Isla and her sister—Mavli— are captured during a raid and a sold into slavery. When Isla tries to escape with the help of her earth-moving powers, she attracts the attention of the King and Queen of Altsas who had been searching for a woman whose thoughts move the Earth as a bride for their son. She is forced into a betrothal with Prince Kyan.Isla must escape from the clutches of royalty, save her sister her people from a life of slavery.
View MoreThe Decision
Year of the Lilies
Torrid Season
The throne room
Altsas
King Tus III
I SIT COMFORTABLY on my throne made of polished gold and adorned with precious stones but my heart is disturbed. I haven't slept well in the past few nights and I haven't eaten properly either. How can I be happy when something threatens the very stability of my household?
I dismount from the throne and pace to the balcony of the stone throne room. Looking down, I'm faced with the marvelous sight of the orchard, the stream that flows across it and the bridge that looms over it. I catch a glimpse of the horses race past under the supervision of the stable attendants and grooms.
Why can't I be as carefree as the mares and ponies and stallions that populate my stable? Why can't I be free of worry and the burden of over thinking?
I'm distracted by the soft sounds of footsteps against the stone floors. Whirling, I catch sight of Queen Elunia — my graceful wife. I bow slightly and return my gaze to the horses.
"Beautiful creatures aren't they?" She sings out. The scent of myrrh from her tickles my nose.
"Indeed," I say. She glances at me with a worried look on her flawless face.
"What's wrong, my Lord?" She moves closer and lays a dainty hand on my shoulder. "Is it still about our son?"
It is unfortunate but I don't want to admit this, I shake my head not taking my eyes of the orchard. Why would the heir to the powerful throne of Altsas refuse to take a bride? He has reached maturity and most of his mates are already fathers. I don't understand his reluctance, he'll get married before the end of the year whether he wants it or not.
"It's about Kyan, isn't it?" My Queen asks with her melodious sing-song voice, her words are laced with worry and I don't want to upset her the more.
I take her hand from my shoulder, facing her and looking into her hazel eyes that hold me captive even after all these years. I kiss her slender hand. "Yes, you know I only want what is best for him."
"My lord, if our son refuses to be wedded, why insist? Maybe he has good reasons for refusing."
"And what reasons would that be?" I ask.
She sighs. "I don't know. But I know we shouldn't force him, maybe we should give him more time—"
"More time?" I drop her hand and struggle to keep the anger out of my voice. "Surely you are joking, my Queen. He turned sixteen a year and a half ago! I've given him that long."
"Please, listen to me; if we force him into marrying he might do something outrageous. Believe me, I've heard stories."
"Nothing outrageous will happen in my castle, my Queen. I sincerely hope not." I turn and stare at the orchard again. "Everything should be in unity, in pairs. Don't you think so?"
"Yes, my lord." I can hear the humility in her voice.
"Our children, my Queen, are unpaired. What do you think the subjects are thinking? I will not be a subject of mockery," I spit out.
My Queen remains silent and together, we stare out to the orchard and watch the stream of roaring water flow past. I can almost hear it, almost smell it.
"What do you suggest we do, then?" Her voice wakes me from my brief reverie.
"We must find him a bride." I take my time to reply.
She remains silent, considering my answer then says, "What if he does not like her?" She whispers, her voice like a breeze.
"He will. He'll grow to love her." turning, I face my beloved wife. "It is sad he can't find love like we did."
"I do wish it for him." She looks away.
"Hopefully," I reach out and touch her arm, "our daughter will be lucky."
"Hopefully." my Queen echoes.
Just then, sharp thuds of boots echo across the vast room. My wife and I turn to the direction of the interruption.
"Kyan," my wife gasps. "You're back!" She flutters across the room like a dove and throws herself into the arms of the defiant son of mine.
Kyan leaves the walls of the kingdom frequently for his hikes which can last weeks. Personally, I can't care less but my softhearted wife doesn't stop worrying whenever he's gone.
Kyan hugs his mother back and kisses her both cheeks before sinking onto one knee with his head bowed. "Mother," he says. "Father."
My Queen wastes no time in touching his head and muttering the words of greeting. I stare at him, then meet the soulful eyes of my wife. She frowns back. "Greet him," she mouths.
I nod. I cross the distance with three strides and rest my big hand on his head of flaxen locks. "Alihim safir mi."
My wife gives me a warm smile and taps Kyan on the shoulder — an indication that he may rise.
"I've missed you," my Queen says. "How was your hike?"
"Beautiful," he breathes. "I left the borders of Altsas completely. I climbed mountains and lived in caves"
"You know you can still do all that as a married Prince." I can't help cutting his gushing over his aimless hikes.
My wife sends me a displeased look. "Have pity on our son, he must be exhausted from all that hiking!"
And truly, he looks exhausted; bruises, cuts — some bleeding, some healed, eye bags, scrapes on his skin and tattered clothing.
"It's alright, mother,'' Kyan says. He turns to me, "Father, I will respect your wishes and get married."
My wife shrieks in happiness and throws her hands around him. They beam at each other and I do all I can not to roll my eyes at the excessive display.
"I'm glad," I say to him.
"But under one condition." His eyes don't leave mine.
"What are you talking about, Kyan?" My wife asks him with pinched brows.
He gives her a fleeting glance. "I have a simple condition. I want to marry a woman whose thoughts move the Earth."
"What does that mean?" My Queen asks. She grabs him and turns him to face her. "Why?"
He stares at her but gives her no response.
I have no idea of what that means. Moves the Earth? Like magic? I shake my head, I'll have to consult my sages. I'm happy he has finally agreed to marrying. Whatever his condition means is left for my sages to decipher.
