My hands were folded behind my head, sunlight streaming down on me from between the leaves of the trees. It was peaceful, beautiful. I sighed and closed my eyes. I had an hour before my cousin's guards tracked me down and hauled me back to the palace. They didn't let me have peace often. My life was a bustle of royal actives and balls and other courtly actives.
Being the only princess of the western lands was taxing, especially when your cousin was known as the ice lord. Sesshomaru dictated my life brutally, his most recent decision for me, that I needed a mate. I was only three hundred years old and he already wanted to push a mate onto me. He wanted heirs for the Western Lands, but he didn't want to take a mate himself. So I was his last option, the western princess.
My ears twitched, the sound of hoof beats was drawing close to me. I sighed and flipped onto my stomach, watching two horses canter up to me. Sesshomaru's guards swung off the demonic horses and walked toward me. "Lady Nyka, you're expected back at the palace within the hour. Our lord is looking for you." I sighed heavily, flipping back over onto my back and fanning my gold and red hair out around my head.
"Why should I do anything that bastard orders me to do?" The guards pressed their lips together, displeased. I smirked and twirled a piece of hair around my finger. "Besides, he wants me to attend this stupid ball tonight, and I don't want to go."
"My lady", one of the guards frowned down at me while he spoke, "our lord will send out a man hunt if you don't return with us". I sat up, crossing my legs and propping my head up on my hand. The guard ground his teeth together and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Lady Nyka, I don't want to have to forcibly return you to the palace." I grinned, baring my fangs at the frustrated guard.
"Of course not, that would displease Sesshomaru. Give me one of the horses and I'll go back." He scowled, but nodded his consent. I stood, stalking over to one of the beautiful black geldings. I swung into the saddle and pulled the horse around. The Western Palace loomed in the distance, my personal prison. The horse took off, fire burning under his shiny black hooves. The guards yelled behind me, I was going the opposite way. I laughed, throwing my arms out in a wide arc. They shouldn't have been so gullible.
I was running again, flying toward the boarder of my cousin's land. The guard with a horse was pursuing, but I was a better rider, I had been riding for years. I let the horse dart between the thick tree trunks, disappearing among the shadows of the dark forest. I could feel the yokai from other demons surrounding me. It made me shiver, there were some powerful demons in these woods.
The horse picked up speed. I felt giddy, this was as close to the border of the western lands as I had ever gotten. I could taste freedom, taste the lack of restriction. I threw my head back, laughing. The thrill of running was so sweet. I couldn't contain my giddy laughter.
I was just across the boarder of the Western Lands when the horse jerked to a halt. A pair of narrowed amber eyes locked on my green ones. I sighed, dropping the stallion's reins. "Sesshomaru, what a wonderful surprise." I rolled my eyes and pressed my lips together.
"Where are you going Nyka? You have engagements back in our home. Don't think you can avoid them, I'll hunt you down wherever you try and hide." I growled, twisting my hands in the stallions mane. "Get off the horse Nyka." I growled louder, sliding off the stallion. Sesshomaru narrowed his cold amber eyes at me. I just pursed my lips and crossed my arms.
"How many of the demon princes coming tonight are you going to try and force on me?" He just made a dismissive noise in the back of his throat and grabbed my upper arm. His claws bit into the flesh of my arm, drawing blood. I hissed in pain, glaring at my stoic cousin.
Sesshomaru drug me back toward the palace, marching me through the forest I had just passed through. He was silent, but anger boiled in his dark amber eyes. I could see why female demons found him attractive, he was tall with sleek white hair. He was built like a warrior, wiry and powerful. He was a lord too, controlling the entire Western Lands. Whoever ended up mated to him would be a queen.
They couldn't see what an asshole he was though. He was controlling and rude. He was used to getting his way, and that was why we butted head. I wasn't one to roll over and let people boss me around. I wanted to live my own life, not the life he wanted me to live. The Western Lord wanted to serve me up on a silver platter, I wanted to run wild and see the world.
We had conflicting interests, conflicting ideals, but the main difference between us; he was a king and I was his prisoner. My parents had signed over custody of me before their death, over to Sesshomaru. Until I was old enough to live on me own, I was his ward. In demon time, I would have to be five hundred before I could take care of myself.
I had two hundred more years to live under the rules of this icy asshole. If he had his way, I would be mated off long before that time passed.
