The birds sang songs to each other as the sun rose in the east. The bright orange-yellow hues fanned on the kingdom and upon the people walking across the sands as the tides lowered back into the sea. The huts of the poorest in Aecor flushed into the sea. Across the beach, sticks, and stones scattered over the sand. Many of the people were picking up the debris and placing them to reassert their homes, and others were distraught over, once again, another disheveled abode, having to play a game with the waves every night until the Winter Waters frosted over the crests of the ocean.

Cora awoke to the sounds of a bell that Everdeen whipped around to sound for the heir to rise from her silk sheets and developing mattress. She groaned as the bell tolls grew louder and nearer her to her. Everdeen’s feet were silent as she stepped gently and closer to the princess’s sleeping flat.

“I’m awake, Everdeen.” Cora groaned with a blue pillow over her face, her body positioned on its back as her sheets enveloped her form. Everdeen gave a smile, but her hand continued to ring the bell.

“Today is the day you must meet with Prince Amor.” She spoke with a gentle voice; her lips covered with a gold paint, her eyelids had been painted with blue powder.

Cora groaned as she rolled her body out of bed and stood next to Everdeen. Her silk gown fell to her feet, and her hair was entangled, dry drool crusting on her cheek.

“You can stop ringing the bell.” She glanced at Everdeen, the words as quick as a viper’s strike. Everdeen let the bell fall to her side as she walked to the room door and gestured for Cora to exit.

“Myra has drawn you a milk bath.” Everdeen rubbed a hand against her arm to her shoulder and neck.

Cora glared at the woman, her hair falling over her faces in a tangled mess. “Thank you,” Cora made her way down the hall from her room, the many paintings of the Kings and Queen who once ruled Aecor were hung on the walls on each side. The floor was decorated with white carpet with gold emblems. When she reached the end of the hall, she stared at a painting of her mother, centered in the middle and unlike the other portraits, her mother was not smiling. She was looking forward, wearing a beautiful purple robe with black designs that ran from the bottom to the arms and the neck. White fur lined the rim of the gown, and what she wore underneath was a lace blue dress and dark heels. Her hair had been wrapped around her head to elevate the golden crown she wore.

“In here, Your Highness.” A woman in similar cyan attire and face powder and maquillage as Everdeen stood outside, holding the door to the room open, her face had more volume and her cheeks shined a light pink as she smiled. Cora walked towards her, looking back at her mother one more time. Her eyes in the painting made her heartthrob.

In the center of the room was an amber bathtub filled with white milk, silver petals sailed across the liquid inside, the smell that radiated was elegant and sweet.

“Whenever you are ready, Your Highness.”

Cora slipped out of her blue gown and stepped towards the bath, her hands dipping into the tub and brushing the warm feeling. She climbed her body into the bathtub and sunk to her torso. One woman in a cyan gown brushed her with a rag, submerging it out and in. Cora sat there for five minutes before they told her she could come out whenever she liked, that her dress was laying on a chair in front of the mirror, her shoes standing next to, and when she was ready to look presentable, all that need be was to ring the small bell on the table.

The bath was still warm as she sunk lower until only her nose and above was peaking out. Her eyes closed and she began to doze off. Her mind began to flood with the waves of the ocean, the water slapping against the sands as grains flowed with the tides that retracted back into the sea. She daydreamed of herself walking along the whitewater that lapped at her feet. The sun was glimmering down against her tawny skin, the rays of light tickling her skin. She began to imagine what the body of the woman she’s been reading about would look like, her skin, her hair. The water started to ripple and erupt into a geyser, water splashed against Cora, taking her off guard. What stood in the water was her mother, towering over her with a look of disdain.

“Once again, you have disappointed me!” Waves as high as the palace rose and crashed against the shore, washing away...

Cora rose from the bath with a gasp, water flowing over the side. She panted for a short while looking around the room frantically. No one was there but her. She let out a deep breath and stepped out. She grabbed the long blue cloth and wiped her body dry.

While she dried herself off, she could hear the voices of her attendants, and their whispers were anything but. She brushed what she heard and continued to wipe away at the milk on her body.

She walked over to the maquillage table, picking up the undergarments and putting them on. She grabbed hold of the dress and slipped it on. She stared at herself in the looking glass, awing at the blue dress rimmed with golden silk with straps that pinched at her shoulders.

