"No, the red dress, you idiot!"
The Queen was beautiful. Her dark hair was a chocolate color and spilled over her back, coming to a stop at her waist. Her eyes were the precise color of honey and her skin was a creamy white. She was graceful and tall and always moved as though she had a purpose. She was a wolf.
But right now, to Kira, she sounded like a Screech Owl. Her harsh voice hit a decibel no one was meant to hear. Kira winced but did as her Queen bid, retrieving the maroon dress and pulling it on. With a few practiced moves, the dress was tied and showcased the queens beauty to it's fullest extent.
Sometimes, Kira found herself wishing to look like the Queen. Instead, she had flaming red hair that was set on lightly tanned skin. Her eyes were a pale green and were wide, making her face look long. Altogether, is was a weird effect.
Kira moved to the door, giving the Queen time to maneuver herself into a flattering position before she opened the door. Simultaneously, Kira opened the chamber door and the servant entrance. She ducked out of the room, just as the Queen's son entered.
With a sigh, she made her way to the Princesses chamber. She was stupid. She knew why she had been called to the Queen to help her dress. This would mean less time for the Princess to dress. Jealousy went deep, Kira knew.
Arriving at the Princesses door, she knocked quietly.
The door opened a crack and Kira slipped in. The Princess smiled at her, the light of relief in her eyes.
"I worried she had done you in," the Princess said. "Rauline is terrifying sometimes."
Kira nodded agreement, returning to her previous thought. The Queen was beautiful. But the Princess was stunning. While Rauline had chosen a typical maroon dress (one of the state colors), Aria had chosen a dark blue. Her skin was just as creamy as Rauline's but her hair was lighter. A white-blonde.
It cascaded down her back, curling tendrils escaping from the complicated braid. Her eyes were a violet-blue color. Poets had called it violet. She, herself, had called it purple. But Aria insisted they were blue.
A smile came to Kira's lips, while listening to the meaningless chatter of the courts. Aria always knew what was happening and to whom.
This was the only true friendship she had. Aria. But Rauline, if she found out about it, would kill them both. Kira could barely sleep at nights when she had almost caught the two. Her heart would speed up at every sound and she would scare easily. Almost as easily as her sister had.
And her sister had been killed.
For consorting with the rebels.
Kira had to admire the rebels. They were strong and they fought ruthlessly. Yet they were kind. They let the survivors live. They let messengers live, when the Queen sent a message to scare them. Needless to say, it never worked.
Kira snapped herself back into reality and nearly gaped at the time.
"You must go," Kira exclaimed, her accent thick. It was the accent of the Irishmen. Yet, Kira herself was a wolf. Wolves came from no particular land. They were all over. Each, upon coming into puberty, found their pack. When they reached twenty, they found their mate. Kira herself was filled with anticipation.
She had served this pack for many years and next week would be celebrating her twentieth birthday. When she would meet her mate. She wanted to know what he looked like, could already feel his caress. How he would like her even though she wasn't beautiful like Rauline or stunning like Aria.
Even though she was average. She didn't exude sex like her sister had. She didn't have a natural grace. She was downright clumsy. Or had been. Years of hurrying to serve the Queen had given her long legs agility.
She wasn't even a proper lady. She couldn't sew or embroider. She could, however, wield a dagger. Most of the handmaidens could, due to fending off lust-filled wolves who were convinced that they were a gift to women-kind.
She couldn't sing or play an instrument but she could strategically place silverware so that the guests felt as though there was more then there actually was. She could balance a platter full of food on one finger while the rest held a gown. She could fall down the stairs and not spill a drop of her Queen's wine.
This was due to years of service. These things were required when one was a handmaiden.
And then there was her secret gift. The one not even Aria knew about. Kira stared at her palm. Lifting it, she examined every crevice and line that defined the palm. And then she focused on it.
A small fire lit and danced around her hand.
That night, Kira climbed into bed. The rough wool blanket rubbed on her skin and she kicked it off. It was warm out anyway, she reasoned. With a sigh she closed her eyes. The dream started almost immediately.
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The smoke rose in columns, taking over the sky. Fire spread quickly, catching on the clothes and hair of people. It danced across the night, leaping from house to house. A laugh penetrated through the night and it was filled with madness.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVb5XIbbsN
The madness of life, maybe. The madness of death. She didn't know. She could only watch as family's fled and more laughter filled the air. 486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkQE5j1KKp
The fire was beautiful. Mesmerizing. It reached high into the air and more fire was fed into the flame. Someone put their hand on her shoulder. She felt the fire dissipate and the laughter was suddenly changed. Suddenly, screams were all she could here. Even the cries of the people were gone.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO6UMWRDOa
Tears flooded down her cheeks and she wished she could see who had been laughing, who was now screaming. Who was it? Who caused the danger?
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The Prince stared down at the sleeping figure. It was Kira, he knew. He always knew when it was her. Her auburn hair was spread on the pillow sensually and he felt the first fingers of lust take hold. He ignored them.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UD9qWo6vv
He had known three weeks ago, on his birthday, that she was his mate. He knew that some who had a mate who had not yet reached their own deciding often took them anyway. And he was tempted. Every time she moved, her body bending, her smile curving. He had wanted. But he waited.
For all he knew, she could have another mate. A different one. He didn't know how he'd live without her, but he could manage. If she was happy.
It was strange how, before the deciding, he had accepted his mother's rule. No consorting with the servants. Now, that was all he wanted. His need for his mother to be proud had been replaced with the need for Kira to be happy. If she was happy, he could be. If only.
He removed his hand from her shoulder. He only used his power to dampen dreams occasionally. No one knew about it. Most were convinced he was a telepath. Which he was. Technically. He needed physical contact to read a mind. And to dampen a dream.
Yet, he had sensed her nightmare from the hallway. He, ever since his deciding, had walked this hallway before bed. He had taken a small thrill at being near Kira. That didn't take away his confusion, though. He should have had to touch her to know she was living in a nightmare.
He reached out and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. A mystery for another time, he decided.
He slid out of the room and towards his own.
Entering his large chamber, he heaved a sigh. And a groan. Just by being near Kira, he was half-aroused. He fell onto his bed with a sigh of contentment. No one but Kira could do this to him. Fill him with this wonder, this web of confusion.
No one but Kira.
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