We crested the hill above the Western Palace, staring down at the elaborate ground. Sesshomaru tugged me along behind him until we reached the main hall. There, a team of my maids stood waiting for us. Sesshomaru released me, shooting me an icy glare. "Go get ready for this ball tonight Nyka. I expect you to be fully dressed and ready before dinner. And Nyka, you have to behave like a proper lady tonight, we're trying to form a treaty with the north."
I nodded once, eyes on the elaborate tiled floor. "Of course Lord Sesshomaru." The head maid seized my wrist, pulling me toward my rooms. I growled low in the back of my throat, sick of being pulled around like a rag doll. I wanted to go back to the forest, laying in the sun and feeling the grass under my skin. I wanted to taste freedom again, to run without any boundaries, to live the life I chose. To be free from my bloodline's obligations.
"Lady Nyka", I glanced up when the maid called my name, "strip down and get in the bath, we have very little time to get you ready". I sighed, pulling my tunic over my head. The woman scowled at my tightly bound breasts. "That really is improper my lady, woman of the court don't dress like barbarians." I scoffed, untucking the end of my bindings and rolling up the swath of fabric.
"There's a lot of things I do that proper ladies shouldn't do Chazi, but I do them anyway." She frowned while I stripped off my tight trousers. Her eyes flicked to the dragonfly tattooed on my inner tight. She sighed, closing her eyes.
"Does the lord know about this...thing Nyka." I traced the edge of the dragonfly's wing, smiling softly.
"No Chazi, Lord Sesshomaru doesn't need to know. The dragonfly was a symbol of my family." I slipped into the tub, filled with orange and vanilla scented bubbles. The warm water washed the scent of the forest off my skin. I growled when the maids started to rub oil into my skin. Chazi shushed me, frowning.
"Your manners leave something to be desired Lady Nyka. You behave like those common barbarians you spend so much time with." I snorted, sinking down into the bath. Chazi was ripping at the tangles in my red and gold hair, making me wince. "A fire princess like you should be refined, beautiful, exotic, like your people. You are beautiful Nyka, with this flaming hair and these bright green eyes. I don't understand why you insist on acting like a commoner." Her frown was going to stay permanently etched into her face if she kept looking at me like that.
Chazi dunked me under the water, washing the oil and soap off my body. I hissed when she pulled me up, narrowing my eyes. I hated water, as most fire demons did. Chazi smirked, smoothing back her short blue hair. "Sorry Lady Nyka, my mistake." I growled again, shaking the water from my hair. The team of maid hauled me out of the tub, wrapping me in a linen towel.
They sat me in a seat in front of my vanity. I snarled when they started to drag a brush through my tangled hair. Chazi rubbed coconut oil into my hair to make It shiny. I wrinkled my nose, I hated the smell. Demons of the North loved it though, my cousin was trying to make me a target for the princes. The maids started to dry my hair. It curled, crazy spiraling curls that tangled together like a living mass. Chazi whined in dismay, trying to pull a brush through the mass of curls.
Her yellow eyes were wide in dismay. Chazi was a cat demon, beautiful, lithe, and promiscuous. She thought it was ridiculous that I didn't want to be with a man. She said I would change my mind when I aged. Her hair was sleek and straight, the opposite of mine. "Girls, get the hot irons ready, this will take an hour at least." I sighed and slumped my shoulders.
The maids used hot irons to straighten my unruly curls into a thick, sleek mass that fell to my hips. I flicked a piece of golden hair back, scrunching my nose in irritation. Chazi had set to work weaving the red and golden strands into an intricate up do. She used beautiful golden hair pins to set my hair in place. They had ruby dragonflies at the ends, the symbol of my parents kingdom.
I winced when she shoved one down, practically drawing blood on my scalp. "Ouch! Dammit Chazi." She grinned at me, staring in the mirror. My red and gold hair was braided in a million tiny braids and pulled back into a thick bun. She secured the rest with a gold band around the bun, keeping it tight. One of her maids turned my chair around, staring on my face. I closed my eyes while she worked. It was hard to not move, the brushes tickled my face.
Chazi was standing back, watching her maid work on my face. I could hear her hum her approval. "You're going to be stunning, a perfect princess of the west." I snorted, making her makeup artist pull back. Chazi growled. "Hold still, you can't mess this up Nyka, it's a delicate process."
It seemed to take forever for her make up artist to finish my face. She pulled back finally. I opened my eyes, frowning. The make up felt heavy and sticky. I wasn't used to wearing it. Chazi squealed in excitement, her yellow eyes bright. "Oh Nyka, you look stunning." I frowned and turned to face the mirror. My eyes were lined with black liner, winged out at the corners of my upper lids. I had gold eye shadow on my upper lids. My lashes were thick and dark, twice their normal length.