"But how do we find such a woman?" I wonder out loud.
"I don't know," Kyan replies.
"We have to find her, my lord," my wife tells me with desperation in her voice.
I nod. "Indeed."
"You may go." I nod to Kyan who bows lowly to us before leaving.
"How are we going to find such a woman for our son?" My Queen grabs my wrists and stares right at me.
"I don't know," I say truthfully. Then, an idea creeps into my head. I consider it, viewing it from all angles weighing the advantages and disadvantages, if any.
"I've gotten an idea, my Queen." I say to her with a grin. "We'll hunt down this woman for our son even if it means conquering every other Kingdom."
I've made my decision.
EPILOGUE: THE SUNYear of the BougainvilleaFrigid SeasonThe PalaceAltsasIslaI AM SO EXCITED. Today, I'm expecting mother and father's visit as well as Mavli's. It's been ages since I saw them.Throwing off my blanket, I jump off the bed and to my feet. A shiver runs down my spine the second my feet touches the cold ground. I slip my feet into slippers and huff out a breath which floats as a thick cloud of fog in front of my face.I'm not surprised to see that Kyan isn't on the bed, he has always been an early riser. I'm sure he is already getting the orchard ready for my parents' arrival breakfast.
The Sound of the WindYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasKyanIT'S BEEN A WEEK since my marriage to the woman of my dreams. To the woman who's thoughts move the Earth. A whole week was kept aside for the wedding feast before I was permitted to take my bride away on the honeymoon.Now, I sit under our favourite tree weaving a flower crown for my bride. The cold pendant, a gift from Isla which also happens to be the heirloom of her family is pressed to my chest underneath my shirt on a gold chain.Osar flashes me a wide grin. "I have finished, Kyan. Let's see how Lyza will like it."It wasn't
The EndYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HutKintilIslaI'M OUTSIDE WITH MOTHER and Mavli plucking pumpkin leaves for soup when a deafening thumping of hooves against the Earth is heard. Frightened, we rush inside and hide only peeping out through the windows."It could be them again!" Mavli's lower lip starts to quaver.Mother's lips move wordlessly with silent prayer.Carriages come in view, hundreds of them. Some of the carriages speed by and some stop near our hut. Valri is bleating with fright outside, Mother is whimpering with tears and Mavli clutches my arm, her nails digging into my flesh.
The ReturnYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe MarketKintilIslaIT'S BEEN HOURS.It's been hours since we laid Nadhat to rest among the reeds but still Mavli hasn't said a single word. I'm afraid for her but I know better than to say anything that might upset her more. Let her grieve, she deserves some time to grieve.Our mares trot carefully into the extensive land that was once our market. I take in all the destruction, the broken and burnt stalls. And far away,,I see a rotting corpse, I shut my eyes and turn away not wanting to see another body having seen Nadhat's.Nadhat.
The ArrowYear of the RosesFloral SeasonRoad to KintilRoad to KintilMavliTHE SUN HAS RISEN.We are almost there.Almost.We have been riding all night and day. The sun rays are peering through the clouds and threatening to end the cover of night, we dismount the horses and trot side by side with them. The smell of livestock and vegetables is over powering as we enter the Altsas market. Even if it is so early in the morning, the market is already as bustling as a bee hive. We have to elbow, duck and push our way through. My stomach churns loudly when my eyes dart to a stall of a fruit seller; the pyramid
The GirlYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe throne roomAltsasKyanMY FATHER'S EYES grows dark with ire. A large vein throbs frantically at his temple, his large hands form fists on the arms of the throne and he snarls bestially. Lyza chokes a sob, large tears pooling in her eyes. My mother doesn't say a word, she is the most collected of us. My Aunt and Rakar pace up and down the throne room. It is Rakar that breaks the silence with a growl."That harlot left you? You let that harlot escape?" He walks towards me with a glare, "I don't believe that you let a mere woman outsmart you!" He yells pointing a finger at me.I'm not angry, not at all. I'm heartbroken, for
The ReunionYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaTHE WORLD FREEZES. I'm consumed by something strong, something strange. It's happiness. It's shock. It's tension. It's tears.And I start to cry. I cry so hard it comes out in choking gasps. The woman appears at my side instantly and rubs my shoulders, concern mares her face. "What's the matter? Did you know her?"I nod, my face is dredged by the salty waterfall from my stinging eyes. "Mavli... Is my sister."The woman gasps, her hand flies to her mouth. "It's you. She mentioned looking for you!"
The RunYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaI'M STARVING and tired. I've been riding since yesternight and sunset is near. I can already see the tease of light at the horizon. Lady Gin-Gin whines softly probably as hungry and as tired as I am. I do my best to ignore her. Our pace has slowed down greatly and now, we are trotting down and unfamiliar road.But I have hope because at a distance, I can see a small flicker of light. I'm approaching a village and that gives me hope so I go on. No matter how hard my belly groans or how heavy my eyelids are or how painfully my heart aches, I'll continue. And if Lady Gin-Gin decides to stop, I'll walk.I see ad
The Promise and the HurricaneYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasIslaWHEN THE SUN SITS high up in the sky and the fullness in my stomach I got from eating the rabbit dissipates, I lose my patience and turn to Kyan who is lying face up on the ground. "I want to have a bath." I jump up from my favourite spot under the tree. I grab my bag and start tramping through trees, leaving footprints in the soft earth and scaring of birds from their perches as I go.Kyan's heavy footsteps follows closely behind, he doesn't say anything but follows humbly which I'm utterly surprised at. When I stop confused on which path to take, he drapes his arm around my waist making me flinch and he steers me to the right path
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