The forest just beyond the cottage was quiet at night, the air chilly with the last exhale of winter. Kenza wasn't thinking about the weather though as she laid between the trees. Instead, her attention was on the distant clear sky and the warmth of Shen at her side. They laid in silence like this often, having known each other so long as to not even need to utter a word to understand one another. Kenza tentatively stretched out her hand, fingers brushing the soft grass before finding Shen's own and delicately interlacing.
A longing sigh escaped Shen, "I wish you would stay."
"You know I can't," Kenza said. She shifted so they lay facing each other. Dappled moonlight shimmered on Shen's face, across his cheeks and lips. His dark hair fell in waves across his forehead. Kenza met Shen's deep brown eyes, "But I'll tell you a secret."
"Oh? What's that?"
"I wish that too."
"That's not much of a secret," Shen said with a smile.
Kenza laughed then became serious, "I would never be able to, I have duties at the court of flames," she ached to tell him everything.
"Well, one day, when you're free, I'll show you a thousand springs, every beautiful thing that you have never known, this forest when it's alive and thriving. I'll give it all to you."
Kenza closed her eyes trying to picture it, a smile forming on her face, "Promise me, please."
Shen leaned in close, taking her into his arms and whispering into her ear, "Promise."
"Lady Kenza!"
The voice of her tutor brought Kenza crashing back to reality. The daydream slipped away so fast she shook her head in shock. "Yes."
"Are you paying attention?" Her snooty tutor looked down her nose at Kenza, her spectacles enlarging her eyes to a ridiculous degree.
Kenza used her last bit of patience not to roll her eyes, "Do you really want me to answer that honestly, Professor Incendos?" she replied in a tone of complete sincerity.
"It would be to your benefit to watch that tongue of yours, my lady." Professor Incendos' feathers bristled, "Now would you please tell me how the Silver Ryders were able to conquer the outer territories of Graceland?"
Kenza took a breath, she definitely should have been more gentle with her Phoenix Fey tutor. Kenza was pretty sure she was seconds from shooting fireballs from her ears. Lucky the question was an easy one, she could hopefully win back Professor Incendos before the end of the lesson, "The Silver Ryders were at a disadvantage because of the bordering lakes. Instead of attacking from the south, they flew into the territories from the east and used the wooded area to gain the upperhand before advancing."
"Very good." Professor Incendos relaxed and continued with the lesson.
Taking a class on the history of combat and war strategy wasn't as easy for some of Kenza's peers, but when your father was the Commander of the prolific Silver Ryders it was easier to remember such things. Regardless, her mind wandered back to places of cool forests and Shen's strong arms.
Kenza stopped herself. Focus, she forced herself to listen to Professor Incendos' long winded lecture. It was getting close to the hour mark, soon she would be released from this class, and not long after that she could return to her mother's cottage and back to Shen in the real world, not just her imagination. Just a few more minutes, hours, days. Kenza sighed.
Professor Incendos glanced at her timepiece, "That should do for your lesson, today."
Kenza rose to leave, "Thank you, may I go?" Kenza began moving for the door without waiting for an answer.
"Not so fast!" Her tutor raised a finger. "Lady Kenza, your father requested I give this to you." She dug through her satchel looking for the token. Kenza stood impatiently trying to maintain a dignified posture. Soon enough, the professor pulled a small wooden case from her bag. "A going away present, I suppose." she said handing it to Kenza.
"Thank you, Professor. And thank you for the lesson, I must be going." Kenza took the case without a second glance and rushed to the door, "I'll see you next spring!"
The door shut swiftly behind her. There. The final lesson of her court life was over, at least for this year. Tomorrow it would be the Autumn Equinox and Kenza would swiftly be approaching the cottage. She would spend those next two seasons in bliss, with Shen and her dear mother. Kenza felt like it was the only place she was ever truly herself. At the royal court there was always a standard, an image to uphold, an acquaintance to impress. Endless expectations for the daughter of the King's favorite Commander. Kenza always had to be careful, especially because of her lack of Fey traits.
All around her, Kenza saw the courtiers with physical traits of Fey: sharp bird-like facial features, flame-colored feathers that accented their elbows and ankles, and, of course, wings. Not everyone was so privileged to have obvious features of Phoenix Fey, but everyone had at least some that emerged when they got older. Kenza was misfortunate enough to have none at the moment.
