The Trip to Thalia

The six white horses that pulled our carriage over the rugged mountain roads between Thalia and Silverwood looked like anything but the beauties they had been when we set off. Cold, wet, March weather combined with mud had turned them into woeful bedraggled creatures. The horses of the guards in front and the ones that followed hadn’t fared much better. On a good day, the journey would take two full days to get to Luca’s parents’ palace, but we were already on our fourth day and no closer to getting there. We probably would have been there much sooner if I hadn’t insisted on stopping for plenty of rest breaks and long nights in cozy inns. No one complained. The guards were glad to be out of the rain, and the horses were happy for the chance to rest their feet. Luca, on the other hand, was getting anxious. The path between the two kingdoms was usually safe, but with the mess my father had made in Silverwood, he was worried that the Magi might try to stop us in some way.

“The guards will keep us safe,” I said for the hundredth time. This was the part of the journey he was most worried about. The path through the mountains provided a haven of hiding places for anyone who wanted to accost the royal carriage and was notorious for hiding thieves and highwaymen. We’d kept the visit as low key as possible, but it had somehow gotten out via the media which is why Luca was biting his nails and staring out of the window. “How far do we have left to go?” I asked. Anything to take him out of his thoughts.

“Another half day if we get through these mountains alive.”

I looked out. It was so dreary and damp that anyone wanting to hurt us wouldn’t need to hide in a cave. The fog was so thick that they could be standing ten feet away, and we wouldn’t see them.

I sighed. I’d been looking forward to this trip ever since Luca had first mentioned it, but we weren’t even there yet, and I was wishing it was all over. I knew that once we got out of the miserable weather and to the palace, we’d both feel better, but I was beginning to think that would never happen.

Despite my constant reassurance to Luca that we would be alright, I felt nervous myself. His nerves had put me on edge, and with every minute that passed, I expected someone to jump out at us. An hour of silently peering out the window later, the fog lifted. The sun finally peeked through, showing the most wonderful vista ahead of us. As we were so high up in the mountains, I could see for miles. Thalia was spread out before me in glorious Technicolor.

“Wow!” I breathed as the carriage crested the mountain and began the long descent.

“I told you Thalia was gorgeous in the spring. The flowers really make it something don’t they?”

And they did. It was like a multicolor patchwork quilt was laid out below us as fields and fields of flowers bloomed.

Luca had moved over to my side and was visibly more relaxed than he had been for the previous part of the journey. He put his arm around me as we followed the steep road to his home.

“See over there?” He pointed to a huge building in the distance. Made of pale grey stone with hundreds of turrets topped with red slates, it rose majestically from the beautiful landscape surrounding it. “That’s my home.”

I gasped at the enormity of it. I’d thought my own palace was huge, but it was nothing compared to this magnificent building. Just the sight of it took my breath away.

“It’s certainly something. It looks like the jewel in Talia’s crown.”

Luca kissed my cheek playfully. Now that we had gotten through the mountains without incident, his demeanor had returned to normal.

“I’ve never heard it described like that, but you are right. I missed this place.”

I’d forgotten how hard it must be for him. He’d not been home once since the ball. When I’d picked him out of the hundred men, he’d had someone bring more clothes and his belongings and had stayed at the palace in Silverwood ever since.

“I’m sorry we didn’t visit sooner,” I said, meaning every word of it.

“We’ve been busy,” replied Luca. “Don’t worry. We’re here now.”

He was as giddy as a schoolboy for the rest of the journey, and even though I was cold and tired, his enthusiasm was infectious.

After a couple of more hours, we finally pulled through the massive wrought iron gates of the Thalian Castle. The carriage was directed under a portcullis, through an archway to a massive courtyard where four uniformed guards were waiting for us.

I’d barely stepped out of the carriage when Queen Sarina ran up to me. She threw her arms around me and squashed me against her bosom.

“Darlings!” She let go and hugged her second son. I’m so glad to see you both. Was the journey dreadful? This awful rain has lasted for weeks. I’ll be glad when it’s summer again.

“The rain helps the flowers!” King Theron clapped his wife on the back and then did the same to Luca. “The Thalian flowers are our biggest export you know!” He gave me a wink making me blush.

I’d met them both on two occasions. Once when they came to visit Luca and the second time when they’d come to the coronation. On the first occasion, I’d found Sarina to be sweet but quiet and Theron to be loud and boorish. Now, in their own castle, they seemed transformed. Sarina practically dragged me into the palace, chattering away about how worried she’d been about us all.

