Red Haired Beauty

Mirelah;

Does he hate me too? I can't tell. 

I don't understand him. He didn't reject my presence… but he didn't welcome it either. I heard those maids say he insisted on marrying me. Was that because he's bound to me by a blood oath I made him take… One I can't remember? 

Is he being forced to do this? I know Vealor and King Damarion do not like me, but I can endure that. I can endure a lot of taunts. I mean, I grew up with taunts... But it's a completely different type of struggle if the man I'm meant to marry hates me. 

Silence embraces me as the gentle wind carries the fresh smell of spring, and I remember the paper in my hand. I look down at it and sigh. I need to take things one step at a time. Tomorrow is important. For now, it seems Queen Velnara and Darven are the only ones who seem to be on my side. 

I can't afford to cause trouble tomorrow by insulting their god. I need to learn this vow. After the ritual tomorrow, I'll talk to Queen Velnara and try to understand the truth of the situation. If Kealith is marrying me under compulsion of a blood oath, I'll talk to him. I made him take the oath, so it's only fair for me to take responsibility for any consequences that may come with breaking the oath. He shouldn't be forced into a marriage he doesn't want.

I've barely received love my entire life. I won't be bound by a loveless marriage. But for now… I need to learn these words.

With one exasperated sigh, I turn on my heels and open the paper again. It's noon already. I have just a few hours to learn this.

*****

"It's Ethari fucking kaen, Mirelah. Not Ethanri! Goddess, I'm done for! I can't even get past the first word! "I grumble as I stare at the paper in my hands. I'm on my way to my room, and with every step I take, I'm afraid even if I sit in the calm silence of my chambers, I won't be able to memorize this thing before tomorrow.

I drop my hands in tempting defeat and my gaze falls on the pool of clear, blue water beside me. My mind temporarily wanders away from the words that have been torturing me for the past minute. I focus on the stripes of sunlight on the water's clear surface, and the flower petals flowing softly on the surface. So peaceful… I wish my mind could be like that. 

I suddenly hear a loud hiss, and I jolt in panic. An orange cat jumps on me, and I shriek as I lose my balance and fall into the pool. I scream in disbelief as I try to get my head out of the water, and when I do, I see my handmaidens rushing up to the pool. They look panicked but utterly confused about what to do. 

I wipe my face as I look around in search of the cat, and that's when I see it. My heart dies in my chest as I see the paper that has the vow, floating inked side down in the water. 

"Oh no. No, no, no. Please no! "I begin to panic as I swim up to the paper, and as I try to pick it up, it rips apart. Dissolving in the water. I scoop the soggy mess into my hands and my heart starts screaming in my chest. 

There's no salvaging this… The entire paper is ruined.

Oh, no. This is bad! 

"Luna!? "I hear someone yell in a distance, and I look up.

"I'm sorry. Did you see my cat? It's orange and about this big. "I hear a female question and my handmaidens turn in the direction of the voice. 

Soon, a GORGEOUS young lady in night blue pants, and a cape-like blouse. Short in front and long to her heels at her back, shows up. She has blood-red hair that is luscious and full. Flowing down to her waist. She also has… scales...? Blue, fish-like scales on the sides of her face, right under her eyes, and… Are those small fins protruding from the sides of her head? Just beside her eyes.

She's adorned with golden bangles and hair ornaments. I don't know who she is, but she is beautiful… Like a goddess. I tilt my head, and she turns to look at me.

"Mirelah? "She calls in amusement, and I pause. 

She knows me?

"Oh, goodness. Please don't tell me my cat did this to you. "She says as she takes her fingers up to her lips, and I sigh as I'm reminded of my current predicaments. I don't care about my soaked clothes or my embarrassing situation.

I'm worried about the vows I just lost. Where would I get the words from now!? This paper is beyond saving, and Queen Velnara is no longer around. Who would help me now? I'm fucked!

"Here. Let me help you. "The stranger says as she holds out a hand to me, and I look back up at her.

Her sky-blue eyes which match her scale twinkle, and I stare down at her fair palm. I sigh before taking her hand, and the moment our hands touch, a sharp memory breaks into my mind.

It's a young red-haired girl around the age of 10 laughing heavily. She has the same eyes and the same colour of hair as this lady, but no scales… I can't tell if she's laughing at or with me. I hold onto my head as this memory plays behind my tightly shut eyelids, and her voice pulls me back to reality.

"Are you okay? "She questions, and I take a deep breath as I slowly open my eyes. I nod as I try to shake the memory out of my head, and she extends her hand further. 

I take her hand, and she pulls me out of the water. I stand with my clothes dripping water that pools beneath me, in front of a girl who looks to be the same age as me. And in the embarrassment of the situation, I look away. 

"This is such a fancy way for us to meet after all these years, don't you think, Mirelah? "She says, and my brows knot at the malice I hear in her voice, but when I look up at her, she's smiling at me.

A smile that makes a shiver shoot up my spine. Why is that smile so familiar? 

"You haven't changed much. "She adds, and I raise a brow as I stare at her. 

An image of that laughing red-haired child comes back, and I can't help but question.

"I'm sorry. Have we met before? "