Rory watched from the balcony as the bright yellow moon peeked in and out of clouds. She was uncertain of what was to come; disrupting the story by stopping the duel left the young woman wondering what decisions she should take next. While this was going on she still had to find a way back home.
"Beautiful isn't it?" A man's voice startled her.
"Yes, it's out of this world. We don't have moons this big back…"
"Back where?" Magnus asked softly, brushing her cheek. She lost herself in those blue-gray eyes.
"Never mind, I'm just excited for tonight."
"The dinner party was a success. But enough about others. Let's take a walk through the rose gardens."
"Now? It's past midnight?"
"So? Are you scared of the dark?" he said grinning, flashing big white teeth. "Come, one must experience the smell of this garden to fully comprehend its beauty."
Before she could speak he grabbed her hand and they were off. Together the couple ran through the flower maze, giggling, their bodies bathing in a thick, rich aroma. The hot summer wind gently blew on their exposed skin. By the time they reached the central fountain both were sweating and panting.
"Oh wow, it's so beautiful!" she said, dipping her hand in the water. Rory rubbed her face and neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Magnus. He too felt the need to cool off. The man hung his shirt on the statue finger.
<Hello, looks like I've got tickets to the gun show. Holly heck… >
"You like it?"
"What? I wasn't looking…" Rory said blushing.
"What do you mean? Can't you smell the roses?"
"Yeah, the roses, they smell heavenly. This place is so peaceful."
Magnus circled the fountain eyeing Rory. She welcomed the game and kept her distance, circling the other way. He chased her around the fountain but Rory managed to stay ahead of her pursuer. Finally, Magnus jumped in the water and lunged towards the young woman. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in. Both came splashing down, laughing and hugging. She slowly put her arms around his neck. He grabbed Rory's waist and pulled her close. Rory's blouse left nothing to the imagination. She felt such a desire for this fictional man, unlike anything experienced in the real world.
"You're such an amazing woman, Mara. I can't believe how lively and spontaneous you are; I haven't seen this side of you before today. The way you express joy… It's so infectious, I find myself lost in you. I stop caring about politics and rulers, the kingdom, even the throne."
<The throne...>
Immediately Rory pulled away from Magnus.
<Right, this man married Mara for the throne>
"What is the matter?" The astonished Magnus asked confused by Rory's actions.
"I...It's getting late and tomorrow you will be busy." Rory said stuttering trying to explain herself.
"But you come first..." Magnus said moving closer but Rory got out of the fountain her clothes dripping wet.
"We wouldn't want the crown prince waking up late now would we?" Rory said as she tried putting on a teasing smile.
"Indeed you are right. What example would I be setting to the people." Magnus reasoned. "I'll escort you back."
With that Magnus escorted the young woman back to her room where she changed her wet clothes.
<Maybe I can change him too...>
She soon got in bed and fell fast asleep.
The next day there is a knock on the door.
"Miss Mara, your escort is here," Alice says with a quick bow.
"My escort?!"
"Yes my princess, you are to go back to your land to investigate the killing..."
<Right! How could I forget!>
Rory cleared her voice. "Yes, I'll be done in a minute." Alice took it as her cue to leave.
Rory stood looking at the door to the closet. The closet was much larger than her house back at home.
Her home, the mere word made her have nightmares. She didn't miss it one bit. Her home where those who she loves betrays her and those close to her backstab her. She was alone always keeping her in a book. Why exactly had she been brought here?
Within minutes Rory was dressed in a long blue dress. Rather, she wished that she was in her sweat pants and didn't have to walk in that blanket!
She graciously walked out of the room feeling proud of her sense of fashion. A huge hall with many doors awaited her and she was unsure of where she was supposed to go.
"Give it back!"
"No! I have to see what you were drawing."
"I wasn't drawing anyone!"
"Oh, so you were drawing someone?" Two men...kids....appeared in the hallway. One was chasing the other and the one being chased was holding a book up. The one chasing seemed to slightly taller than the one being chased. They were like kids.
They stopped once they spotted Rory.
"Good morning Mara." The one holding the book said.
"Uh...good morning...Ivan?" Rory said trying to contemplate whether she called the right person from the description from the book.
Ivan was the youngest son of the king, he had chestnut hair and brown round eyes. He was the perfect definition of cute especially when he smiled. From the description, she was sure he was Ivan.
"Why do you sound so unsure?"
"I am just feeling groggy that's all," Rory says before flashing Ivan an awkward smile. The good-natured boy smiled back. She then turned to the other boy, Edgar. He had dark hair with deep blue eyes. He was usually quiet and cold to everyone especially Mara.
"Good morning, Edgar." Rory greeted trying to sound polite. Edgar in return snatched the book Ivan was holding and walks away.
"Hey!" Ivan called out to him. "Don't worry he will warm up to you...one day." Ivan said as he turned to Rory. It sounded more of a distant wish.
"Anyway, It's unusual seeing you standing in the hall confused..." He said trailing off as he studied Rory's expression. He knew that something was definitely different about Mara.
"I...forgot where the door leading outside is," Rory confessed.
"You what?!" Ivan burst out laughing. Mara, the proud girl forgetting where the door leading outside is? That is like a once in a lifetime experience.
"Don't laugh too loud, people might hear!" Rory whispered. But who could blame her the girl had just been there for roughly a day.
"Oh, sorry, It's just too funny." Ivan apologized. "Just walk down the hall and turn to your right...I think you might find your way..."
"Why do you sound so unsure?" Rory asked.
"Well, I also don't know where it is! I just follow my assistant."
"What?!" Rory was shocked. How can anyone living here not know where the door is!
"This palace is huge okay?" Ivan said justifying himself. "Now, Bye!!" He said before walking in the opposite direction leaving Rory to find it herself.
She followed his instructions and walked down the hallway and turned right. Again there was a hall with a series of doors leading to who knows where.
"Ah, yes, I'll attend to the matters at once. Thank you general." A familiar voice sounded from one of the doors. Then two men came out of one of the rooms. Magnus and another man.
"Damn you, Ivan!" Rory cursed under her breath. Ivan thought that she was using getting lost as an excuse in order to find Magnus.
Rory was about to turn and leave when Magnus called out to her.
"Did you come to see me?"
<NO...well, just No!>
"I..." Rory was pondering. Should she tell him she is lost or say she was looking for him?
"I was finding--"
"Miss Mara?" Alice's voice sounded and she felt herself breathe in relief. Her goal was to make everyone love Mara not make her think she is not Mara.
"If you will excuse me, I have some matters to attend to." She said as she gave a polite bow. She then turned to Alice and followed her wondering if she spoke rudely.
ns 15.158.61.51da2
