Lotus Blossoms - Part Four

       Pryene found herself alone with her two suitors, both seemed to be quite interested in her. Neither one had wanted to leave her side, afraid that the other might get the upper hand. Her brother and Kyre had heard about the lake and ventured off to find it. Pryene had thought she would be uneasy around the two suitors, but found that she was quite comfortable in their presence.
      “It was a sad day to kill such a mighty animal,” Thane told her the story of how he and the rest of his hunting party had to kill a bear that was becoming a little too confident in their territory. “but we did not want him to start seeing the children as food. We used every piece of his body for something, nothing went to waste.”
      Pryene nodded her head. She didn’t want to appear too fascinated or entertained with his story. She had discovered that Thane and Cian were from different villages in Zsusa. Her brother had ventured through them on his way to the capitol and informed the males there of his sister. After performing several tasks for him, he took the men who completed them. Thane and Cian were the only ones. She had not asked what they were ordered to do, but it must have been difficult if only the two of them had done so. Of course, life away from Zsusa would be arduous and Faraji had to know the men were willing to make such a commitment.
      She looked between the two men, both sitting on the soft meadow grass with her. Thane was tearing up a piece of grass as he spoke, and Cian sat silently with his hands folded in his lap. He was very patient with Thane, who would sometimes interrupt him. Though Cian found his own ways to annoy the large hunter.
      “Lady Pryene.” Adrian’s voice came from the garden, when he appeared between the flowers the smile on his lips faded. “Princess Charday is asking for your audience.” He informed her, and watched as she stood from the grass.
      “Did she say why?” Pryene asked as she walked towards him, the two male Zsusanu had stood up and were following behind her.
      “No, but she did appear to be upset.” He walked beside her as the other two males walked directly behind them. Neither appreciate that Adrian walked so close to the woman that they were trying to impress.
      Making their way into the castle, Pryene felt uncomfortable with Adrian’s nearness. She didn’t want her suitors to think that she was in anyway linked to the male knight, other then through her duties.
      Without even realizing that she was only throwing fuel on the fire, she turned her head to Adrian. “It’s improper for a male to walk beside a female.” She whispered, “They are meant to walk behind so that they can watch her and ensure her safety.”
      He bowed his head and slowed his pace to match that of the men walking behind them. The moment he was gone from her side, she realized that she had just sent Adrian to walk with her suitors. With a deep sigh, she hoped that they would not see that as a sign of the knight’s willingness to be her mate as well.

      Charday opened her door and asked both Adrian and Pryene to enter. Before the two suitors could step into the room, she shut the door.
      Immediately aware that Charday had tricked her, Pryene glared down at the sad faced princess. She did not say anything as it would be improper to scold her in front of Adrian, but she would inform her that this was inappropriate later. She shouldn’t have Adrian in her room without another male present to begin with.
      “I left what I wanted to show you in the library.” Charday said and winked at Adrian as she walked past, “I’ll be right back.” She said stepping out into the hallway.
      Pryene scowled at her, then turned her glare to Adrian. “If you wanted to speak to me alone, all you had to do was ask.”
      He feigned innocence, “I had no idea that she was planning this. She only told me to tell you that she wished your audience.”
      “Where is Edric?”
      “In a meeting with his father.” He informed her.
      The room fell into silence for a short moment, before Adrian decided to ask the same question that Charday had posed to him.
      “Do you have a vow to speak the truth?”
      Pryene jerked her eyes from the fireplace to him, “I have a vow of honesty, yes.”
      “Then speak it now and speak it plain. Does your heart hold any affections for me?”
      She stared deeply into his eyes for several long moments, afraid to answer his question. Her suitors were just outside the door. The last thing she wanted was for them to overhear this conversation. “Do not ask such things.”
      “And why not? I believe that after what we have shared, you at least owe me this much?”
      “What we have shared?”
      “Do you want me to go into detail so that your suitors might hear?” He crossed his arms.
      Pryene’s frown deepened, “That’s my whole point, I have suitors now. Doesn’t that answer your question?”
      He shook his head, “No. I asked you to speak the truth plain, if you don’t appreciate my attentions then tell me now.”
      Her body immediately tensed to his question, returning her stance to that of the day he had first seen her. “If you are asking if your courtship is unwanted, then yes it is.”
      The hardened look in his eyes softened into a melancholy, “Then why did you allow me to kiss you? Why…” He bit off his next question.
      “You asked me if I wanted your courtship and I answered you. I never said that I didn’t enjoy them. I am Zsusanu, Adrian. I have an oath to fulfill. My father is counting on me to not only protect my ward, but to give birth to the next child that will carry on the oath. Do you not understand this?”
      She looked down as Adrian’s hand touched her own, before pulling her fingers into his grasp. Lifting up her hand, he kissed each of her fingers. “Do you hold any affection for me, Pryene?”
