her head back and closed her eyes.
      “Sarcasm from a Zsusanu? No.” He jested, she didn’t respond to his comment, and they remained silent for several moments. “You asleep?”
      “No, a damn knight keeps talking and waking me up.”
      “How do you sleep standing up? I can’t even sleep sitting up.”
      Pryene sighed, keeping her head back and her eyes closed. Her heart had pounded when she first heard his voice, but now it had returned to a normal rate. At least, she was in control of herself. “Speaking of sleeping, shouldn’t you be in your own room doing just that.”
      “Thought I would entertain you for the evening, and maybe finish what we started on the balcony.”
      That forced Pryene’s eyes to open, but it was too late. Somehow, Adrian had moved from across the hall to directly in front of her without making any noise. “Don’t touch me, Adrian. I am warning you, I am in no mood.”
      “And why not? You seemed to be enjoying yourself earlier?”
      She frowned, “Earlier, I had allowed my carnal desires to take control, it will not happen again, at least not with you. If you want a mistress to warm your bed, I suggest speaking with one of the castle’s servant girls. Many of them pray to the gods to be your lover.”
      He grinned, she was honest about her desires, though he hardly wanted to consider what they had done a mistake. “I don’t want a mistress. I severed my relationship with Karessa.” He looked into her silver eyes, and she back into his.
      “Well, congratulations, now leave me be. I won’t speak to you anymore.” Pryene laid her head back and closed her eyes again.
      “Why not, Pryene? Is it because you aren’t the image of Zsusanu perfection if you give into your feelings?” His questions went unanswered, “I know you feel the same for me as I do for you, even if you hide it better. You are no different then I am, hiding behind your mask of serenity and restraint.”
      He was trying to force her to defend herself, but Pryene refused to fall for his tricks. No more talking to him, it was already proving a way to get herself into trouble. She even kept her eyes shut, when he ran his hands over her crossed arms. She fought a shiver, when he kissed her jaw line and chin. She was winning this round, as determined as she was.
      Her eyes flashed open, when her wrists were grabbed and slammed above her head into the wall. It didn’t hurt, just shocked her. His body pressed against her own, forcing her foot from the wall. Had she perceived him as a threat, she would of easily dispatched of him. However, Zsusanu teachings taught that violence was always the last resort, even if she hadn‘t followed that particular rule the day before.
      She saw anger and frustration in his eyes, he didn’t like being ignored. That was something she learned upon first meeting him. A moment of satisfaction sparked in his eyes, when she finally looked upon him.
      “You need to learn that you can’t always get your way, knight.” She spat, before calming herself down.
      “Kiss me.” He demanded.
      Pryene laughed, “No.”
      “Kiss me like you were going to earlier.” There was a seriousness in his eyes that scared her briefly.
      “I said no.”
      Pulling them away from the wall, he slammed them back, hurting neither of them. “Don’t be so damn stubborn.”
      “I hardly know you, knight, nor do I want to choose you as my mate. So, please, stand down.” She had to swallow her heart back down. His demanding demeanor was not something she was use to, most Zsusanu males begged for her favor and attention. Strangely enough, she wanted to give into his demands.
      All aggression left his eyes, “Please, Pryene, please.” He begged, humbling himself in the process.
      He needed to know that someone could want him in more then just the way that Karessa did. In Pryene’s eyes, he thought he saw more then just selfishness. She was right though, they had known each other for such a short time. But already she had made him feel like he could aspire to be more then a mixed breed. More then just what everyone had told him his entire life that he could be.
      Pryene’s determination was replaced with sympathy, “I feel for you, Adrian, but this is not the answer. It will not make you loathe yourself any less tomorrow, it would be but a temporary thing.”
      Adrian swallowed, it was as if she had read his thoughts. “Then grant me a moment of relief from this burden I carry.”
      “You know that I can’t do this, if you want it so desperately, then you have to steal it from me.” It wasn’t a Zsusanu ritual, but instead a reasoning of her own. If she kissed him, then she would feel obligated to acknowledge not only her feelings, but the chance that he could be her life mate.
      He was stunned by her words, he hadn’t expected her to say such a thing. “Would you let me?”
      Pryene said nothing, only shuddered with anticipation as he pressed his body closer to her. He had read her look, and knew the answer to his question. Hovering his lips over her own, he stuttered in his decision to kiss her. As if he were afraid, he kissed her gently, but fully on the lips and then pulled away.
