Post by mistrali on Apr 9, 2013 0:12:52 GMT 10
Title: A Wish Your Heart Makes
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 434
Pairing: Kaddar/Kalasin
Fight: 1/A
Summary: Kally wonders about Kaddar on her way to the palace.
Other Notes: Kaddar isn't there for some reason. Maybe he's busy? Title from Cinderella.
___________
A Wish Your Heart Makes
You're Empress Kalasin of Carthak, now, she reminded herself, swallowing the lump in her throat. An empress shouldn't mourn for a home that never belonged to her.
Instead she drew up the sky-blue brocade curtains of the carriage and stared out of the sheer gauze at her new realm. Was this dry, windblown land to be hers, then, this place that seemed nothing but light brown dust and heat?
Even under shelter, with slaves fanning her and handing her cups of chilled pomegranate juice, she could feel it; there were no trees to soften or cool the landscape. She handed back her cup and took another, smiling a little uncertainly at the slave who appeared at her elbow. He bowed and clasped his hands together in reply, and Kally noted with approval that he did not seem afraid. Kaddar treats his slaves well, she thought, hopeful at this first clue to his nature. That means he might be a good man. He'd seemed pleasant enough at the betrothal ceremony and the meetings beforehand, but any prince or princess learnt to hide behind a mask of diplomacy by the age of seven. He'd bowed and smiled, the picture of courtesy, but there hadn't been much in the way of personality. Then again, it had been a formal occasion; maybe her impression of him would change when she saw him in a more relaxed environment.
She lost herself in speculation - would he have a sense of humour? Was he fond of hunting or scholarship or dancing, fresh fruits or dried, walks in the evening or at dawn? And might he love her? For although it was a question she knew better than to voice, Kally had seen the shine in her noble friends' eyes when a new man or woman flirted with them or gave them presents. Neither she nor her siblings had any illusions about their marriages, though Kally was thankful she had been able to negotiate for Carthak rather than being handed off to, gods forbid, the Copper Isles or Scanra, whose rulers were notoriously cruel.
All the same, it would be nice to have a husband she could talk to, at least.
I hope he's not a bardash who beds me for show and goes courting the noblemen, she thought with a sigh. On the other hand, better a husband who respects me than one who just wants a prince-maker for a wife, I suppose.
Then she started at the commotion, for they were rolling into a city as fine and crowded and filthy, in its way, as Corus.
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 434
Pairing: Kaddar/Kalasin
Fight: 1/A
Summary: Kally wonders about Kaddar on her way to the palace.
Other Notes: Kaddar isn't there for some reason. Maybe he's busy? Title from Cinderella.
___________
A Wish Your Heart Makes
You're Empress Kalasin of Carthak, now, she reminded herself, swallowing the lump in her throat. An empress shouldn't mourn for a home that never belonged to her.
Instead she drew up the sky-blue brocade curtains of the carriage and stared out of the sheer gauze at her new realm. Was this dry, windblown land to be hers, then, this place that seemed nothing but light brown dust and heat?
Even under shelter, with slaves fanning her and handing her cups of chilled pomegranate juice, she could feel it; there were no trees to soften or cool the landscape. She handed back her cup and took another, smiling a little uncertainly at the slave who appeared at her elbow. He bowed and clasped his hands together in reply, and Kally noted with approval that he did not seem afraid. Kaddar treats his slaves well, she thought, hopeful at this first clue to his nature. That means he might be a good man. He'd seemed pleasant enough at the betrothal ceremony and the meetings beforehand, but any prince or princess learnt to hide behind a mask of diplomacy by the age of seven. He'd bowed and smiled, the picture of courtesy, but there hadn't been much in the way of personality. Then again, it had been a formal occasion; maybe her impression of him would change when she saw him in a more relaxed environment.
She lost herself in speculation - would he have a sense of humour? Was he fond of hunting or scholarship or dancing, fresh fruits or dried, walks in the evening or at dawn? And might he love her? For although it was a question she knew better than to voice, Kally had seen the shine in her noble friends' eyes when a new man or woman flirted with them or gave them presents. Neither she nor her siblings had any illusions about their marriages, though Kally was thankful she had been able to negotiate for Carthak rather than being handed off to, gods forbid, the Copper Isles or Scanra, whose rulers were notoriously cruel.
All the same, it would be nice to have a husband she could talk to, at least.
I hope he's not a bardash who beds me for show and goes courting the noblemen, she thought with a sigh. On the other hand, better a husband who respects me than one who just wants a prince-maker for a wife, I suppose.
Then she started at the commotion, for they were rolling into a city as fine and crowded and filthy, in its way, as Corus.