Léto; Private Affairs

I snuck out of the castle easily enough; out through the window and into the bushes. I was excited to see Sinead, she said that she had some news for me, and I didn't want to bother explaining to anyone where I was going. I ran, something that came quite naturally to me, until my legs were a blur of fluid motion underneath me. Bushes flew past me, that grew higher and higher, eventually turning into trees, leading into forest. I sped down the winding path that wound down the craggy hill. Insects veered out of my path, sometimes colliding.

Seeing her was against my father's wishes, but I pretty much dedicated my life to him, so I allowed myself to have at least one little indulgence. I reached Sinead's little blue hut quickly, barely panting. The village where she lived was surrounded by dense forest on one side, and on the other was a dirt path that led to the marketplace by the deep green sea. A crescent of huts with smooth white walls and thatched blue roofs made of giant shells bordered the edge of the forest. Right in the middle of the crescent was a leafy overgrowth of wild flowers and ferns with a statue of Cosmos the Prophet smack dab in the middle. The hut with a golden inscription along the side of the door in curvy lettering was Sinead's residence.

I stepped towards her house and the door flung open with a very happy and a very stunning Sinead bursting out. I held her in my arms for a brief moment, completely at harmony with the world. How else would you feel if you had a warm lively bubble wrapped in your arms?

"Come inside," she said, pulling at my arm. "I have so much to tell you, but I don't really know where to begin.. I just found out something... life altering." I sat down on one of the low navy couches with her curled up beside me. What did she cook up this time? I stroked her soft turquoise hair and traced the shape of her jaw with my fingers. Her skin was so dark, dark enough to rival the couch we were sitting on. Her body suddenly stiffened and she sat up and faced me. Her mouth opened hesitantly and out came a surprisingly quiet voice.

"I've.. I've never really felt complete in my life. Even content, you know? You know that I was an orphan, and I lived with my extended family. Well, it wasn't as good as I made it out to be, and I want you to know how it was, because what I'm going to tell you is potentially binding, and this may affect it." This scared me. This scared me a heck of a lot more than I expected it to. What was she going to tell me? Sinead looked down and continued.

"They always compared me to their real child, making me feel inadequate, just because I didn't have their exact genes. My cousin hated me, I know that much, and she let me know it well.

"Generally all that I was allowed to do was farm work, but neither they nor I had any patience for it when it came to me working there. My body was too soft for that work, my hands were always where cloth was.

"When I was barely a teenager I ran away. It was because of a fight that night; my dear cousin accused me of stealing something from her. Honestly, who would accuse me of stealing?" she spat.

"I had always been able to merge with the waters, just a little gift from my parents. I quite literally stalked out in the middle of the night and dived into the river and let it carry me away. And I never have regretted that because it brought me here. To you, the only one who has accepted me without a shred of doubt. I appreciate that, and I love you. I love you so, so much.

"Now, I have something to tell you. Something really wonderful. I think." She smiled anxiously as she said this but there was some distant fear in her eyes.

"I hope." she whispered and looked down. I kissed her forehead softly. I wanted nothing more but to take away whatever was bugging her but my attention was taken over by the royal horns.

"I have to go now. I'll see you again soon. We can finish talking when what's going on at the castle is over with." I said as I got up and made my way to the door.

"But I..,"

"Not now. Later, when we have time. I can tell whatever this is is important to you, and I don't want to rush you, or me, for that matter." I quickly headed out before she could protest more. Of all times why now??

I ran up the route I had taken, past bush and bramble. Less than 15 minutes later the massive structure that was House Corrasterra loomed over me, its door looking like a mouth. I realised a knot had formed in my stomach and it was gradually tightening.