Thirteen: Zargis

After confirming with Otreg what has happened the past year, I slowly made my way to Thelia's rooms. I could feel her dark mood when she was in the throne room, I felt it deepen as she left. Now, I wonder what I could do to convince her it was all a misunderstanding, that once again, I had fallen into Unda's trap.

I knocked on her door and waited. It didn't open.

I knocked again several times, but still there was no reply. Warily, I tried the knob and twisted. To my relief, it was unlocked. I stepped inside and looked around. I found her asleep on the bed, curled up on the covers, tear stains on her cheeks.

Sitting beside her, I lightly wipe away the tears with a finger, but stopped when she visibly stiffened. Her eyes opened and I saw a mixture of fear, anger, hatred, and hopelessness. "Can we talk?" I ask.

She shrugs.

"I need you to know the truth. I need you to understand that everything went against my wishes, against all my intentions. I had meant to come back to you, to have you feel the wind in your hair, then I had meant to come home and make preparations for you to come live here forever. I…"

She held up a hand and sat up. The darkness I felt earlier came back and I felt the air leave my body. "Don't kiss up to me. I don't want to hear it from you or Otreg or anyone else you've managed to lie to. Go find your Unda and take me back. I obviously meant nothing to you like I thought. I won't be fooled again."

"Thelia, please listen to me!" I beg.

She glared at me. "I have listened! Now I'm done listening. Your chance has been lost. It was lost when you didn't show up like you promised. It was lost when your Queen showed up and announced herself. It was lost when my life got turned upside down because you can't stop yourself from either getting into trouble or from Lord knows what with her! So, no, Zargis. I am done listening. I'm done believing you or Otreg. I'm done being lied to. I'm done hoping for something I will never have."

It was like a knife to my heart as she turned and curled up again. I stood, backing away slowly, realizing how deeply she's been hurt and that I couldn't do anything to help.

I left her chambers and went back to the throne room. Otreg waited there, arms crossed over his chest and him leaning against the wall. He rose a brow at my desperate look of something to help me. "What do I do?" I ask him. "How can I convince her Unda is the one to blame?"

Otreg shook his head. "I don't know, Zargis. She didn't let me speak to her once in the carriage. She didn't let me try to explain when I met her outside Citron's house. I think we either find real proof to give her or find a way to show her that you don't feel about Unda the way she thinks."

I shake my head in defeat. "It just seems impossible. She's so closed off compared to when I last saw her. I mean, she doesn't even relax in my presence like she should."

"I don't know, Zargis. I think you'll just have to find out how to win her over again."

A knock from the door and then Thiebaut poked his head inside. "Zargis, we have a problem."

"What?"

He steps to the side of the door and a guard walks in with Thelia in his arms. My heart stops. Thiebaut, obviously knows what I'm thinking because he says, "She's alive, but I think she tried to run and slipped. The guard found her on the stairs, unconscious."

I went over and took Thelia, nodding to the guard in thanks, then went to my throne and sat down with her across my lap. When I ran a hand over her head, I found a lump on the back of it and cursed. "Thiebaut, can you get some ice?"

"Of course, sir."

Once he had gone, Otreg stepped closer. "Is she alright?"

"I think so. She just needs some ice on her head and to stop being reckless."

"Sire?" the guard said. I looked to him. "If I may speak freely?"

"Please," I allowed.

"The girl seems to be frightened of her surroundings. I know that one of the guards said he saw her and when she looked at him, she ran off. Which is how she got to this state."

"And what do you propose?"

"I think maybe give her a girl around her size you can trust to watch her until she becomes comfortable."

I think about his proposal and nod. "Thank you. You are dismissed." The guard bows his head and leaves. In comes Thiebaut with an ice pack which he gives me. I lay it carefully on Thelia's head and look at Otreg. "Any females in mind?"

"How about Cam? She's friendly with everyone she meets and she's good at helping people who are new here."

"Okay. Why don't you go see if she's up to the task. Thiebaut, in the meantime, I want you to stand guard outside her room in case she tries to leave. I am going to make arrangements for her to get out a bit in the daytime."

With that, I take Thelia back to her room with Thiebaut on my heels. I lay her down and cover her up. Sitting beside her once more, I brush her hair away from her face and sigh. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring a better mood from her and maybe she will listen.

The next morning, I left the castle to check on the people within the kingdom. Almost always, Korgenyegia was a cheerful place where everyone had a friend. Males, like myself, were usually doing the labor of the kingdom while the women ran the stores and watched the children. A handful of women who were exceptionally strong got to do some battle training and took on some labor of their own.

Those who were dragons would fly in the morning to stretch their wings, then did other things in the afternoon. Holidays here were celebrated by everyone and with real delight. Everyone came together, including the warriors, and took day or night to relax and eat and dance and enjoy others company. Everyone pitched in with the preparations and decorations. No one was left behind.

As I walked about, business went as usual and no one paid me any attention since they were busy. I didn't mind. Everyone knew who I was and knew I liked to walk alone on the streets sometimes. The only attention I got were from children who roamed the streets. They were the ones I was usually found near when there was something wrong. They were the heart of my kingdom, the future that seemed so delicate at early stages.

I found a toddler, not yet good on his feet, nearly get trampled by bigger children and picked him up, resting him on my hip as the others ran about us. The toddler looked at me with a thumb in his mouth, dark hair flopping in his face. His green eyes widened just a bit before taking the said thumb out and saying, "You're the King!"

I chuckled. "That I am. What's your name?"

"John."

"Well John, you better be careful. You nearly got squashed."

Little John screwed up his face and declared, "No one can squish me! I'm a mighty dragon!"

Laughing, I set him down and watch him stumble towards a nice woman waiting for the kids to get inside. She waved and smiled at me, and I returned the gesture, heading back to the castle.