First Day of Many

I wandered to the far end of the bathing chamber, where a low stone bench held neatly folded clothes. There weren’t many options. Most of them looked flowing, and delicate. Designed to be seen.

Absolutely not.

I chose the one that covered the most skin. A thick, fluffy, woolly thing that wrapped around me like a resigned hug. It was soft, warm, and unapologetically unflattering.

Perfect.

I already felt warm from the bath, but I didn’t want to be looked at. So overheating it is.

When I stepped out into the corridor, the air felt cooler, at least. The lobby beyond the bath stretched wide and open. Stone floors gleamed faintly under sunset. Or daystarset?

Two figures stood on the opposite sides of the bath entry.

One was a woman. She stood a little too stiffly on the left side. On closer inspection, she looked flustered. Her hands clasped together like she wasn’t sure what to do with them. She didn’t look like a helper at all. In fact, her face is definitely prettier than most Earth ladies, in Earth standards.

On the other side, Riye.

He was leaning casually against a pillar like he’d been carved there. He looked annoyed until his eyes met mine.

He’s probably why this young girl is shaking…

He stepped closer immediately.

Before I could say a word, he reached out and caught a loose strand of my hair between his fingers. He bent down to kiss sniff it.

‘You smell better,’ he said lightly.

I snorted in an attempt to hide the skip in my heart. ‘High praise.’

He only smiled. I turned back to the woman before he could say anything else. ‘If you were waiting for me, thank you. I’ll go with Riye.’ 

I caught a hint of annoyance on her face. She bowed lightly before walking to the opposite direction.

Understandable. I made her wait. Then I dismiss her like that.

Riye watched her go, then glanced back at me, visibly pleased. Triumphant, even. 

Heh! Your face is not hiding your intentions anymore, Mr. Magical Lion.

The aura of his ego swelled so large I was pretty sure it could’ve filled the entire lobby. And the lobby went on and on.

I raised an eyebrow. ‘You done preening?’

‘Not even close,’ he replied, utterly unrepentant.

We started walking.

‘My parents?’ I asked.

‘They’re fine. Pan’s with them. He’s making sure they actually rest.’ 

Good. Someone had to.

After a few steps, Riye glanced sideways at me. ‘Where do you want to go?’

‘Where do I want to go?’ I echoed.

‘Childhood room or new “grown-up” room,’ he said easily.

I frowned. ‘What’s the difference? Besides location. And, important question, does the water work?’

He laughed, then sighed. ‘I made sure the water works in both.’

‘Excellent. Continue.’

‘The smaller room still has Raiona’s things. Books. Trinkets. Half-finished projects she never came back to.’ He said.

There was something in his voice then. Some longing. Maybe a hint of regret? Affection, Ina. It’s affection.

He continued with a reminiscent head shake. ‘She used to sneak sweets into the library. Claimed she needed fuel for “serious thinking.” Which mostly meant rearranging scrolls just to see if anyone noticed.’

Is it only like someone talking about a younger sibling who’d been a menace and a delight in equal measure? Or is it more?

‘She was very sweet. Never malicious. Just bored... Curious! That’s the best word. Always trying to make people laugh.’ He added.

We walked in silence for a few more seconds, which allowed me to entertain the sound of my mind throwing million questions at once.

For some dumb reason, the first thing my mouth decide to enunciate was, ‘Did you love Raiona or was it just duty for you?’

The question landed heavy between us. Hello?!! Ina!??? What happened to your brain?

We were fast approaching the biggest medieval door I’d ever seen in my life. I stared at it as if a spare brain would come out of it. Nothing. I kept talking.

‘Do you think you can love what Raiona became?’

All I ever meant was, will the people of this world be able to accept me as I am now or not? It took me a few seconds to realize that my question could’ve been taken in a more romantic light.

Ina come on! Wtf!

The silence that followed was not empty.

Riye stopped walking and turned fully toward me. The air shifted. He wasn’t smiling anymore. He looked at me like he was weighing a truth he hadn’t expected to be asked for so soon.

A~…

He took a step closer. I froze and watched him raise his hand towards me in the same manner he had been doing in the past days. Only this time, he didn’t stop halfway anymore.

He placed his hands at the small of my waist firmly. I immediately felt his warmth through my thick clothing. I was suddenly very aware of the fluffy, overly modest wool outfit I’d chosen to protect myself not only from unwanted gaze, and but also exactly this.

He pulled me just close enough that my breath stuttered. My heart thudded loud enough I was certain he could hear it.

‘Ina. I am willing to—’

The medieval doors erupted. Flames burst outward with a roar. Heat and ember washed over us. 

‘Aaaaa!’ I screamed as I fell back. What now?!

I didn’t hit the ground. Riye caught me instantly. One solid hand braced at my back as the world lurched. For a heartbeat, I was pressed against him. The scent of clean wool and something unmistakably him grounded me again.

