Chapter 13: The New Kumari

The return journey through the forest to the lake's coast felt significantly longer than the journey to the temple. The excitement and anticipation that Bae had felt was now gone and in its place Bae was filled with fatigue. She was far more aware of the magic around her than before though, finding the plants and trees fascinating, she felt a need to touch everything. Where before everything had looked like a beautiful scenic painting, now it was vibrant and alive with magic sparkling everywhere she looked.

Her eyelids struggled to stay open and her feet shuffled through the undergrowth causing her to trip. Prince Armel was there within the blink of an eye to support her.

"Kumari, should we stop so you can rest?" His voice was softer than she'd ever heard it before.

Shaking her head, she stumbled forward, eager to reach the ship where a bed was waiting for her.

"Let me carry you then," he said but again she shook her head. He refused to accept her answer, picking her up, he cradled her in his arms. "Rest, Bae."

Bae did not fight the sleep that beckoned her, her ear pressed against his chest she could hear his heart beating steadily, a gentle reminder that at least for the moment, in his arms, she was safe.

***

When she came to, Bae was curled up next to the Kitsune in bed. Looking around, she recognised the Queen's chambers on the royal boat.

The Kitsune purred softly as she stroked its head.

"Should we go look for everyone else?"

The fox did not respond, instead it simply lowered its head beneath its paw as if in protest. There was a knock at the door before Kael entered the cabin room.

"Kumari, we're arriving."

She smiled excitably, eager to start the preparations for her tour of the realm.

Upon leaving her chamber she was disappointed not to find Prince Armel amongst those that were waiting for her to disembark. Searching the length of the ship with her eyes, she did not find him. She considered asking Kael where the prince was but did not want to face her brother's disapproving glare when she was still so tired.

Adelaide came to walk beside her as they made their way back to the castle.

"We'll need to set off for Canku in the morning."

Bae nodded her head, barely listening to her Chief Advisor.

"Prince Armel and the Cankurian generals have already left to make preparations in Canku for your arrival."

Bae's shoulders slumped at the idea of facing the journey without Armel.

"You should rest Kumari. We'll make sure everything is ready."

"But..." Bae wanted to help but she was also dog-tired. The Kitsune at her feet gave her a look that suggested it too wanted to sleep. Instead of arguing further, Bae made her way to her bedchamber. Changing out of her dress, Bae quickly collapsed onto the large bed, pulling the covers over her head to hide away from the rising sun that was starting to shine through her eastern windows.

***

Bae felt less rested when she was woken from her sleep than she had felt before it. She couldn't have rested for more than three hours before her maid was entering the room with a tray of food. She should have been grateful. After all, she'd failed to eat much the day before. It had been far too chaotic and Bae had struggled to find the time to eat. What's more she'd felt far too anxious. She hadn't really believed that she'd have been able to keep food down. But now was different, curled up in her bed, her eyes closed as she pretended to still be sleeping her mind was focused on one thing alone; seeing Prince Armel again.

She couldn't wait to begin her journey to his tribe land. Kael had of course, told her about Canku. After his first visit to his tribe land he'd come back to the castle keen to tell her all about the crazy long beaches, the sand dunes that were taller than he was, and the endless line of cliffs. He'd described to her how he'd loved living in the caves that had been carved into those cliffs. In fact, her older brother had irritably informed her that if he was not destined to be her Chief Protector, he would have much rather stayed in Canku. For the first month or so after his return, Kael could be seen moping about the castle, complaining to anyone who would listen that the castle was too cold and that he missed Canku. Bae was ready to see for herself what all the fuss had been about. Perhaps she too would develop an affinity for the place and not want to leave.