Chapter 3 -Golden
(July 21st)
Wednesday is an oppressively hot day. I water the roses with a gilded can. Mother is on the ground pulling up dandelions. Gran is lounging with a glass of lemonade.
"Hello?" calls a husky female voice. She must have knocked but not gotten an answer. We have a very small staff for such a large estate. "Anyone there?"
"I'll get it." I set down the watering can and pull off my gloves as I walk through the sunroom. I open the door to find a woman with steely clear blue eyes and a polite smile behind a garment box. Blond hair is collected in a series of intricate braids and knots. I've seen her somewhere…
"Are you Eevee Ardor?" she asks. Her voice is cool and calm and… powerful?
"I am."
"Sorry for my unannounced appearance. I'm Sabaku, Temari."
Gaara's sister?! "Oh please come in! Would you like tea? Or lemonade?" My mind races. What room is the best for us to talk? What kind of tea would she like?
"Were you in the garden?" she asks eyeing my hat that has fallen behind me, the thin twine connecting below my chin.
"Yes, Mother and I garden as a hobby."
"Let me just show you this then I can join you out there?"
I let out a calming breath. "That sounds great." I shouldn't have worried. The Sabaku's are all easy to talk to.
Temari finds the closest table to set down the garment box. "So," she starts with a bright smile, "No one told me about you until Sunday, and I was beyond surprised! My little brother has never been the type to be social or even have fun. When I found out he was seeing a girl, I took it upon myself to have this made for you." She glances around then opens the box. "Girl to girl, sometimes we just need to have some fun." Looking into the box my face warms. An alluring gold dress with a matching slip and decorative stockings. The kind of thing I've only ever seen married women or mistresses wear.
She laughs deeply and full-heartedly. "Gaara turned that same shade when I gave him the itemized bill."
"You're back inside dear?" my father asks as he approaches from the west wing. He's wiping his hands on a cloth.
"We have a visitor. She's going to keep us company out in the garden." I quickly close the box.
"Alright, do have fun." Then he's passed.
"I'll go put this in my room. Just go through that archway, take a right into the sunroom and you'll see the garden."
When I reach my room I hang up the dress. It's sublime. I have nice dresses, but I'd never ask father for something this expensive, or this… short? I wince. The dress will hit me just above the knee. It may be appropriate in other countries for a lady in the summer heat, but in a palace? Surely everyone would think I'm some seductress after a royal mistress's position.
When I return to the garden Temari is apologetic.
"Eevee, I'm so sorry if I offended you. I didn't consider how appropriate it might be! I travel a great deal and I'd forgotten that this nation is still catching up."
Gran laughs. Mother's lips press together.
"I'm not offended. It's absolutely stunning and I truly appreciate it." I sit next to her and poor myself a glass of lemonade. "I just don't know if I could get away with it here."
"You're still young and if anyone says anything I'm sure that Gaara wouldn't let anyone disrespect you or your name." Gran adjusts her white hat toppling with lotus flowers.
"Certainly! When I was thirteen, so my brother was… ten or eleven, some ambassador my father was meeting with cornered me. This man had the audacity to tell me how he thought I'd sound in bed. Gaara overheard and in a second he was coughing up blood. To this day he has scars here." She touches the corners of her mouth. When we don't say anything she backpedals. "Was that too much? Our family is all about fighting spirit. I'm sure he'd never hurt an innocent person now."
"Sounds deserved," I respond, "Maybe I'll just wear it when I'm with Gaara and you then."
"I'll be staying until the end of the year. I'm going to try and persuade my little brother to let me handle some of his workload or send me back into battle, but he's very against accepting help."
(July 24th)
On Saturday morning I stare into my closet. Eight dresses, and two that need mending or resized. My fingers stroke the silky gold fabric of my new dress. Would I make him go flush and shy? Would he be staring at my exposed legs? Would he be able to see the tops of my stockings if I move just right? I put those thoughts away as I just take out a plain cream and soft blue gown.