He smells very… man… So manly… 

I cleared my throat loudly and scrambled upright. I took a deliberate step back. ‘Yes. Gravity. I remember that.’

My flustered reaction only served to embolden him. Riye held my hand and started pulling me closer back to his personal space.

So Marik wasn’t the only “give someone an inch, they’ll take a mile” person on here…

‘SQUAWWKKKKK’ And with that warning, Mede landed on my head. Like a furious, flaming crown.

I winced. ‘Ow! Mede, I swear—’

‘Do not land on her. I finally like how fresh she smells now.’ Riye snapped.

I stared at him. He stared back.

So, that’s how bad you smelled before Ina.

‘Wow! Two lions complaining on how I smelled. That’s a new record.’

Mede screeched again and puffed his feathers. Riye’s jaw tightened. Very calmly, magic shimmered over his hands. A transparent, glowing overlay formed. Massive feline claws layered perfectly over his real ones.

‘Mede,’ he warned.

The bird did not listen. He launched himself into the library with a furious squawk. Riye followed. He leapt like a cat. Full-on straight up.

I gaped as he swatted midair. His claws sliced cleanly through smoke and feathers. When he landed, the stone floor shook. That time, no one caught me when I fell. I landed on my ass with a very undignified ‘oof.’

Both of them looked at me.

Concern flashed in Riye’s face instantly. Mede, well I couldn’t name the expressions on a bird, but he looked towards me. Just enough time for Riye’s clawed hand to snap out with terrifying precision.

Whap. He swatted Mede cleanly into the medieval library door. The impact left embers and drifting cinders in the air.

‘That is for almost setting the books on fire.’

The bird slid down the door in a heap of singed feathers and wounded pride.

I scrambled up immediately and rushed forward. ‘Mede!’

I scooped him up carefully and cradled his warm, trembling body. He made a pathetic little noise and buried his beak against my shoulder.

‘I’ve got you… You absolute menace.’

With claws fading, Riye approached. His expression was torn between relief and exasperation. We stood there amid smoke, embers, half-open doors, and unspoken words.

After all that, the tension between us hadn’t vanished…

‘Take me to my childhood room please.’

He nodded in defeat.

I figured if we went to my new, grown-up quarters instead, the two of them would just keep fighting. I did not have the energy to referee a phoenix and a lion dog in an enclosed space.

I cradled Mede the entire way. He went completely limp in my arms, all fire and arrogance extinguished the second I held him close. His head tucked under my chin, wings slack, breathing warm against my collarbone.

Riye clicked his tongue and sighed every few steps. It made me giggle each time.

‘Where is your arrog— er, confidence now, Mr. Lion?’ I snicked.

I bent my head and kissed Mede’s crown gently. ‘Thanks for rescuing me,’ I murmured.

Riye cursed under his breath as he stared down on bird Mede, making me laugh some more.

We eventually reached the lobby outside my room, the one across from the Queen’s chambers, and the moment I stepped into it, something heavy pressed down on me.

Is someone attacking me?

The energy on this area felt so dense it felt like it leaned against my soul. I hugged Mede tighter as if that would make the feeling go away.

The doors to the Queen’s quarters opened, and he stepped out. The King. My father.

Riye straightened instantly. Mede lifted his head, then hopped from my arms to Riye’s shoulder. Riye didn’t even flinch. They both looked alert and ready. Like soldiers awaiting command.

Father crossed the space between us and kissed my forehead. The warmth of it hit me unexpectedly hard.

This is what a father feels like.

I had Ami on Earth. I had love, and care, and safety. But I’d never had this. A father’s solid presence.

I smiled to myself. The boys were behaving too. Nice. Very nice.

‘Do you need anything?’ Father asked.

‘Everything was great! The bath was incredible.’

His eyes softened. ‘If there is anything you want, it is done. Anything.’

I didn’t even hesitate. ‘I want to see Celphi.’

Something changed in his expression. Riye stepped forward instinctively.

Father lifted one hand. “I’ve got this” is what I thought he meant.

My stomach tightened. What have they done to my boy?

Father spoke calmly. ‘Celphi is resting in the medical wing. Pan ensured your mother was asleep, she was exhausted from crying, and then went to check on him.’

I exhaled exaggeratedly.

He looked at me more closely. ‘You should rest too. You’re likely just as tired as the Queen. Food can be brought to your room.’

I considered it.

Standing there, under his gaze, I felt it again, that overwhelming pressure. His presence wasn’t cruel. Just immense. A man who exuded power without trying. I was just weak to counter it or hold my own.

Skill issue, I realized suddenly.

I need to grow stronger. Strong enough that my spirit doesn’t bow so easily under another’s aura.

I lifted my chin. ‘You said if I ask, it’s done. I want Celphi.’ I stated clearly.

Conviction carried me through the words. Fear followed immediately when Father frowned.

Aw shit.

He suddenly laughed so loud his voice sent ripples through the air.

How powerful do you have to be????

‘Very well. Go see to your pet.’ He said.

That term again..