Chapter 23
It was fifteen days until Aurora's birthday, and the biggest secret of all was kept from the princess. Arielle decided to keep the news of her daughter's possible engagement to herself, her mother, and grandmother. Arielle feared the worst if knowledge of Bayan's scheme reached other family members. Her brother despised Bayan and would gladly beat him to a pulp if given the chance. Her father despised Bayan as well. Fortunately, she knew her father valued her too much to even consider hurting Bayan.
Arielle sat on the floor while her grandmother braided her hair. She thought she could at least have breakfast with both of her grandmother and mother every morning. Mainly, she realized she was lonely and restless since choosing to hide in the Adame.
Across from her, sat her mother, eating quietly. Arielle knew she was itching to say something. Each time her mother was very quiet, there were always deep thoughts circling in her mind.
She reached over and patted her mother's thigh. "You've been quiet all morning," she said.
Anastasia swallowed the last bit of food. "People in the tribe are talking about you."
Xena flared her eyes in the hopes of discouraging her daughter from revealing additional troubles in the clan.
Arielle asked, "What do you mean 'talking about me'?"
"You haven't left your room, Arielle. The tribe is noticing. I think you should make some rounds around the tribe."
"I...I don't want something to happen to me if I go outside."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes. "Don't you trust your people?"
"I do. It's the Persian rebels I don't trust. I can't let them have a one-up on me."
"You can't stay in this Adame for the next three months," Ana argued. "You need to make an appearance outside of these walls."
Xena casually chimed in while she oiled Arielle's braid. "I don't think Persians would risk attacking you on your turf. Your people care about you and they're obviously worried about you. Take Wasifah and your mother with you."
"Yes!" Ana agreed. "Yes, mother, thank you. See, there's a solution." She pinched her daughter's chin and whispered, "I'll go with you."
Was there a point in arguing? No. Arielle understood her mother's concerns and she didn't want to cause more unrest in the tribe.
She was relieved that Wasifah had arrived at the right time. This discussion did not need to go any further. Wasifah knelt on one knee and handed her two letters. Arielle gave a grateful grin and opened one of the letters.
"Two letters? You're popular today," jested Xena.
"That's me; high in demand." Smiling, she recited, "Farah found a Hun girl in Constantinople. Apparently, the girl is from a tribe in the Caucasus, near the Caspian Sea."
"Another tribe?" Xena said. "I didn't know there were any other tribes up there."
"Me either! This is great news." She rolled up the letter and poked Xena's chest. "Would you like to carry out a mission for me?"
Xena raised her eyebrow. "Depends on what it is."
"Would you like to go to this tribe and introduce yourself?" she elevated her eyebrows. "If that's something you're interested in..."
"Trekking through Gokturk and Persian rebel territory, risking my life. Sign me up!"
She rolled her eyes. "Please?"
"I'll do it," Xena said, smiling gently.
Anastasia spread jam onto a piece of warm bread. "What does the other letter say?" she asked flatly.
Arielle hoped to conceal the second letter from the two women. She eyed her grandmother, who was now also curious about the letter. Her focus shifted to her mother, who was also staring directly at her.
"It's from Bayan," she spoke softly. "He'll be here in ten days."
"It's not right for you to keep secrets from Aurora."
"I know!" she yelled, then recoiled. "I am going to talk to Bayan. I don't want to ruin Aurora's birthday over this if I can fix it with her father first."
Constantinople
As the weeks passed by, Farah saw less and less of Justin. She started to become more involved with Empress Sophia than anyone else in the palace. After she had less contact with Justin, she asked questions, which became to be a mistake. Sophia was very insistent that she be the point of contact. Farah knew that any questions she had weren't going to be answered.
In the middle of a cold rainy night, Farah left her quarters and started down the long corridors. The palace was a poor insulator in the winter and the stone floors did nothing but send a chill up the spine. She walked by the emperor's wing, surrounded by guards. She smiled as she passed, though wondered why she hadn't seen Justinian at all. Perhaps he was dead or close to dying.
