Chapter 51 (Cora)
I practiced trying to look assertive in the mirror, while Lydy helped me get dressed. If I was going to be a Queen I wanted to hold myself like one. I tried to inmate the way Queen Evelyn used to hold herself watching myself in the mirror. Having Lydy help me readjust my posture as I needed.
“Your Majesty, have you thought about asking His Majesty to let you ride instead trying to demand it. I’ve seen how he looks at you, he may agree to let you.” Lydy spoke up as she finished braiding my hair.
“Ara, always wants me safe, the safest place for me would be in a carriage being guarded by too many of his men. I don’t want that. I want to be of more help to him and see his kingdom the way he sees it.” I stared at lydy through the mirror.
“Your Majesty, you have your whole life to see it. I just want you to be safe.” she tried to plead with me, but my mind was made up I was going to ride with his men like he was going to ride.
“Lydy, what do you think Ara, wants to give me today. He has already given me back my mothers books?” I tried to change the topic so she would stop trying to persuade me.
“Oh I know! Another personal knight or maybe a lady in waiting!?” her eyes lite up as she went on. “How wonderful would it be your Majesty to have your own lady in waiting!?” she all but swooned as she started daydream about it.
“Oh how about a new dress or jewelry? I did have him burn all of mine during the ambush.” I tried to guess as well.
We were leaving today so it would be something portable that we could take with us, but what he had instore for me I had no idea. Once Lydy was done getting me ready I hurried down the stairs I couldn’t help but feel my anticipation grow especially after my conversation with Lydy.
I found Ara down stairs talking to Helena and Tate. All three turned to me as I walked up to them. Helena looked like she was excited, barely containing herself; while Tate seemed more wary and hesitant about whatever Tarak had just been talking to them about.
“Your Majesty, Nareh.” Both Helena and Tate bowed in greeting as I came up to them.
“My Nareh, You look radiant.” Ara’s eyes traveled up and down my body looking at my outfit of choice.
“You too.” was all I could get out as I stared at him.
He looked like a true king today. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, his white trousers seemed to pop under hisdark red petticoat. Several medals were pinned to the shoulder, and on the back a beautiful swan was sewn into the fabric. It looked just like my necklace and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
Ara came up to me giving me a kiss on the back of my hand and placing my hand on his forearm so he could take me somewhere. He excused us from Helena and Tate and started to guide me towards the barn.
“Before you show me what my surprise is I wanted to tell you something.” I tried to sound confident so he wouldn’t be able to argue with me.
“Of course My Nareh, what is it you wish to tell me?” He stopped walking so he could focus on what I was saying.
“I want to ride with you not in a carriage, but on a horse. Like we discussed at breakfast the other day.” I squared my shoulders like I had practiced in our bedchambers trying to make myself more assertive in what I was saying.
“Come, I will show you your surprise first then we'll talk.” he chuckled as he started walking towards the stables again.
We were greeted by some of the caretakers who were saddling up two horses. One of the two horses I had recognized as Tarak’s steed from our last time riding him. He stood a head taller than the other horse and his coat was a inky jet black like Ara’s curls.The other horse I hadn’t seen before, this one was smaller but the cream colored coat made it look like it had ridden right out of a fairytale.
“My Fire, what do you think about this horse?” he asked, stroking its beautiful coat.
“It’s beautiful. I have never seen a horse like this one.” I said wanting to reach out and touch it.
Seeing my hesitation he grabbed my hand, setting it on her wide side, letting me stroke her smooth coat. She whinnied looking back at me, she nuzzled me with her snout.
“That’s because she is a rare breed, brought to us by the Driola embassy when I was crowned King of Andal. She is gentle but stubborn. I think she will be a good fit for you to ride.” he looked at me as his words sank in.
“Are you saying I get to ride her?” I questioned
“I’m saying she is yours to ride, train or sell. Whatever you wish to do with her.” His happiness overflowed as he smiled down at me waiting for my reaction.
“Does she have a name?” I asked, too stunned to comprehend what he had just told me.
“No not yet My Fire, why don’t you name her.” Ara came up behind me turning me to face him, his strong arms wrapping around me as he gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.
I wanted to name her to mean something. Her name needed to be as brilliant and beautiful as she was. As turned back to the horse so I could continue to pet her, her pinkish snout started to nuzzle into my cheek. She was beautiful, majestic, and almost looked like something from a fairytale.
I remembered my mother would tell Elanora and I a fairytale when we couldn’t sleep about a spirit named Ika that would take the form of a horse, it would guide good travelers to safety who rode on its back, while also drowning bad travelers who rode on its back.
It was a spirit of judgement. I always loved listening to my mother tell us about the spirit. Like Ika the spirit I wanted to protect those I loved and bring those to justice that needed it. I was never in position to do that, until Ara gave me the power too.
“Ika, I want to name her Ika.” I turned back to Ara. “Ika the horse of judgement.” I told him matter of factly.
“How many people do you plan to drown My Nareh.” he chuckled at his own joke. “I think that would be a lovely name for her.” he seemed satisfied with my name for her.