Over breakfast they pull straws to see who will be joining me today.
"Drat!" My father glares at his big straw.
"Perfect. I wanted to see that greenhouse. It looks exquisite." My mom tries to hide her pleasure of winning behind her explanation but she dunks the small straw into her orange juice and takes a long sip.
I don't care who's going with me when, as long as I can spend more time with him. Every visit feels too short and I want to make more progress. Maybe mother will let me hold his hand?
***
The greenhouse is a dome large enough to walk an hour in each direction. A dense but well planned jungle.
"I really think it's important to expand what we grow here. Your home is in a lucky spot and I'm sure you even have issues with the soil."
"We essentially make our own compost," my mother explains.
"Very clever. Facilities like these are sadly expensive but after months of work this design was finished. It's mostly self-sufficient." Gaara continues his tour speech. We make it to the center of the dome. The lush jungle makes the space warm and moist. Condensation wells on everything. Even the path is slick. "So since they require little to no upkeep I've been able to convince many of their utility and that they're a good investment. We offer to build if a hospital or school is willing to spare the space. In a year the harvests should be able to supply nearly (yawn) a hundred hospitals or clinics with antibiotics."
I spot a wooden swing.
(Mrs. Ardor)
Not wanting to interrupt a passionate conversation between my clever daughter and the king, I explore.
Such an array! The collection of plants has everything from medicinal sprouts to citrus trees. I run my fingers through a coarse bush then the one next to it. A vibrant purple flower catches my eye, but while approaching it my attention takes me elsewhere, to a silver dagger embedded in the soil. A bandage hangs from the exposed handle.
I should let the king know.
When I return to the swing they're both asleep, Eevee's cheek pressed into Lord Gaara's shoulder, her body slumped against him. I chew on my lower lip in silent contemplation. There's nothing explicit or wrong in their closeness but I still think my own mother would have scorned me for this level of contact while courting. Yet, they're only sleeping.
"Mrs. Ardor!" whisper shouts Temari from behind me. "Don't wake him. He barely sleeps."
I nod. I'll let it slide this once.
(August 1st)
"Today!" I announce to myself. "I'll do it today!" All week I've been dreading my slow progression with Gaara. When I'm with him I'm in such bliss I forget to push for more. I want my first kiss! With this being Gran's turn to chaperone me I believe I can convince her.
I must give myself my best chance! I twirl around to see myself in the full-length mirror. Temari's gift is stunning. It's flattering around my hips and still looks elegant. The nude stockings with gold lace make me look like an ornament on a music box. I've gone with simple jewelry; gold heart shaped earrings and the ring my father gave me on my thirteenth birthday. It's also a gold heart, but with an opal inset that my father had told me would match my eyes. My shoes are simple shiny black heeled oxfords. I would have loved to cap off the look with some golden heels but I've never seen a pair. Too gaudy maybe?
My hair loose around my shoulders tickles my cheeks. I pull a white cloak over myself. 'To keep it from getting dirty' I tell myself.
Gran meets me by the door and walks me to the carriage.
"You look like a very sexy bell," she jokes.
"Gran," I sigh as I sit, watching her come in after me. "You must understand how deeply troubled I am."
"Oh dear." She rolls her eyes. "What are you playing at?"
"I shouldn't have even tried. You're so smart, I could never trick you."
"Just get to the point." My flattery bounced right off the old woman back in her peafowl hat.
"I just want my first kiss before I'm signing wedding invitations. I really like him, but there's still something missing that I need in place before I know I'm making the right choice."
"Any girl would be lucky to have that kind of worry."
"I know Gran. All I'm asking for is five more minutes."
"You'll take three."
"Oh thank you! I… I don't know…" Suddenly my stomach drops. Now that I have permission… "Never mind. I don't think I can go through with it." I twist a curl around.
"Now you've lost your courage?" She points a gloved finger at me. "That boy is completely taken with you. All you have to do is take the first step."
