Chapter 2: The Jasmine Thief

"Are they docking?" Iris asked, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder as Neftali looked through the gold handheld telescope.

"Why are they here?" Marcella asked, her hands fiddling with the beads around her necklace.

"They must be passing through," Meera said. "They're not going to come here."

No one believed her words. She knew there was no truth to them from the way the back of her neck shivered. She raised her hand and rubbed her skin, hoping to ease her racing heart.

"Have the guards at the temple greet them," Neftali said to Ozmen. "Henry, you will ride with Ozmen tomorrow at dawn to greet them if they dock."

"Greet them?" Meera asked, her eyes darting back to the blood-red sails breaking the horizons. "You're not thinking of inviting them into the city, are you?"

"We can't turn away anyone from the Voreios," Neftali said. "They might bring news about the Northpass. And we also owe them for saving your life."

"What about the stories?" Marcella asked. "I've heard the handmaidens talk about the death and destruction the people from Voreios bring. The last time they were in the city, nothing good came of that. Grandmother told us their soldiers nearly destroyed the villages they marched through."

"My dear," Neftali sighed, shaking his head. "Don't believe every word you hear."

"They could be here to extend their well wishes," Henry said. "We won the war. All the other Kingdoms have sent their wishes."

"No," Iris shook her head, her eyes staring at the sails once more. "Voreans would never show such generosity."

"Maybe we should ask them to wait on their ships until dawn," Meera said. "We shouldn't invite them into the city when everyone is out and celebrating."

"I agree with Meera," Henry said. "Whatever message King Hemming has sent can wait until morning."

King Hemming

Meera felt a cold wind blow through her body as if she were a hollow log. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, making her shiver standing out on the balcony.

She had heard of King Hemming before. He had an iron grip over his kingdom. His men were highly trained soldiers who could take out any army in any nation. They were trained in the mountains where King Hemming and his people kept the rest of the valley safe from the unknown dangers of the Northpass. Red was their color. Their ships were never seen around the islands, especially not around Azmeera. Meera never thought she would live to see the day their harbors welcomed them again.

"Very well. Send a messenger," Neftali said. "Tell them to wait in their ships. The city gates will not open tonight."

"Yes, father," Ozmen bowed.

Beside Meera, Henry reached down in the dark and squeezed her hand. He gave her a small nod before bowing to the king and queen and following Ozmen off the balcony.

"Girls," Iris said over her shoulder. "Return to your rooms. No need to go back to the celebrations downstairs."

"The city gates are closed," June reminded her mother. "Couldn't we ju-"

"To your rooms," Iris said sternly. "Meera, Marcella, take her with you two."

Meera, unable to look away from the sails in the distance, nodded her head. She reached up and touched the pearl around her neck as Marcella pulled June away from the railings.

"Come on, Meera," she said.

Quietly, Meera's feet moved. She turned and followed her cousins down the hall and towards their living quarters. June's nagging filled the silence as both Marcella and Meera rushed on ahead. When the girls reached Marcella's doors, Meera stopped and looked up at her cousin.

"Are you..." she began slowly, trying to read Marcella's eyes.

"They'll talk about this," Marcella said, her eyes darting around to make sure they were alone.

"We have to know what they say," Meera stepped closer.

"They'll never let us in the throne room," June sighed.

"They don't have to know we're there," Meera's eyes danced over the girls' faces. "Right?"

"Take off your slippers," Marcella ordered. "Quick."

As fast as she could, Meera pulled off her silk slippers with the bells. All three girls threw their shoes into Marcella's room before gathering their dresses and running off towards the throne room. Their bare feet were as silent as ghosts. The girls hid behind pillars and curtains before running up the spiral staircase in the back to where the organ was on the second-floor balcony.

"Get down," Meera pulled June to the floor as they peered through the railings. There was just enough space for each of them to use one eye to spy.

"Do not make a sound, June," Marcella warned. "If we're caught, Mother will ship us off to live with Aunt Jonorah."

