“Yeah, and I’m the queen of New United Kingdom!”
“Don’t you have a lesson to get to?”
“I’m not going.”
That surprised the hell out of me.
“Why? You love herbalism.”
“Nero is teaching the class today, and I don’t like him, so I’m not going.”
I gnawed on my lower lip. “You wanna talk about it?”
“Nope. Nothing to talk about. I just don’t like him.”
It seemed like there was more to the story than that, but if Nuni wanted me to know about her reason for disliking Nero, she would tell me, so I let it go.
“Well, I do have a class to attend. Archery. Again.”
Nuni clicked her tongue. “I’m not letting this go, you know? That hunky prince has a thing for you just like you have a thing for him. I notice everything, remember?”
My flesh burned. “Goodbye, Nuni.”
Her laughter followed me out of the homestead and lingered in my head long after my archery lesson ended. It was another pitiful display, and the instructor suggested I cut archery loose to try other activities. It was the male’s way of saying I sucked, and no amount of lessons were ever going to help me. I was leaving the training yard when I overheard two women talking. I heard Ezah’s name being mentioned, and my interest was piqued.
“Some of the warriors told me that Prince Ezah has been out at Sector One for most of the day. They said he often visits a spot out there for his intended female. The one who died. He mourns her still.”
The women walked away as they continued their conversation, but I was rooted to the spot. Many things flashed throughout my mind. Ezah had an intended? And she died? My heart clenched with pain as my mother entered my mind. I knew that an intention between the Maji was a huge commitment, and for Ezah to lose a female who was his intended mate … it must have devastated him. It still must have.
Before I knew where I was going, I reached Sector One.
The place was void of people. I didn’t know what I was doing, but as I glanced around the berry field, I spotted something a ways away, reflecting the sunlight in my direction. I followed the light, and when I reached its source, I gasped. Before me was a stone, but it was not made from rock. I hunkered down as I touched the shiny white surface, and I blinked. It was smooth to the touch but rock hard. I had heard that the inside walls of the palace were made of white marble. I had never seen what marble looked like, but my gut told me this was it.
It was stunning.
The space around the large stone was magnificent. Flowers of all colours and other decorative stones and pebbles were placed around the base. Upon the stone was carved writing, but I did not know what language it was as I could not read. The inside of the carving was lined with what looked to be gold. It was dazzling. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but my heart told me this was for Ezah’s intended. I wanted to give her an offering, so I stood, looking around, then I moved off to the side and gathered some wildflowers. I used a spare hairband on my wrist to bind the stems of the flowers together.
I placed them down in front of the stone and closed my eyes.
I don’t know your name, female, but I am thinking of you on this day.
“Levi.” A voice behind me spoke. “What are you doing out here?”
I jumped to my feet, turned, and gasped when my eyes landed on Ezah.
“I am sorry, my prince.” I bowed my head. “I just wanted to lay flowers for the female who passed away here. I just ... I just wanted to pay my respects to her memory. I am so sorry if this is not my place.”
Silence stretched between us.
“I’m not angry with you,” Ezah eventually said. “I am concerned. You should not be at the outer sectors without a male. It is very dangerous out here.”
“You’re right, my prince. I’m sorry.”
Ezah looked at the flowers I laid. “I am touched. Thank you for the gift of your flowers for my female’s spirit. She would have loved them.”
When I turned to face the memorial stone, Ezah moved to my side.
“This is Kovu’s name in Maji language,” he offered. “And some writings about well wishes for her spirit. I often spend time here, so I wanted something pretty instead of just a bad memory. I built this a year after her death.”
“It is beautiful. It looks brand new.”
“New?” he repeated. “It is nearly forty years here.”
“Forty Ealrian years?” I swallowed. “She passed away a long time ago.”
Nearly eighty Earth years ago.
“Yes,” Ezah answered. “But some days, it feels like just yesterday.”