Through the Eyes of a Fae

Malik strode from his tent and ran right into his sister. Stella looked like she had been bucked off a horse. Looking each other up and down, Stella jerked her head to the side.

“Lead the Cavalry?” It was their code for letting us ride far out front and talk. Malik nodded and signaled a knight for his horse. His stallion Hania was a beautiful tan with a black mane and tail. He was as spirited as the kingdom of Deidre itself. Stepping into the stirrup, Malik swung into his saddle and the horns were blown. They headed off down the southern road, towards home. They rode in silence for a long while, each brewing in their own thoughts. Finally, Stella spoke.

“Why is the end of the war bringing out the crazy in people? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?” Stella mused, not really expecting an answer. Malik looked at her, confused.

“What happened to you?” Malik was genuinely curious. Though his sister could be as prickly as a southern cactus, he had never seen her so flustered before. Her hair sticking out, she almost looked like a puffed-up hen after the rooster pulled too many feathers.

That was it. A rooster yanked her feathers. He started grinning.

“Let me guess. You talked to Royce this morning.” Stella’s gaze snapped to Malik, who was now shaking with contained laughter. Her gaze turned accusing.

" You knew! You knew he was going to tease me so! How cruel! And to your own sister, the only heir you have! I should disown you here and now!” Malik lost it. He roared with laughter.

“Oh, I don’t think he was teasing this time, sister. He was serious. Asked my permission and everything. He aims to marry you.” Malik watched Stella’s face go white as a bed sheet.

“You acquiesced?!” She was stunned. Malik’s laughter grew louder, tears forming in his eyes.

“Oh, I was willing to agree. I have never seen a man so serious in my life. And I am king!” Malik was enjoying this too much. It was Stella’s turn to stab back.

“How did your conversation with Ludis go?” Of the encampment, only Stella, Ben and Royce knew that Ludis and Malik were lovers. Though Malik had confided in Ben over a game of cards and Ludis to Stella, Royce was just that clever and called the king out one night when they had both stepped off the road to piss.

Malik grew sober at Stella’s mention of Ludis.

“Well, I see where I went wrong, if that’s what you’re asking.” Stella rolled her eyes.

“Of course, you went wrong. How are you going to fix it is what you should be asking.” Malik looked over at her, suddenly hopeful.

“You have an idea?” Stella snorted, enjoying her turn to laugh.

“Of course not. I just got run over by an ox of a proposal this morning. I know less about love than I did yesterday, that is for sure. They both fell into silence, thinking about that word. Love. What did that even mean romantically? Their parents did not love each other, that was for certain. Though both good people, it was obvious to anyone who was within earshot of them that their marriage was one of politics. They were nice to each other, but after Malik and Stella were born, they had each secretly taken their own lovers and had separate quarters. Their relationship was one of friendship and loyalty to their agreement. Being so, neither Stella nor Malik had ever thought to want a marriage, forever assuming they would fall to the same fate. If Malik had not won the war, and Stella taken to magic, they would have. Looking up at the road, Malik let out a long sigh. With a campaign of this size, it would take a month or more to reach the capital. This was going to be a long ride.