Love War

Chapter 1

Prince Cael uncomfortably tugged at his stiff tunic collar as he pasted on a smile, and went to greet Princess Freja. He loathed her. It wasn't that she was ugly. It wasn't that she was bad company. It wasn't even the grating way she batted her eyelashes at him.

  It was the fact that though he had never met her before, she was to be his wife. The concealed and threatening glares he received from his mother and father, hidden behind pleasant smiles, didn't make him any more agreeable to the idea.

  His parents stood on a bridge that arched over a small creek a few yards away; carefully watching. The stern look on his father's face was enough to give him chills. He was as trapped as a court bird; an animal to be looked upon. A tool to be used as needed.

  Cael pushed his imprisoning thoughts away as he approached the princess and bowed. "Princess Freja, it is an honor to have you here. I hope you enjoy your stay."

    She batted her eyelashes again. "The pleasure is mine, Prince Cael."

    "Shall we take a turn around the gardens?" he asked, as he offered her his arm.

    "We shall."

  An awkward silence fell between them as they paced the pebbled walks. Cael could see the Queen giving him a glare and pointing to her mouth. Talk!

    Cael sighed. "I trust your arrival was safe?"

    "It was," Princess Freja said. "however, I must say I was a little frightened to come here. One does hear such stories!"

    "Stories? Stories of what?"

    "Why the Fera-people, of course! Such despicable, soulless monsters. How could anyone call them human?!"

    Cael frowned, opened his mouth, shut it, then opened it once more. "Have you ever met a Fera?" he asked.

    "Thank the Maker, no!" She exclaimed. "I think I would die of fright! I've seen them. We keep them as slaves in Vlasa. At least the savages can serve a decent purpose that way."

    Cael felt his voice raising in annoyance. "I don't think it's fair to assume—"

    "Princess Freja!" The Queen called. "My dear, why don't you and Cael join us for some tea. Won't you?"

    "Of course, your Highness!" Freja answered coyly.

  The young Prince followed her to his parents slowly, like a prisoner being led to his execution. He remained silent throughout the rest of their interactions to the King and Queen's obvious frustration. There was plenty he might have said, but he knew it would only fall on deaf ears.

  Looking at Princess Freja's kittenish eyes, feeling his mother's frosty mood, and avoiding his father's disapproving eyes, Cael realized he was just a pawn in the game of royalty. The thought of it made him wish he had wings so he could fly far, far away. Never again to look at another guard, another royal flag, another garden statue, and especially not another princess ever again.

⚜️

  Rahnya scowled at her father as she entered their hut. It was dark but her eyes adjusted quickly. Dread filled her, but the young Fera clenched her jaw and stepped boldly inside, her father following.

  Baldur, the most popular warrior in their Fera village, stood smiled as he held out a golden cup of wine. A marriage cup. Rahnya was aware that she should feel honored. She knew she should feel thankful, even ecstatic. But she wasn't. Rather, she felt sick.

    She squared her shoulders and growled. "I thought I made myself clear, Baldur. I will never marry you."

    "Rahnya!" Her mother and father both gasped.

  Baldur's face darkened. He slammed the cup down on the table and stormed out while the spilled wine stained its clean wooden surface like blood. As usual, not getting his way was going to cause pain for someone. Rahnya shuddered as his shadow passed over her.

    "Talk some sense into her." Rahnya's father muttered angrily as he followed the hot headed Fera warrior outside.

    "Darling, please," the woman pleaded and grabbed her daughter's arm. "Baldur is a good man. The best you could ever ask for. He's strong, wise—"

    Rahnya shook her off. "And selfish and pig-headed and cruel! Once the wedding is over and the glitter fades, I won't be his wife. I'll be his slave and you know it!"

    Her mother grimaced. "He's...so insistent," she said, rubbing her arm.

    "He threatened you?!"

    "It's what's best for all of us."

    "Momma I can't marry him. I'd rather die!"
A scream filled the air, and in a moment her world Rahnya shattered.

  She wheeled towards the only window, searching for the cause. Fera warriors  were grabbing their weapons and rushing towards the continuing shrieks. Then, in the distance, she saw the sun glinting off amor. Soldiers.

  Terrified, she snatched her father's javelin from beside the door and flung aside the doorway's curtain.

    "What are you doing?!" her mother cried clutching Rahnya's arm.

    Rahnya shook her off, and answered as she bolted, "Anything I can."

  Hardly thinking, she flung herself into the skirmish. Her javelin made contact with a sword. She flung it out of it's owner's hands and kicked him down.

  A bloodcurdling cry made her whirl as she saw one of the soldiers draw his sword out from a Fera's chest just behind her. Her tribesman fell to the ground, clutching his wound. She clenched her teeth and ran for the soldier.

  Rahnya thrust her javelin, but he dodged at the last second, causing her to lose her balance and stumble forward. He caught her arm and she beat on him with her fists. A lucky strike hit him in the eye and he howled. He shoved her into the arms of another soldier.

    "Take this one to the cages," he grunted. "She'll fetch a handsome price at the docks."

    "Aye, Captain." The soldier began to drag her away.

    "Don't touch me!" She snarled and jammed her foot into the man's shin.

  He howled and released her, then caught her again. Slapping him with her wings she tried to fly, but shot into a tree limb. She felt one of her wings snap and she tumbled to the ground.

  Fear and adrenaline spurring her on, she scrambled to her feet and fled. She ran until the sounds of fighting faded. Until she finally fainted from pain and exhaustion.