June, being naturally too curious for her own good, ignored her sister and reached for the necklace around Meera's neck.

"What's this?" She whispered.

"It's a gift from Henry," Meera said.

June sighed and laid her head over her hands, "I wish to find someone like Henry someday. You're so lucky Meera."

"What happened on the balcony?" Marcella asked. "How did you see the ships?"

"I don't know," Meera said, feeling the same rush of chills up her spine from before. "There was this wind.....and I just....I..."

June and Marcella looked at one another as Meera struggled to speak. Her eyes stared at the floor below as if she was trying to relive the moment.

"I know this sounds crazy," Meera sighed, shaking her head. "But I thought I heard the wind whisper my name."

"Yeah, sure," June rolled her eyes.

"I'm not lying," Meera said.

"How can that be?"

"I don't know," Meera argued. "It's not impossible, right? I mean Ozmen tells us stories of the Northpass all the time. What if it wasn't the wind? What if it was some spirit?"

"Those are stories," Marcella clicked her tongue. "Winds do not speak. And there are no spirits from the Northpass."

"If there are, can you tell them to sail some handsome sailors to our door?" June teased.

"Did Henry hear this voice?" Marcella asked.

"No," Meera shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Well, don't tell him," June said. "You don't want to scare away the man."

"Speaking of man..." Marcella tapped Meera's arm and pointed to the small space between the railings.

All three girls closed their mouths and moved closer as Neftali and Henry's father, Darwin, walked in. Iris followed behind as she conversed in a hushed voice with one of her ladies' maids.

"You should seal the city gates," Darwin said.

"That's out of the question," Neftali shook his head. "Eryx is on board. We can't close our city to him."

Marcella, Meera, and June all silently gasped. They looked at one another with worry-filled eyes as Iris stepped forward to speak.

"Closing the city gates will only send the wrong signal," she said. "We don't even know why he's here."

"Isn't it obvious?" Darwin asked. "Elias is a sore loser. He probably went to Voreios to seek support."

"Why would he do that now?" Iris asked. "The war is over. We won."

"The war will begin again if Hemming brings his men down," Darwin said. "That's exactly what Elias wants."

"Hemming is not known for fighting other men's wars," Neftali said. "I will hear what Prince Eryx has to say. He is welcome to come into my city and join the celebrations."

"You're making a mistake," Darwin said. "Think of Meera and Henry. They're going to get married. Do you really want Voreans present during such an auspicious occasion?"

"They are people, Darwin," Neftali said. "Just like you and me."

"They're harbingers of destruction!"

"We will not close our city gates," Neftali said sternly. "Azmeera will remain friendly until our peace and safety is threatened."

From her place high up on the balcony, Meera could see how unhappy her soon-to-be father-in-law was. Darwin's face was red with anger as he chewed over Neftali's words.

"Fine," he said after a while. "Do as you please."

"Let's stay positive," Iris said. "And prepare for the wedding. Henry and Meera have waited long enough."

__________________

By the next morning when word reached the people of Azmeera of Voreans, it was as if a dark cloud fell over the city's celebration. People inside the palace whispered as they hurried through the halls and did their daily chores with their heads down.

After visiting the temple at dawn, Meera walked through the city to find the same dark cloud looming everywhere she went. Out of fear, the fishermen did not take their boats out. They didn't want to interact with the people in the large iron ships with their haunting red sails. Children walked along with their parents, eyes constantly checking the city gates.

"Is it true?" Bou hurried out of his house to fall in steps with Meera as she passed by his house. "Is Prince Eryx inside the city walls?"

Meera nodded, "He arrived this morning."

"Have you seen him?"

Meera shook her head, "They've been in the throne room all morning."

"You shouldn't be walking out here by yourself, Princess," Bou fiddled with the small hat in his hand. "It's not safe. Eryx's men are everywhere. And they're dangerous."

"Don't worry about me, Bou," Meera said, gently touching the man's shoulder. "Weren't you going to Silverkeep today to sell you fish?"

