Chapter 12 True Guardian

The weight of shame bore down on Meera like a heavy cloak as she stood in the aftermath of Eryx's departure. The echoes of his words lingered in the air, a haunting reminder of the embarrassment she now faced. The realization that her private encounter had become a public spectacle made her stomach churn with regret.

As Meera remained frozen in the corridor, she could sense the eyes of palace guards and maids lingering on her. Whispers and hushed conversations buzzed around her, each word felt like a dagger, cutting through the thin veil of composure she desperately clung to. The air was thick with judgment, and Meera felt exposed, as though her every flaw and vulnerability were on display for the world to see.

Marcella and June emerged from their room. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they saw Meera standing there, a portrait of shock, with an inability to form words or explain the situation. The air hung heavy with tension as Marcella's eyes flickered between her cousin and the departing figure of Eryx.

"What in the world is going on?" Marcella demanded, her voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and anger.

Meera, still in shock and unable to articulate a coherent response, found herself at a loss for words. She felt the weight of Marcella's gaze intensify, the unspoken accusation fueling her growing sense of shame.

June, usually more outspoken, stood there with her mouth slightly agape, eyes darting between the two figures before her.

"Meera, answer me!" Marcella's voice rose, her anger escalating with each passing moment of silence.

Meera's attempts to speak faltered as she struggled to find the right words to explain the situation. Her mind raced, but the shock of the unexpected encounter with Eryx had left her speechless.

Marcella, now visibly angry and bewildered, took a step closer to Meera. "You need to explain yourself. What was he doing here?"

Meera, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, could only manage a stammered, "I... I didn't..."

The weight of Marcella's disapproval hung heavily over her, leaving her paralyzed in a moment of utter vulnerability and confusion. Seeing the look of fear in her eyes, Marcella laid a gentle hand on her cousin's shoulder.

"Did he touch you?" Marcella asked quietly, her eyes searching Meera's face for any signs of distress. "Did anything happen?"

Meera shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "No. No."

"Let's go inside," Marcella enveloped Meera in a protective embrace, her arms offering a reassuring shield. Nudging June to follow, she guided Meera into the room. Before shutting the doors, Marcella turned to address the palace staff in the corridor.

"Not a word about this to anyone. Do you hear me?" Her tone brooked no argument.

The maids bowed their heads and swiftly dispersed, disappearing down the corridor. The guards, maintaining their stoic composure, turned and marched off on their patrol of the grounds. Marcella scanned the halls once more, ensuring the coast was clear, before making her way inside and firmly shutting the doors.

Once within the sanctuary of the room, Marcella shifted her focus to Meera's state. "How did he get in here?" she inquired, her protective instincts kicking in. Pulling the sheets off the bed, she draped it around Meera's shivering form.

"Through there," Meera pointed toward the balcony, her eyes still wide with shock.

"The balcony?" June's eyes widened in astonishment.

"What did he want?" Marcella pressed for answers, concern etched across her face.

"He said he couldn't sleep," Meera stammered, the words escaping in a rush as she tried to make sense of the bewildering encounter. The room, once a haven, now felt like a chamber of secrets, and the weight of Marcella's inquiries left Meera grappling with the chaos of the night.

Before Marcella could say anything else, the door swung open with urgency, revealing Ozmen and Naya. Their strides were swift, eyes filled with questions, and a tension-filled atmosphere hung in the room.

"What's going on?" Ozmen demanded, his voice cutting through the air. "Did I just see Eryx walking out of the palace?"

"He climbed in through the balcony," Marcella informed her brother, a tinge of frustration evident in her tone.

Ozmen's eyes shifted towards his cousin, and a storm of anger flickered across his face, manifesting in the clenching of his fists.

"Are you okay?" he asked Meera, his concern evident in his voice. "Did anything happen?"

"No," Meera replied. "He... he's doing this on purpose, Oz. He's trying to make it impossible for me to stay in Azmeera."

"I'm going to kill him," Ozmen declared in anger. He began to turn, fueled by a surge of emotion, but Naya abruptly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"And be tried with Henry for murder?" she questioned, her voice filled with reason. "Don't be so reckless. We need to think with a clear head."

Ozmen, for a brief moment, looked down at Naya's hands on him. Embarrassment flickered across her face as she pulled back, and immediately apologized.

"Naya's right," Meera interjected, rising to her feet, her restless energy apparent. "We've been playing this all wrong. Eryx wants a reaction out of us. He's toying with us."

"So what do we do?" Ozmen wondered, his frustration still evident. "The first day of the trial is in a few days. With all the evidence piled up against Henry, I don't see it lasting more than a day or two."

"And even if by some small chance Henry is declared innocent, Eryx will make sure the gossip and rumors about him and Meera will force her to go with him," Marcella concluded.

