Wolves
Daisy's POV:
It was late afternoon. No sign of him.
It was mildly disturbing, how frequent 'new fish' as they were called, were sought after here. Men of status and too much wealth made it their day job to find fresh faces for their seedy businesses. That would explain the ease in which I experienced upon finding employment in another establishment. This time I thought it would be the one. Somewhere unsuspecting, some *place* unsuspecting. Quite the distance from Covas and its neighbouring islands. It had been maybe half a year since departing Sapphire's home. I now stood somewhere sandy, a full hot sun dazzling my sight. Laying next to a supposed prince but secretly keeping watch for Oko.
"I want you to meet my guest, *Malikat Alqulub*." This was the prince talking. I quickly learnt of his preference for me and played it to my advantage. Now I can stay shaded in the sun, sip from his wine and carry on with my misson in ease. I still had no idea what he called me. Rolling my eyes discreetly, I face his desperate expression. He offers me his arm and proceeds to take me towards the glaring sun.
"Who are we meeting, my prince?" I flutter my lashes. He only smiles down at me, a smirk exposing beautifully white teeth.
"He is an important... *friend*. You don't have to worry yourself with matters like these."
I fight the need to roll my eyes and find myself thinking of home. I still update Fahmeen through letters, she seemed content with my intentions and the queen was satisfied also to let me go. Oko was hard to find. Suddenly I hear the prince speak.
"Ah here we are!"
Now I must fight to hide the shock on my face. It's him. He smiles at me, it catches me off guard as it's not malicious as I'd expect. Maybe he didn't recognise me from under this, albeit sheer, head garment. Though, that wicked lick of his lips meant just for my eyes tells me otherwise as he scans my body. Recognition flickers in his gaze and I realise he knows exactly who I am.
"Prince Hamad. *Princess*." He nods towards me. Oko is toying with me, but I can't stop the reaction to his games. *It is not the plan*.
"Er she is not the princess."
Both men laugh and before Oko walks back with us, he winks at me behind the prince's back.
Fahmeen's POV:
Freydis' letter was a eulogy. Her last words to her lost son.I wouldn't be surprised if Rolf had every word etched in his mind. He was eager to have them back after I had read them as much as I could bear. I was at the marketplace, enjoying too much pineapple jam and bread. I consider myself selfish for not inviting Rolf to this impromtu picnic, but he seemed busy enough with Loki. Sy sent me a letter, she could fully write and read now. This gave her quite the status back home since no one else could except for Rolf's family. She told me that the boys won't stop asking her things, and her brother is quickly getting impatient at fending them off. She has come so far from the little orphan girl with no place to call home. The teaching of the bow and arrow had inspired independence and strength. It almost was like she was my child, I was beginning to see a lot of myself in her.
We had been frequenting Covas a lot these past months. Rolf, much to his displeasure, had kept to the alliance with my father and scared off the wolves. King Micah had become quite the sheep. He stays as much as he could, in the palace. Derek the Diplomat visits him often. My father asked Rolf to stay, but to stay would impact his duties in the North so he compromised. I feel sick suddenly, and find myself hurling my lunch into the sea. People offer me aid and a carriage is requested. The guard arrives just in time as I was undoubtedly getting worse. Hands help me into the carriage and just before the door shuts, I realise small Maxwell is beside the guard who is driving me.
"It was too much of a fuss. I was only nauseous." The day was bright and unfinished and I lay here, under bed arrest for the remainder. Rolf was immediately at my side. I relent to him wiping my forehead with a cool towel.
"You can't blame them for worrying." His mouth stays slightly parted with concentration and worry the whole time he sponges water on my face. It felt refreshing because of the heat. Then he looks back at the door and says,
"You can see for yourself, she is well."
Suddenly Maxwell appears, a similar frown on his face as he walks inside. He appears a lot taller than the last I visited him.
"Maxwell! How are you?"
"Good, Your Highness." He bows his head, timidly standing at the foot of the bed. His voice remains young but not as high. Now I remember, Maxwell was the one who'd summoned the carriage.
"And your sisters?"
He replies the same and when I enquire further, he tells me of his closeness to the guards. He is studying their ways to become the head. A sombre mood overcomes us and Rolf quickly takes Maxwell away.
When it is just the two of us he says something that shifts my entire world.
Daisy's POV:
The prince feeds me something much too big for my mouth and I am forced to open wider as this mystery of a man watches me. Oko hasn't started his feast. We sit opposite each other as I refused to be any other place as it was too near him. I know Hamad suspects something between us. So I shut myself from his lingering stare and smile charmingly at the prince, opening my mouth for more. I hear Oko make an amused sound so I allow my hand to wander the prince's body. His eyes flutter as they usually do and I take this time to look back at Oko. He is no longer laughing.