She opened the room door and invited in one of the servant women. The woman stepped in and smiled at Cora’s dress, almost drooling.

“Are you ready, My Tide?” The woman asked as she held the chair for the princess. Cora sat and stared at herself in the glass.

“Your mother has told me to make you look like the seas today.” She asked holding a brush with a refined tip.

“Of course,” Cora spoke sternly and waved for the woman to hurry. She began working her eyes, sharpening them with the black paint then moving on to color her lids with a beautiful shade of blue similar to her dress. The servant woman was about to color Cora’s lips, but the princess pushed the brush away and shook her head.

“You look more benevolent than the ocean itself. Amor will be a fool not to fall in love with you.”

“Thank you, Mondena, for your kind words.” Mondena bowed.

“Your mother expects to see you in the grand hall, would you care for an escort?” Mondena lifted her head and asked. Cora stared into the woman’s green eyes.

Cora stared at the woman’s eyes, the distinctive hue throwing her off. The way the green faded and came with the glare of the lights with hits of speckling brown.

“Your Highness?” Cora came back to.

“Yes, please, lead the way,” Cora answered shaking off the thoughts.

Mondena and Cora began their walk to the grand hall, passing through several doors.

“Mondena, where were you born?” Cora caught the woman off guard. Her shoulders stiffened, and her steps were uneven.

“Aecor, Ma’am, on the Covenant Hills,” Mondena answered hastily.

“Are you sure? The color of your eyes isn’t,” Cora’s hands were clasped together as she stepped next to Mondena, “of Aecor.”

The poor servant woman was sweating.

“My parents were. They moved here after the Raid but were unfortunately sent into the Damned Sea to suffer at the hands of the Grand Court.”

“But you’re still here?”

“My aunt was one of the lucky ones, she hid and protected me from your the King’s Garrison.” Mondena’s answer as quick and sharp. There was an invisible grip around her throat with each question the heir spat at her. She was so afraid of not answering.

“I am sorry to hear this. “

“Do not worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” Mondena’s expression rose and filled with joy. The princess had perished the servant’s worst fears. She felt at ease knowing her head would remain on her shoulders.

Cora took Mondena’s hand and gave it a small squeeze. They passed through a final set of doors and there stood her mother in the same purple robe and a black dress and tall heels, her crown nesting in her hair.

“Thank the Sea, come here and stand next to me. Amor and his Father will be here at any moment. Mondena tells the others to prepare the High Sun meal, then after that the High Tide meal.” Mondena bowed and hurried off.

“What’s his father’s name again?” Cora walked over to her mother and stared at the large brown doors.

“Anyel.” Her mother answered quickly, not turning to look at her daughter. Horns could be heard in the distance.

“Here they come, stand tall.”

The doors opened to reveal bright green flags with branches that wrapped around a golden crown -- the emblem of Gillaria. A tall man with fair skin and a neat beard stood wearing a green robe with brown fur lining around it. Underneath her wore his countries emblem with kingly attire. Next to him stood a man with blonde hair that shined in the sun’s light, eyes that were as dark as tree branches, thin hair wrapped around his sideburns and his chin. It was neat but nothing impressive to the man next to him. Another man with blonde hair and blue eyes stood near him. His face was clean.

“Welcome King Anyel, Prince Amor, and Sir Oren of the Gillarium Kingdom.” Cora’s mother introduced the three men.

“Thank you for the welcome, Queen Vitana.” The man with the gigantic beard nodded. His voice was loud and hoarse. He stepped towards the Queen and Princess. His steps were dense and lively with the heavy boots he wore. He continued to stare down Vitana as he got closer. He was tall, but the Queen’s shoes leveled them.

“Cora, this is Prince Amor. Please treat him with hospitality.” Vitana spoke as she left the grand hall, King Anyel following behind, both their robes swaying as the pound of the King’s boots and the click of her mother’s heels scattered.

“Good Morn’, Your Tide,” Amor spoke, his lips moving slowly but his words were slick and sweet, they were a vibrant pink that accentuated his fair skin.

“As to you, Prince Amor.” Cora curtsied. Amor smiled for a short second then turned to the other man.