She casually strolled into the kitchen, where a group of four servants chatted, ate, and drank warm wine. Fusun was among the group and gaped at the Hun queen. She and the others began to quickly clean the area.
Farah raised her hand, and everyone took their seats. She walked over to a counter and poured herself some of the wine.
What she did next surprised everyone. Farah sat down at the table with the palace's servants. They all gawked at her, suddenly tongue-tied, despite their lively conversation moments earlier. She sipped the wine, her eyes circling the table.
"I have a few questions about Sophia and Justin. Would you all be able to answer them?" she asked, receiving silence from the servants. "I can pay you all for every answer I get."
The four women looked at each other and nodded. Fusun spoke for the group, "What would you like to know, Your Highness?"
"Is Emperor Justinian dead?"
Fusun widened her gaze and stared at her mates. "No, ma'am. He injured his spine and is bedridden."
That was an answer she could easily believe. Farah then asked, "I haven't seen Justin in a while, and he's the reason I'm here."
Suddenly, the table fell silent. That was a question that would not be answered, Farah understood that much. It wouldn't matter if she reworded the question or not. The silence was all she needed to know. Something was going on and the servants were told to keep quiet. Farah knew that this question probably came up quite often from other visitors.
Xena crept along the walkway of the church, keeping her focus on Gabrielle. She made sure her presence was discreet. Four feet from her prey, she wrapped her hands over Gabrielle's eyes from behind.
Screeching, her wife yelled, "Xena!"
Laughing, she came around and lightly pinched Gabrielle's reddened cheek. "I got you that time."
"Are you keeping score?" she breathily said. "I haven't come up out of nowhere and scared you!"
"Yes, you have!"
Gabrielle huffed. "It is nearly impossible to sneak up on you," she said drolly.
"I wouldn't say impossible, but you have a point." She winked and hooked arms with her. "We have a new assignment."
"Do tell."
"There's a Hun tribe hidden in the Caucasus. Arielle wants us to find the tribe and introduce ourselves."
Gabrielle glanced up. "And when does she want us to do this?"
"After Aurora's birthday. So, ten days from now."
"Is she serious? Traveling through the Caucasus is going to be dangerous."
Xena nodded her head. "It's not like we haven't done it plenty of times before."
Gabrielle couldn't argue with that, but she really didn't want to trek through that area. After the Gokturks ultimately had to surrender to Persia, the area was probably filled with angry Gokturk soldiers and misplaced rebels from Adarmahan's clandestine group.
"How did she find out about this tribe?"
"Farah met a Hun girl in Constantinople. She sent a letter and it arrived a few days ago."
Anxiously, she scratched her chin. "If the tribe is hidden, maybe they don't want to be found. You remember what happened with the Gokturks."
"That was different. Gokturks aren't Huns. We've made friends with the Nezaks and they live far from Pannonia."
"We don't know anything about these people. Do they have a king, a queen, a chieftain?"
"Gabrielle, Gabrielle." She grasped her shoulder. "That's why we're going."
Constantinople
Days after Farah talked to the servants, she was summoned to Sophia's throne chamber. She grew suspicious that one of the servants may have spoken with Sophia. But she tried not to let those thoughts get to her. The time of the meeting was unusual. It was well after dinner time and everyone had gone to their rooms for the night.
The empress wouldn't be foolish enough to plan an attack. Farah decided to come prepared and brought a knife with her. Cautiously, she entered the throne room, but Sophia was nowhere near her throne. She stood idly by the elongated windows, gazing distantly.
Farah walked to the middle of the room and stopped. "Empress," she announced.
"My husband is mad, you know," said Sophia.
"...Pardon?"
"He cannot run this empire by himself." She turned her face halfway, glancing at Farah. "Night after night, he spends hours in his chambers talking to people who are not there with him. He has days when he tears his room apart."
Farah caught her tongue in between her teeth. "I...don't know what to say," she said quietly.
Sophia cast a weak smile and glided away from the windows. She led Farah to a table on the opposite side of the room.
