Robin

Robin twiddled with one of the frayed sleeves of her long dress. Her long, tan fingers twirled a piece of red string, slowly pulling it from one hand to the other. It was cold as the north outside, and she shivered as she stood on the large staircase that entered the castle. She didn't know why she had to be here to greet the arrivals. The Decennial Festival was something she didn't really care for. It was another dumb celebration of a place her father had conquered.

Geore, a small country that had bordered Azure, had put up a good fight against her father's forces. It was the first place he conquered, a decade ago, marking the start of the spread of his kingdom.

She would never forget the names of the places he'd destroyed since then. Geore, Flori, Carolina. There were beginning to become too many to name. As long as the gem kingdoms flourished, he didn't care, and neither did anyone else important. Azure and the others would have their blood and their fortune.

She wanted to throw up. The places under human rule were growing smaller everyday. She hated what she was and the power that tingled at her fingertips. She hated that she craved blood. Most of all she hated that she wasn't brave enough to stop her father.

He disgusted her. He'd invited diplomats from all the gem kingdoms to join him. Oh, what a thriving economy he had brought about with his massive military force! His magic was unbelievable! Her thoughts were sarcastic as she glared at where he stood a few paces in front of her.

“You look so happy to be here,” Kova said, their voice dripping with sarcasm. They were one of Robin’s closest friends, having been in the castle from when Robin was a small child until now. They smirked, soft pink lips revealing white teeth.

Robin snorted under her breath. “Greatest day of my life.”

Kova roller their shoulders back and lifted their chin just as lights started to shine from the trees lining the long drive toward the castle. Under the morning sunlight, their short brown hair almost shined copper. “It’s showtime.”

The first of the parade of cars made its way toward them. Robin held her breath and folded her hands in front of her, dropping the string she had been fiddling with. Rolling her shoulders back, she tilted her chin up regally. If she could get through this, she hoped she could lock herself away in the library or the stables for the rest of the day.

She really didn’t like the idea of greeting all these people. Kova squeezed her arm, and they offered her a warm smile. At least she had them to get through this torturous day.

The cars dropped off an array of visitors. A duke and dutchess from the southern parts of Azure. Next was a lady from Tigeris. A prince from Opalia followed. Each of them ascended the stairs, bowed to her father, then kissed her knuckles.

Wanting to puke from their touch, she refrained from scrunching her nose at them.

The final car pulled forward, and Robin held her breath as a woman stepped out. The woman's hair was a stunning strawberry blond, and it reached to just below her hips. The front was braided out of her face, and shining crystals looped around the braids. Even from this distance, the morning sun caught the woman's blue eyes.

Robin glanced toward Kova. "Whose that?" She'd didn't recognize the flag painted on the back of her car.

Kova shrugged their shoulders. Narrowing their eyes, they pursed their lips together. "Don't know." They rolled their shoulders back and went back into position before anyone could notice their mumbling.

Taking a deep breath, Robin looked down her nose as the woman climbed the stairs. A man an entire head taller than her walked forward, and while he was handsome, she couldn't keep her eyes off the woman leading.

Air caught in her throat as the woman stood in front of her. Her pretty hair complimented her beautiful dress. Beads covered the entire length of the silhouette that clung to her figure. It sparkled with every move she made, and Robin caught herself before her eyes widened as the woman finished bowing to her father and turned toward her.

Kova cleared their throat behind her.

Blanching, Robin shoved her hand forward, as was customary. The woman's fingers were soft as she bowed her head and kissed her knuckles. Heat rose up Robin's arm from the touch. She finally met her eyes.

"Runea, Princess of Diamandis," the woman said. Runea's voice came out as soft as silk, but there was a glint of something mysterious in her eyes that Robin couldn't place. Why a princess had kissed her hand she didn't know.

She sucked in a breath as she realized she hadn't let go of Runea's hand yet. She quickly dropped it and curtsied. "Welcome to Azure," Robin said and smiled.

Runea dipped her head. "Thank you." 

The advisor who escorted her walked forward and offered his arm, which Runea took before she gave a small nod to Robin.

As no one was looking, Robin lifted her fingers and inspected them. They were still warm from Runea's touch. She hadn't encountered an unblessed princess from a gem nation yet, but she wouldn't deem it impossible. 

All the royals she knew were blessed with powers and a craving for blood like her. Though she hated they were called blessed, she thought it was more like a curse than anything else.

The king let out a breath. He shot Robin a knowing look. "You will be expected at lunch." His voice gave no mercy. "You understand?"

Kova lowered their head as he walked toward them. He didn't even give them a glance. To him, Kova was nothing.

Robing repressed a groan. She didn't feel like going through another lecture. She bowed her head. "Of course."

He nodded. "Good." He said nothing else as he lead his advisors back inside the castle, each of them following behind him like lost puppies. She often wondered how they could stand to be in his presence.

Probably because he offered them more than just a pretty penny.

She sighed, letting out air she didn't know she was holding. She walked to Kova, holding her friends arm as she lead them back inside. "Do we really have to do this?"

Kova scoffed. "After that look you gave Runea, I'd have thought you'd be excited to go."

Robin rolled her eyes. "I can't stand any of this. It's disgusting."

Nodding, Kova squeezed her arm. "I agree." They gave her a small nudge. "But you'll be queen one day, and you can change it all."

Blushing, Robin looked at her feet as she walked once she knew they'd reached a corridor that none of their visitors would see her. "I wish I could change it now."

Kova was silent for a few moments before they cleared their throat. "There's nothing to say you can't."

Robin could only imagine what she could do.