King Sala

“Speak.” Dayton snapped, ready for business.

“King Sala is requesting a meeting with our new guest.” She gasped out through short heaves of breath, eyes wide as she looked toward Juniper.

“For fuck’ sake! How did he find out so quick?”

“What?” Juniper asked, but they were too caught up in worry to respond.

“Kai missed an emergency meeting, and they flagged our arrival the moment we crossed the threshold.”

“Ma Rye Teh!” He spat the foreign words with his hands balling into fists. “Okay. Kai is going to kill us if we fuck this up.” He paced the room, and Stasia had to jump out of his path. “Do you have clothes for her?”

“Yeah, I stuffed them in the bag.”

“K, go hurry.” He waved his hand at them as his other hand combed his hair.

Stasia nodded her head curtly.“K… Juniper, follow me, please.”

Juniper followed, reading Stasia’s body language, and feeling nervous herself. They walked into a large bathroom with black marble-like stone. The room was lit by something inside the walls, giving a soft blue glow.

“Take your clothes off... hurry.”

Juniper stripped in front of her and instantly wrestled layers of fabric Stasia threw over her head. She felt hesitant to put it on due to how warm the room was.

“K, listen carefully. Be as respectful as you possibly can. When you get there, you will kneel, bow your head, and not speak unless you are told. Whatever is said, even if you disagree, please don’t speak up. You can talk to me later, and I will help you be heard in this castle… now, let your hair down; I need to comb it.”

“What’s going to happen?” Juniper asked as she was trying to be patient with all the pushing around.

“Kai will be there, so as long as you do as you’re told, they will just talk, and everything will be fine.”

“So I’m meeting the king?”

“Yes, but please don’t look at him unless he permits you. Put your cloak back on.” Stasia did one last final look over, then grabbed Juniper’s hand to lead her to her next destination. “We’re ready, Dayton; let’s hurry.”

...

Once again, Juniper found herself through a maze of hallways before they reached a large wooden door guarded by two men dressed in a duller yet similar uniform to Dayton’s. Dayton pulled her arm back before taking more steps toward the guards.

“Just remember, you drank the sacred elixir to our kind, and you are an ancient enemy. Anything you do that’s disrespectful will be viewed and punished ten times harsher than if it were to come from our kind.”

Juniper noted his stern expression and the stubble on his face. But before she could respond, He ushered her through the door. He walked her to the center, then backed away to a kneeling position.

She hastily noticed the shine on the light gray floor with something carved into it. The walls had embedded lava that shone light into the room, and she was faintly aware of the colorful paintings on the wall, but felt too overwhelmed to focus on them.

Closer to the door, farther off to the left, was Kai, with a severe look on his face. He was the only one who wasn’t kneeling. With a chest full of nerves, Juniper kneeled to the floor, bowed her head, and hushed her breathing. The only thing that she could hear was the beating of her own heart.

There was a long silence.

“This is the girl, Kai?”

“Yes, father. She is called Juniper.”

Is the king Kai’s father? She thought to herself and almost looked up but stopped.

“Juniper, please remove your hood so I can look at you.” She slowly did so. Unsure if she should look up at him but too nervous not to look, she met his approving gaze.

The king had the same stature as Kai. Around his eyes, though they aged from a life lived, they softened the same way, and the flames glowed in his irises strong with life. He had a regal calmness that called to her.

He let out a soft gasp. “Men would go to war for a face like that… Kai, I trust you will see to it that she adapts to our ways here.”

“Yes, father.”

“Tonight,” He said with a clearing of his throat.

There was a silent hush in the air, and Kai switched to the unknown tongue. He seemed to disagree with what his father had just said. His father responded so that she may still hear.

“She is an outsider trusted in our ways. Many of our kind would kill or claim her for their own if she does not bear the markings. Your verbal claim of protection will only get you so far. Tonight she will receive her first marking. All other traditional markings may be for another time.”

“Yes, father.”

“Take her there now.” He ordered with a wave of his hand.

“Yes, father... Juniper, come.” Kai spoke, extending his hand, which she gracefully took and rose. “Bow goodbye to the king.”

Juniper did as she was told, which rewarded her with some giggles from everyone in the room. She wasn’t sure how else to bow.

Kai swiftly took her out of the room and turned the first corner down the hall. He had her pressed against the wall. His hands cupped her face, and his lips were close to hers. She didn’t push away. She felt too confused about everything.

“You were so amazing in there.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry we must do this tonight, but my father is right. I need to ensure your safety.”

“What’s happening?”

He let out a sigh. “We will run a ritual to have you bear a mark that tells everyone you are of this castle. Any harm to you is a death sentence. Come, we mustn’t keep my father waiting.” He pulled her back into the hall and walked towards Stasia and Dayton, who were both waiting for them. They had pitiful looks on their faces.

“Wait, Kai… I don’t like this.” Kai hastily turned to her and petted her hair. “I know. After this, I’ll take you back to the room so that you can rest.” He then pulled her hand along. “We mustn’t be late.”