"I do not know why I've told you all of this," she admitted, almost disappointedly. "I feel that I can trust you. I have misjudged you severely. You are a very intelligent woman."
Farah almost couldn't get upset by the backhanded compliment. Her perception of this place and the people here did not change. She believed they all saw her as a strange creature. But her perception of Empress Sophia changed over the last few weeks. Sophia had a cold exterior, but she was witty and even playful at times with her dialogue.
"I am glad you are able to trust me," said Farah. "I would like to return that trust but...I cannot."
Sophia's forehead wrinkled. "How can we change that?"
"Your husband forged an alliance with the Sassanians and yet my people are still being targeted by your army. He put us in a difficult position given that the Khagana is married to a Sassanian prince."
A hearty laugh bellowed from the empress. "That alliance should have no effect on your people."
"Your army guards our borders day and night."
"Yes, because we are not allies," the empress said coolly. "Justin wanted to purchase a portion of your land, correct?"
Farah was getting a very strong intuition that the empress was playing a very subtle political game.
"Yes, that's right."
"What if we purchase some of the land and also provide a salary toward your army?"
"You would give us a military stipend?"
Sophia nodded. "It would show a sign of our truce. We will need to rely on one another if the surrounding clans decide to attack."
The corners of Farah's lips curled inward as she stared at the hands in her lap. Suddenly, she felt the fate of an entire empire weigh heavily on her. If she refused the empress' proposal, her people might be attacked. If she agreed to the deal then she might seal an agreement for decades which may harm the empire down the road. The empire was also in an incredible amount of debt. Her decision would impact thousands of people.
"Which part of Pannonia would you purchase?"
Sophia smiled. "The west of the Danube River."
"West of the Danube?" she repeated, bemused. "That land is barren. It's also close to the European clans."
"It sounds like the ideal spot. This way, we won't cross paths with your people."
In the archives, Aurora continued to study and finish the work her mother gave her. She spent at least two days out of the week, learning under Gabrielle. As the excitement of the princess' birthday neared, the less time she wanted to spend studying in a cold room filled with historical documents.
Gabrielle stood by the window overlooking the front region of the tribe. Today was the day that Arielle was to stroll around the camp. Accompanying her was her mother and sister. Cera insisted that she join to not only show solidarity but to also protect Arielle.
"Looks like your mother got swarmed by a group of children," said Gabrielle, laughing lightly.
Spinning around, Aurora said over her shoulder, "Is it true that the people can kill their ruler if they don't like them?"
Gabrielle stepped away from the window. "Where did that come from?"
"I read it in a lot of these old texts." She slapped a hand on the stack of documents. "It's a law."
"Are you worried that your mother will be killed by her own people?"
Aurora shrugged her shoulder. "I can't say that I'm not worried," she admitted. "But I think that law should be changed. It's dangerous and it doesn't protect the monarch."
Even though it was a law, it wasn't often adhered to because of how harsh it was. Gabrielle joined the princess and stared into her eyes as they sat together. Behind their crystal gaze was worry, anxiety, and doubt. She covered Aurora's hands with her own.
"I think you're going to make a great queen," she said. "You're already thinking about changing laws."
Bashfully smiling, Aurora recoiled. "Thanks, Gabrielle."
"If you really want to impress your mother, you should write a proposal to change the law and offer a solution."
The princess' delight surfaced through a smile. "Can you teach me how to do that?"
"Sure, let's take a look at some of the manuscripts you read."
Upon setting foot on Pannonian soil, he was unprepared for the reception he received. To assess his surroundings, Bayan pulled off his helmet. Arielle's parents waited at the bottom of the Adame's steps. He brushed his hair back and jumped down off the horse.
Off the saddle, he plucked a big package covered in animal furs and cloth. He was moving at a steady pace, but his heart was racing. During his visit, Bayan vowed to himself that he would avoid any conflict if given the chance. His daughter's birthday was the primary motivation for his presence.