Chazi stood me up and pulled the towel away from me. The maids set about rubbing more scented oil into my skin, making it soft and sweet smelling. One of the maids pulled a red dress out of the closet. It was made of layers of sheer fabric, when the light hit it right you could see silhouettes through it. It was split down to the navel, where a thin gold belt went around my waist. A pair of golden stiletto heels went with the dress.
I frowned when I saw the plunging neck line. Chazi hushed me before I could protest. "Sesshomaru had this dress specially made for you Nyka, you're wearing it." I growled, allowing the maids to lay the dress out on my bed. Chazi gathered the dress, holding it for me to step into. I slipped my arms through the straps, letting the fabric settle around me. I pulled on the golden belt, cinching it in at the waist. The skin on my stomach was showing, lightly bronzed from the sun.
Chazi stepped back, tears in her eyes. "You're beautiful Nyka, stunning. The Northern Princes won't be able to take their eyes off of you Nyka."
"That's what I'm afraid of Chazi, they wont be able to stay away." I gritted my teeth, green eyes flashing. "I won't be mated to some prince who just wants me as a pretty prize or to produce heirs. I won't be a bitch for some spoiled brat."
Chazi sent me a sympathetic smile. "Most princesses don't get to marry for love Nyka, it just doesn't happen in our world." I growled and balled my hands into fists. I knew that Chazi was right, I just didn't like hearing it. Chazi sighed, taking my hands in her. "Nyka, Lord Sesshomaru will always look after you. Your children will be the heirs of the west as well as the heirs to whatever kingdom you marry into."
I snorted, sitting down on the edge of my bed to lace the golden heels around my legs. The golden straps wrapped around my legs, ending at my knees. Chazi helped me stand, smoothing down my dress. I glanced in my full length mirror. I was tall, stoic, the light make it possible to see a silhouette of my legs. Chazi studied me. "Alright Nyka, jewelry."
She slipped golden arm bands up each arm, one was a serpents biting its own tail and the other was made of the phases of the moon. Golden bangles rested around my wrists, jangling every time I moved. She slipped a golden ring around my finger, another ruby dragonfly was on the ring. She handed me a matching pair of earrings to slip into my ears. "Nyka, you're going to blow everyone away. You've grown up so much since Sesshomaru brought you here."
I sighed, studying the tall, bright eyed woman in the mirror. Her lips were pressed together in anger, fire sparking in her green eyes. Chazi stood behind me, yellow eyes shining with pride. "Alright Nyka, Sesshomaru is waiting for you in the main entrance hall. Go down there to greet our guests." I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. "Go Nyka, before our lord comes to drag you out of here."
I stalked out of my room, eyes on the floor. Sesshomaru was standing in the main hall of the palace, in full royal garb. He studied me. "The maids did wonders Nyka. You hardly look like the wild little demon you act like." I snorted again, chewing on my ring. "Stop, behave." I growled away, crossing my arms across my chest again. Sesshomaru sighed, rolling his eyes. "Asking you to behave isn't too much, it is Nyka?"
"I don't like drunken demons putting their hands all over me because I look like a whore." I shot him a side long glance, eyes narrowed.
"You look like a lady Nyka, for once in your life." I ignored the barb in his voice. The horns were sounding outside, the northern royals were here. I stiffened, backing up half a step. Sesshomaru grabbed my arm, pulling me to stand by his side. The guards pushed the doors open, allowing the sun light to flood the entrance hall.
My fangs gritted together, grinding almost painfully. A parade of guards entered the hall first, dressed in the uniform of the North. After them came the lord and lady, three younger male demons behind them. Sesshomaru stepped forward, taking the hand of the Northern Lord. "Thakru, my dear friend, welcome to the Western Palace."
The northern lord nodded. "Sesshomaru, this is my mate, Lady Aozora of the North and my three sons, Zemmor, Sachi, and Namsiz." Sesshomaru shook the hand of each crown prince, before taking Aozora's hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.
"Now, let me introduce my cousin, Lady of the West, Nyka." Attention shifted to me and I fidgeted, eyes on the ground. Thakru stepped forward, taking my hand.
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Nyka." I nodded, eying him nervously. He dropped my hand, quirking his eyebrow at Sesshomaru. My cousin shot me a cold glance, amber eyes narrowed. I sighed lightly, stepping forward and forcing a fake smile onto my face.