"Yes," Bou nodded, his eyes nervously scanning the market once more. "But I'm afraid I'll have to abandon those plans now."

"Why?" Meera asked. "Because of the soldiers from Voreios?"

"Well....yes."

"This is our city," Meera said. "We're not prisoners here."

"No one wants to leave," Bou said. "All the ships are docked."

"The fish will rot," Meera said. "You have to set sail before noon if you want to make it to Silverkeep."

"Everyone is staying home, Princess," Bou bowed his head.

"No," Meera said sternly. "We're going to set sail."

Bou looked up at Meera with concern in his eyes. He didn't know what to say or think as she looked over her shoulder at the city gates.

"Gather the sailors," Meera ordered. "You'll leave before noon."

"But how?"

"Leave that up to me," Meera said, switching her course of direction and heading for the beach.

Seeing the long faces of the people in her city boiled Meera's blood. The soldiers from Voreios had no right to frighten them in their own homeland. If they truly meant every word they said then the people of Azmeer should be safe and free to do as they please.

Along with Bou and a few of the other sailors he had managed to gather, Meera walked to the beach. Her basket from the temple hung on her arm as she walked them to their boats and watched them prepare to set sail. Right as Bou looked over at her from his small wooden fishing boat, a tall man with a thick black beard and pounding footsteps walked up to him and squinted in the sun.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"To Silverkeep," Meera said from where she stood.

"Oh yeah?" The man looked over his shoulder. "How? Our ships are in your harbor."

"Then you must remove your ships from our harbor," Meera said sternly. "My men have work to do. They have to set sail for Silverkeep by noon."

"No can do," the big man laughed. "Prince Eryx ordered all ships to dock at the harbor."

"Dock," Meera said. "Not imprison Azmeera. Remove your ships and make way for my men. Now."

The man's eyes narrowed. He turned fully to peer at Meera as he pulled his long thick fur coat tightly around his shoulder. "Who are you to command our ships?"

"We haven't been introduced yet," Meera stepped forward. "I'm Princess Meera of Azmeera."

"Princess," The man arched his brow.

"Yes," Meera said. "Surely, you have those from where you come from."

"We do," the man said.

"And what is your name?" Meera asked. "I would like to know who's keeping my people from sailing."

"Knox," the man said, his lips almost snaring. "Don't wear it out, Princess."

Meera's eyes narrowed, "Remove your ships, Knox. Make way for my men."

"Listen here, little lady," the man, Knox, moved forward. His big shoulders swayed like giant mountains. Meera held her ground despite how Bou's eyes widened. "Prince Eryx said-"

"Prince Eryx said he is here as a friend," Meera stopped the man. "This behavior is not friendly. Unless your Prince is not true to his words. Is he dishonest? Does he lie?"

"No," Knox's upper lip pulled back as if he was baring his teeth at Meera.

"Then move out of my way," Meera said, her dark eyes narrowing like daggers. "Now."

"You'll face the Prince for this," Knox said. "When Eryx asks why the ships moved, I'll paint a pretty picture of you for him, your grace."

"Oh?" Meera arched her brow. "You paint? A man of many talents, I see."

Knox sneered once more. The sound seemed to almost rumble through the sand and up Meera's bones.

"Get out of my way," Meera stepped forward and demanded. "You're in my waters now. Disobey and you declare war. Let's see how your Prince handles his footmen declaring war on a peacekeeping visit."

Like storms over the sea, Knox's eyes grew dark and heavy. He glared at Meera for a few as his mouth twitched and the veins on his temples clenched. Just when Meera thought the mountain wasn't going to move, Knox stepped around her and headed towards the small wooden boat. She watched him leave big footprints on the sand as he stomped over and paddled to the ships. Bou and the other sailors got ready to push their fishing boat into the water.

"Go on," Meera told them. "I'll pray to the gods for your safe travels."

"Thank you, your grace," a few of the men bowed their heads.