When Bayan saw Anastasia, he halted and bowed to her. He reached out to take her hand as he felt her cold, piercing gaze settle on him. He was astonished when she let him kiss her hand and lightly press it to his forehead. He flashed Navaz a quick grin and extended his hand.
"Thank you for greeting me," he told them.
Anastasia tilted her head slightly. "Welcome back to Pannonia, Bayan."
"Arielle is waiting for you inside," said Navaz.
Bayan climbed the Adame's stairs with some reluctance. At the top of the steps, he half-anticipated the arrival of further members of Arielle's family. However, Arielle was blocking the doorway. Arielle's decision to dress formally to meet him was not coincidental.
She wore a black dress and cinched her waist with a heavy silver beaded belt. The coined pauldrons added further weight to the heavy black robe she wore. Her long, layered braids dangled past her bust and down to her thighs; the red and white yarn was woven into each braid.
To express her amazement at Bayan's lack of response, Arielle narrowed her eyes and cocked her head. The loud jingling of the coins as she readjusted her headpiece woke Bayan up from his embarrassing trance.
"What's that you have?" she inquired to the large package.
Bayan presented the wrapped package to her. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought you a gift."
She took the gift with some reluctance and unwrapped it. After the unveiling, she held a bow in her hands and her eyes widened.
"It's from eastern China. I remember you used to like to collect bows," he said. "I didn't know if you still...collected them."
Arielle smiled, nodding her head. "That was very thoughtful of you." she handed the bow to Wasifah and pointed down the hall. "I think it's time that you and I have a little talk. Follow me to my quarters."
As his leg was extended past his hips, Xerxes bit the inside of his cheek. Muscle fatigue set in after weeks of bed rest. He could feel his body getting stiffer by the day and dreaded having to do stretches with the physician. By the third week, he had begun to anticipate each physical therapy session. It meant he wouldn't have to be chained to the bed anymore and could resume his regular gait.
As Xena approached the bed, the physician lowered Xerxes' leg and turned to face her. The middle-aged man stepped back generously.
"Khanum, I was not expecting you."
"I can take over from here," she said.
Xerxes' eyes were filled with horror as he watched her swoop in and take over the physician's position. Xena sat on the side of the bed and gently moved his foot toward his body. She did the exercise a few times more before Xerxes let out a pained grunt.
"Looks like you're not as mobile as you say you are," she said, smiling.
"Or you're using too much force," Xerxes grumbled.
"I'm barely using any strength, Xerxes." She raised his leg and began massaging his ankle. "How are you holding up? I know it's not ideal to stay in bed all day. Been there, done that."
He sucked in his breath as the pain in his ankle intensified. He never expected to be working on physical therapy skills with his wife's grandmother.
"In a couple of weeks, I should be good to go," he croaked.
Xena arched a brow. "Not with these weak ankles."
"Arielle is doing everything by herself. I feel useless."
"You're hurt, Xerxes. And she has plenty of help." She switched to the next ankle and slowly rotated it from side to side. "Bayan is here. He's meeting with Arielle."
He sat up too quickly and snapped a glare at her. A searing pain shot up his thigh, causing him to wince.
"He better not cause any trouble, especially for Arielle. The last thing I want her to be is stressed."
"He knows better," she said.
For a short while, Xerxes ignored the searing ache in his legs by folding his arms across his chest. He made a valiant effort to hide his contempt for Bayan. He was completely against Aurora getting engaged once Arielle told him about it. However, he was well aware that this was not one of his priorities.
"It isn't fair—what he's doing," he stated. "I have been around Aurora more than he has."
Xena stared at the injured Shehzade. "You're saying you want a voice in the decision?"
He stuttered in his words before answering, "Yes, I do. I treat Aurora as if she were my blood. She came from Arielle, so I love her regardless if she were mine or not."
Xena looked down and smiled slyly. Her feelings for Xerxes were revived. The way he treated Aurora made her think of Navaz's affection for Csaba and Cera. It was the same way with Ellac and Arielle when she was a young girl. Ellac disciplined Arielle as if she were his own child and cared for her as if she were his.