"People are already talking," Naya added. "All over the lower city and past the high walls."

"What are they saying?" Ozmen inquired, his jaw clenched.

"They're talking about the day they saw Meera and Eryx come out of that house together," Naya explained slowly. "They're saying Henry might call off the wedding because of Eryx."

"And now tonight," Marcella rubbed her forehead, her concern deepening. "This does not look good, Oz."

"No," Ozmen shook his head. "It doesn't."

"But we can fix it," Meera suddenly said, her determination cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"How?" Naya wondered, her curiosity piqued.

"We change the story," Meera announced. "We give the people a fairy tale they will devour."

Ozmen and Marcella exchanged puzzled glances, not fully grasping Meera's plan.

"How do we do that?" June asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Leave that up to Henry and me," Meera responded confidently.

"Henry?" Marcella's eyes widened. "You're joking, right?"

"No," Meera shook her head. "We need Henry to make this work."

"I still don't understand," June admitted.

"We need to distract the people," Meera explained. "We show them there is nothing wrong between Henry and me. We show them we're madly in love, and Eryx's presence has no effect on us."

"I think this just might work," Naya chimed in. "If you and Henry stand strong, no rumor will ever stand a chance against you. We get the people to fall in love with you and Henry, and they will reject any scandal Eryx tries to create."

"Yes," Meera nodded. "Precisely."

The room, once filled with tension, now buzzed with the potential for a plan that could turn the tide in their favor. All eyes turned towards one another, seeking confidence and assurance. As they all began to believe in their plan, Ozmen nodded his head.

"Alright," he said. "I'll go speak to Henry."

_______________

The next morning, Meera exuded an air of confidence as she gracefully navigated through the palace corridors. Her gaze remained focused straight ahead, deliberately avoiding the glances and hushed conversations that inevitably followed her every step. The courtiers and attendants exchanged whispers, and Meera could feel the weight of judgmental eyes upon her, but she refused to acknowledge them.

With each passing courtier, Meera maintained a serene smile and exchanged pleasantries, her demeanor unwavering. It was a delicate dance of composure and self-assurance, a show that she had rehearsed in her mind. The palace's gossip buzzed with speculations and rumors, linking her name with Eryx's in hushed tones, but Meera pushed through the swirling currents of judgment with apparent ease.

As she approached Henry, standing regally amidst the court, Meera's coy smile emerged, as if they were madly in love. She greeted him with a warmth that radiated a narrative contrary to the rumors circulating the palace. The glimmer of affection in her eyes was deliberate, a carefully crafted performance aimed at diverting attention from the scandalous whispers that threatened to tarnish her reputation.

"Good morning," Meera lowered her lashes as if she were too shy to look at Henry for too long without blushing.

"Good morning," Henry cleared his voice. "Are you all set?"

"Yes," Meera nodded.

With a deep breath, Henry held out his arm and Meera gracefully accepted. She placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her towards the chariot.

"You look beautiful today," Henry spoke.

"Thank you," Meera smiled once more.

"I'm so sorry for the way I have behaved," Henry apologized as he took her hand and placed a kiss upon it.

Meera's first instinct was to pull away from Henry's touch. She had no desire to forgive him but the plan required Meera to endure the uncomfortable situation. She was forced to grind her teeth and suppress the disgust that threatened to surface. Being beside Henry, allowing him to touch her made Meera's stomach churn. But for the sake of Azmeera and her own resilience, she embraced the role, putting on a show that would either save her reputation or crumble under the weight of societal judgment.

"We'll talk later," Meera remarked with a practiced nonchalance, her fingers delicately pretending to brush off a nonexistent lint from Henry's shirt. Beneath the facade of the perfect princess, her gaze flickered up towards him, revealing a hidden hardness behind the veil of the fake smile. She hoped Henry caught the nuance in her expression.

With a small nod, Henry played along, offering a hand to help her onto the chariot. As she settled in beside him, the chariot became a stage for their orchestrated performance. The palace guards, dutifully stepping aside, watched with stoic expressions, and the maids, momentarily forgetting their tasks, halted to stare.

The chariot started its journey, wheels rolling smoothly over the palace grounds. Meera and Henry, side by side, presented a vision of a perfect fairy tale marriage. The sunlight danced on Meera's carefully styled hair, and the soft fabric of her gown billowed elegantly in the breeze. Henry, ever the gallant prince, radiated an air of regal composure.

The chariot moved with an air of regality, carrying the prince and princess away from the scrutinizing eyes of the court. Meera maintained her composed facade, the practiced smile never faltering, even as the palace blurred in the background. It was a performance that required finesse, a dance on the delicate edge of illusion and reality, and Meera was determined to execute it flawlessly.

"Why the temple?" Henry inquired as the chariot drew closer to the white sandy beach, the rhythmic sound of the waves becoming more pronounced.

