Chapter 41

      The boat creaked and groaned on the choppy waves. As it turned out Aurelia and boats were not a good mix. She spent much of her time feeling queasy. She lay there on a hammock focused on a singular nail to keep the bile in her throat down. After a week on the boat,  the princess longed to feel the firmness of the earth beneath her feet. 

   The winds remained strong and the weather favored them for the last week. Gael proved to be a capable leader and would frequently check on Aurelia much to Zinjo's displeasure. Aurelia admitted the muscular sailor held some interest for her, but always paled in comparison to Zinjo. 

   Their first stop was the port of a small kingdom called Larylia, Gael entered Aurelia's cabin and nodded to Zinjo, "We'll be here in Larylia for a few days. They have the most beautiful botanical gardens and their forest boasts some bizarre rock formations, you can hire a guide for a decent price." He lowered his voice, "Word to the wise keep your lion forms a secret the people here can get spirited when faced with the unknown."

  "Who rules here?" Zinjo asked in a harsh tone that demanded answers. 

   Aurelia rolled her eyes, "We are going to have a long talk about your behavior as of late," Her voice grew low and deadly. She let her icy stare chill her future husband. 

   Zinjo shrank a little under the chilly gaze, "Why does it feel cold in here?"

   Gael chuckled, "I'm familiar with the sensation, my savage friend, "Which reminds me, you two should change into something more civilized. Your armor and weapons will attract all sorts of the wrong attention from the guards. Also, I'd carry the royal seal with you, just in case of trouble finds you two."

  "I have nothing to wear. Most of my clothes are for traveling," Aurelia sighed in frustration, "I wish we had stopped by Shadowfen before we left."

   "Hmmm," Zinjo rubbed his chin, "Then we shall go on a shopping expedition until you find the right one," He put on his best smile and held out his hand, "We can discuss my behavior on the way."

   Aurelia looked at the plain walls of the cabin and longed to see anything else, even if it started an argument with the man she loved. She gripped the calloused hand and allowed Zinjo to help her up. He pulled her tight to his body and crushed her against his hard form. "Alright, but you still have to answer for recent actions."

***

    When they bought Zinjo's suit, Aurelia thought Zinjo was joking about his new suit. As it turned out he brought it with him, just in case, "I like how it makes me feel," He said as he led a bedraggled Aurelia off the ship. The metal royal seal tapped against her chest in a steady rhythm. 

   Much to Aurelia's dismay, Gael had spoken the truth, the locals were impeccably dressed. Satin gowns, men attired in eye-catching jackets and slacks, impressed the princess to no end. The streets themselves were unlike any other Aurelia had seen. Vibrant planters, filled with flowers of all descriptions gave the air a sweet and salty flavor. 

She turned to Zinjo and almost forgot she was a little mad with him. She gestured to an elaborate metal bench and spoke in a clear voice, "I've noticed you don't like Gael all that much. What is the problem?"

  Zinjo clapped his hands together and nervously rubbed them together, "He looks at you with affection, and I am afraid to lose you."

   "I am not a set of keys or some trinket. The only way you can lose me is if you keep acting like an idiot around him. Jealousy is an unflattering color on you. Gael is a handsome man, but he is not you. I fell in love with you the day we met."

  "I am ashamed of my actions, Dark Princess," Zinjo lamented, "I should've had more faith in your love for me," His broad shoulders slumped and he clasped his hands between his knees. 

   How could Aurelia stay mad at such an adorable man? She put her arms around Zinjo and kissed him softly and then more firmly, "I don't mind a little jealousy. It's flattering, to be honest," Zinjo perked up a little at her words, "But when you start to call the people we depend on down, it's not so flattering and makes us both look bad."

  Zinjo rubbed his hands in thought and nodded, "You are lioness above others, dark princess. You have a strong will and ga gentle heart. Sometimes I feel unworthy of your love and affection." 

  "You are always worthy of my love and affection, even if I am mad at you. Did you learn nothing from the bite incident?"

   "I suppose my father was right, men are fools when it comes to women. I didn't understand what he meant until now."

   Aurelia laughed and kissed him again, "Come let us find something flattering for me to wear." 

***

    LLayla'sclothing shops took up half of the market area. Women dressed in the latest fashions ushered mammalian females alike through the doors, in hopes they had full coin purses. As a royal Aurelia had come to expect special considerations from the shops she entered. This was not the case in Larylia.

   The attendants inside were rude and pushed her aside like an old boot. "Excuse me, sir, have you been helped? I would be more than willing to show our latest fashions in the back." The blond attendant undid her blouse strings and gave the warrior a come hither look.

   Zinjo looked over at Aurelia as if to say, "Help."

   Aurelia was content to let him suffer for another minute before she stepped in. Zinjo's face grew more and more disgusted with the attendant's attention as time went on, "Aurelia, please tell them who you are," He pleaded. 

   Aurelia popped the Parsol open, "I respectfully ask you ladies to back off my future husband," her tone grew regal and demanded respect from the women. 

   The blond attendant refused to let it go, "Look at how you're dressed. How could such a man be interested in a little trollop like you?"

   Aurelia tossed the royal seal at the blond and unsheathed her blade, "I am Aurelia, princess of  Shadowfen. I suggest you back away from my future husband or things will get unpleasant in a hurry," Her words tore through the assembled group and the other two attendants fell to one knee.

  The shop owner fell to her knees, and pointed to the seal, "I'd follow suit Anessa, I've been to Shadowfen before and this royal seal is the genuine article."

   The blonde shot a look of fear and hatred towards Aurelia, "Now, I'd be more than happy to spend my gold in your fine establishment, providing Anessa stays in the back. I suspect she is showing customers more than the latest fashions."

   The eyes of Zinjo gazed hungrily at Aurelia, "Do you have something to match my suit?"

   The owner rose to her feet and straightened her dress, "Lets see what we have in stock."