Wrapping his ankle, she hinted, "Well, I think you should tell Arielle. She listens to you."
He blinked rapidly, collecting his thoughts. "You think I should have a say in this?"
She nodded. "You said it—you've been there for Aurora since she was a little girl. I think you should voice your concerns."
Bayan sat down sluggishly in a chair. The last thing he felt like doing after the long and tiring ride was talking with his ex-wife. He rubbed his chin and looked at Wasifah, who was standing at the door. Not only was she tall and imposing in appearance, but she also seemed immovable, like a statue.
His focus shifted to Arielle. As she sat down opposite him slowly, he looked at her abdomen. They were divorced yet governed an empire together while she was pregnant with someone else's child.
He smirked and asked, "Are you expanding the Sassanian line?"
Whitening her knuckles, Arielle clenched the chair's arms and grimaced. "You'll be asked to leave if you continue to make snarky remarks, Bayan."
His hands were up in a gesture of submission. His throat clearing accompanied his "No more comments" statement. "Promise."
"I think you know why you're here—in this room," she said softly.
"I don't agree with Tzes Bey's proposal," he quickly said. "But he is counting on me to defend him and his clan against the Gepids. He is putting a lot of pressure on me, Arielle." He jabbed his chest.
"Gepids? I thought we got rid of them after Eksama denounced her title."
Bayan snickered. "There are other tribes. You should know that especially with the size of this empire. Hun clans are everywhere."
She quirked her mouth and tapped the chair's arms. "What do the Gepids have to do with our daughter?"
"Tzes Bey's camp is close to the trade route in Gepid territory. I...I am worried that the Gepids might invade the Steppes. I couldn't deny his offer to help, Arielle. He wants to move the engagement up. Tzes Bey is arriving with Kazem in a few days," he said.
Arielle clenched her teeth and squeezed her fingers into fists. Slowly, she rose from the chair and adjusted her kozak.
"You will be staying in the yurt near the ceremonial tent."
He stood up and took a step closer. "I can't stay in the Adame?"
She stared into his eyes. "Your other option is to stay with Csaba."
Bayan scoffed. "Can I at least see Aurora?"
"You will see her on her birthday." She waved behind her and called, "Wasifah, open the door." She paused and lowered her arm. "Leave, please."
"Arielle..."
"Leave."
Xena passed the corner and went down the hall, having just left the infirmary. A burst of wind blew past her as she stepped into the Khagana's corridor. Bayan rushed down the hallway, and she backed up just in time to avoid a collision with him.
"Bayan—"
"Fuck off."
She looked over with a frown and caught a glimpse of Arielle through the cracked door of her room. Her patience was put to the ultimate test at this moment. To keep from swearing at Bayan, she exerted all her self-control. Within seconds, Xena had turned around and was on her way to Arielle's bedroom.
She knocked on the door and heard soft whimpers. "Arielle?" stepping inside, she rested a hand on Arielle's shoulder.
"What did he say to you? Do I need to recruit Csaba and Oran?" she smiled, caressing Arielle's back.
That, at least, got her to smile. Arielle then wiped her eyes and nose. "Grandma, I chose such a horrible father for Aurora."
"Tell me what happened."
Xena and Gabrielle waited for Tzes Bey and his son, Kazem, to arrive the day before Aurora's birthday celebration. The news that the Hinukh Bey was approaching the Pannonian borders arrived in the middle of the night. By now, it was well into the morning, and the entrances to the tribe had been walled off by troops.
Xena, following orders, looked ahead and spotted Tzes Bey on horseback. She was in the gateway's center, surrounded by troops.
"You're doing the talking, right?" asked Xena.
"Yes, unless you really want to..."
"I might say something regrettable."
Gabrielle smiled. "Then keep your mouth shut and stand there, doing what you do best."
The Bey trotted in with his son and stopped a few yards away from the gates. Gabrielle walked to meet him halfway, which prevented him from passing through. Tzes looked at Xena with mild confusion and then steered the horse away from Gabrielle.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other, Bey. Do you remember me?"