When we reach his office he's deep into paperwork. His crown, which I've never seen him in before, is lopsided on his head. I like the Wind Nation crown. It's a simple gold band with cleverly assorted spikes. Nothing like the Fire Nations ridiculous one.
Temari skids past us with another arm full of papers. "There was a team attacked in the north, they're most likely bounty hunters, skill level B give or take a man," she informs clearly and confidently. "Welcome back Eevee, you look incredible," she adds, sending a smirk over her shoulder.
Gaara's eyes snap up, and I fall into his entrancing gaze, retrapping me in his presence.
"Kunkuro has volunteered to handle it."
I can feel my pulse in my throat. My hands feel moist and I have to stop myself from biting my lip. I'd forgotten how heavenly his eyes are. When I look into them I feel as though I've been staring into a pond for a very long time.
"Gaara," Temari barks. "What do you want to do about the threat?"
"Oh." Gaara's eyes lower back to his desk as he re-realizes where he is. "If Kunkuro wants to go, let him. Make him take a team."
Temari nods. Gaara signs the page in front of him before getting up.
"You really think you can handle it from here?"
"Yes, go enjoy yourself. I'll be fine."
Gaara faces me at the doorway. "What would you two like to do?"
"I'm curious, is it true about the haunted caverns underneath the palace?" Gran raises a brow.
A grin leaning on menacing but fencing at playful spreads across Gaara's face. "Let's go find out."
"Gaara, leave the crown here," Temari reminds him. His hands fall on the crow, searching.
"I'd completely forgotten I'd had it." He hands it over to his sister.
***
Gaara leads us away from all the large gathering rooms and into a wing of bedrooms.
"The only way to access the tunnels is through one of our rooms. We'll go through Temari's because her paths are the easiest." Gaara opens the room and let's us in. Temair's room is nearly empty, but for a large bed and a matt set before an indoor waterfall, and a wall of three dark streamlined wardrobes.
Gaara forces one of the wardrobes away from the wall. The sound of the wood scraping against the flooring is grating but quick. I watch as he moves the no less than three hundred pound floor to ceiling mahogany wardrobe like it's nothing more than cardboard.
"Eevee, you go first." I eye the space he's opened up. Beyond the crack I only see darkness. "It's just a step down." A draft flows out making my hair push back.
I squeeze through the crack and search out with a shoe until I find the step. I carefully get both feet down. I help down and Gaara follows. He lights a torch.
Once my vision has adjusted I can see the tunnel. They're smooth stone, and smell like moss.
"I'm not seeing any ghosts," Gran teases.
"Yet." Gaara starts to walk down the large open path with no exit in sight. I hurry to follow, unwilling to be left alone in a dark tunnel, or leave the bliss of Gaara's presence.
"You're joking right?" I insist "There's not really ghosts down here."
The tunnel opens up to a massive room in what was a cave. Everything is dripping with slowly burning candles. The ceiling thirty feet up is an untouched cave, stalicites looming over like teeth. A table and chairs overlook a pond spotted with urns.
"We come here to give thanks, ask for forgiveness, and say goodbye." He breaks from us to relight the candles that have gone out.
"I'm sorry, we didn't have to come here."
"No, I want you to see it. There aren't any fresh wounds for me here."
"It's a lovely place to think." Gran lowers herself slowly into one of the chairs.
Gaara looks out over the pond. "That one there." He points at a simple urn covered in flowers, "Is my mother… and that one," next to an elaborate urn inlaid with jasper and chrysolite, "Is the former king."
They're all here. The dozens of royals that were slain before their time.
"There's a tunnel over here that leads to a secondary space. It's where we keep all the belongings that aren't displayed or in use. That room's more interesting. Would you like to see?"
I nod with a neutral smile.
"You two go ahead," Gran tells us. Gaara takes my hand and leads me down the second tunnel. Being alone with him makes feel heavy. What do I say? How do I do… anything?