      He dropped her hands and cupped her face within his own, pulling her lips to him. Pryene gave no resistance, though she returned the kiss with as much passion as he put into it. Without warning, he plunged his tongue past her lips and tongue, causing Pryene to whimper and jump back slightly. He kept a firm grip, and continued to caress her inner softness with his tongue, coaxing her to become more aggressive.
      A deep moan forced it’s way from his throat, when she sucked eagerly on his tongue. He wished for her to touch him, but her hands remained planted at her sides.
      Pryene was fighting the urge to run her hands over his chest, as well as wrapping her legs around his waist. She hadn’t wanted to answer his kiss, but she tossed away her will the moment his lips touched her own. Several waves of heat ran through her body, each more fierce then the last every time Adrian moaned.
      He slid his hands behind her, one hand rested at the base of her neck, and the other at the base of her spine. Yanking her towards him, Pryene forgot her own resolution to not touch him. Her fingers intertwined with the fabrics on his chest, and even pulled on some of his chest hair underneath.
      Adrian whimpered every time one of his chest hairs was strained, but didn’t stop her. He knew that if he broke this kiss for any reason that it would all be over.

      A scream came from the bedroom beside them, followed by Charday calling out to her. Pryene shot her head over to the door, and pushed him off her. Slamming her hand against the door, she sent a loud bang of her presence at the door to those within.
      “Charday!” Pryene cried out.
      “Pryene!” Charday’s voice was full of tears, “He’s hurting me!”
      After a moment, the door opened with Edric holding his pants on. He wore no shirt or shoes, and looked just as baffled as Pryene and Adrian.
      Stepping into the room, Pryene looked at her ward who was covering her naked body with the bed sheets. “Pryene!” Charday cried, laying in the bed still.
      Afraid of what this was about, Pryene switched to speaking Zsusan so that the two men wouldn’t understand. “What has he done?”
      Charday answered back in Zsusan, “He hurt me!” She cried.
      “Hurt you, how?”
      Edric and Adrian were both surprised to hear the princess speaking the savage language.
      Charday didn’t answer, just cried.
      “Like how your mother and your chamber maid told you?” Pryene asked.
      Charday nodded her head violently and held out her hands for Pryene to hold her. “Protect me!”
      The Zsusanu tried not to grin, as she looked back at Edric. He looked frightened, embarrassed, and unsure of what to do. Pryene grinned at him, and he suddenly smiled back, leaving Adrian confused in the whole matter. That was until Edric whispered in his ear what the matter appeared to be, then he looked flabbergasted.
      “Charday, there is nothing that I can do. This is all part of becoming a woman and a wife, now apologize to Edric for embarrassing him.” Pryene still spoke in Zsusan.
      The language flowed so beautifully in the ears of the non-speakers, it wasn’t the savage words that they had been told all their lives the Zsusanu spoke.
      “But, Pryene!”
      “No, Charday, you will thank me in the morning. Though I will not thank you for dragging me into this situation. Now, apologize and return to your evening.” Pryene folded her arms, when Charday reached out for her.
      “Don’t leave me!” Charday cried in the common tongue, when Pryene turned to exit the room. “Pry! Please!”
      Pryene looked over at Edric, “You should have been more gentle.” She whispered, “And you should apologize as well, both of you causing a stir. You are lucky that all the servants on this floor didn’t come running to the door.”
      Edric bowed his head, both grateful for her help and embarrassed that she had ever been forced to enter the room.
      The door was shut behind the two, and Pryene pushed Adrian away when he tried to kiss her again. “Goodnight.” She snapped, and leaned against the wall.
      Adrian chuckled, “Well, that’s a story I won’t let him live down. You handled it well… at least, I think you did. What did you tell her?”
      “To stop being a big baby and to get on with her evening.” Pryene said.
      He grinned, “Sounded a lot prettier in Zsusan… you think you could teach me?”
      “What is with you and wanting to be taught by me?”
      Adrian chuckled, “Anything to spend more time with you, Pryene.”
      Her cheeks flushed, “You are incorrigible!” She stepped forward and pushed him back into the wall.
      They both shared a laugh, though Pryene was already feeling guilty about their shared experience. She knew then that it was time for her to begin picking a mate, she would send a message to her brother. He was heading to Zsusa in a couple of weeks, so perhaps he could pick the right men to come down here.