"Of course, governor. Is there a problem?"
She crossed her arms. "I...am letting you know that your proposal of moving the engagement forward has been vetoed," she explained quicker than the Bey could register the words. "You and your son are allowed to attend the princess' birthday, but there won't be an announcement of an engagement."
Tzes Bey dismounted and handed his horse off to his son. He approached Gabrielle, towering over her, and made eye contact with Xena, who stood near the gates. Peering down at the governor, he furrowed his brows in disdain.
"I have already spoken to Khagan Bayan about this. He and I had an arrangement."
Gabrielle stepped forward. "And Khagana Arielle...does not agree with the arrangement," she said with a forced smile. "So, you can stay for the ceremony since you came all this way, but that is all. If you have any questions...you can request a meeting with the Khagana."
"I see."
He put on his fur hat and whistled to the troops behind him to move forward. Xena watched them carefully and then waved her hand to allow the Hinukh soldiers to pass through.
Tzes Bey walked through the gate and paused to stand in front of Xena. "I hope we are able to give gifts. Kazem brought the princess a very special gift."
"I'm sure she will appreciate whatever gifts you brought," she said.
As Aurora changed into her ceremonial garb, Anastasia waited patiently. Aurora had been in the next room for close to half an hour and still hadn't returned. She tapped her fingers on her knee and groaned heavily. She questioned the length of the delay. Aurora wasn't exactly getting ready for battle.
"Your mother should be here shortly," she called out.
The door opened a few seconds later, and Ku-Ilm stood in the way. Anastasia's brows furrowed and she leaped from her seat, anticipating Aurora's arrival. She peered over Ku's head, but all she saw was Aurora's silhouette.
"Is there a problem?" she asked.
Ku smiled nervously. "I won't be the judge of that, Khatun."
"Well, come on, let me see."
Ku sidestepped and nudged the princess forward gently. Aurora, holding her breath, entered her room and watched her grandmother's smile fade as she got closer.
Anastasia was so transfixed by her granddaughter's outfit that her eyebrows had begun to recede into her hair. The sketches the seamstresses had created showed a very different result. The dress was rather clingy across the bust, drawing attention to her ample breasts.
Aurora's cheeks reddened and she slapped her hands over her breasts.
"Ah...the neckline is very low," was all Ana could say. "This is the dress the seamstresses made?"
"Yes, Khatun," said Ku. "It...fit better when she had her fitting a month ago."
As she gently stroked her fingers through her granddaughter's hair, Anastasia smiled. Although she could do nothing to change Aurora's outfit, she could see that she hated having to wear it.
In a fraction of a second, the door opened, and Arielle stepped inside. Together, Abbaseh and Boran entered the room, holding her hands. Upon seeing Aurora, Arielle's mouth fell open. Her little girls squealed and ran into the room, swarming around Ku-Ilm, squeezing her legs till she almost lost her balance.
Anastasia turned around. "Arielle, finally, you're here." she took her daughter's hand firmly. "What do you think of the dress?"
Arielle couldn't take her gaze off of her daughter's breasts. Indeed, it served as more than a mere diversion. It served as a warning sign. Her daughter was not going to leave this room.
"She is not leaving this room wearing that," she said through clenched teeth.
Xena crept in, squeezing between Ana and Arielle. When she saw Aurora in the dress, she snorted and was met with disapproving looks from all sides. The scene before her brought back memories of Anastasia's shock when Arielle, then a teenager, suddenly sprouted breasts overnight. Arielle's face mimicked her mother's reaction from the incident all those years ago, which Xena remembered vividly.
"Looks like she takes after you, Ana. She definitely didn't get those from me or Arielle."
Ana grumbled, "Mom, please."
"Take that dress off now," said Arielle.
"Don't make her feel bad. It's not her fault," Xena argued. "She's fourteen, not ten." She walked over and cupped Aurora's face. "I can fix the dress," she whispered. "Come on, I'll help you take it off."
