2.13

Selestra enjoyed the sunny day as she walked along the paths of the magnificent garden. She still couldn't believe that her life had changed so drastically. From an orphan beggar, she suddenly turned into a princess. There is no need to be afraid anymore, to hide, now she can just walk in the luxury orchard, admire the flowers, treat yourself to fruits, listen to the birds singing.

She especially liked to watch little Eki, who often ran past; sometimes they played catch-up together, and when he fell asleep from fatigue, she tenderly stroked his lilac curls and fingered the tiny feathers on his wings.

The girl admitted to herself that she would like to give birth to such a child. 

"Handsome Lariel is his father and husband of the Queen," Selestra sighed sadly.

She fell in love with this winged wizard as soon as she saw it. It wasn't a spell, she didn't look into his eyes, she turned away. Her eyes were looking for him everywhere, maybe he will come with his son to play, and she will check how good he is, suddenly it seemed to her. An unfamiliar feeling tore from her chest. Syrinxes flew high in the sky and life was seen in iridescent colors.

"How are you, Selestra?" Kamily at once appeared. "Do you like everything?"

"Yes, everything is wonderful."

"But you are sad, scared of someone? The palace is guarded, no one should come near you."

"Everything is fine! Nobody comes up to me."

"I can see something is making you gloomy."

"I really like your son, I would like such a child. He is so adorable, gives so much joy. You are so happy - you will have another one soon..." Selestra glanced at the Queen's stomach with a smile.

Kamily raised her eyebrows in surprise and exclaimed, clasping her hands:

"Oh, how lovely that you love children! It would never have crossed my mind that motherly feelings would surge in you. So it's no problem, you can choose any guy you want and you can easily get pregnant"

The girl asked in bewilderment:

"Like this? I can choose?"

"The title of princess allows you to choose a father for your child. There are so many of them - a whole army of handsome men."

"So I do not to have to get married?"

"Of course not!"

"And if the chosen one does not want to?"

"Don't doubt, he definitely wants to," Kamily softly laughed. "I hope we can be friends. More fun together."

Selestra nodded in agreement and frowned. Kamily looked at her closely.

"I understand what happened. You fell in love and therefore are sad. So go and confess to him."

The girl blinked her eyes and blushed, not expecting such words:

"To whom?"

"Lariel!"

"And why did you think so?" Selestra lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

"Syrinxes can read minds, you will learn later too."

"But Lariel is your husband, you have kid and love…"

"Yes, the love but if you want a son from him, then I give my consent."

Selestra's surprise knew no bounds; she had never heard of such norms in society.

"It's a joke?"

"Do you want me to tell him about your desire, and he will be yours?"

"No," Selestra shook her head frantically. "No need. Why do this? Maybe I'm just not his type. I don't want to impose."

"Yes, what are you! You are a beauty! And Lariel is interested to make love every day! He will surely make time for you."

"Ow!" Selestra was embarrassed and blushed. "Well, I'm not ready for intimacy yet, even with such a beautiful man…"

"Well, my business is to suggest, why sit and suffer from unrealized passion, especially when you are so obviously in love."

"Did he notice it?"

"I think, yes! He is used to everyone reacting to him like that, men also adore him."

"What?" Selestra googled her eyes. "Is this generally normal?"

"For them, yes! By the way, an important person requires a meeting with you."

"What for?"

"He saw you walking in the garden and wants to get to know you better."

"But I don't want to talk to a stranger. He will start coming towards me. Isn't he married?"

"He doesn't have a wife," Kamily giggled fervently. "The temper, probably, is terrible, since he is lonely."

"So what should I do?"

"Well, don't let yourself be charmed, at least pretend that you don't like him as a man. This will dampen his ardor. Syrinx is easily dismissed if you tell him that you don't like him. Despite the fact that they are all handsome, their pride is easily trampled by their rejection and coldness."

"Is he handsome too?"