      “Do not ask such things.” This time it sounded more like she was begging him then giving an order.
      He gently nodded his head, “I believe that I have my answer.” When she tried to remove her hand Adrian only held on tighter. “I do not give up so easily, especially not now, knowing what you feel towards me. Even if it is left unspoken.”
      “I hardly know you, do not assume so much.” She hissed and ripped her hand from his own. As she was about to spin around and exit the room, she stopped to turn her eyes back to him. “And I can’t believe that you would arrange a meeting with me through Charday. Next time you have something to ask me don’t drag her into it. She is naïve and doesn’t understand such things.”
      “Charday? Naïve? Have you met her?” Adrian said with amusement, “She may act innocent, but I do not believe she is naïve.”
      “You have missed my point. Don’t bring Charday into this.” Pryene wanted to leave, but thought her suitors might find it suspicious. After all, she came here to speak with Charday and if she left now then they might think it was Adrian that she had spoken with.
      Adrian grinned, but it seemed to be filled with sadness. “I wish that I could resist you as easily.”
      “What are you speaking of? You haven’t the faintest idea of who I am or what I can resist.” She was trying to keep her voice low.
      He looked injured for a moment, “I may not know your entire life story, but I know who you are… and I know that…” He had no idea what he wanted to say. Dropping his eyes to the ground, he sighed loudly. “Just give me a chance.”
      “No! Don’t you understand? The moment you were born, you didn’t have a chance.” She couldn’t take anymore, and didn’t care what her suitors thought.
      Swiftly turning around, she raced from the room and past the two Zsusanu waiting for her outside the door. Charday was on her way back, when Pryene scurried past her. The princess watched as Adrian stepped out of her room, obviously not wanting to be caught alone in her bed chamber. The two suitors stood in shock briefly, before chasing after Pryene.
      “What happened?” Charday asked Adrian when she approached.
      He shrugged his shoulders with his head bowed. Charday knew this look, it was the stance of defeat. She didn’t know what to say to him so she touched his upper arm. Adrian looked up at her, trying to force a grin.
      “Give it time. I am still going to talk to Faraji, and…”
      Adrian shook his head, “No… I understand the reasons now. There is no chance for me, there never was.”
      “Don’t say that, there is always a chance.”
      He shook his head before turning his back on the princess. It was something that should never be done. One must always bow and be excused by the nobility, but he didn’t think that Charday would be bothered but his familiar act.

      “Charday!” Edric barked. He was laying on the bed with his legs and arms crossed while his wife paced back and forth in the bedroom. “There is nothing that you can do. This isn’t your duty nor is it any of your business.”
      Chewing on her right thumb nail, she tried her best to ignore him. She was wearing her silk sleeping gown that Pryene had given her for a wedding gift before they left Aluke. It was light blue with white trimming, her favorite color. A sheer robe hung over her shoulders and arms and her feet were bare.
      Edric folded his arms tighter and tried to make himself more comfortable on the bed by sitting up slightly. He watched her make three more rounds around the room before exhaling loudly, obviously annoyed. “Charday, enough!”
      She stopped at the end of the bed and placed her slim hands on the footboard. “This isn’t fair, Edric. She wants him and he wants her. I know it!”
      “Everyone whose taken an interest knows it, but sometimes forces beyond one’s control keep people apart. You just have to accept that Pryene’s duty to her father and her people come before that of her heart.”
      Walking around the frame of the bed, she sat down at his feet. Her right hand resting on his ankles, she frowned. “She’s my friend.”
      “She’s your personal guard.” He glared at the small white dog that jumped on the bed and curled up next to Charday’s pillows. He hated that creature. It was always in the bedroom except when Charday or one of the servants took it out to the garden during the day.
      “She is more then that to me, you know that!” She pinched the skin on his foot.
      Edric yelped in pain while yanking his foot up. “I am sorry. Yes, she is more then that to you, just like Adrian is more then one of the castle’s knights to me. Yet, you do not see me pushing my nose into his love life. I may discuss such things with him, but it is not my place to arrange ‘chance’ meetings or try to get the woman of his affections to see him as a suitor.”
      She dropped her head causing several strawberry blonde locks to fall into her face. “It isn’t fair.” She mumbled through her deep frown. “I want her to be as happy with her husband as I am with you.”
      Edric held back a grin as he sat up and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Who is to say that these two Zsusanu won’t make her happy? She seems to enjoy their company. Let Pryene make her own decision about who she will spend the rest of her life with.”
      “Why?” She shot her eyes up to his, “We didn’t get to.”
      “Fair enough. However, we are nobility. That is one of the advantages to being a commoner. You get to chose your own spouse.”
      “Adrian is not a commoner and I heard that Pryene’s family has high standing among the Zsusanu people.”
      Edric sighed audibly, “Which is exactly why we are in this predicament to begin with, isn’t it? Pryene as nobility to her people and the oath carrier for her father has to marry someone within her own race. It is just something that both Adrian, Pryene, and you have to accept.”