"I have to speak to Sion," Meera replied, her hand gracefully waving to the children who rushed up to the side of the road to catch a glimpse of her. "And it looks good for a young royal couple to pray together. Especially a couple who are trying to overcome their differences."

Henry nodded, his eyes lingering on Meera and the genuine affection the people displayed towards her. The flawless smile on her face seemed almost ethereal, the lightness of her laughter clear and musical. It dawned on Henry that Meera was not the quiet, reserved girl he had always perceived her to be. She was more than that—she had royal blood coursing through her veins, and she possessed the subtle artistry of a chess player, deftly navigating the intricate game of court politics.

"When I speak to Sion, I would like to be alone," Meera declared as the chariot came to a stop at the temple steps. The sun cast a warm glow over the pristine white structure, and the sound of the ocean provided a soothing backdrop.

"Of course," Henry agreed, ever eager to please her.

As they prepared to disembark, Meera turned to Henry, her gaze penetrating and intent. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"One moment," Henry requested, halting their progress. He faced Meera with a questioning look. "Before we go inside, I need to know why we're doing this? Why this game, Meera?"

Meera leaned in a bit closer, ensuring their conversation remained confidential. "Because we both need it," she explained in a hushed tone. "Eryx is about to put you on trial for murder, and he's hell-bent on destroying my reputation. You need the people's sympathy, and I need their trust."

Henry absorbed her words, the weight of their shared predicament settling between them. "What happens when all this is over?" he asked, seeking clarity.

Meera restrained herself from expressing her doubts about Henry being declared innocent at the end of the trial. Instead, she took in a deep breath and offered him a reassuring smile. "We will see when we get there," she replied, leaving the uncertainty of the future to be unraveled in due time. "Ready?"

"Yes," Henry nodded in agreement, gracefully stepping off the chariot. He moved closer to Meera, his hands gently finding her hips, effortlessly swinging her off the chariot as if she weighed nothing. Meera forced herself to laugh at the playful gesture, but an unexpected chill crept down her spine, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.

"What's wrong?" Henry inquired, noticing the subtle change in Meera's demeanor as the smile wavered on her face.

"N-nothing," Meera stammered, attempting to shake off the uneasy feeling of being watched. She turned her head, glancing over her shoulder to pinpoint the source of her discomfort. But all she saw was a group of fishermen standing nearby, their eyes fixed on the prince and princess. Meera acknowledged their presence with a small smile, raising her hand in a graceful wave.

The fishermen responded by bowing their heads in a show of respect. Despite the external display of normalcy, Meera couldn't escape the sense that unseen eyes lingered on them, observing every move. She took a deep breath, dismissing the eerie sensation, and turned her attention back to Henry, determined to maintain the facade of the perfect royal couple.

Taking Henry's hand, Meera led the way, and together they ascended the magnificent white marble steps of the temple. The rhythmic cadence of their footsteps echoed against the pristine walls, a stark contrast to the turmoil within Meera's heart.

As they approached the temple doors, Meera's senses heightened, and the scent of pine and cedarwood wafted through the air. A sudden stillness overcame her, and she came to an abrupt halt, freezing in place.

"What's the matter?" Henry inquired, concern etched across his features.

Meera hesitated, unwilling to utter Eryx's name. Grinding her molars with determination, she pressed forward. The grand doors of the temple opened before them, revealing the sacred space within. The ambient light filtered through the high windows, casting a gentle glow on the marble floor.

Their eyes scanned the grand hall as they entered, the hushed atmosphere enveloping them. Meera's gaze fixed on the majestic statue of Poseidon, the god of the sea, at the heart of the temple. The imposing figure seemed to watch over them with a stoic expression, and Meera couldn't shake the feeling that unseen forces were at play.

"How wonderful to see you both here," Sion rose from his seat on the floor before Poseidon and adjusted his white robe. "Princess Meera, you've been gone for so many days. I had assumed I missed the wedding and Prince Henry had already taken you to Silverkeeps."

"No," Henry chuckled. "Not yet."

"Hmm," Sion nodded. His observant gaze shifted towards Meera, noting the subtle flicker of nervousness in her eyes as they darted around the temple like a skittish bird. "What is it, my dear?"

"Is the Vorean Prince here?" Meera's eyes meticulously scanned every corner of the grand hall.

"No," Sion replied, his head shaking gently. "He came in the morning."

A furrow formed on Meera's brow as she sought to understand. "Why?"

Sion chuckled at the simplicity of her question. "Why does anyone come to the temple? To place offerings and pray for protection."

"Is he still here?" Meera pressed further.

"No, your grace," Sion reassured her. "I can assure you there's no one here."

"Good," Meera nodded, her hand instinctively moving away from Henry as she hastened to Sion's side. "I need to speak to you. It's an urgent matter."