"Not to my type, though! I don't think he'll impress you after Lariel."

***

Palian dressed up for the date: he changed his hair and put on a light salad-colored suit to look more youthful. 

Kamily did not expect to see him so refreshed, as if he had thrown off a couple of hundred years. She did not snipe out loud, so as not to anger him needlessly, although she really wanted to.

He appeared before Selestra like a young winged god, and as handsome as he was, the girl tried her best not to look into his eyes.

"Princess Selestra," he said in a soft, ingratiating voice ready for seduction. "My name is Palian. I will introduce you today to our culture and rules. I arrived from the planet Xantari, this is the stronghold of our syrinx civilization and my homeland ..."

The girl, smiling modestly and looking down, listened to his long story, sitting on the bench, furtively looking in his direction. The long-haired blond was undeniably dazzlingly handsome: his sparkling turquoise eyes were ready to pierce her soul if only she looked into them. He walked solemnly in front of her, rustling his snow-white wings, and seductively flashed a sly smile, expecting to catch her eye.

She listened to his lengthy lecture with tension and breathed a sigh of relief when he said goodbye and left.

"Kamily!" Palien said in a demanding voice, approaching her. "I don't understand why you disobeyed me. I warned you not to interfere."

He stood before the Queen in her room, piercing her with a heavy gaze.

"Why didn't this girl even look at me? She kept her eyes down the whole time. Did you warn her about the charms?"

"Probably, she didn't like you or she was shy and of course I talked about charms, because any syrinx could accidentally meet her and bewitch her."

"I asked you to prepare her for our date, and what happened, she doesn't even want to look at me," Palian shouted, his eyes flashing menacingly. "If you don't fix everything, you will be punished!"

"And how will you punish me?"

"If the princess does not jump into my arms, you yourself will pay for it. Bring kids to me! Two! One child for the life you ran away from, another for your disobedience."

Kamily tensed, not expecting such a threat.

"Don't you have children?"

"I didn't even count them," Palian boasted with a grimace on his face.

"You hate me, why do you need children conceived with hatred?"

"Who said that I hate you?" Palian did not take his eyes off her.

"Well, you can't really call it love."

"The passion for you is tearing me apart, despite the fact that you changed your body.

His eyes blazed furiously. 

"Do you think I didn't try to forget you? I have made hundreds of women fall in love with me, but not one could replace you. Selestra - beautiful creature, she could make me happy and I would leave you alone forever. But you ruined my first date with her. Choose! Either you give me Selestra or I'll enjoy you after you give birth to Erin kid."

"You have no right to do this to the Queen. I myself decide who the father of my children is," Kamily gasped with indignation.

I actually have as the Supreme Ruler of Zaria. This is your punishment for breaking orders," Palian froze in anticipation of her decision.

"I won't give up the girl," Kamily said through clenched teeth.

A contented smile appeared on his face.

"Amazing. Looking forward to our night of love. I promise you an unforgettable experience. See you!"

Kamily was choked with tears. She sank to the floor and wept bitterly when the Governor left.

"Why did you agree to this?" Lariel worried, calming her in his arms. "I would give him this girl. Have you bonded with her? He ordered to bring her, so you need to give her."

"I feel sorry for her, he will ruin her life," Kamily sobbed on beloved's chest. 

"I need a friend and helper in my difficult task. She loves children! She loves you, Lar!"

"What?"

"Selestra has fallen in love with you and wants kids from you."

"She only saw me once. I deliberately avoided her so that this would not happen," Lariel was indignant.

"You can't refuse if the princess chooses you. You know the rules."

"So she hasn't seen anyone yet. There are more than eight hundred guys, let him choose among them. She first needs to go through initiation, get used to our society. Time will pass and she will calm down about me.

"It's strange that you refuse. Any syrinx would be happy with such an occasion," Kamily was surprised.

"I love you, my sweetheart, and I don't need another," Lariel gently kissed her.