It had been a long day, but a joyful one, a very joyful one, Arjuna thought to himself, as he walked down the long road to the palace. The situation of his runaway bride resolved, he felt much lighter than he had that morning, when he left his home and wandered into town. His hope was that the festivities would take his mind off of everything, to allow him a moment’s mental rest. He had not been particularly optimistic, but still he went…and he was absolutely brimming with happiness because he did. There was a lilt in his step and a small smile on his face. He was looking at the ground as it passed by him while he walked across it. When was the last time he had felt this or any measure of joy? He could not recall, as it was, it hardly seemed to matter, now. His princess was safe and well and what’s more, she was here, on Calico, his home…soon to be, or rather, in actuality, their shared home.

She had been here in the City of Calico for weeks, under the guise of a minty colored queen, still with the deep, captivating, viridian eyes he had come to love. He thought it funny, in retrospect, that their paths had not crossed before now. He visited the town, often, forcing himself to give the appearance of perfection that a prince was supposed to carry. Even though his life was in shambles, he still needed his people to believe otherwise. It wasn’t easy and he suspected that there were some that had their suspicions about the validity of his apparent mirth. He was not a very good actor, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Anyone that knew him at all, could tell that he was not alright. It was the truth that his parents and brothers knew too well. He tried, even with them, to appear to be joyful, but deep down, he knew that he could fool his citizens, but not his family. Still, he was trying his best and so, they did all that they could to comfort and assure him. Now, though, his merriment was not an act, it was the true reflection of the relief that had filled his heart.

“Arjuna?” a voice called.

Knowing who it was without looking, Arjuna raised his amber gaze to meet his brother’s striking green eyes. “Alder?” he replied. “Are you heading out?” he asked, as the eldest of the princes was at the entrance to the path leading up the hill where the palace stood. He did not appear to be in any hurry. In fact, it didn’t seem as though he had been going anywhere at all. He was standing…no, waiting for something, or someone.

---

✧ PREVIOUS PAGE ✧ FIRST PAGE ✧ NEXT PAGE ✧