"You're going to fix it," Arielle flatly stated. "Hours before the ceremony?"
Xena wrapped a protective arm around Aurora. "I will have it done in time. You should go greet the tribe."
The Adame was packed with hundreds of tribe members an hour into the event. They all took turns rotating the throng, going in and out of the Adame. Gabrielle stood off to the side, surveying the gathering and peering over the heads to see if she could spot her wife, or anyone in the family for that matter.
Arielle and Xerxes, she knew, were seated near the front of the chamber, to the left of Aurora's empty throne. Bayan sat to the right of Tzes Bey and Kazem. Even if they were on the other side of the room, everybody could sense the tension between them.
From behind, Xena snatched her shoulders, causing her heart to jump. "Hey, where have you been?"
She said matter-of-factly, "I had to rein in a pair of obstinate breasts."
Gabrielle whipped her head around. "Excuse me?"
Xena bit her lip, suppressing her laughter. She leaned into Gabrielle's ear. "Aurora's dress needed some last-minute alterations. All is good now. Breasts are contained and secure." She clenched her fists tightly.
Gabrielle closed her eyes and pinched her eyebrows together. "Say breasts one more time, and I—"
"Breasts."
"I'm going to get some wine."
As soon as Aurora entered the vast hall, all attention was focused on her. Seeing everyone smile at her brought an incredible surge of comfort. She stopped in the middle of the crowd to kiss Anastasia and Navaz on the hand before continuing on her way.
She turned to face her mother as she made her way to the front of the room. When her mother saw the dress alterations, she seemed visibly relieved. With a grin on her face, she turned to her right and her stomach dropped. When she saw her father waving at her, she almost lost it and ran over to give him a big embrace.
When she looked away, Kazem and Tzes Bey gave her their undivided attention. As soon as she saw Kazem, her heart began to pound. He was no longer the innocent boy she had known. But why did he come here?
Gifts for Aurora began to be dropped off casually below the throne dais as soon as she was seated. Expectedly, the royal family members sitting on either side of her barely spoke to each other throughout the entire party.
Edemen spotted his younger sister and cousins gathered in a small nook off to the side of the main hall. The group of girls huddled together and chattered excitedly. As he kept his eyes on them, he felt a hand seize his.
Öza smiled and offered him a glass of wine. She took notice of the princesses. "They are adorable, wearing their little headdresses."
"Hmm," he sipped the wine. "They're planning something. I just know it."
"You always assume the worst. It's a party," she said, rubbing his arm.
"You've seen my sister. She has no limitations," he whispered. "Aracsilla!"
The princess swooped around. "Hello, brother," she said sweetly, smiling.
"You be on your best behavior tonight. I would hate to send a nasty letter to mother," he warned.
"Best behavior. Understood."
Aracsilla looked up at her brother and waved as she sauntered away. Her three cousins, Emese, Abbaseh, and Boran, followed close behind. As they filed silently out of the nook, they maintained their cheerful expressions.
Edemen eyed the girls, particularly his sister. "She's their leader. I'm telling you; they've planned something. How could my mother have given birth to that devious child."
Öza rolled her eyes. "Maybe you'll be blessed to have a daughter just like her," she teased.
While watching Bayan reconcile with Aurora, Xerxes anxiously bounced his leg up and down. His eyebrows furrowed as he absently stroked his beard. He looked at his wife who had gripped his thigh.
"You're very jittery tonight," whispered Arielle.
"I can't stand to look at him," he gestured to Bayan. "He's using his daughter to barter. You should have let me have a say in this."
Arielle sighed. "I don't want to talk about this right now."
"You're right. We should've talked about it five days ago when he arrived."
"There is no engagement. I made that very clear. Xerxes, whose side are you on?"
"Yours, obviously!"
"Then why are you making it seem like I'm the bad guy?" she growled.
He opened his lips to retort but was interrupted when Aurora approached. He mustered a grin and grasped Arielle's hand tightly. He could even feel her resisting, attempting to move her hand away, which made him tighten his grip.