In the distance, one of the large wooden ships began to move and sail forward. Meera pushed down her fluttering heart and reminded herself they were only making way for the fishermen, not getting closer. She stood with her feet in the sand and her toes curled as the fishing boats began to inch closer and closer to the gigantic red sails. Her lips moved in silent prayers, whispering to the god of the sea to protect her countrymen from the strangers in their waters.

However, as the fishing boats grew closer and closer, Meera knew they would not be able to pass through the narrow space the Voreans created for them. They would be trapped in the waves, knocking against the larger ships.

Meera stepped closer to the water, letting it touch the tips of her toes as she raised her palm towards the sky. She felt a drop of piping hot energy fall over her and ripple out from the tips of her fingers. She carried the currents towards the ships and pushed them aside.

The water began to bob the ships from side to side as they parted and made space for the fishing boats. Meera watched with her breath held as one by one, all the fishermen made it out to the open sea. The seagulls sang above her head as she lowered her palm and the currents vibrating from her melted against the water.

"Princess."

Meera jumped in fright. She tore her eyes away from Bou and his small boat as Henry's chariot came to a halt beside her. His dark horse shook out her hair and stomped her hoves as her rider stepped off the golden chariot.

"What are you doing here?" Henry asked.

"I was at the temple," Meera held up her basket, wiping her palm on her dress and hiding it beneath the fabric.

"You shouldn't be out here by yourself," Henry frowned with disapproval.

"This is my country," Meera said. "It's my home. I am perfectly safe here."

"Your country and your home are infested with strangers," Henry said, stepping forward and gently stroking Meera's hand. "Let's go back."

"Are they still locked up in the throne room?" Meera wondered.

"Yes," Henry nodded.

"What does he want?"

"I don't know," Henry's eyes flickered towards the iron ships. "Maybe he's here to assess the threat."

"The threat?" Meera asked. "What threat?"

"Us," Henry said. "We conquered Delphina. Azmeera, Silverkeeps, and Dalphina are all coming together now. Maybe it's frightening for King Hemming."

"We managed to scare the all-mighty Hemming?" Meera arched her brow with a small laugh on her lips.

"You are frightening, your grace," Henry looked up at Meera and brought her hand to his lips. His mouth was warm and soft. Meera blushed as a soft kiss was planned on her knuckles and then on her wrist.

"My mother and sisters are on their way," Henry said. "I've asked her to bring the ring my father gave to her the night of their wedding."

Meera's heart leaped into her throat. She stepped aside as Henry climbed into the chariot and took the reins.

"I hope it will bring us many years of happiness," Henry said, growing a bit shy himself.

"When will they arrive?" Meera asked.

"By this evening," Henry said. "And by tomorrow evening, we will be engaged."

"It's happening," Meera bit down on her bottom lip to keep herself from smiling too wide.

"Engaged by tomorrow and married by the end of the week," Henry laughed. "Then I get to take you to Silverkeep with me forever."

As Henry spoke and they rode through the streets of Azmeera, Meera's eyes couldn't stop counting the number of soldiers in dark red armor she saw. They seemed to be lingering in every corner and in every tavern.

"What's wrong?" Henry asked, noticing the way Meera's soft brown eyes grew worried.

"You don't think Prince Eryx will be there for that long, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"How will we celebrate our marriage with the city filled with men in red?" Meera asked. "His presence will be looming over us all."

"We can't ask him to leave," Henry said. "That would be rude."

"Yes," Meera did not like the sea of red before her. "It would be rude to ask them to leave."

________________________

"Sit still," Iris poked Meera's shoulder as they all sat in the garden by the burning torches and blooming rose buds.

The sweet scent of jasmine and lemons filled the warm air. The shimmers from Meera's dress were like stars against the night sky. She couldn't stop her feet from bouncing up and down with anxiety and nervousness. Henry's mother had arrived earlier in the evening. As soon as her ship docked, she asked to meet Meera.