      “My problem is that Adrian and Pryene have accepted it.”
      He brushed the hair from her face, “And what would you have them do, Charday? Throw away their vows, their responsibilities, and everything else they have worked to become and run away together. Maybe start a farm… oh yes, I can see Pryene scrubbing the floors to their one room cabin now, and there is Adrian plowing the field.” He pointed in the air as if he was seeing the whole thing unfold before him.
      “Perhaps not starting a farm, but running away together would be so romantic. Proving that their love for each other is more important then anything else in the world.” She sighed dreamily.
      “Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as that. Pryene loves her family and her people. She would never do anything to betray their trust in her. While Adrian loves her enough to let her go and accepts that she has these responsibilities that she can not just toss away. I think you should too.”
      Charday swallowed deeply, “Loves her enough to let her go, you say?”
      Edric gave a firm nod.
      “I suppose that I can live with that, though I don’t know for how long.”
      He kissed her cheek and then the corner of her lips. “Good! Now, we can get to sleep.”
      A devilish grin played across her face, “Sleep? Surely you jest!” She leapt upon him, pushing his shoulders into the bed and straddling his hips.
      Edric began to chuckle, “You’re right, sleep can wait.”

      Cian approached Pryene with a wreath of yellow flowers in his hand. Carefully he placed them atop of her head and smiled. “Forgive me if this seems inappropriate, Miaca Pryene. I began making it this morning with no intention for it to become a garland, and when it was through I thought of no one better for it to adorn.”
      She held back her smile, “Thank you, Cian.”
      It had been a month since the arrival of the two Zsusanu, and Pryene found herself tired of their constant bickering. She decided to give the two men each separate times to be with her, besides when they were in practice. Thane received the morning and then both men would have lunch with her, and the rest of the day was spent with Cian. It also allowed the two men time to stew on what the other might be accomplishing with her.
      As they walked through the gardens, Pryene looked up at the castle and could see Adrian walking along side another knight. He hadn’t spoken a word to her since she sent him away. The silence had become so unbearable during breakfast with Charday and Edric that Pryene had started to have the meal with her suitors. Now her breakfast was spent with Thane and her dinners with Cian.
      Occasionally, Charday would miss having her meals with her and steal her away from the two men for lunch. For the most part, Charday spent her time in the library that the king had deemed her own and hardly needed Pryene for anything. She had so many servants coming and going that Pryene felt she was in the way.
      She sighed heavily when Adrian was out of sight and returned her attentions to Cian. He was explaining some Zsusanu philosophy on love and marriage that normally would hold her attention. Today was not one for heavy topics as her mind kept drifting to Adrian. She had no idea why it would happen now. They hadn’t spoken in over a month, and since she stopped having breakfast with him nearly two weeks ago, she hadn’t seen him.
      “He’s only a quarter Zsusanu…” Cian’s voice broke through.
      Her attention returned to him with a dumbfounded look upon her face. “Who?”
      “My mentor in Zsusa. He is only a quarter Zsusanu, but one could never tell by listening to him. His understanding of the Zsusanu beliefs are far superior than most. He told me when he first arrived there that the others looked down upon him. Tried to tell him that he would never comprehend our ways. Now, he is considered the most intelligent and spiritual man in the entire village.”
      “I thought the Zsusanu didn’t judge others based on the lineage. That we accepted anyone into our culture as long as they took our beliefs to heart.” Pryene ensured that nothing she said was a question.
      He nodded, “This is a part of our faith, yes. However as most humans we do take pride in our pedigree. I mean one of us could go down to Tresure, where the men are black as night, and say we are one of them, but that doesn’t make it so. We could embrace their beliefs and way of life, but we will never be one.”
      “If you are saying that because we look different means that we can never be the same, then I think you are being racist. What is important is not a person’s lineage but their core beliefs and morals. If one of us went to Tresure and embraced everything about their way of life, eventually they would see them as part of the village.”
      Cian snorted, “Perhaps, but I doubt they would ever let one of their people take one of us as mate, no matter if we became one of their priests. Or at least it would cause a great stir of opinions. It’s human nature to want to keep our bloodlines pure.”
      “By mating with someone outside your race doesn’t dirty the bloodline.” Pryene took a seat on one of the benches. “Mating with a sickly person, who is prone to disease causes the bloodline to become impure. Because you are creating weaker children.”
      He remained standing looking slightly disturbed by their debate. “I didn’t mean to imply that it did. Merely stating that it’s in our nature to want to continue to have the separate races. Though it would be of great benefit to all if we were mixed with a little of everything, then we would have no one to hate simply for looks alone.”
      “I see.”
      A smile played across his lips for several moments, before it came into full bloom. Pryene enjoyed that about this suitor. He had such a friendly face and his smile always brought some joy into her heart. When she was interested in talking with him, Cian always seemed to stimulate her intellectually.
