Chapter 2:
A Never Ending Battle
The king of Coronis stood angrily in the courtyards, “WHERE IS SHE!!” he screamed. He had brown hair and blue eyes, a sword on his hip and a gold crown on his head. A woman, who appeared to be his queen stood behind him, her hair long to the mid of her back and black. Her eyes flashing with a sense of worry and disappointment, the green of her eyes lightened by the light outside.
“Dear I am sure she is ok.” She said to him softly, trying to calm him down.
“She better be, because when she gets back she won’t be. Besides that’s not the point Mesi. That rascal, Raion is out there somewhere and we can not afford a kidnapping right now or any other problems from that rat.” He snapped angrily.
Just then a couple of guards walked up to him, they bowed to them both and spoke, “Sir we have not found the Princess and the pirate is no where to be found.” Said one of the guards.
“Then find them!!! I want my daughter back here and back here now! As for that rat, Raion, find him!! He has caused enough problems here, I want him in chains!” he growled. The two bowed again and backed away humbly.
Unaware to the king and queen, a woman of middle aged with a short, shoulder length green hair and gold eyes sat in the shadows watching and listening. she thought to herself. She quietly moved away and out to the stables, waiting within the shadows of the building.
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Aster rode hard, she finally reached the palace, and entered into the stables, she demounted her horse and walked him quickly to his resting place. As she began to tend to him, the middle aged woman hiding within the shadows appeared behind her.
“Princess, it’s about time you returned! Your parents are worried and your father is extremely upset. We must get you dressed and changed so you can meet with them.” She spoke from behind. Aster turned and looked at her with a heavy sigh.
“Figures can’t even go out by myself.” She growled to the woman. “Thank you Kala for the warning.” She said once more, her tone more soft this time.
The two reached behind some barrels and pulled out a long gown and crown. As Aster began to get dressed there in the stables and Kala helped her, Kala spoke again.
“Princess, I understand your need to be alone and be free. But you must realize that the pirate Raion is out there and he is a dangerous man.” Kala said with a sort of scolding about her.
“I know that Kala. I’m not worried, besides I wished he would just find me and take me away from here.” Aster said to her, she let out another sigh and leaned against the railing for a moment as they finished.
“What is on your mind my dear?” Kala asked her tenderly.
“Kala, do you believe in love at first sight??” Aster asked her almost dreaming.
Kala looked at her closely and then walked around to face her, “Love, true love can never be forgotten or broken dear. If it is there you will know it, but why speak of this?? You know you are to be married to Prince Caley soon.” She asked her.
“Yes I know, but…”Aster spoke again then trailed off.
“Yes dear?” Kala asked again.
“I met someone today, while I was out riding. He was the most handsome of men and yet he was sweet and tender. He even listened when I spoke. In his eyes was a sort of light, almost like a sigh.” She said softly.
“I see and you believe that you love this man?? Even though you do not know him??” Kala asked with a soft smile. She loved Aster as if she were own, and so it should be as she was Aster’s hand maiden as well as her nanny from when she was younger.
“I don’t know, I think so. Besides I know him, or at least his name. It’s Daniel.” Aster said with a grin on her face.
Kala chuckled, “Well dear, does he know what your name is??”
“I told him my name was Star, but he knows that I am of nobility” Aster told her.
“I see, well, you must not say anything to your parents for they shall surely find ways to destroy such a love or feeling. Tell me does he feel the same for you??” Kala asked once more.
“I think so, he said I held his heart and if it was not to be, then he would want his heart back. As for my parents, I could never tell them of this. They don’t understand and they would never hear of it anyways.” Aster said softly. Kala nodded and took Aster by the hand and smiled.
“I want to see him again, Kala. He told me how to contact him, should I want to, tell me. Will you help me if I decide to??” Aster asked her nicely.
Kala tilted her head to the side and looked deep into Aster’s blue eyes, then nodded. “Yes, I will my princess. I can see in your eyes a spark that hasn’t been there before, anything to make you happy, but you must promise me you will be careful and the moment you get the chance you must tell him who you are. I doubt you will be able to get out of this marriage with Prince Caley.” Kala said to her tenderly.