Frantically, Iris and Marcella prepared Meera as if she were already the bride. They washed her hair and steamed it with sandalwood. Her skin was polished with rose oils and her lips were painted with crushed pomegranate. June teased Meera the whole afternoon as she ran back and forth, bringing news of Henry's family.

"Don't be nervous," Iris said as she went about fixing Meera's necklace once again.

"You're making me nervous," Meera confessed. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"Nonsense," Iris clicked her tongue. "Queen Ada is an old friend of mine. She is kind and sensible. Very much like her son."

"Why do you think she asked to meet me tonight?"

"She wants to see her son's bride," Iris laughed. "That's not a crime. When Oz gets married, I will want to meet his bride every day."

"Why?" Meera's nose scrunched up.

"To make sure she knows exactly what she's getting into by marrying my son," Iris continued to laugh. "But don't worry about Ada or Henry. You are lucky you will be going to Silverkeep. You will love it there."

"I'm sure she will."

Meera felt her heart drop as Queen Ada stepped through the flower archway and into the small stone clearing in the garden. The light from the torches gleamed off of the jewels on her crown like fireflies. Her long lavender dress collected the fallen flower petals on the ground as she moved closer to the cushioned benches. Meera could instantly see Henry in his mother. He had her eyes and her sharp nose.

"Your majesty," Meera sunk down to a low curtsy.

"No need for that," Ada said, stepping forward and kissing Meera's cheeks. "We're family now."

"It's so good to see you, Ada," Iris held out her arms for her old friend.

"It's made even better by this marriage," Ada said. "I'm finally here to take our bride home."

Meera could feel her cheeks turn maroon under the dim light. She tried not to fidget as the two women embraced and congratulated one another.

"Now, explain yourself," Iris said, teasing her friend. "Why have you called Meera out here? She's scared to death."

"Well, I need to make sure she's suitable for my Henry," Ada laughed. "Let's take a good look at her, shall we?"

Meera's heart fluttered like a butterfly, ready to fly out of her chest. She bit down on the inside of her cheeks to keep herself from smiling as Ada lifted her chin and moved her face towards the light.

"Hmm," said the queen.

"I will not hear any slander about our daughter, Ada," Iris shook her head, a playful smile still on her lips.

"How can I slander this moon?" Ada said. "May the gods bless you, my dear."

"Thank you," Meera said quietly.

"I can see why Henry has been so restless," Ada let go of Meera's face and stepped back.

"Oh, he's not the only one," Iris's eyes fluttered to Meera who blushed even harder than before. Ada laughed.

"The wait is almost over," She said. "But I must warn you. These last few days will be worse than the years you have spent waiting. They will feel longer and never-ending."

"But you will be busy," Iris said. "You will have plenty of wedding preparations to keep your mind occupied."

"Yes," Ada said. She raised her hand and motioned for the servant to come forward. Meera watched as the women stepped into the light with their arms full of large gold platters adorned with jewels and the finest silks. "For your engagement tomorrow."

Meera looked at Iris before turning back to Ada, "Thank you."

"You must remain in the palace for the rest of the week until the wedding," Ada said. "It's our custom. Soak in rose water every night and wear flowers in your hair."

Iris quickly moved forward as Ada lifted one of the jasmine leis from the tray and held it out towards Meera.

"Fresh flowers every day," Ada smiled. "Here. Put it on."

Meera handed the lei to Iris and pushed her hair back. She sat still as her aunt braided her hair and twisted the jasmine lei into it. The weight of it held her hair down as Iris moved the braid over her shoulder.

"Beautiful," Ada said. "Now, go on and get some sleep. Tomorrow is an important day."

"Thank you," Meera bowed once more before turning and exiting the garden. She could feel the two women watching her as she hurried into the palace and rushed up towards her room.

"What did she say?" Marcella gasped as she jumped out from around the corner. "Was she mean? Is she nasty?"

"She was very sweet," Meera laughed. "She called me to give me my dress for tomorrow."