      Though she found Thane to be of his equal in different ways. Thane was a great warrior, who could help her protect Charday. He also had a humorous side that he rarely showed to anyone, but Pryene had been blessed with several opportunities. It would be a hard decision, but then again, it had only been a month. She had plenty of time to decide.
      Cian kneeled down in front of her, “I enjoy our debates. I believe that you could keep my mind challenged for many years to come. Your opinions differ from my own in many ways, but we always seem to reach some sort of agreement.”
      “I am not certain if that was meant to compliment me, but I thank you nonetheless.”
      “Yes, Miaca Pryene, that was indeed a compliment. Your mind is sharp and you do not hold back your opinions. If I may be so bold to speak of another woman that I once tried to court.” He waited a moment to see if she had any objections, “I allowed the other male to win her over as she never seemed to want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Always kept her thoughts and opinions to herself. With my profession, we enjoy a good debate or argument every now and again.”
      Pryene chuckled, “I doubt that would of lasted long after you were bonded.”
      “Probably not, but she wouldn’t of debated with anyone besides me then. She would allow others to step all over her beliefs and never say a word. I can not respect someone like that.”
      Cian followed her up as she came into a standing position. “My father taught me that my opinions counted as much as the next man, and if he wished to share his with me, then I had the right to share my own.”
      “I have heard that your father is a very wise man.”
      Her eyes dropped down to her wrist which Cian was touching. It was a daring move, one that she could easily take offense to. Males were not suppose to initiate contact unless the female did so first. She had never touched him, and he, therefore, had no right. Most females would of snatched their hands away and stormed off. They would of punished him by not allowing him the rest of the day with her. For some reason, Pryene allowed it. She knew that she might be giving him the impression that she favored him over Thane, but it had been a while since anyone had touched her. Not even Charday had been hugging her as was usual, and she was beginning to crave some human touch.
      Her brother and his future mate, Kyre, were always leaving the castle to investigate the nearby areas. This place was so foreign to them but it made it where she hardly saw Faraji. Adrian wasn’t speaking to her and therefore not touching her. In Aluke she was touched by others constantly be it the royal family or her own family.
      Noticing her eyes his hand, Cian allowed it to linger for a moment. He retracted it as soon as he saw uncertainty on Pryene’s face. It had been a brash move and he knew it, but she seemed reluctant to create any contact between them. He had even asked Thane if she had touched him, and knew that the warrior would jump at the chance to brag. Thane merely shook his head and went into his room.
      “I am sorry, Miaca Pryene.” He said when his hand dropped, “You seem to be a private person of your own physical form, though you freely give your mental self. I had hoped to break that barrier this evening, but I see that you are not ready.”
      “As the female, I am not meant to show interest and the action of touch could demonstrate such.”
      Cian nodded his head, “If I may, once again, be so bold. Perhaps, showing a little interest but always leaving the males wanting more and wondering if it was genuine interest or merely a friendly gesture…” He cleared his throat, “Yes, that might work better.”
      “Do you believe that I hold no interest for you?” Damn, she asked a question. She cursed herself mentally, and knew that Cian had caught it.
      He grinned, “Miaca Pryene, I know that you are a woman who would send me away rather then tolerate me. I know that my presence here speaks loudly enough. Yet one must always be willing to give slightly to…” He shook his head, “No, again I step out of line. I apologize. It is your duty to be stern and criticizing when choosing a suitor and you will do what is best for you.” He bowed his head slightly.
      Pryene grinned, “Thank you for the advice. I may or may not use it.”
      “That you even took it into consideration is an honor.”
      There was a long silence between them and Pryene was beginning to feel uncomfortable about the entire conversation. An idea sprung into mind and she knew that it was Charday’s influence rubbing off on her. Knowing that it would go against everything that she believed courting to be, she tried to resist.
      Without even realizing she was doing it, Pryene was suddenly in front of Cian. She pecked his lips quickly then smirked, “Does that show enough interest, yet leave you longing for more?”
      His words were breathless, “Yes, Miaca Pryene.”
      “Well, good. We are done here, then.” With that she spun around and headed into the castle, leaving Cian to wonder if the kiss was just a friendly gesture.

      Pryene chuckled at herself and then shook her head. She hoped that Cian wouldn’t go back to Thane and tell him about this. Though knowing Cian, he would just act a bit more cocky in front of her other suitor. He deserved a bit of overzealous flirting to make him suffer for correcting her on how to behave. Now he would have to wonder if she was teasing or actually showing interest.
      Her mother had once told her about how she would tease a man and then send him away to see if he would come back. They always did, her mother had laughed when she said it. Pryene had never been one for flirting or teasing, but she had just experienced first hand how humorous it could be. She was definitely going to tell Charday about this.