I was directed to a beautiful apartment within the castle. It opened into a large sitting room with a beautiful bright pink floral sofa and matching chair. To one side, a door led to the most luxurious bedroom I’d ever seen with a bed that was, at least, twice the width of my bed at home. I was sure it could comfortably fit five people in it. There was also a bathroom with a round tub, and there was even a small kitchen.

“We don’t expect you to cook,” said Sarina, pointing it out, “but it’s there if you want to. The fridge is stocked with cold drinks and chocolate.”

It put our palace to shame. My whole bedroom at home wasn’t much bigger than the bed here.

“I’ll leave you be,” she continued. “I know you must be exhausted from your journey. I’ll have someone bring up your bags and then you can have a nap until dinnertime. I’ve organized a small family dinner tonight. I didn’t think you’d want such a fuss after traveling so far. Tomorrow, we’ll do the big visit thing and invite the press. I’ve also invited some people for a ball. It’s going to be wonderful. Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, thank you. This is superb. I think I’m just going to have a bath in that wonderful bathtub.”

“Press the button on the side,” she whispered, “bubbles!”

After she left, I ran the bath. It was so large that I had to wait twenty minutes for it to fill to the top and when it had, I jumped in. Water splashed all over the sides into drains in the tiled floor. I pressed the button and jets of bubbles percolated around me.

Small, matching bottles of bath creams and lotions and bubble bath stood on a tiled shelf to the side of me. I added some of the bubble bath which immediately turned into a mountain of foam. By the time I’d found the switch to turn the jets off, there was at least a foot of foam on the surface.

“That looks like fun!”

I squealed and looked up. Luca was standing there with a big grin on his face.

“You should have knocked! I’m in the bath.”

“I see that you’re in the bath. I brought your bags up.”

“Ok, thanks. Can you leave them in the bedroom.”

“Are you ok? You seem on edge.”

How could I tell him that I was on edge? When we’d first started dating, I’d looked forward to his kisses, his touch; but recently, everything had become much more urgent. His kisses were no longer just kisses to him, but a prelude to something else. Something else that I couldn’t give him. At least, not yet. He’d never seen me naked, and even though I was completely covered in foam, I still felt extremely exposed.

“I’m fine,” I covered, trying to sound nonchalant. “I was just wondering if we should dress up for tonight. Your mother said it was an informal dinner.”

“I’m sure that whatever you choose to wear, you’ll look as stunning as always.”He moved closer, and as he stepped, I involuntarily moved back. He noticed my hesitation, and I saw his spine straighten. “Wear the navy blue dress. You look great in that.” He took another look over the foam and left. I heard the outer door click as he left the apartment.

What was wrong with me? He was my fiancé, my chosen life partner. I’d craved his intimacy once, but now that it was real, I was scared, and I didn’t know why.

When Elise had told me all about how good it was to be with Leo, I’d been jealous that I had to wait for so long. She’d waited for her wedding night, but her wedding night had come so much sooner than mine. Maybe she’d been scared before just like I was and just hadn’t told me?

I felt so mixed up. I wanted Luca. He was beautiful and attentive and everything a girl could dream off; and yet, when it came to reality, I shied away from him.

“I need to reach out to him!” I said to myself, jumping out of the tub. “I need to show him that he’s wanted.”

I needed to go to his room tonight. No one would have to know and who cared if they found out? We were going to be married soon enough.

Once I’d made up my mind, I felt better about my decision. It was as if deciding it had taken some of the pressure off.

I pulled on my navy blue dress and tried to coax my hair into something resembling hair rather than a rat’s nest. I applied a little lipstick and mascara, all the time wishing Xavi and her team were here to help me. When I was, at least, halfway presentable, I made my way down to the main part of the palace. I had to ask a guard for directions, and he took me to the royal dining room. It was much smaller than the banqueting suite at my palace, but I guessed this room was reserved for family meals. I had no doubt that there was a massive hall for parties somewhere in the palace.

Luca was already there as where his parents. There was also a handsome man that could only be Luca’s older brother. Next to him sat the most exotically beautiful woman I’d ever met, with long dark brown hair and beguiling brown eyes. Next to her were two young boys who looked just like her. Luca’s sister-in-law and nephews I presumed. Luca stood and guided me to the only empty seat with a place setting at the table. Luca sat next to me, and I had one of his nephews sitting opposite. I gave the little boy a smile, and he stuck his tongue out at me. As he was only about four, I quickly did the same, and he grinned back.

I was just about to do the same to his elder brother when one of the waiters behind him caught my eye. My heart jumped into my throat, and I gasped. Behind the little boy stood the one person I’d not ever expected to see again. It was Cynder.