six - the sun and the moon

Markus of the Water Illoheim stared at the garden they were swiftly approaching. They being himself and the entourage his father had sent to guard him. He didn't think he needed a guard, but his father wouldn't hear any other way. As a bethrothed Illoheim Prince, he was a highly important person. He knew what his place was, he knew what he was born to do. It had been printed on his brain from the day he was old enough to speak.

The Illoheim were a largely Matriarchal society, and as such he was worth only as many children as he could produce. It was a fact that he'd accepted very young, and felt no real reason to fight it. It was the way of his people. Royal blood and powers were passed on through the mothers, and women were very precious in their race. It was a honor to be promised to an Illoheim Princess and he knew it, but no joy touched him at being gifted with it. Duty was the only thing he felt, the only thing that touched him. And as he stared at the plants around him, he wondered if it always would be.

He didn't know much about the Princess he was going to marry. He knew her name - Shaeny - and knew she was slightly younger than he was. He knew that her father, the late High King Khaliae, had arranged the marriage with his father, the High King Byrna. He knew that her mother, the High Queen Anakta, had arranged the marriage by herself, as his mother, the late High Queen Lysand, had passed away giving birth to his younger sister, Niviana.

Thinking of his sister gave him a sense of calm. She'd always treated him well, not like a DNA donor, but like a person. She'd loved him, and given him kind hugs and sweet smiles. He missed his sister dearly, but he did not know if he'd ever see her again. Even if he did, he knew he wouldn't be allowed to embrace her as he had done before. Royal protocol and expectations would never allow him to be her brother ever again.

When they arrived at the large stone steps he paused. For the first time in his life he felt nervous. What if the princess refused him? If she did, his life would go from bad to worse. The only thing lower in society than the traitors and criminals were the rejected Illoheim males. He swallowed the lump that grew in his throat and walked up the steps, stopping in the large entry-way to wait for either the High Queen or a representative of her.

After five minutes had passed he began to grow nervous. There weren't two ruling Earth Illoheim families, were there? He frantically ran over everything he knew about the ruling families and came up empty handed. As he tried to calm himself the sound of footsteps echoed on the marble walls. He straightened, trying to ignore the looks of the guards as they watched him warily, expecting him to bolt. He held his chin higher and forced his stomach to keep a hold on his meager lunch.

"Hello Markus." The High Queen Anakta spoke to him before she rounded the corner, and when she did he had to stop himself from making an audible gasp. He'd heard that the High Queen was beautiful, but what he'd heard did not do justice to the reality.

She was the only female he'd ever met that reached near his six feet and three inches and it made him wonder how tall her daughter would be. He tried his hardest not to stare, but it was proving to be difficult. She had skin the color of cream, and eyes that were a deep pink in color. She was tall and graceful, slender and lithe. Her wings were a shade darker than her eyes, and her hair was long and brown, laced with copper streaks that shimmered as she moved. As he watched her walk towards him, he wondered if her daughter would take after her or her father. He'd only met her father once, but the High King had left a lasting impression on him, especially his color-changing eyes.

"Your highness." Markus replied when the High Queen was standing in front of him. He swept into a low bow before straightening. "I have come to present myself to the Princess Shaeny in the hopes that she will find me an acceptable choice of husband." He said, reciting the words he'd been force-fed. The High Queen gave him a small smile.

"Milla will show you to your quarters and I will fetch my daughter. We shall meet in one half hour in the gardens for you to become acquainted with her." The High Queen replied, her voice light. Markus found himself asking the question before he could stop himself.

"Wouldn't the throne room be a more suitable place to be presented to my betrothed?" He asked, instantly regretting the words. The High Queen simply smiled.

"It might be a more suitable place for a negotiation, you are correct. But my daughter will feel more comfortable in the gardens, and so that is where we shall meet. Is there anything else you need, Markus?" The High Queen asked, her expression blank. Markus shook his head, biting his tongue to stop him from asking anything else. "Very well then. Milla?" The High Queen called out to a young woman he hadn't even seen who proceeded to lead them down a hall to their left. As Markus walked behind her, he internally cursed himself. He knew better than to ask questions of the High Queen, but the meeting place had thrown him completely off of his guard.

"You will come to love this place, Highness." The small woman in front of him said. His attention returned to her and he realized that she was Elvin, but not one of Elvish birth. He wondered what she could have done to deserve a punishment as heavy as having her wings cut, but thought better than to ask about it.

"I'm sure I will. Milla, was it?" He asked, coming up beside her. She glanced at him with eyes so green they reminded him of the grass outside the palace before turning back to watch the marble she walked on.

"Yes, Highness. But you are not expected to remember my name. I live to serve the High Queen." After that she sped up in front of him and spoke no more. He remained quiet as well and followed her down the maze of white marble halls. She stopped in front of a blue door and pointed to it.

"This is your room. Your entourage will be roomed down the hall and the Princess Shaeny's rooms are down this hall." She said, pointing to her right. "It's behind the green door, but I would suggest meeting her first before going into her quarters. You can reach the garden by following this same hall, just stay to the left. Is there anything else you would require of me?" She asked, rushing through the words as though she was in a hurry to be rid of him.