The tunnel opens into a stone and wood room filled with hundreds of documents and knick knacks in cases. Tiara's, swords, fans, perfume bottles, puppets, bows, and even things as small as hairpins. Everything carefully pressed or contained within paper or glass.
"Gaara." My mouth feels dry. His chrysoprase eyes on me make me squirm. "She's trying to give us a few minutes alone."
He moves close to hear my nervous whispers. I force myself to meet his gaze. I lean in hoping he'll understand.
Then heat floods through me as his skin touches mine gently. I rest my arms on his shoulders and part my lips. I touch the base of his neck and pull myself flush against him in desperate need to be closer. He groans, sending a shiver of pure unfiltered lust right to my core. His hand that's resting on my hip slowly moves down until his fingers are on the bare sliver of flesh just above my stockings. The pad of his thumb caresses the sensitive skin there until he pulls away, breaking our kiss.
"Damnit." Gaara rests his back against one of the walls. "You always surpass my expectations."
"What do you mean?" I'm relieved my voice sounds normal despite my heart racing and slick that has pooled between my legs.
"Nothing, let's return before we're suspected of more."
I agree and we're on our way back but I never shake the feeling I had when we were alone together.
(August 8th)
When we arrive the palace is in a bustling panic, soldiers around every corner and the guards I'm familiar with are visibly armed.
"Something must be wrong," I inform my father who takes my hand in his. The stairs feel longer as my worry increases with each step.
The kings office is full so we wait outside, but the door is open and the voices, though hurried, are sharp and consuming.
"We can't send another team, we don't know the danger…" one man growls. His voice is dead and demanding.
"I won't be sending another team," replies Gaara.
"We can't just leave them there! They could still be alive…"
"If my brother was taken down, anyone else going out there would be suicide. I'll go."
"We understand your conclusion, but we really can't afford to lose a king right now."
"I never thought you'd doubt my ability. There's nothing further. I'll go alone within the hour. Eevee, your out there, aren't you?"
I tense when I'm addressed. "Y.. yes."
"Everyone move aside, let her in."
I squeeze past scowling generals until I'm right up against his desk. He's already up, pushing papers aside and rummaging through the desk drawers.
"Eevee will be in charge until I'm back," he plainly states.
The room is suddenly loud with a chorus of "Sir?" and "Her?" and "What?". Gaara ignores them, setting calabash on the desk. They go silent.
"Gaara, I don't know if…" My hands twist together uncertainty.
"I'll only be gone until maybe dawn. All I need you to do is sit here and if anything comes up use your best judgement.
"I'll do my best."
***
I sit for a long while. The men say nothing as they step out but stay close. Father tries to comfort me, but I pull away suggesting he go explore on his own.
It's hours later when I hear shouting outside. Peeking out the window I see two guards losing a fight to a very large man whose face is covered in bandages and a black mask. Even from the floor above I can see his two sickly yellow eyes. I touch the top of the window to unlock it, only to find that it's lock in on the outside, but it's unlocked so I open it. Scarlet drops splatter across the garden path and hedges below.
My throat tightens and my stomach clenches, but I push away my feelings and look around. Looking out the door I see the crowd of generals and captains standing around.
"You." I point to a set jawed man who's lounging on a high-back chair.
"Baki," he corrects in a growl slouching in his seat.
"There are two guards in need of assistance at the garden entrance."
Baki points to a boy-faced guard who's close by. "You go."
"No," I correct, "You go."
"It's beneath…"
"You've been sitting out here for hours. Go help, and you." I pick another that looks bored. "Join him." The other man nods, but Baki just leans back.
"Gaara should be back in a few hours." I smile looking at my watch happily, but the sugar-coated threat has him on his feet.
The threat is neutralized outside by Baki, much to his dismay, but his presence was an asset as the first guard went down. I decide I'd quite like to gloat and maybe tease the stoic man when a team burst in with news of the king's brother being injured and I am gently dismissed.