      Adrian cleared his throat, “So, are you? You know, untouched?”
      “Of course.” She answered it so confidently, that he was once again stunned. “Zsusanu mate for life. So, I would not be with a man unless I was bound to him, and I would expect the same from my mate.” Something told her that Adrian had invited women into his bed, and that this would surely detour him from anymore advances.
      “I see.” He answered, “Well, I need to go to bed. Early morning, goodnight.”
      “Goodnight.” She said leaning her head back, and closing her eyes for the final time that evening.

      To Charday’s surprise, Edric and Adrian left the next evening to travel to the distant city of Treyorn. It was their duty to create and sign a treaty with them and form an alliance for the ongoing war. Treyorn was once a part of the opposing side, though no one truly knew who they were fighting against or why. It seemed like the war had been going on for centuries, and in fact it had been nearly a hundred years.
      It seemed every decade new alliances were created with old enemies, and old allies became the new enemy. The only country that had not joined the war was Zsusa, and from the whispers in the air, that would be coming to an end.
      Charday cried most of the evening away, which gave Pryene time to write a letter to her brother. Once it was complete, she gave it to a messenger on their way to Aluke, as Charday had written letters to her family.
      “It’s not fair!” Charday screamed, when Pryene entered her bedroom.
      She had thrown a fit, her clothes were hanging out of the closest and some of the furniture was knocked over. Her ladies-in-waiting ran around the room trying to repair the damage, while Charday cried into her pillow.
      “That’s enough, Charday.” Pryene spoke in Zsusa, as she didn’t want the servants to know she was scolding the princess. “It’s Edric’s duty to forge these alliances.”
      “But we weren’t even married for an entire day yet!” She yelled this in the common tongue, but Pryene stuck with Zsusa.
      “He didn’t know that he would be sent out today either, he is just as disappointed, I am sure.” Pryene sat at the edge of the bed, and stroked Charday’s hair. “Now, all you doing is showing the house servants that you are a spoiled brat. You need to calm yourself.”
      She sniffled into her pillow, “Can we go catch fireflies?”
      Pryene chuckled, “There aren’t any fireflies this far south, Charday.” Besides it had been six years since they had last done that.
      With a deep breath, she sat up and looked into her guard’s silver eyes. Her own eyes were red from her tears, and her cheeks wet. “I just wanted to have him to myself for a little while, Pry.” She began to speak in Zsusa.
      Pryene continued to stroke her hair, “I know, I know.” She spoke softly, “But he can not help that his tasks take him elsewhere, when he returns I am sure he will lavish all of his attentions upon you.”
      Charday smiled, “When will that be?”
      “Two or three weeks from now.”
      Her smile quickly faded, “That’s a long time to wait for the return of your love.”
      “Some women have waited for years during the war. You are strong, I think you can manage.” She winked at the princess.
      “Now you are teasing me.”
      “Tease the future queen of Goutine? Never.” Pryene giggled.
      Charday shoved her arm, “What will I do with all this time?”
      “Well, King Ilgar wants you to start taking over the responsibilities of the queen, since Edric’s mother has long past. He feels that the sooner you begin, the better you will be, and I tend to agree. It will also keep your mind of Edric.”
      “Nothing can keep my mind from Edric.” She sighed, “It wanders there all on it’s own.”
      Pryene smiled, “I am happy for you, I don’t think I ever told you that. To see that the man you were betrothed to has made you content, in turn makes me content.”
      Charday blushed, “Thank you. And what will you do with your evenings in the hall now that Adrian is gone?”
      She nearly gagged on her own throat, “What does that mean?”
      The princess shrugged, “Nothing, you two were looking at each other differently this morning over breakfast. I think love was in the air, and it wasn’t just mine.”
      Pryene tried to laugh off her nervousness, “Don’t be ridiculous, Charday. As a matter of a fact, I just sent my brother a letter asking him to pick some suitors for me when he goes to Zsusa this very week.”
      Charday’s jaw dropped. “Pry, you didn’t!”
      “I did. You knew that one day I would.”
      “But Adrian, you’ll break his heart.”
      Pryene chuckled again, “I could only do that if I had it, and I do not. Now, I think you should take your bath and get ready for bed.”
      “Will you bathe with me, please?” Charday took her hand.
      She sighed, “You know I really hate to… alright.” She agreed when she saw Charday stick out her bottom lip.