"Mother, why didn't you tell me dad would be here?" she asked, excitedly.
"I wanted to surprise you, tatli kiz," Arielle managed to say.
Aurora looked back at her father with a bright grin. "I have an announcement to make. Can I speak in front of everyone?"
Her mother cinched in her eyebrows. "Ah...alright. It's your day."
The music was stopped and the crowd drew its attention toward the princess. All chatter ceased instantly and Aurora pulled a rolled parchment out from her sleeve. She stepped onto the dais so everyone could see her.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me," she announced loudly. "And a special thank you to my parents, our Khagan and Khagana, for keeping Pannonia's borders safe from enemies."
As the crowd applauded, Arielle glanced at Bayan and forced a grin.
Aurora raised her hand. "One day, I hope to be your queen," she said. "I have been under my mother's instruction for some time now. I have written a proposal that I think everyone will agree with and I would like to share it with you all."
Arielle's face creased in suspicion as she pondered the information her daughter was so eager to share. At first, she thought Bayan was behind the unexpected speech but he looked just as confused as she did.
While everyone's attention was on Aurora, Gabrielle grabbed a plate from the nearby table. She made her way through the people until she reached Xena, who was standing off to the side with a cup of wine. She prodded her and brought out the platter of food.
Eating quietly, she listened to the princess speak freely and openly among the people.
"I would like to propose to change a law," she said firmly. "It is an ancient law of our people."
Gabrielle dropped the piece of fried bread she was about to eat. She stared at the princess with her mouth agape. Her face became pale as she listened to the bold words of the princess.
"...It says, we the people have the right to slaughter, hang, or behead the ruler of all the Hunnic lands. The people do not need a solid reason to kill their ruler. This law, I believe, is unjust."
Xena frowned and whispered, "What is this child talking about?"
"She...she wasn't supposed to share that," she mumbled.
"What? Gabrielle, what are you talking about?"
Aurora continued, "I am proposing to add a section in the law that the public must provide reasonable explanation for killing a monarch in this empire. This change would not only benefit the ruler but you—the people—from tyranny and interfamily wars."
She rolled up the parchment and concluded her speech. "I hope you all will agree with the proposal. Thank you. Enjoy yourselves!"
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances before breaking out into enthusiastic applause for the young princess. The music started back up, and the people went back to milling about in small groups.
Aurora beamed as she basked in the adulation of her fellow tribespeople. When she caught a glimpse of her mother, her grin dimmed. There was an ugly scowl on Arielle's face. She saw her mother's chest rise and fall as she suppressed her rage.
Kazem touched her shoulder. "I thought your proposal was great," he said. "You're definitely not the same girl who used to like to play with snakes and spiders."
She stared at him blankly. Just a few feet away, her mother was fuming, and it was all she could think about.
"Don't you remember me?"
Aurora faintly smiled. "Kazem. How could I forget you? We grew up together."
Upon looking back, she saw that her mother's throne was empty. She was looking for her mother's trademark kozak and finally spotted her in the throng. She saw her grandfather guiding her mother through the room.
"I'm sorry, Kazem."
She surged forward, elbowing her way through the crowd in an effort to reach her mother. She was being pushed and forced into an alcove by a group of young men. When she finally caught her breath, she turned and saw Gabrielle and Xena standing before her.
"Aurora, what were you thinking?" Gabrielle barked.
"You—you said—"
"I didn't say you should make a public proposal. Your mother was completely blindsided!"
Aurora batted her eyes. "Wh—where did she go?"
"My guess is that she is upset and why wouldn't she be? You overstepped, Aurora."
"I...I didn't mean to make her angry," she said, tears welling. "Should I go talk to her?"
Xena grabbed her shoulder. "No. Just leave her alone for now. Go on, try to enjoy the rest of your party," she said, and the princess solemnly trudged her way back to her throne.
Gabrielle's face fell into her hands and she inhaled deeply. "Why would she do that?" she muttered.
"That was very bold."
