So this is the second part into the story and once again enjoy
"Sometimes I consider just flying and flying until I find someplace I've never even heard of…Then I would land, take my human form, and live there the rest of my life."
Oliza could hear Nicias laugh softly at her words. "Humble goals for the princess of two worlds."
She though on that notion of leaving everything behind and could not help but laugh at the absurdity of the idea as well. "I must seem terribly spoiled. Arami of the Serpiente, and heir to the Tuuli Thea, and I want something else completely. No one's ever happy with what they have, I suppose."
Oliza thought on that day, the day she had confessed to Nicias only of her desire to be free of any restraint. Her little fantasy had not come true and she was quite sure it never would. Yet, for a while, it had. Her time in the forest with Ulrik at her side had been the closest she had ever come to that fantasy. The only thing that could equal that now would be flying. Oh, how she loved flying and who better to fly with than with Nicias. He was the only one who could beat her in speed and grace thanks to his falcon form, even if he let her win at times. And now, a new generation had been started, giving way to a new era for the both Avian and Serpiente alike.
She rubbed at her temples as the feeling of sleep began to overcome her. She had not slept well. After all, she was the mother of two lively children who took up her time when she was not attending business. Oliza lay her head down on her desk for a moment as she rested to regain strength for the rest of the day.
"Cousin!" a voice she had not heard in a while but had dearly missed surprised her from behind.
Oliza turned around and laughed at her own foolishness. "Salem… How many times have I told you to never do that?"
He leaned on the desk nonchalantly and placed his hand on Oliza's shoulder, "You were sleeping. I had to wake you up. I thought I would surprise you with my visit." She smiled and shook her head in disbelief. She stood from where she sat and walked across the room to shake the feeling of sleep away. A small smile crept across her mouth as she threw a small pillow on one of the chairs near her at Salem.
"I was resting not sleeping." She replied sheepishly
Salem nodded his head and eyed his cousin carefully. "I suppose motherhood isn't all that you expected it to be. You look exhausted and in need of good sleep."
"Salem, it is more than I expected it to be and better." She played with another soft pillow that she found in a chair and then added. "You should really consider settling down as well. You've grown absolutely wild these past years."
Salem laughed heartedly. "There is no hurry for me. I have time to do all of that later. Remember that there is no war to fear anymore."
The thought of war erased the smile from Oliza's face and she turned from Salem to hide it. Lately, she had though on war overcoming her people once more. She was afraid. Now that she had become a mother, war was the one thing she wanted to prevent. The kingdoms had been peaceful, far too peaceful as if the calm before the storm. Not only had Bastian kept her up at night, nightmares had done their bidding as well.
Salem walked up to her, touching her arm as he sensed something wrong with Oliza. "I'm sorry…"
She turned to face him and shook her head. "Don't worry… it is nothing."
"Nothing?"
She nodded and then smiled at him in reassurance. "So what brings you here to us?"
"Loeiza." He laughed. "Despite your disbelief, I hear that she turns six in a few days. Who best to congratulate her than her dear uncle Salem. You know I never miss her birthday."
Oliza laughed as she hugged her cousin. He had been like a brother to her and her companion in mischief as a child. Together, they had brought their parents many headaches.
Salem pulled away from her and looked around the room. "So where is my little Loeiza?"
Oliza smiled as she took a seat in one of the chairs near her as did Salem. "She is with her father, as always. You know how she adores him. They're out at the market together arranging a few things for our visitor."
"A visitor?" Salem asked.
Oliza nodded. "Yes, from the Lupine Lands. It is their head leader, Ulrik..."
He leaned over for a moment as his expression changed in wonder. "Wait…Isn't he the one that helped you in your accident?" Salem laughed when Oliza nodded uncomfortably. "I would like to meet him then and thank him for saving my favorite cousin."
"Your favorite cousin?" Oliza laughed. Inside she prayed that Salem would stay so that she would not have to face Ulrik by herself. It was meant to be a simple meeting to discuss how the trade was going and such details but she knew that the risk she ran if she were left alone with him. No one else was there, except Salem, to be there with her to protect her from her own self.
A small knock at the door followed by the entrance of one of the guards interrupted Salem and Oliza.
"Milady, Ulrik has arrived at the palace doors. Should I let him in here or are you to go greet him in the main hall?"
Oliza cleared her throat and attempted to hide her discomfort. She looked at Salem who only shrugged and reclined back into his chair comfortably. She then looked back at the guard who stood waiting for an answer. "Let him in here."