      Turning one of the corners, Pryene slammed into someone and stumbled back. Her eyes popped up from her feet to rest of the knight’s face. “Adrian.” She mumbled as she steadied herself.
      “I am sorry. You just appeared around the corner, I didn’t even see you there until you hit me.” His hand reached out to touch her elbow as he spoke. “Are you alright?”
      “I’m fine. I should of walked wide around the corner. I apologize, I know better then to make sharp turns. My mind was elsewhere.” She flipped her hand a couple times in the air so demonstrate that her mind had been drifting.
      It hit the both of them then that they had not spoken in a month and they both fell silent. Pryene cleared her throat after a moment, “So, I hear that you are getting married in the summer. Congratulations.”
      He nodded, “Yes, I have decided to marry Karessa. She… she needs my help.” His eyes dropped to the floor, “How are your suitors? Have you chosen one?”
      “No, it could take me until spring or it could take me two more springs after that.”
      “Spring?”
      “Yes, my people… our people get married on the same day every year. We have a ceremony for all the couples.”
      “Sounds a bit impersonal to me.”
      She gently shrugged her shoulders, “I’ve never been to one of the ceremonies. I couldn’t tell you.”
      “So the first Zsusanu wedding you will ever go to will be your own?” He grinned, “That’s rather amusing.”
      “I suppose.” She watched as several knights past by them. The last thing that she wanted was for anyone to create rumors surrounding her and Adrian. There had already been a couple beginning to form when they had stopped speaking.
      When they were gone, Adrian cleared his throat. “Well, I need to get back to my duties. Good day, milady.”
      As he walked past her, Pryene grabbed his upper arm. Her head turned to find his face several inches away from her. “We can still be friends, can’t we? I don’t understand why we have to be uncomfortable around each other.”
      “No, we can’t be friends. I want and will always want much more then friendship. If we tried, I would only try to kiss you everyday of your life. That wouldn’t be unfair to our future spouses.” He rested his hand over her own that was holding his arm.
      Pryene frowned, “As a knight I would hope you had more restraint.”
      “I do too.” He sighed, “This morning Edric remarked to me, how I haven’t spoken of you in a while now. He was proud that I had finally accepted my fate with Karessa and removed you from my heart. I had agreed until just this moment.” Adrian inched his face closer as he spoke and was surprised that Pryene didn’t pull away.
      She shocked herself when she was the one that initiated the kiss between them. Adrian turned his body into hers and shoved her against the wall, as if he was afraid that she would escape him. Her hands made their way up his arms and to his face, where she held him firmly to her own. Adrian’s hands wrapped around her waist. Both acted as if the other person might decided against this and break away.
      The kiss revealed all the passion that they had built up over the past month. When it was spent, Pryene returned her mind to reality. “Stop.” She mumbled, but Adrian continued ignoring her plea.
      Her hands went to his chest and she pushed him an arm’s length away. “Stop.” She repeated, “We can’t keep doing this.”
      “I know.” He sighed and bowed his head, “We both are engaged now… well you are almost engaged…”
      “I meant in the hall, Adrian. Someone might see us.” She dropped her hands from his chest and fixed her weapon’s belt.
      Adrian removed his own hands from her and checked to ensure his attire was still organized. “What… what do you mean?”
      “I don’t know.” She pinched the bridge of her nose to relieve the headache that was forming. “Everything is so complicated. I don’t know what I am saying anymore.”
      “Meet me at the lake at midnight tonight. We will discuss things, alright?”
      Pryene nodded her head, but did not give a verbal response. Adrian pecked her lips briefly before disappearing around the corner. When she was certain that he would out of hearing range, she slammed her back against the wall and inhaled deeply as she thought the situation over. What was she doing? He was betrothed to someone else and she had to very eligible suitors. There was also her oath to not only protect Charday but birth children of pure Zsusanu blood. Again she sighed, she needed to talk to someone about this. It had to be another Zsusanu, and there was only two here that were not suitors.

      “How do you get yourself into these predicaments?” Faraji asked as he sat down on his bed.
      Kyre was across the room sitting at the small table and eating a pastry. Pryene hadn’t wanted to talk about it in front of her, but decided that she might be able to offer some female insight to her problem.
      “I didn’t plan this and I didn’t even show him any interest. It just happened.”
      Faraji snorted, “Just happened? You and I both know that nothing just happens, Pryene.”
      She felt a little exposed standing in front of the closed door like she was a child being scolded by her father. It was no surprised to her that Faraji was going to lecture her about Zsusanu ways. She actually had hoped that he would, she needed someone to tell her how disloyal she was being to her vows if she went through with any of this.
      “You have to bond with a Zsusanu. You have to bare pure blood Zsusanu to take on the vows. If you fail to do this, then you are breaking your vows to father, your family, and your people. Do you understand this?” Faraji’s voice held no anger, he was calm as he spoke.
      “Yes, and I don’t want to do that. But… but…”
      “But what?”