"No, thank you Milla. And I will remember it." He said, tagging the last part on as she walked away. She offered him nothing more than a nod and a soft smile before disappearing down the hallway. His entourage walked past him to their own rooms, and he turned to the blue door in front of his own room.

Opening it slowly, he peeked in. Fairy light was all around the room, giving it a soft glow. He stepped in and placed his cloak on a hook near the door. Glancing around the room he realized that while it was large it was sparsely furnished. There was a large bed, an oaken dresser, and a desk in the far corner. There was a squat couch covered with cushions, and two open doors leading to a balcony. On the left-hand side of the room stood a black door and he assumed that it lead to the bathroom. He walked across the room and onto the open balcony, staring at all the green that surrounded him. Hundreds of flowers were in bloom, their colors blending into one another. There were river-stone paths twisting and turning through the gardens, and for a split second he ached for his home. The gardens were nothing like his gardens at home, but the stones were the same. He shook his head and turned away from the splendid sight, his heart heavy. He stood on the balcony for a moment longer, then decided that he should at least make his way towards the garden and be early. He stared at himself in a mirror by the door that he hadn't noticed when he'd come in, wondering if he should search for other robes to wear. He hadn't brought any with him, aside from a few of his personal favorite things, as he'd assumed they would be provided. He stared critically at his clothing for a moment. He wore tall black riding boots, white pants and a black shirt embroidered with the crest of his house. He wondered if he should put something on that represented the Earth Illoheim. While staring at himself in the mirror, he failed to notice someone standing on his balcony, and thus was startled when he did notice the man's reflection in the mirror. He turned, expecting a hit or something, and was startled to see the man smiling good-naturedly at him.

"Can I help you sir?" Markus asked, startled by the man's sudden appearance. The man smiled at him, and Markus noticed a strange silver marking inscribed on the man's forehead.

"More than likely not. But I think I can help you." He turned Markus to face the mirror again and dashed across the room to the dresser. After rummaging through the drawers a bit he pulled out a pair of black pants, a white shirt and pulled a green cloak from a closet he hadn't known existed. "Here, put these on. I'll wait over here and I promise not to peek. Although, to be fair, you're not really my type." Markus stared at the strange man, then at the items he had in his hands.

"Who -"

"The name is Zion. And all will be answered in due time. I was flying by, caught your uneasiness and wonderings, so I decided to drop in and give you a little help." He gave Markus a backwards glance over his shoulder. "Now, you can change into those clothes, or I can change you into those clothes - not literally, Shaeny'd kill me - but either way, you will be wearing those when you see Shaeny." The man called Zion turned his back to Markus once again and Markus decided it would be wiser to do as the man said than face the uncomfortable situation of being dressed by him. He swiftly changed out of his clothes and into the new ones, quickly getting confused when it came to fastening the green cloak. Markus's hands were replaced by cool fingers as Zion fastened the silver buckles into place.

"Have you never worn an Illoheim cloak before boy?" Zion asked, his voice light and teasing. Markus frowned, staring down at the toes of his boots.

"No, I haven't." Zion's fingers stilled on the fastenings before he caught himself and he turned Markus to the mirror.

"I apologize." Markus was struck with the sudden feeling that Zion was a man of many words, and he was suddenly struck with a loss of them. Markus nodded his head stiffly before taking in his appearance. He looked dashing, and the first thought in his mind was that he looked -

"Just like the late High King Khaliae. You do. Save the black hair and blue eyes, you are very much like the late High King. He was very soft spoken, very slow to anger. He too, felt less than worthy to be with his Queen. But Anakta loved him, and you can't stop love." Zion cut in, standing behind Markus much like a very tall, ill-fitting shadow. Markus felt his brow knit together.

"What strange knowledge do you possess?" Markus asked, his voice soft. Zion's brown eyes suddenly glowed gold, and for a moment Markus felt as though he was standing in the presense of something that was bigger than all his race combined.

"More than I want." Zion answered, and his tone sounded as though the words were sour to him. "Now, go. Present yourself to Shaeny. And don't fret. She's just as nervous as you." Zion walked past him and out the door. Markus followed him quickly, watching him take long strides down the hall.

"Wait." He called, feeling silly the moment he did.

"Yes, you'll see me again." Zion called back, and then he was gone. Markus stared down the hall for a moment before returning to the mirror again. He did look dashing and wondered if it would be enough to make the Princess Shaeny keep him. And that thought made him wonder another; how was it that Zion was so close to the Earth Illoheim that he referred to the members of the house by their first names? Was he another suitor? Perhaps someone better-fitted to the crown than Markus? Dread curdled in Markus' stomach and he prayed that Zion would not replace him at the Princess Shaeny's side. He didn't want to be thrown onto the street to live a life not fit for an animal, much less a well-born, rejected Illoheim prince. He took a deep breath to steady himself, then started out of his room.

He was just passing the Princess Shaeny's quarters when a bundle of warmth slammed into him, knocking him down with the bundle on top of him. What he saw made his blood heat and his heart stop. The ever-changing eyes of the late High King Khaliae, were indeed, passed on to his daughter, the Princess Shaeny.