wings of shimmering gold

Sir Adin walked briskly hiding the pain that was still healing from the night before. Prince Zaccai summoned him the minute he got out of the torture room and he had to answer.

He met up with Prince Zaccai in his private library, putting together a list.

"Sir Adin. You truly were punished. Forgive me, if I knew—"

"Oh please don't. That will only make me feel worse. Besides I'm healing pretty good. My body is just tired sir and I would still be in there if not for you. Thank you." He held his side that suffered a faint pained sensation. "How was yesterday?"

"Perfect." Zaccai replied with more enthusiasm than he planned for.

"Do tell. The bride chosen for you was to your liking then?"

"No. I mean yes. She was beautiful and seemed to be from a good home." He replied focusing again on what he had been doing.

"But?"

Zaccai dropped his pen and rose to his feet. "I changed my mind?" He walked to the long window.

"Changed your mind sir?" Sir Adin was confused for a moment and it showed.

"I chose another." Zaccai said abruptly.

"Another? Are you marrying two ladies then? Or..." His eyes widened at a thought. "Sir, you don't mean to say..." His voice trailed off.

"It is most likely what you think, I find that I couldn't help myself." He explained. "Also I believe her presence could provide the answers to some questions that trouble me."

"What questions are those?"

"Do not bother about that just yet." Zaccai walked up to him.

"You said days ago that she was dead to you, what changed?"

"If I really think about it, nothing changed Adin. The possibility that I've done nothing but lie to myself all this while is pretty high in this situation."

"But sir, from what I remember, she's nothing but trouble."

"Oh you should have seen her yesterday, you would have disliked her guts," he smiled as he replayed the events in his mind again.

"Disliked her? Why—"

"Never mind that. You are to take a break and go rest for now. I shall see you again three days to my wedding, I need you to look your best on my wedding day."

"I can't possibly do that your highness. Forgive me."

"Why not? I command it."

"I am sorry, your parents are the power I must answer to at the day's end. If I leave you be for two weeks I'd be sent back to the torture room again." He explained.

"The torture room!" Zaccai exclaimed. "You were sent there. Was I truly wrong for leaving Tahu, and if so why didn't you stop me?"

"You going felt like a good idea at the time sir. I didn't know better, now I do. Do not worry about me, it's not your place to worry about me. I will be fine in no time." He assured.

Zaccai nodded but showed that he wasn't okay with this conclusion.

"Allow me to congratulate you in advance, however the circumstance surrounding it may be, marriage can be a beautiful thing and I hope you all but experience it's goodness to the fullest."

"Thank you Sir Adin."

"And I can't wait to meet the lady that's captured your heart even before you were able to walk straight."

"I won't say she's captured my heart. She certainly intrigues me and we have history. Nothing more." He defended focusing on the list he was writing.

"Absolutely sir. Forgive my words."

"It's fine."

Over the course of the next few weeks, because Sir Adin had refused to take a break, Zaccai made certain he assigned every assignment to everyone else but him. If he couldn't take a break, he had to do the best he could for him within the confines of his power.

Ashford.

Crown dragged herself off the floor and on to her bed. Her body ached from the position she had subjected herself to all through the night.

She cradled a pillow close to her chest, taking a deep breath to make sense of what she just awoke from.

She had a dream and though it's full details were blurred from her memory, she remembered something enchanting about it. A butterfly, with wings of shimmering gold and brilliant blue. In this dream, she found herself walking down a dark path, clothed in a white silk dress that flowed and dragged behind her in a train, she was searching for a way out, yet somehow she didn't feel so trapped. And then, as if sensing her growing fears, the butterfly appeared and so did the moon, casting silver rays on her and around her.

The wings of the animal, casted a dancing reflection of gold and blue on her face. She was completely in awe of such beauty and magic.

Crown stretched out her hand, her fingers trembling with anticipation, and the butterfly alighted upon her finger. She smiled at the gesture, and in some crazy part of her mind she believed it tried to tell her something, a secret maybe but she was too simple minded to get it. She giggled at the thought of such possible scenario. It flapped its wings as it took off until it disappeared into the sky, leaving her all alone.

The fear came back, along with something, something seemed to be lurking in the shadows, she felt it but saw nothing and when it seemed to want to creep up on her she jolted from her sleep thankful to be back in her room, in her home, and in Ashford.

*knock*

Crown looked towards her door. 

"It's me, Honey. Can I enter?"

"I'd rather you don't but something tells me you are hell bent on entering."

Honey opened the door and stepped in then. "Can we talk? Please?"

Crown sat up then. "You can. I'd listen."