      “But she’s in love with him!” Kyre barked from across the room.
      Pryene immediately shook her head when Faraji’s heated glare fell onto her. “No, not in love! In lust, deep infatuation, but not love!” She gazed over at Kyre to inform her not to help anymore.
      Kyre stood up and came to stand next to her, “You know in Zsusa when someone takes the five generation oath they never have to say they will only marry Zsusanu.”
      “That’s because they are in Zsusa. Odds are they are going to marry one.” Faraji informed her.
      “My point was that it’s not part of our people’s oath. It was added by those outside of Zsusa to ensure that the bloodline isn’t corrupted during the time of the oath.” Kyre frowned and looked to Pryene, “If he is the one then don’t pay attention to what the damn alterations say. That isn’t the pure oath.”
      “It is the oath I took and my word means something to me. If I had taken the other oath then this would not be an issue.” Pryene looked back at her brother.
      “You said that he was getting married in the summer?” Faraji asked and she answered with a nod of her head. “Then you have to pick between Thane and Cian. When spring comes we will all travel back to Zsusa and you and I can be married on the same day. You will both be spoken for and I know that you won’t commit adultery.”
      Kyre sighed, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Thane and Cian or do you want to spend it with the knight?”
      “I don’t know!” Pryene snapped, “I barely know any of them!”
      “You should add the knight to the rotation. Give Thane the mornings, Cian the afternoons, and the knight the evenings.”
      “I can’t bond with him, Kyre. My vow says…”
      She threw up her hand, “That part of the vow means nothing to the people of Zsusa. If it means so much to you, then try to get any children bared to mate with Zsusanu to ensure a thick blood line.”
      “I can’t do that. I swore to bond with a Zsusanu in front of my entire family. Besides what kind of example would I be setting if I told my children to mate with a pure blood when I did not?”
      “How many half breeds do you expect to find down here? Your children will be the only ones! So they will have to summon suitors from Zsusa. Of course, they will probably not get the best of suitors since they are half breeds, but…”
      “No, I am not damning my children to lesser…”
      “Hey!” Faraji yelled, “Does the knight even know that you are serious in this relationship? Would he even be willing to marry you? Perhaps, he is only trying to add another woman to his bed before his wedding day.”
      “Faraji!” Kyre barked.
      Pryene nodded, “That might be true. I had not thought about such.” She sighed, “Come we should get out to the meadow for practice, it’s getting late.”

      Pryene had denied to see Thane until later that evening, mostly because she had abandoned Cian so early. After they had all gone through the routine, she waved her goodbye to Kyre, Faraji, and Cian and went to spend the rest of the evening with her other suitor.
      Thane looked annoyed. The usual kindness on his face was absent as he walked down the halls with her to the library. It had begun to rain and they decided to spend the evening indoors. As they walked together, Pryene tried to think of a way to ask about his mood without posing it in question form.
      When he opened the library door for her and stepped inside, she had finally created one. “You seem to be in a rather peculiar mood today. You may discuss it with me, if you wish.” She said as she sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs.
      He began to build a fire in the fireplace, still not speaking to her. When he was through, he sat down in the other chair across from her.
      “Well, I suppose we could sit in silence.” Her eyes wandered to the bookshelves to find anything that would interest her.
      “I saw you today.” His deep voice spoke.
      Her eyes shot back over to him, “Yes, you are seeing me now.”
      “I saw you with the knight, the one called Adrian. There are many rumors about the two of you, but I never believed them. If you already had a suitor chosen, I do not see why you forced both me and the monk to make the journey.” His eyes were dark as he leaned back in the chair.
      “I have no chosen a suitor.”
      “A Zsusanu female does not kiss a man like that unless she has chosen him. If you have not picked this male as your mate, I would know what game you are playing with him.”
      Pryene’s eyes dropped to the fire when she swallowed. “It was momentary weakness. I beg you not to tell anyone.” She looked back up to him, “The oath that I have taken says that I must marry a pureblooded Zsusanu. Adrian is but a forth, and… we are attracted to each other.”
      “I see.” Thane curled his lip in disgust. “Then I suppose Cian and I should return to Zsusa before winter arrives.”
      “No!” She held up her hand to stop him from standing up in his chair. “Please, do not leave. I promise that it will not happen again. I have spoken to my brother on the matter and I know where my priorities are. If I must I will ask for your forgiveness in the matter. I do not like the thought of you being upset with me over this mistake.”
      Thane remained silent as if he was waiting for her to explain more.
      “Have you told Cian about this?”
      “No, I have not.”
      Pryene nodded her head, “What can I do to prove to you that I am sincere?” She cursed herself for asking two questions, though she wasn’t certain if Thane was still interested in courting her anyway.
      “Chose me.”
      His words shocked her into a brief silence, “I… it has only been a month, Thane. I hardly think it would be proper for a female of my stature to chose a male that soon.”