"Most certainly," Sion replied, his demeanor shifting to accommodate her urgency. "Will you excuse us, your grace?"

Henry obligingly took a small step back, creating a respectful distance as Meera and Sion prepared to converse in private.

"I'll be by the waters," he informed them.

Meera nodded in acknowledgment as she watched Henry leave, his figure gradually disappearing from the grand hall. The temple, with its serene atmosphere, became the backdrop for the impending exchange of words between the priest and the distressed princess.

"What's wrong?" Sion inquired, guiding Meera toward the altar. "Where have you been?"

"I've been busy with the Voreans," Meera replied, shaking her head to dispel the weight of her recent endeavors.

"I heard," Sion said, his eyes reflecting a sympathetic understanding of her struggles.

"Sion," Meera uttered the old man's name with a sense of urgency. She stepped closer, her eyes wide open and filled with a fear she had never unveiled before. "He knows. Eryx... he knows about me."

Sion's eyes widened, and a profound silence settled between them as the weight of Meera's revelation sank in. Speechless, the old priest stared at her, witnessing a vulnerability in Meera's eyes that she had rarely shown, if ever. The sacred surroundings of the temple seemed to amplify the gravity of the moment, enveloping them in an atmosphere of hushed concern and shared apprehension.

"How?" Sion inquired, his aged frame sinking to the steps at the base of the altar. "Did you show him?"

"No, of course not," Meera responded, vehemently shaking her head as she joined Sion on the stone steps. "He saw me the night of the earthquake."

"Meera," Sion gasped, a mixture of concern and disbelief etched on his weathered face.

"I was trying to save my people," Meera explained defensively. "And I was sure no one was around... but I think Eryx had known from the start."

Sion's eyes widened. "Why do you say that?"

"Because he told me that he's a... wolf, and that we're two sides of the same moon," Meera whispered, her words hanging in the sacred air of the temple, laden with a mysticism that transcended the ordinary.

The ancient stone walls bore witness to a secret that now bound the distressed princess and the priest in shared understanding. Meera felt the pressure inside her chest shift as she spoke the words to Sion without fear of being revealed to the court. She needed someone to point her in the right direction. She couldn't carry around Eryx's secret forever without going mad.

"A wolf?" Sion asked, his eyes narrowing in contemplation.

"Yes," Meera confirmed with a solemn nod. "He told me a story about King Koryos and his children. The four wolf princes who drove away the evil."

"Yes, yes," Sion muttered, the furrows on his forehead deepening. Meera could discern the wheels turning in his mind through the reflective glint in his eyes. The expression on the old man's face spoke of a realization dawning as if the threads of ancient tales and hidden truths were weaving together to form a coherent understanding of the world they inhabited.

"What is it?" Meera leaned in closer to gain Sion's attention. "What do you know, Sion?"

"I've heard of King Koryos before," Sion declared. "And of his sons. I had assumed they were all dead.....no one had seen a wolf prince in centuries."

"They're in Voreios," Meera said. "And it's not just a prince. Lady Zeya is a wolf too."

"Oh," Sion's eyes widened once more. "How fascinating."

"There's more," Meera continued. "Eryx said there are others like me. He called me an elemental."

Sion listened closely, nodding his head and letting each word soak into his mind.

"I've read the myths," he said, nodding as if he was speaking to himself. "Of Koryos and his sons. Their mother gave them the elements as gifts."

"Yes," Meera nodded. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"My dear," Sion rubbed his hands over his rob. "I had assumed they were just stories."

"Even after knowing what I could do?" Meera questioned.

"Forgive me, Princess," Sion apologized. "I didn't think to make the connection."

"So is it true?" Meera asked. "Eryx and I.... are we two sides of the same moon?"

Sion pondered Meera's words. His eyes appeared lost in thought as she rocked back and forth as if to soothe himself.

"Have you seen his wolf?" He asked.

"No," Meera shook her head. "But he wants me to go to Voreios with him. He says he can teach me more about my gift."

"If anyone knows anything about your abilities, it would be them," Sion nodded. "When I was a boy, I had studied at Voreios. That's how I came to know so much about helping you when you first began to manipulate water. I just.....didn't think elementals were real."

"What should I do, Sion?" Meera asked. "It feels impossible to make a decision."

Sion nodded, understanding Meera's dilemma. His wise eyes sorted through Meera's worries before he began to speak again.

"People can be deceitful," he said. "Do you trust Eryx?"

"I....." Meera hesitated. "I don't know. He's unpredictable. But he has kept my secret. He wants to protect me but his presence is overbearing."

"And his wolf?" Siona sked.

"I've never seen his wolf," Meera reminded the old man.

"Then do not make any decision until you do," Sion said. "If you truly are an elemental, you will know what to do when you meet your true guardian."   

Will Meera's game work?