"Oh?" Marcella wiggled her brows. "And wha-"

"Marcella," Ozmen's voice startled the two girls as they stood by their stairs laughing over the flowers in Meera's hair. They looked up to find the prince rushing towards them with Henry by his side.

"What's the matter?" Meera asked, noticing the way Henry and Ozmen's eyes were wide with alert.

"Nothing," Ozmen said. "Just want to make sure you two were here before we shut off the gates."

"Shut off the gates?" Meera arched her brow. "What do you mean?"

"It's Eryx," Henry paused beside Meera and sighed. "He has moved his ship closer to the docks. They're lowering his anchor ."

"Why?" Meera questioned.

Henry's eyes darted towards Ozmen, "King Neftali has invited Eryx to stay until the end of the week."

"What?" Marcella said as Meera's ears began to ring. "Why would he do that?"

"He asked to be polite," Ozmen said. "We didn't think Eryx would really agree."

"So now he's here?" Meera felt her heart beat against her throat. "His ship is at our dock?"

"Yes," Ozmen nodded. "We're closing the palace gates to make sure the night is uneventful."

"Are they really that dangerous?" Marcella asked. "They're here as our guests."

"I've heard too many tales of spirits and beasts to trust anyone from Voreios," Ozmen said.

"What about the people?" Meera asked. "If you close the gates, they'll still be out there with them."

"My duties are to the crown," Ozmen said. "Protecting the crown is my priority."

"Oz," Meera frowned, feeling her heart sink. "Those are your people. You can't leave them out like that."

"Meera's right," Henry spoke up. "If anything happens tonight, and the palace doors are closed, the people will all point fingers towards the palace."

"We can't bloody fit everyone inside the palace!" Ozmen said.

"The guards," Meera's head snapped up. "We can station the guards all around the city."

"There are not enough guards to watch a whole city," Ozmen said. "They will have to work in shifts throughout the night. They will never cover the whole city."

"What about the reserves?" Meera asked. "Hundreds of men volunteered to be part of the reserve troops for the war. They're all within the city."

"They're untrained, Meera," Henry said.

"We don't need them to fight," Meera said. "We need eyes all over the city. Call in the reserves, have them patrol the streets."

"But...." Marcella looked around. "Won't that look strange? To Eryx?"

"Call it a practice drill or military training," Meera turned to Ozmen. "You're their general after Neftali. You can command them any time you want."

Ozmen pondered his cousin's words. His breathing slowed as he began to see the picture Meera was painting. It wasn't an impossible idea. If they called upon the reserves, they would have more than enough men to shift throughout the night. Every street would be guarded.

"Okay," Ozmen said after a while. "I'll call the reserves."

"Hurry," Marcella urged.

With his hand on the hilt of his sword, Ozmen stepped around his sister and began to head towards the stairs. Meera stared after him with worry-filled eyes as Henry paused beside her.

"Have you spoken to my mother?" He asked, lowering his voice.

"Yes," Meera nodded. Her hand reached up and she gripped the pearl pendant around her neck.

"Stay inside the palace," Henry said. "With Marcella and my mother."

Meera nodded once more but her heart whined at the thought of leaving her people defenseless. She felt Henry reach down and squeeze her hand before his eyes flickering towards the jasmine in her hair. A small smile appeared on his lips as he let go of her hand and rushed down the stairs.

"Can you believe this?" Marcella said in anger. "We're supposed to be celebrating."

"I think I want to turn in early for the night," Meera said, placing her hand over her chest to calm her throbbing heart.

"Don't you want to see Oz send out the reserves?" Marcella asked.

"I can watch from my balco-"

"Meera!" June called out as she appeared at the end of the hall beside the doors to her room. "Marcy, have you seen this?"

Marcella and Meera turned to look at one another as June pushed her doors open. The young girl looked over her shoulder in a panic as the wind from her large bay window blew her white nightgown.

"Are they all going to dock?" June asked as Marcella and Meera walked into her bedroom and headed to the open window. "They're like giants."