“This is my sire, Oren.” Amor smiled as he looked into Oren’s eyes, Oren’s lips curving into a smile. Cora cocked a brow at the treatment, pushing aside any thoughts.

“Shall we go to the Flower House?”

“Lead the way,” Amor spoke with the smile still on his face.

Cora led them through glass-paned doors to a large room with glass walls and white benches. Flowers were planted against the walls, and a large fountain sat in the middle.

“This is lovely.” Amor studied the room taking in the plants and the lights and the beauty of the large room.

“Do you mind if we sit and chat?” Cora spoke as she sat on one of the benches.

“I would love to.” Amor began walking to the bench where she sat, but she gestured for him to sit on the one across from her. Amor took a seat, Oren standing on the other side.

“You may sit as well Oren. You are my guest as much as Amor and his father are.” Oren took the gesture for kindness and sat, sliding closer to Amor.

“How are you, My Princess?” Amor asked as he crossed his leg. His face slightly lights up as Oren sat near him, his heart swollen with the heat that radiated from him.

“Now, believe me when I say I’m not one for rumors,” Cora spoke gently, looking at both men with kind eyes, hoping they would see she is no harm or means no harm to them. Amor throat dried and a lump grew, his heartbeat increased, pounding at his chest. He could feel her words already, he was horrified. Oren stared at the heir, his nostrils flaring and his nails digging into his palm.

“Before your arrival, it seems that word has gone through the palace that you two are…” She gestured a finger towards them, pointing at the little space between.

Oren stood up, his nostrils flaring and his fists clenching. His stance was firm as he stepped closer to Cora.

“How dare you suggest such a thing?! You..you,” He paused as his chest heaved.

“Serpent,” he spat at her, his face the same shade as Amor’s.

“It’s not a problem. Believe me.” She spoke to Amor but looked Oren in the eyes. The vibrant green that took hold and tinted his eyes were shaking. He stepped back and fell back onto the bench. His body slouching as his hands ran through his long blonde hair.

“I didn’t mean to pry. I wanted to see if the rumors were,” She slowly halted her sentence, standing and walking closer to the two of them. She knelt in front of them, her shoes now digging into the back of her ankle.

“True? They are.” Amor gulped as she looked Cora in her eyes, a faint green similar to the color of near-dead grass. His face fell into his hands.

“You’re both safe with me,” Cora assured both of them. She sat between the two men and spoke to them about her stories, her beliefs, her mother’s disapproval how she heard the stories from her grandmother before she died when Cora was merely seven. Her grandmother read them to her before bed, until she reached her coming of age at sixteen. She told the boys about her father and how he ruled with a kind heart which ultimately led to disaster and his death.

“I mean, I believe he did. I’ve barely seen his face, so remembering him is a bit difficult.”

She spoke of her mother’s love to her and how she wants the best of her, but she soon grew tired of talking about her, she wanted to know more of the Amor and Oren.

Amor and Oren told her how they met in Knight Classes, where Amor’s father wanted him to be a warrior and eventually a king. They went on to talk about their relationship and how Oren told Amor that his heart was entangled for Amor’s love, how Amor’s father almost caught them locking their love’s chains, and how the amalgamation came to.

“I’ve always wanted to get away from him. He causes me such stress.” Amor let out a deep sigh. Oren’s hand was wrapped around his, holding his soft skin, playing with his fingers.

“I’ve planned to escape my mother,” Cora spoke truthfully of a plan she had. The lovers were listening carefully, looking back at one another as Cora described a boat at the docks of Aecor that could sail over any wave and divide in the sea in two, how it could stock a year’s worth of supplies, and how she bought it from a captain who would carry her anywhere she pleased.

“Let us come with you!” Oren boasted as he let go of Amor’s hand, “we want to be free. We don’t want his father’s constant eyes to tag our every move.”

“Oren, we can’t just piggyback, this is her plan. However, if she is willing...” Amor was intrigued by Oren’s suggestion, and Cora’s waited for an answer.

Cora observed the two, looking at their wanton eyes, their need to escape King Anyel, and taking into account her loneliness on the journey. Cor had to determine whether she would ruin the future of the two kingdoms or subject to a journey to find the one thing she’s always wanted. Cora smiled at both of them. Amor looked at Oren and smiled, pulling him in from his the back of his head and locking their lips.

“We’re sailing the sea, my love.”