      “Proper? No. Courteous? Yes.”
      “Courteous?”
      He gave a gentle nod, “Indeed. As I stated before, winter is coming. It would be better if you chose one of us now and allowed the other to return home. This way when we travel back in the spring, your other suitor will not be there to glare jealousy between us. It will also allow us to get to know each other properly without all the formalities of our customs.”
      “You do make sense, but I would hardly want to be thought of as improper.”
      He crossed his arms, “What you did in the hall with that male was hardly proper.”
      She shuddered in embarrassment, “You don’t understand, Thane. He has hounded me since the day of my arrival. Asking me for kisses and confessing a deep attraction to me. It’s become a chore to keep him at bay, and at times I just give in.” That lie hurt her heart to say, because she really did enjoy the way that Adrian treated her.
      “All the more reason to chose me as your suitor. Do you think that Cian could keep him from you? How could he protect you from the knight? He may be able to fight well, but as a monk he would never physically protect you. It’s against his beliefs and he knows that you could protect yourself. I could shield you from his advances and…”
      “Please, Thane, stop. I will think on what you have said and give my answer in four weeks. Just allow me another month to make my decision.”
      He bowed his head, “Do not believe that I am blackmailing you, Miaca Pryene. I would never tell anyone what I have seen. That would be vicious of me and it is not in my nature. However, I feel it is unfair to both Cian and myself to be placing all our energies in you when there is already a male in your heart. There are several receiving females in my village that I could be attempting to court at this moment.”
      “I understand, Thane. Thank you for telling me that you knew and explaining the situation of how it may be perceived to me.” She sighed.
      A smirk appeared on the corner of his lips, “Cian bragged about receiving a kiss from you earlier in the day. It seems that I am the only one of your suitors who has gone without.”
      Pryene smiled, “It was hardly a kiss. I barely touched his lips. He was going on about how I should show a little more interest. I kissed him so I could leave. Though I enjoy his conversations, at times he can be trying.”
      “Would it be too much to ask considering our previous topic that I receive one as well? I feel it would only be fair.” Her laughter filled the room, “Oh, you try to blackmail me into taking you as my suitor and now you are speaking of fairness in kisses?”
      “I am not trying to blackmail you!” He snapped.
      “I was teasing.”
      Thane’s frown reversed into a wide smile, “Forgive me, I didn’t expect such from you.” Standing up, he positioned himself in front of her before kneeling down.
      “I never said yes.”
      “You never said no either.”
      “You are being rather bold for a Zsusanu male. Perhaps I should deny you to put you back into your place.”
      Thane hands dropped to her thighs which caused her to jump slightly. “I believe that we both know what we want. I believe that we are both dominate people and it may cause us to butt heads upon occasion.” His hands wrapped around her upper thighs. “But I also believe there are times when you do not want to be in charge of a situation. Much like there are times when I would much rather let someone else lead.”
      “Oh, and what are those situations?” She could feel the warmth of his hands through her leather leggings. It was an odd sensation as she had never had someone hold her in such a manner. The distraction was so great that she didn’t realize she asked another question.
      “In battle or during hunts, I prefer someone to lead me and tell me what to do. Perhaps it’s because I am not very good at creating strategies.” As he spoke, he began to pull her body forward in the chair. She wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing, but held firm out of curiosity. “For you, I believe it’s relationships. You always place yourself among others who take control of the relationship, but allow you to be the one in control of any danger. Charday, for example.”
      “I…”
      “Shh… allow me to finish. I was told much about you from your brother during our journey. He told me how when you went on hunting expeditions with your father and others that you would always plan the entire event.” His eyes had been staring at his own hands, but they looked up into her own at that point. “Do you see how easily we fit? I can take orders during battle and throughout any tasks assigned to us. While you can allow me the lead during our more private moments.”
      “Thane…”
      With a firm yank on her thighs, Pryene found herself straddling Thane’s thighs. His arms around her back which kept her from falling. To keep herself comfortable, she inadvertently wrapped her arms around his neck.
      “That wasn’t funny.” She said firmly.
      “I am the better match for you. Even you can plainly see that. Cian may know poetry and have stimulating ideas, but you are not a philosopher. You are a warrior like me, and we can benefit from one another.”
      “I told you that I would tell you my decision in a month’s time.”
      He nodded, “Yes, but I wanted to explain to you the benefits of choosing me.”
      “I’m sure that Cian has a persuasive argument for me as well.”
      “Ask him. I am certain that his is the weaker deal.” Thane gave her no time to retort. He silenced anything she was about to say with his own lips. Taking much more then what Cian had received. Pryene refused to give in to him when his tongue tried to lick it’s way in through her teeth. A low frustrated growl emanated from deep within his throat when he realized that was something she would not do.
