Beck's Pov
While Mari and the rest play games at night, I write a letter. I explain everything that has befallen the North Court and her newest residences. My hope is Val will back off. But my gut tells me he won't.
Prince Val,
My deepest apologies, but I will have to politely decline your request to hand you, your captain and your fiancé. Both have been offered positions here in my Father's court. They have accepted their roles and, in doing so, have severed ties with Amberanian. In closed with this letter are two copies of their contracts. Again my deepest apologies. If you attempt to take them back, the North will push back. That is not a threat but a promise.
Sincerely,
Beck Prince of Kaliste, the North Court
I fold up the letter and the copies of the contracts. Then I fold them within a thicker piece of paper and seal that with wax. This should do it. If not, Val will march upon Vitaris. A bigger problem indeed.
"Beck, come see this!"
I look over at Myla. In her hands is Mari's sketchbook. Mari may have an inch on Myla, but Myla is creative. The smaller female uses her leg to keep the book out of Mari's reach. "Myla! Give it back,"
Myla mutters about showing me a stunning work. It seems she knows I'll love it. She just about says so.
"Hang on, let me just send this letter." I flick my wrist, and the letter disappears into thin air. Myla grins as I walk over. Mari relaxes. "What is so important?"
"This!" Myla shoves the sketchbook in my face. I step back to let my eyes adjust to the paper. On the paper is me, staring back at me.
"Spirits!"
"Holy fae, it's terrible. I knew I should have taken to writing instead!" She covers her face with her hands. The tips of her ears turn bright red. She continues to freak out.
"Mari...Mari...Mari!" I gently grab her by her shoulders to get her attention. "Your drawing is the best I have seen since the passing of the art Curator."
Slowly she takes her hands off her face. She looks at me with big eyes. "Really?"
I give her the biggest grin I can and nod. "Truly,"
"Thank you." She says meekly.
I take her by her arm and lead her over to the balcony. This particular balcony overlooks the entire upper, middle and lower towns. I glance down at the tall yet small woman beside me and smile. I can't imagine someone else by my side. Even though I've known her for two days, she feels like a missing piece. "Wow, it's so beautiful."
"She is,"
We stand here for the longest time--listening to our silence and the chatter of the towns. In the distance, the lower town is alight with nightlife. Many will be at one of the taverns, and some will be at home. On occasion, Mylo drags me to the lower town to help put on shows at a festival. Many fond memories are with Mylo performing skits.
I hope Val's following letter will be less threatening and more accepting. In the chance of an attack, the middle town would be evacuated as the guard would take it over. It's the closest to the main pass through the mountains. The path runs from the mountain pass directly to the middle town and the castle.
The upper and lower towns will host those that stay and will become a stronghold of sorts. Kalisté is the only Kingdom to be surrounded by mountains. The mountains make the North a hassle to get to. Unless Val takes portals, if he does, it will exhaust his mages before the battle even begins. If he does use his mages like that, those with magic will be spent. Those without magic will have to lead the battle, and they will lose.
He'll also need a double-sided circle of spells to make a portal. Father had Mylo working all night to block all the portals outside Kaliste. Even if Val decided to use portals he wouldn't be able to. All the wall portals have been closed to outsiders. He won't be going anywhere fast. Agni's high mage--
"Can we go for a walk?" I nearly jump out of my skin, but I must agree with the beautiful female beside me. A walk would be lovely.
"If you'd like to, we shall." She takes my offered arm.
We walk down the halls until we reach the courtyard doors. The very ones that lead straight through the citadel and to the town. We keep to the right of the cobbled path, allowing heavy traffic to go around us. The lamps light up the streets, and we walk till the bells ring midnight.
_______
"Your Majesty! Please wake!" A female yells in my ear while shaking me. I promptly wave the person off and sit up.
"What is it?"
I catch a glance at the window. No light shines through. Why am I up this early? "It's not even dawn."
"King Kent has some disturbing news."
"Oh," It dawns on me why I'm being woken at this ugly hour. Val must have responded. I shove the covers off my body and give the small female instructions. "Tell my Father I'll be at his office in 10."
The female leaves my rooms and I pull a shirt over my chest. My boots lay waiting by the door, discarded as I had been exhausted after my long walk with Mari. Instead of pulling them on, I grab them before racing to Father's office.
It hardly takes five minutes to get to Father's office. I forgo the curtsy of knocking and walk-in. "Beck, I see you managed to drag yourself out of bed."
"Haha, hilarious, Father." I pull on my boots. When I'm finished, Father hands me a letter.
Beck,
Your inability to take action has been noted, and three days from this morn, your Kingdom will fall. I will have my Captain and Bride.
Val King of Amberanian, The Flame Court
"Is Val truly King?" I ask, dread filling me to the core at the thought of what I've done.
"His Father, Agni, has been ill for many months. I received word on the 21st that he succumbed to his illness."
"When was Val coronated?"
"He was coronated when he arrived home from Caledonia." I nod, not having the energy to come up with a response. Father notices my lack of energy and tells me we can talk later.
I take my leave and head back to my room to sleep. When I attempt to sleep, it does not take me. My only thought is how Val will arrive in three days. He can't go through the portals. Those are closed.
When the female comes to wake me again, she is surprised to find me awake. I let her know that Mari is to be woken up and taken, as usual, to the court's dining room. Then I leave to get some breakfast and coffee with the rest.
Fifteen minutes into breakfast, Mari and Myla walk in, chatting aimlessly. I chuckle at their fast friendship. I'm happy for her. She's been through so much change. She deserves to feel comfortable and accepted.
I go back to my eggs and toast until Myla interrupts. "Beck, which fabric do you think is better?"
I nearly choke on the toast I shoved into my mouth. Mari and Myla intently stare, eagerly awaiting my answer. "You know Mylo is a better person to ask."
Myla slaps her hands onto her hips and gives me a look. "Yes, but do you see him in the room?"
Right. He's late.
"...Which fabrics?"
"The ones were wearing, or do you think were naked?" Myla gives me a knowing look. Even though she's been here for a year, she can read my emotions like Mother. I barely keep a blush from reaching my ears at that comment, but I manage to answer the question.
"No,"
Both females eagerly await my answer. I resist the urge to shove another bite of toast into my mouth. Myla will only berate me for stalling. "...I believe Mari is wearing the more elegant fabric.
"I told you," Mari grins shyly as if I had complimented her beauty instead of the fabric. "purple is more elegant than yellow."
"Myla, if you would excuse Mari and me for a moment."
Myla takes the hint and goes to grab breakfast. I stand and offer Mari my arm. She accepts my offer. I lean over the table and grab two rolls. Then I take her out into the hall. We walk for a while, snacking on the buttery deliciousness. I enjoy the silence before I give her the bad news. "Who do I owe the honour of thanking for this walk?"
"No one, I enjoyed our walk last night, so I thought, why not take one this morning." I glance down at the female, who has a look I'm all too familiar with. "I'm sure you already know, but Val and I have sent a few letters back and forth, clearing you and Bianca from his grasp. We got a nasty response early this morning."
Mari stops dead in her tracks. "What?"