Vaela sat quietly outside the King's chamber, lounging against the cool, coral-encrusted walls while sweet laughter echoed from behind the gilded doors. She listened in, filled with a feeling of profound fulfillment, as the sounds of healing and a family piecing itself back together sang to her like a tender ballad.
She smiles faintly as she folds her hands into her lap, confused, but content. She doesn't understand why her presence or voice or words had such a profound effect on the king, or even if it was anything to do with her at all. But she knew she felt something within herself at that moment. A flicker deep within her, a glowing light, like a tender embrace from her soul. It is the same feeling she always feels when she knows she's helped someone. When her touch softens the pain in others, and rekindles the embers of hope.
That warmth has always been, many times it was the only thing that kept her going. But this time, it felt brighter. Stronger.
Then, one by one, the royal family filtered out of the chamber, their faces red from laughter and tears, their eyes glowing with new found hope and peace. Nerina jumps into Vaela's chest and grabs her into a swift hug as she passes, startling Vaela, but leaving her smiling. Another sister gives a respectful nod and the other takes Vaela's hand and thanks her with a warm smile. Aquelin tries to kiss Vaela's cheek but gets dragged away by his stepmother while pouting fiercely.
Kai emerges last, his eyes wet and gleaming as he approaches her.
"He wishes to see."
"Me?" Vaela blinks.
He nods with a smile. "Just you."
A whisper brushes her ear, pleasant and familiar. "Don't worry, kitten, I'm here." Lilith purrs.
She nervously steps into the dimly lit chamber, The King, sitting up right, watches her every movement closely, his eyes focused and intense, as if seeing her again for the first time.
"You…" he rasps. "You're not an angel?"
Vaela raises a brow before bursting into muffled laughter. "No, Your Majesty. Far from it, I'm afraid."
"Yet, you glow…" he mutters, tilting his head as he studies Vaela's figure. "... like something sent by the reef-mother."
"I-I'm nobody, Your Majesty. Just someone who cares about your son." she says softly, stepping closer. "... and your people. I came to be by Kai's side. I'm not here to be anyone's miracle." she says with a chuckle.
The King nods slowly, his eyes fixated on Vaela's. "And you share his vision for my kingdom?"
"I do." she answers without hesitation. "I've seen what greed does. What it leaves behind when it devours everything."
The King sighs and turns his gaze away.
"They say magic is mostly gone from this world." he whispers, holding out his quivering hand. "Rooted out from the earth and replaced with metal and machines. But we sea-people, our magic stems from the abyss where no mortal hands can reach. Though my powers are waning… little more than embers now… I still have some magic left."
He slowly extends a trembling hand toward her, his palms sparkling with a faint blue glow, like moonlight dancing on a wave.
"May I?"
Vaela kneels down beside him and gently places her hand into his.
The King inhales sharply as a tremor suddenly passes through him.
"Your heart…" he gasps, gripping her hand tighter as tears well in his eyes. "I can feel it… kingdoms. Thousands of kingdoms."
Vaela's slowly rises, her breath caught as the old man stares at her like she was a holy relic.
"There are tales…" he mutters. "... of gifts sent by the reef-mother in times of darkness. Beings of love and light sent to help, heal and guide us. There's a light in you, Vanessa, a warmth…"
"I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But, I'm no saint. I've seen terrible things. I've done things I'm not proud of. I'm nobody. I-I just… want to help "
The king slumps back into his pillows, shuddering and smiling. "You're not a nobody, Vanessa Moonblood. You're a gift! I may not be a wise king, but I'm not a blind one. There's something special inside you, child."
Vaela carefully bows her head and steps back. "Thank you for your… kind words."
The king chuckles. "I'm old, and I'm dying, and in my last moments you've shown me that I've been quite the fool, Miss Moonblood. Thank you for that." the king says, bowing his head slowly. "Aquesteria stands in your debt. Call on us should you ever be in need."
Vaela nods, cheeks flushed and quickly turns toward the door.
She rushes out of the room, almost running Kai over as he waits just outside.
"Well?" he asks.
"I… think he likes me." Vaela shrugs.
Kai smiles, his expression warm but tired. "He asked me to personally dismantle the business summit. It's going to be a mess. My uncle is going to fight this tooth and nail."
"I know you'll manage." she smirks. "You've already done so much for your people. And I'm here if you—"
"No, you've already done enough." he interrupts, taking her hand. "Enjoy the city for a few days, we'll cover everything. Once the situation with my uncle is resolved, I'll escort you back to the island, personally."
"Nope!" Nerina snaps, cutting in between the couple. "She's going nowhere! Not until I've thanked her properly for bringing your salty ass back home and turning Dad into a big softie!"
"Of course…" Kai exhales as Nerina grabs Vaela's wrist. "Goodluck, Vanessa. And you're allowed to say no to princesses. Especially if they start doing body shots!"
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Hours later, Kai stands outside Vaela's room door, utterly exhausted from a day spent forging through a minefield of business meetings, negotiations and political power plays. Despite his best efforts he still hadn't managed to completely cancel the business summit.
"Vanessa?" He calls softly as he knocks.
A clattering of falling items and creative cursing follows.
The door swings open and Vaela stands before him in a sheer, satin gown, thin as whisper, swaying gently from side to side.
"They… took me to… uhhh… twelve bars." she slurs, eyes half lidded as she flicks a finger at nobody in particular. "Tweeeeelve! And karaoke! I haaaaate karaoke."
"I'm sorry…" he laughs. "They do seem to like you."
"They made me sing! Sea-shanties!"
"I really can't apologize enough!"
Vaela hiccups, giggles and leans in whispering. "It was sooooo much fun. I love 'em."
"A night well spent, then." Kai snickers.
He takes her hand gently and lays a sweet, soft kiss on her his skin.
Her eyes twirl as his lips touch her. "Mmmmh… you're good at that."
"At what?"
"The prince thing…" she says, smiling seductively. "And the talking thing…"
"Weaving words are easy when I'm blessed with a muse as beautiful as you."
"Oh gods!" she moans. "Just shut up and come in!"
She slips a finger into his collar and yanks him over the threshold of her room.
"Vaela, I don't—" he stutters, pausing at the edge of the doorway.
"I'm not drunk enough to forget this." she whispers, tracing a finger along his neck. "And you're not leaving…"
His mouth opens, hesitates and closes again as it coils into a naughty grin.
"Oh…" Vaela smirks as Kai approaches her, biting his lip and his eyes burning with lust. "... you look like you could conquer the world!"
He peels off his shirt and grabs her behind, lifting her against his chest as she gasps.
"Tonight… you are my world."