"A pleasure to meet you all, I'm glad you are open to negotiations with us to form an alliance." Each crown prince stepped forward to kiss my hand. I bit back my irritation, forcing the smile to stay on my face.
"Lord Thakru, Lady Aozora, the dining hall is through that door. Please, we will follow you in." The Northern Royal family entered the dining hall. Sesshomaru grabbed my arm before I could follow them. "Stop baring your fangs like you want to bite someone's head off Nyka. Be pleasant." I ripped my arm out of his grip, glaring at him.
"Stop forcing me to do things that I don't want to and maybe I'll behave." He shoved me forward, growling. I snarled, turning, my claws lengthening.
"Do you want to challenge me to my throne Nyka. You'll loose. Now get your ass in there and smile at them. One of these men will be your mate Nyka, you can either choose one or have me pick for you." I growled low, eyes on the floor. "Go Nyka!" I jumped when he roared at me. Our guests definitely heard that one. I sent one more cold glare at him before going into the dining hall.
The northern royal family was staring at the door. Thakru's eyebrow was cocked in question. I ingorned it, moving to my place on Sesshomaru's right side. The place on his left, where a mate would have been, was empty. I sat down, crossing my arms and glaring down at my plate. Sesshomaru breezed in, glaring at me. I shot dark his dark look, a snarl etched on my face.
"Is everything okay Lord Sesshomaru?" Thakru was smiling slightly at my cousin, amusement showing on his face. I glared at the prince next to me. It was the oldest, Zemmor. He stared back at me with a pair of icy blue eyes. I flashed my fangs at him, eyes narrowed. An amused smirk flashed over his face.
"Nyka, the Northern Lady asked you a question." Sesshomaru was glaring at me again. I blinked, confused.
"I'm sorry, I missed that." I smiled at her, probably looking like someone was holding a knife to my neck.
"I asked how old you were Lady Nyka." The Northern queen's eyes were pale, like ice, and deadly.
"Three hundred years Lady Aozora." The Northern Queen glanced at her son sitting next to me, her blue eyes were sharp. The prince by my side laughed lightly.
"Mother, please be discreet. The Lady Nyka wants nothing to do with us." He turned to me, smiling wildly. "But you haven't had much choice in this, have you Nyka?" I shot to you feet, growling. Sesshomaru was already up as well, dragging me back down.
He glared at me, a sign to stay quiet. "Lady Nyka had a wild side, she has never been a well behaved child. However, she is ready to step up and take the roll of queen." I snorted, sitting back down and glaring at everyone seated at the table. Sesshomaru was in a stormy mood, amber eyes fixed on me. The maids came in to serve us, breaking the tension.
I took a bite of the beautifully prepared quail, savoring the sweet flesh. The meal, thankfully, made everyone silent. Sesshomaru was still glaring daggers at me. I was stewing silently, trying to bite back my angry snapping growls. The tension in my body was making me highly strung. The prince sitting next to my brushed my tight and I almost jumped out of my skin. He smirked at me, amusement shining in pale ice green eyes. His hair was white as snow, showing the heritage of the snowy region he came from.
I ran my own fingers over my red and gold braids, making sure they stayed in place. I sipped my wine, hoping the buzz it would give me would help the tension ease out of my body. Sesshomaru grabbed the goblet out of my hand. "Bring her water Chazi, wine makes her temperamental." I snarled, glaring at my cousin.
"You're being ridiculous." Sesshomaru flashed his fangs at me, eyes narrowed.
"Enough Nyka, do as I say Chazi." My maid replaced my wine with water, placing a soothing hand on my shoulder. The tension hadn't left my body yet, I was rigid. The meal finally ended, in tense silence. Sesshomaru would no doubt place this on me. I sighed, standing. Sesshomaru took my hand. "The ball will be beginning shortly Lord Thakru, Lady Aozora. Please, it's right through these doors." Sesshomaru lead us into the ball room, people were already gathering. I hated dancing, and without alcohol I was even more tense.
Sesshomaru handed me off the Zemmor, who took my hand and placed it on the crook of his elbow. He sent a charming smile in my direction. "You're more beautiful than the rumors claim Lady Nyka, and just as standoffish as they say as well."
I bared my fangs at him. "Believe me, you haven't seen the half of me being standoffish." A dark chuckle escaped the prince.
"Oh I don't doubt it Lady Nyka. But I like a challenge, and you are the ultimate chase." His charming smile turned feral. "You'll learn soon Nyka, and I the ultimate hunter."
Let me know what you people think. Thanks! DRBCL.