Meera's heart quivered as she stared at the folded red sail and the large wooden ship. Even though it was so far away from the palace, it still seemed as if it was on strong wind away from being sailed into the city below.

"What's going on?" June asked, looking down at the grounds as men began to march out of the palace.

"Oz is calling the reserves," Marcella said.

"Why?" June asked.

"They're going to watch the city," Meera answered. "To make sure Eryx and his men don't pull anything over our eyes."

"Even if they did, would we be able to stop them?" June's eyes shimmered with fright in the darkness. "I heard they have people in Voreios who can control beasts. They can use the dark language to conjure up spirits."

"June," Marcella clicked her tongue. "There are no such things as spirits. And the dark language has not been spoken in over hundreds of years."

"That's not true," June shook her head. "I heard father telling mother the other day that they found books that contained the dark language in Delphina. Someone there was using magic."

With each word June spoke, Meera's blood chilled. She felt her skin come alive with bumps and shivers. Her mind scattered and she wished the walls would open up and pull her inside.

No one besides Sion knew about Meera's abilities. Magic was taboo in the three island kingdoms. They said it was the mark of the devil. Doomed souls trapped in living bodies. Meera would be cast out of her home and kingdom if anyone ever found out about her abilities to move the waves and rain.

"Nonsense," Marcella rolled her eyes. "Anyone like that would be drowned or burned. Why would they willingly surrender themselves to that fate?"

"I don't know!" June shrugged. "I just heard."

"We should head to bed," Meera spoke up from behind the girls. "It's getting late."

"In a few," June clicked her tongue. She turned back to look at the men scurrying through the streets. Meera couldn't take her eyes off the ship at the dock. "You know what would be very funny?"

"What?" Marcella asked.

"If someone raised their anchor and let the ship sail out to sea," June laughed to which her sister rolled her eyes.

"Are you really this stupid?" Marcella asked. "The waves aren't strong enough to carry out a ship that big. It's not a fishing boat. It's a warship."

"It was just a thought," June muttered.

"I'm going to bed," Meera announced quietly. She turned on her feet before the girls could stop her and slipped out of the room. Marcella's words haunted her as she held her braid close to her heart and crushed the jasmine in her palms.

Anyone like that would be drowned or burned...

Meera felt her eyes water but she did not let the tears fall down her face. She hurried into her room and closed the door behind her, letting it bang shut. Her heart fluttered like a caged bird as she stood against the wood trying to catch her breath.

Through her balcony, she could still see the mast and the dreaded red sails. The half-moon overhead gleamed off of the surface of the sea, making it appear more navy blue than black.

Meera slowly inches closer. Her dress caught on the thorns of her favorite rose bushes and tore as she moved to the edge of the balcony. The wind sang a low song as it whistled through the halls and rooms of the palace in the dark night. The candles in Meera's room flickered and the curtains raised to the skies.

Meera couldn't look away from the ship. Her fingers played with the necklace around her neck as she heard the unmistakable sound of a falcon crying out in the dark.

It wasn't uncommon to hear falcons in Azmeera. The island was known to have some of the strongest falcons. They were skilled hunters with talons sharper than knives. Normally, Meera wouldn't have cared for a falcon's call. But she had never heard one standing under the night sky. Her eyes flickered up to the sky but she could see nothing. When she looked back down, the ship mocked her.

If someone raised their anchor and let the ship sail out to sea...

Meera's head tilted slightly to one side.

No wave would be strong enough, she thought to herself. But I can make waves...

Meera's brain prickled with an idea. She didn't think twice about what she was about to do as she ran back into her room and grabbed a dark cloak. Wrapping it around herself and covering her head, Meera slipped out of her room and turned towards the back of the palace.

Someday, Meera might not be in Azmeera to protect her people. But that night hadn't arrived yet. Meera knew every hall, every stairwell, every entrance, and every hidden pathway in the palace. She had used them many times to slip out of the palace to go to the ocean when the sea called to her. After her parent's death, there was no one to keep a close eye on her. She wasn't a crowned princess, no one thought twice about where Meera was.

