Page 16 of Of Snow and Sapphire

He slammed the door behind him. His guards stopped eating their dinners to flick their eyes to the cause of commotion. Zimyn’s anger had become so strong that his vision blurred.

“Did Kotyn try to eat your hand again?” Flix joked.

He knew the words were said light-heartedly, and he knew that he shouldn’t take his frustration out on his guards but he snapped.

“Shouldn’t you be patrolling the back gardens?”

Flix rested his legs on the long table, as another guard quickly swiped his plate away so as to not get dirt on it. “I’m not taking the bait. You know that I don’t have a night shift today. Something must be really wrong if you’re getting it mixed up in your head.” He took a big bite of his bread roll, talking with his mouth full. “I think we all know who it’s about, too.”

The other guards seated at the long table nodded.

“If I’m so obvious,” he said as he stole his own bread roll from someone’s plate, “why are you asking?”

Novus stepped in, pouring a small glass of clear liquid that he shoved into Zimyn’s hand. “Out of respect. We want you to say it, to trust us enough with your sorrows like we trust you with ours.”

Zimyn gave Flix a quick look, trying to read if the other guards knew of his upcoming departure; he shook his head.

It could wait then. Besides, he needed to be clear-headed to make such a large announcement. They all deserved that much at least.

Zimyn swished the liquor before downing it. His eyes stung again, not used to drinking since he always needed to be on alert. He took the bottle from Novus’ hand and poured another. The second shot went down more smoothly, and the burn coated his throat nicely.

All eyes were on him expectantly as if any moment from now he would break down into tears as his heart bled out. No, he wouldn’t do that. There would be no point, speaking about it wouldn’t staunch the wound.

“I am your Captain. I share your sorrows, but you do not need to bear the weight of mine.” He tried smiling, but his mouth started to feel detached from his body.

Pyro said from his spot along the back wall, “You don’t have to do it alone.”

But he did.

Once, long ago, he thought that he would have Ludelle by his side for the rest of their days. Not just as her Captain, but as her talisman that would serve her as decreed by the Weather Gods. His purpose was to keep her flesh safe and her heart whole because they were each other’s life source, one could not breathe without the other.

That was when he accepted his future fate as Captain because it meant being by her. Now, he knew that could never be true. He needed to leave.

Eight

Waking up the next day and dressing in one of her finest gowns had been a challenge for Ludelle. Her maid pinched and prodded until her cheeks were tinged with a faded blue hue, her white hair shining with a dusting of glitter, and her dress clung perfectly to her tired body. The tight bodice straightened her back uncomfortably, but at least she looked resplendent. The silver beading that covered practically every inch of fabric weighed more than it had a right to, and the high neckline accentuated her long neck, while her exposed arms were also covered in glitter and rhinestones. The seamstress had said it was to mirror her guards’ scales, to show the men vying for her hand that she had a whole force of people behind her.

A pretty sentiment.

A knock came from her door, causing Kotyn’s ears to perk up. She jumped down from her stoop near the window to stand beside Ludelle as if protecting her from danger. Ludelle leaned over, even if her movements were restricted, and scratched behind the large cat’s soft ears. She nudged her head so Ludelle could reach the exact spot she liked best. A spoiled beast, but Kotyn deserved it.

“Come in,” Ludelle announced, as she adjusted a silver bracelet around her wrist.

Balvan trudged in with his usual piles of paper in his hands and a pen tucked behind his ear. Ludelle would have laughed if it weren’t for the fact that she was being forced to entertain all the nobles because of him.

His eyes blinked a few times and scoured the room, as if just recognizing where he was after being so lost in whatever he had been reading on his way over. He took in Ludelle as she stood in front of the mirror, her bed that had dresses laying all over it, and Kotyn who was ready to pounce. “I hope that barn animal is more useful beyond giving…cuddles.”

Kotyn hissed, stalking towards him. Ludelle gave Balvan some credit; he didn’t balk even when she started sniffing him, stretching her maw towards his neck, her sharp teeth ready to clamp down on his throat to prove exactly how useful she could be. She backed away when she accepted that he wasn’t a real threat, but not before swatting her tail, startling him enough to drop everything in his hands.

Ludelle chuckled. “How may I help you, Balvan?”

He was on his knees, compiling everything and muttering profanities to himself. Kotyn just yawned and went back to her nap.

“I’m here to escort you, Queen Ludelle.”

Usually her Captain would be the one to do that. Ludelle wondered if Zimyn told Balvan he was unable to or if Balvan urged against having the nobles see them together.

Either way, she could escort herself. When she told Balvan as much, he waved her off.

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