Aster rolled her eyes, “Very well. Ugh, Prince Caley, such a rude lifeless being.” She said sarcastically. The two started laughing at the comment, the Kala nodded towards the palace and the two headed back. They walked through the courtyards and before Aster entered the palace, she brushed out her dress and ran her hands over her hair, then took a deep breath. Kala squeezed her hand tenderly then let Aster walk inside on her own.
Aster moved in to the palace and to the throne room, she peeked her head in to see her parents and her father yelling about her where abouts. She sighed again and took one more deep breath then entered the room. “You wanted to see me father?” she asked innocently.
“ASTER DEVONA!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!!” He shouted. Aster stepped back in shock and then lowered her head and walked in to stand before him and her mother. She bowed respectfully to them both.
“I was out riding father. I did not mean to worry you.” Aster said humbly.
“Out riding?? Aster! That pirate Raion is out there!! You must stay near the palace at all times till after your wedding day.” her mother said in shock.
“I will not have this deliberate mean of disobedience Aster!” Her father boomed angrily.
“But father! I was just trying to enjoy the day!” Aster protested.
“I SAID STAY WITHIN THESE WALLS!!” Her father shouted. Mesi gently placed a hand on him and spoke to him softly.
“Bomani, please calm yourself.” She said to him firmly. He turned away from them both.
“Then you deal with you reckless daughter.” he snapped at her. Mesi let out a sigh of frustration and looked to Aster.
“Aster, you are to be married in four weeks. This is not becoming of a princess. I assure you Prince Caley will not stand for such reckless behavior. You must show yourself as an obedient, trusting wife for him.” Mesi said scolding her slightly. Aster grew angry at her mothers comments.
“AHH! I HATE THIS!! I DON’T WANT TO MARRY THAT IGNORANT, HATEFUL, LIFELESS, DREAMLESS, POMPOUS PRINCE! I DON’T WANT TO BE A PRINCESS! I WANT TO BE FREE!” Aster screamed in anger. Bomani turned and looked sharply at his daughter.
“SILENCE!! You will not speak to us this way, Aster Niamh Devona! You are our daughter, the Princess of Coronis and you WILL marry Prince Caley whether you like it or not! NOW GO TO YOUR ROOM!” He yelled at her. Aster looked at them, hurt filled her eyes, tears started to started to form.
“I hate you both! I hate you both!” She screamed and ran off, she ran to her room crying in her hands and slamming her door. Kala watched from a distance and sighed, she moved after her, worried about her.
Bomani and Mesi looked at each other, Bomani’s expression still cold and hard, but Mesi’s shocked and hurt.
“My dear, maybe we are pushing her to hard. She has never said that to us before.” Mesi said pleading.
“She will get over it.” Bomani snapped, hiding his obvious hurt from her remark.
“Bomani, you know she is not our real daughter. She is our niece, should we not love her and allow her to think for herself?” Mesi pleaded, tears starting to stream down her face.
“Mesi, Jonathan and Arwen are dead. They are no where to be found. Lycoris is in ruins, she is our responsibility. Besides I am protecting her. Look at what magic has gotten Arwen and Jonathan! I will not let her throw her life away for that! She will marry whom, I deem is right for her.” Bomani snapped.
“But what of Prince Brayden Lacion of Belar??” Mesi protested. “They were to marry at this time.”
“He and his family are dead, do you not remember Mesi?? They were killed by the Himtar on the way to aide my brother in his stupid fight.” Bomani said sternly. “I will hear no more of this, Prince Caley will be here in a couple of days. This subject is closed.” He turned and walked off in anger to his room, Mesi sat down and frowned, part of her wanted to tell Aster the truth and to be more relaxed with her, but she dared not go against Bomani’s wishes. Even when he forbid Aster to use her powers, which she agreed to, as she hated it as well.