Using the shadows to cover her, Meera climbed the vines in the garden and jumped over the low walls at the back of the palace. She landed in a tall pile of hay with a thump and a silent groan. Dusting herself off and readjusting the cloak over her head, Meera used the back allies of the town to make her way to the docks. She slipped in and out from behind the market stalls to hide from the men marching up and down the street. Her feet moved silently out of memory. Her eyes and ears were alert and her heart dared not to beat too quickly. When she reached the docks, Meera crouched behind the wooden barrels and peeked out from the sides.

With her eyes glued on the ship and her body warming up from the strength she was pulling from the sea, Meera raised her palm to feel for the anchor beneath the surface. Her senses filled with the sensation of cold water running through the space between her fingers as her full bottom lip moved in between her teeth.

As soon as Meera felt the presence of the anchor below the surface, she willed the water to push it out. The ship groaned and cracked like old wooden floors. Meera paid it no mind as she began to rock it back and forth with the waves she created. Her heart began to beat faster and faster as the large Iron vessel moved farther and farther from the dock. A small smile came over her lips as the distance between the Voreans and Azmmerian soil grew. Meera began to feel the tension alleviate from her shoulders when all of a sudden she felt the ship stop.

Puzzled by the struggle she felt beneath the surface of the water, Meera slowly rose to her feet in the shadows. The dock began to groan as the ropes tied to the posts from the ship stretched taut.

Meera's heart sank to the bottom of the ocean. She didn't think of the ropes!

As the waves began to push the ships harder, the ropes pulled on the posts. The old wood began to protest before the frightening sounds of it splintering broke out over the night.

Meera gasped. But the sound was overshadowed by the shrike of a falcon. She looked up to the sky as the shadow of a large bird flew overhead, drowning out the moonlight for a few seconds.

Meera peered up into the darkness, wondering what she had just seen when the bird swooped down at terrifying speed and snatched the cloak right off of her head.

Frightened, Meera jumped back into the darkness. Her breathing labored as she pressed herself against the brick wall. Her eyes scanned the ground around her in search of something she could use to defend herself. But besides empty barrels, there was nothing she could find. Meera looked around frantically before she began to hear the heavy footsteps of someone stepping out from the shadows across the alley.

No, Meera gasped, her eyes widening.

If they had seen her controlling the waves, she would be drowned in them by dawn. A chill like pins and needles crawled up Meera's legs as she stood trying to control her breathing. She couldn't make out the tall figure as they stopped before their face could be revealed. Meera didn't dare move an inch as the figure held out their arm and the falcon landed gracefully with Meera's cloak in its talons.

The back of Meera's neck began to warm like a tea kettle as the large bird's head snapped towards her. Slowly, its owner picked up the cloak. Meera could see the remains of her jasmine lei hanging from the bird's other feet. It flapped its powerful wings and the jasmine rained down like snow in the moonlight.

Meera felt a scream rise in her throat. The figure took a small step forward in the dark. She screwed her eyes shut and dug her nails into her palm. She should have never left her room. She should have never tried to push the ships out of the docks. She should have ne-

The falcon gave one more shriek as its wings sliced through the air and it took off. Meera whimpered in silence, feeling the air hit her face. She braced herself to feel the pain from its talons when all of a sudden everything around her went silent.

Meera felt the shift in the air as if someone had silenced thunder. Her eyes snapped open and her heart fell from heaven and back into her body. She searched for the figure from where she stood against the wall but her eyes could find nothing.

The falcon was gone. The tall figure was gone.

Meera didn't move out of fear. She remained hidden for several minutes as her heartbeat slowed and her body began to relax. As she stepped out from the shadows, her feet stumbled on her cloak on the ground. Meera lowered herself and picked it up with caution. She could still see the fallen jasmines on the ground but the lei was nowhere to be seen. 

What do you think of Meera so far? And are you excited for her to get married ?