Phoenix by Daccari Buchelli (free ebook reader for ipad .TXT) 📕

Violetta stared into the distance. A single tear traced her cheek.

'Perhaps I should give you some time alone.'

Jermise seemed about to stretch her legs when Violetta snatched up her hands.

'Wait!'

She stole her gaze away from the flowers. Her eyes now fixed onto Jermise, pleading with her to remain seated.

Jermise settled herself back onto the bench. Violetta wondered if she should tell her confidant about her deepest desire. She saw no way to obtain freedom from her approaching duties. Nonetheless, she regarded Jermise once more, her lips trembling. Eyes like dazzling emeralds stared back.

When Violetta's words failed her, Jermise squeezed her hands in hers.

'Vi, what is it that causes you such pain?' she asked.
The princess shuddered at the pet-name, having been given it soon after they'd met. It was a friendly, yet patronizing reminder of her youth.

'I don't—' Violetta bit back tears. Her tongue ran across her ruby lips as she forced deep breaths into her lungs. 'I don't think I can be a princess.'

A weight seemed to lift off her shoulders, floating up into the warm summer breeze. Jermise blinked, her face blank.

'And why not?'

Violetta could feel the roots of her sorrow taking hold once more. She gazed across at Jermise, her eyes ringed by crimson circles.

'I just want to be free.'

Breath blasted out from Jermise's lips. Violetta noted a look of hurt cross her face, which was quick to be replaced by another blank mask.

'You wish to be free? How more so? To glide on the air like the birds do, to swim in the lakes like the fish?'

Jermise held her arms out to the sky, as though beseeching some all-powerful creator to strike some sense into the young princess.

'Jermise, please!'

Violetta's lips were beginning to tremble. She wondered if she had said too much. It wouldn't be long before her father heard of this and then he too would voice his objections.

'I just want to live my own life, to not be bound by duties I did not choose. You know what my father shall expect of me now.'

'Expect?' cried Jermise. 'Like every princess of your age come before you? Like your mother?'

Violetta cradled her head to her chest. Her eyes closed as she gave a weak nod.

'Yes.'

Violetta could see that this conversation was leading nowhere and so returned her attention to the indigenous plant-life, hoping to be spared the daggers in her confidant's eyes. A moment of silence existed between them. Just one moment, but it was that moment alone that saw Violetta's mood transform.

'Jermise?'

'My lady?'

Jermise's voice still held some tension, but on glancing round, her face became a blank sheet once more. Violetta's eyes were focused on something in the distance.

'Who is that man over there?' she asked.

Jermise spun round to where the princess was pointing. Her slim finger was raised towards the Northern gate, where a familiar figure could be seen approaching.

A young man with copper hair and an aura of confidence was striding past the king's guards. His tall frame exceeded them both, his muscles having grown some of late, making him almost unrecognisable.

'That's Xyhoni, my lady. Your father says you used to be rather close.'

Violetta felt her face light up. Of course. Xyhoni. She thought back to her grim appearance in the Earth realm, where he had gifted her with a preserved red rose. She envisioned the sweet young man he had been back then. Because of him she'd felt her sorrows lessen, something akin to affection replacing the loss that had shadowed her heart.

Without thinking, Violetta raced for the garden gates, toward the boy who'd made her feel alive.

'Princess?'

Jermise bent down to retrieve the ancient book, setting it back on the bench when she noticed the direction of the path she was taking.

'Princess!'

Violetta daren't stop. She had often thought of Xyhoni and his kind words. Now, fate had brought them together. Her mind raced with the excitement of her thoughts as she halted before him, panting for breath.

'X-Xyhoni?'

The young man turned. His emerald eyes locked onto hers, confusion soon replaced with joy. Xyhoni grinned back, noticing the slight flush to her cheeks.

'Do you always run when there are guests?'

His smile turned playful as Jermise caught up, her breathing heavy from exertion.

Xyhoni immediately averted his gaze from her charge.

'Jermise, a pleasure.'

'Y-your Grace.'

Jermise bowed low to acknowledge the boy, her breaths coming in ragged bursts. Xyhoni was polite enough to incline his head before bowing down to the young princess.

'It is wonderful to see you, but if you'll excuse me ladies, I'm actually here to relay a message to the king.'

Xyhoni reached a hand down to a dark satchel which swung from his hip, producing a rather battered-looking scroll.

'This matter is of some urgency so I must be leaving you.' His eyes paused to linger on Violetta. 'Regrettably so.'

He inclined his head once more, before striding off to tend to business.

'Well, that was—' Jermise paused. 'Violetta?'

The princess gazed down, her lips trembling. An urgent matter? That's what Xyhoni had said. The dark thoughts that had plagued her every day since the death of her kin had come crashing back against the shore of her mind. Without realizing, she'd grasped Jermise's arm, pulling her into their first ever hug.

It took a moment for Jermise to register what was happening. Violetta was drawn into her confidant's arms where she began to sob, clutching the young woman's robes.

'My lady, what's wrong?'

Jermise rested a hand against the princess' head, stroking the golden waves of her hair.

'You really don't wish to be queen, do

Publication Date: 10-02-2017

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