      She found one of her hands making it way up into his long hair as the kiss continued. Though she hated to admit it, she did find it enjoyable. Even if the heat she felt within her body during Adrian’s kiss was sadly absent. She realized that Thane was just a more serious Adrian, but couldn’t figure out why she was not attracted to him in the same way. Perhaps it was because she refused to allow either Thane or Cian into her heart. Not that she had exactly given Adrian the key.
      When Thane realized that she wouldn’t allow the kiss to go any farther. He grabbed her thighs and stood up. Planting her in the chair, he remained in front of her. “I shall allow you to think on my words.” With that he exited the library, leaving Pryene to enjoy the fire alone.

      Standing in the hallway, Pryene slept with her head slightly back. She had been so lost in her unconsciousness that the sounds of a man making his way down the hall didn’t wake her. Nor did she notice when he stopped directly in front of her and waited for her to acknowledge him.
      The sound of him clearing his throat forced her eyes open and she was shocked to see Adrian’s glaring eyes. “Where were you?”
      Her eyes were deadlocked on his and she had no idea why she feigned ignorance, she knew exactly what he meant. “What?”
      “The lake at midnight, remember you said you would meet me there.” There was an annoyance in his voice that she was not use to hearing from him.
      A gentle swallow was the only answer that she gave.
      Adrian sighed and looked down the hallway briefly before turning his eyes back to her, “Pryene, do you want me or not? It’s a simple question that requires a simple answer.”
      “I… I have my oath.” She stood from her leaning position to stand even with him.
      “If it weren’t for the oath, would you chose me over those suitors?”
      Her eyes dropped to the ground, the answer was yes, but she didn’t want him to believe that she meant she would pick him over the oath. Folding her hands in front of her, she fidgeted with her hands.
      He exhaled in defeat, “Why did you kiss me in the hall today then?” He felt the pain in his chest from her response. All day he had been looking forward to their meeting at the lake, it had been all that he could think of. To have waited over an hour for her to appear had given him the answer he needed, but he had wanted to hear it from her lips.
      “I apologize, Adrian. Our lives won’t permit us to be together unless we throw away all that we stand for. My heart wishes for yours, but everything else tells me that it can not be.”
      He reached out his hand and rubbed her upper arm, “Would it be so wrong if you did not birth full blooded Zsusanu babes? Could they not carry on the vow? That is the only reason that you refuse to be with me, isn’t it?”
      Pryene looked up to him with a sadness in her eyes. To hear him speak of children told her that he was not just looking for another notch in his bedpost, he honestly believed there could be more with her. It broke her heart to know that he saw a future with her, where she could not see one with him. “That oath is everything to me. My father bestowed it upon me with faith that I would uphold it’s promise. I am bound by the words that I spoke when I undertook this oath and to break them would be betraying my family, my people, and myself.”
      “Just like my oath when I joined the order.” Adrian nodded, “I suppose that it is something that I must respect. I am glad to know that you feel more then friendship towards me, and yet it hurts more knowing that it can never be.”
      Cocking her head to the side, she frowned. “You seem more receptive towards my rejection then I had expected.”
      “I had prepared myself for this. I knew that you would either accept us or deny me. I promised myself that I would agree to whatever you wanted.” His eyes dropped briefly to the ground before returning to her own. “After I am wed to Karessa, I will begin traveling the lands to wherever I am needed by my order. I do not think that I could be faithful if I remained here. It seems that I will not be granted true love nor happiness in my lifetime, but I do wish that you find it.”
      “Don’t say such things, Adrian. Love and happiness are where you find it and rarely where you seek it. Karessa could be your true love.”
      He shook his head gently, “My heart beat wildly within my chest the moment I set eyes upon you. I thought that it was because of my excitement to meet a Zsusanu, but I realize now that it was love. A raw form of love, not the maturing love that I am slowly gathering for you. I must take leave of your presence and hope that someday I might forget how you once made me feel.”
      “We barely knew each other, I would hardly think you could love me so soon.” Pryene swallowed again.
      “I feel for you the way no other has made me feel. If it is not love then I have no other name for it.”
      “Lust.” She responded slowly.
      Adrian grinned, “No, I’ve felt such before.” He sighed, “I knew that our hearts were meant to be, but our lives are not. Perhaps in a past life we were of the same soul, but in this lifetime it shall not be. I can not stand by and watch you love another. I hope that I do not view your face again.” With that he turned to walk away.
      Pryene grabbed his upper arm and when he turned to look at her, she kissed him deeply. When their lips parted their eyes locked for a moment, “I feel the same way.”
      “About love or never wanting to see me again?” His thumb gently rubbed her cheek.
      “Both.” She kissed him on the cheek, “Farewell, may life be good to you.”
      “And to you.” His heart dropped as she released him and allowed him to disappear down the hallway.
      Pryene watched him go and when she was sure that he was out of sight, she allowed several tears to run down her cheek. With a whispered promise to herself, she swore that she would never again feel sorrow for this lost love.