Mirelah:
I walk into my bedroom, and Meadow, my Animari handmaiden, rushes up to me, her ears bouncing with each step.
Animari are people from a fallen kingdom. They have the ability to shift into whatever animal core they were born with. Meadow was born with a rabbit core, earning her the nickname Bunny.
Many years ago, their kingdom was conquered, and the Animari people dispersed into different kingdoms of the realm. Father found Meadow abandoned in a meadow during one of his hunting trips, two years after I was born. She was just a baby, so he saved her and brought her back as a gift for me. Meadow and I have been joined at the hip since then, and she is like a sister to me.
"Princess Mirelah… Is it true? You're the bride they chose? "She questions as she takes my hands, and I stare into her big brown eyes as I nod.
I watch her brown, rabbit ears fall as she pouts.
"Oh, princess… What do we do now? I've heard that the Varkaines are very scary people. You're too delicate for life with them. "She says, and I give her a tight smile.
"Father has made his choice. He wants me to marry Kealith. "I reply, and she gasps. First shocked, but then looking angry.
"How can King Solrath agree to that?!" she exclaims, and I stare at her in shock at her anger.
"You can't marry Kealith! He's a monster! Do you know... I heard mothers hide their babies away from him in their castle. He's a madman with a vicious hunger for blood. One of the kitchen maids whose mother is from Blood Crescent once told me that the entire Varkaine family is said to be scared of him. He's a beast, Princess. You must not marry him! "She rants, and I turn to ice.
She paces as she speaks, arms wrapped tightly around herself, as though the mere thought of Kealith scared her.
"That whole family is scary. I heard that they kill a lot to get all the blood they use for their hemocrafting and that they are into dark magic. Some even say they have a history of drinking blood straight from people… I didn't mind Princess Azra going there, because I don't like her. To be honest, she's the best fit for them. But you? Princess Mirelah that kingdom is too dark for you. You're a dandelion about to be thrown in a storm. "She continues, and my stomach drops.
A cold wave washes over me, as my heart starts slamming against my ribs. Causing me to stagger. She turns to me, and on seeing the effect of her words on me, I see guilt consume her face. She quickly rushes up to me and helps me to a chair.
"I... I'm not sure about anything I just said, Princess. They're all rumours. Nobody knows what's true, and what's not... "She says as she sits on the floor beside me and holds my hand.
"But there's never smoke without a fire, is there? "I reply as fresh tears begin to fill my eyes, and she blinks at me. Her big brown eyes equally brimming with tears.
"King Solrath would never send you with them if all these things were true... "She whispers, and I know she herself doesn't believe that. Father may care for me, but not as much as my sisters. If he had to choose who out of all of us would suffer this horrid fate, he'd pick me ten times over.
So, even if Father knows the rumours are true, he'd still send me with the Varkeins. I stare out my window, and a desperate thought suddenly pops into my mind.
"I'll run away. "I say abruptly, and Meadow's ears perk up.
"Princess... "She tries to reason with me, but I'm past that now.
"I can't wait to find out if the rumours are true or not. What if they are? I haven't lived enough of life for it to just end so suddenly. I'm tired of people dictating my life without caring what I want. I want to live. To truly live, Meadow. And I won't get that at Blood Crescent. "I begin to cry, and she pouts at me as her ears fall.
"What if they catch you? "She questions, and I stretch my free hand to her face to wipe her tears.
"I don't know what they'll do to me. But I'd rather risk it than let them take me. "I reply, and she starts crying.
"But it's not safe. Life outside the palace is very different. "She says, and I smile bitterly.
"I know. But tell me what other choice I have. "I reply, and she looks away.
"How are we going to do it? "She questions, and my heart stops.
"We? "I repeat, and she looks up at me in confusion.
"There is no we, Meadow. I'm doing this alone. "I state, and her eyes widen, while her ears stand straight.
"What? "She questions, and I nod.
"I'm not dragging you into this. "I note and she stands up. Staring at me with wide eyes.
"I'm already in it, Princess! There's no way I can let you go alone. It's not possible. You're my lady. It's my duty to serve you. Now, more than ever. "She says, and I sigh as I stand up.
"I'm not risking it. "I reply, and i watch her lips quiver.
"You have to take me. Where do you know?? "She replies, and I stare at her in amusement.
"Where do you know?" I retort, and she looks away.
"We've both never left this palace before. Remember? We'll be two lost sheeps if we go together. "I continue , and she blinks at me. She's worried. She's the only one who has ever genuinely worried about my wellbeing.
"Listen... "I begin as I grab her shoulders gently.
"I've read books. I know the layout of the kingdom like the back of my hand. I've spent years studying it. I'll make my way to the valley of echoes, and once I'm past that valley, I can hide out at any of the small settlements by rivers of gold. I'll figure out my next move after that. But I need to run, and I have to do it alone. I can't drag you into this mess. Please understand. "I beg, and she breaks down crying.
I pull her into a hug, and I can't stop my own tears from pouring.
"What's the plan? "She questions, and I sigh.
"You won't come with me when I'm leaving with the Varkaines. When we're almost at the border, I'll make my escape. "I explain, and she pulls away from me slowly.
"King Solrath will never agree to send you without me. "She notes, and I scoff.
"Right now, he needs me to go with them. So, he'll do whatever it takes. It's the only condition I will give him. "I reply, and Meadow stares at me with worry brewing in her eyes.
"Princess Mirelah, you'll be all alone… "She begins, and I sigh.
"You'll be with me. You're always on my mind. And as soon as I can, I'll send letters. "I say as I hold on to my tears, and she starts sobbing again.
"Let me come with you, Princess. I can't stay here without you... "She begins to cry again, and I hold her to myself. She may be two years younger than me and maybe a handmaiden, but she is my best friend and the closest thing to my heart. It hurts to leave her behind, but I can't endanger her life for my sake.
There's suddenly a knock on my door, and I turn to it.
"Yes? "I call, and a guard's voice replies.
"Princess. The King sends for you. He says it's time to leave. "He informs, and I turn back to Meadow.
"I'll be down in a minute. "I inform, and I listen to the footsteps of the guard retreat.
Meadow then pulls away from me sniffling, and refusing to make eye contact.
"I'm almost done packing your things. I'll give you a small bag with some food and water for the road. Please send me a letter as soon as you can. I'll be waiting. "She whispers, and I nod.
I watch as she walks into my closet, and once she's out of sight, my tears begin to fall silently.
Call me a coward, or whatever you like, but I have a bad feeling about this marriage, and I am not going to stick around to find out. All my life, I have lived off the whims of others, and this is the height of it. I won't do this! I can't.
My dream is to someday marry the man of my dreams who would love me and bring out the best in me. I won't give that up to marry a beast. I would rather die single than do that!
I don't know the punishment I will face if I'm caught, but I know the punishment I might face if I go with the Varkeins. For now, I need to act calm. Like I'm not scared and like I will give whatever they ask of me.
And when I see the right chance, I'll make my move.
Dad is right. I am a dragon's daughter. I may not have any powers. I may not be anything like the rest of my family, or people, but I am not weak. I am not a weakling, and I know that much.
This wedding won't happen. If King Damarion and my father really care about their people and need a union, they will get Azra and Darven married.
I refuse to be a part of this madness.