"They will see you as weak," her father would chide her, when he bothered to even speak with Kenza, "Don't give them a reason to so much as dislike you, understood?"
Kenza understood perfectly. For the rest of the day though, Kenza's schedule was open, which meant she could retreat to her quarters, away from the pitfalls of "pleasant conversation." She hustled a little faster than what was appropriate for a lady down the corridor. If she could make it through the Great Hall and to the Eastern staircase unnoticed, she would be set.
Kenza opened the door to the Great Hall to a huge crowd. Curses! Kenza had forgotten about the Queen's Tea. It was a private occasion held in the gardens, but those uninvited often lingered nearby in case of last minute invitations or just to gossip about those in the Queen's inner circle. Kenza moved quietly along the perimeter, doing her best to avoid eye-contact.
Why today? Kenza tried to remember what sort of events merited a Queen's Tea. There was often a tea party before weddings or parties, but nothing was planned within the next few days. Weddings tended to be held in the Spring anyway. How long ago was the last Queen's Tea? Perhaps it just had been a while since the last one. They were supposed to be held regularly after all.
With her thoughts distracting her Kenza looked up and into the eyes of Lady Mira. "Lady Kenza!" She smiled waving Kenza over to join the conversation.
Oh no. Kenza couldn't possibly avoid this without judgment. Kenza forced a smile and made her way over to Lady Mira and her friends. "Lady Mira, how do you do?"
"Simply dreadful, Lady Kenza! And I'll tell you why, just as soon as I ask you how do you do?" Lady Mira spoke motioning emphatically with her hands.
"Fine, thank you," Kenza hoped this wasn't going to be as long a story as she could almost certainly tell it was. Kenza looked at the others who compiled the group she was now conversing with.
To her left was Mira who had launched into some strange story about a Griffin Fey merchant with ribbons and silk and a party for a friend of a friend's dog. Lady Mira was about two years older than Kenza, but you never would have guessed by her height or her girlish tendencies. Mira certainly never ran out of things to say, but that wasn't always a bad thing. In truth, it was very reliable at gatherings with excessive amounts of strangers.
On Mira's left stood Lady Isobella looking actively bored. A bold facial expression for the court of flames. Isobella yawned, stretching her bright orange wings, there reminding Kenza of her natural higher status. No need to try as hard with a symbol of power so obvious that you couldn't miss it from a mile away.
Across from Kenza was Lord Fenrus nonchalant but confident. His ambition to join the royal guard was written all over his wardrobe and posture. He was Kenza's age, and when they were younger they might have been friends, but more recently Fenrus attempted to use Kenza to get closer to her father. Kenza rightfully stopped closely associating with him.
Then, to Kenza's right was Lady Avius. Poised, attentive, and maybe just slightly nervous. She was generally considered "lower-rung" in the court of flames, but she had won over Lady Mira with her talents as a singer and a harpist. And rumor had it that Mira wasn't the only one who had taken an interest in her. Most likely it was one of the princes, but no one was at liberty to say which of the two.
Mira finished her story to the polite laughter of them all. "I'm afraid I can't stay to chat, friends," Kenza said, "Please excuse me."
"Oh, come now!" Mira pouted.
"No, really, I'm terribly sorry, I have to go," Kenza insisted. She curtsied and began to move away.
The others waved her off, Mira calling after her, "Very well! But when I see you-" Kenza couldn't make out the end of the phrase, but nodded before turning to move quickly to the stairs.
Soon enough, Kenza had safely retreated to her chambers. She sighed, collapsing into one of the chairs at her table where she sometimes had meals if she was allowed by her father. Hopefully, tonight she could have dinner in her room.
Kenza felt through her pockets, her fingers landing on the wooden case she had nearly forgotten about. Now having a moment, she looked closely at the case before opening it. Carved into the wood were intricate designs of swirls and knots, care had been taken in its craftsmanship. Kenza undid the metal clasp, discovering the velvet lined interior and a small piece of parchment covering the gift inside. Kenza lifted the note.
On behalf of the royal family, you are requested to wear this tonight. -Father
Inside lay a beautiful necklace inlaid with gemstones of amber and citrine. The golden chain was light and classy. Kenza lifted the jewelry to her chest. It wasn't her ideal gift by any means, but it was clearly an expensive one. The royal family's intentions were unclear, but giving her this necklace meant something, though Kenza wasn't entirely certain she knew what. What are you up to Father?
The note floated into her mind once again, wear this tonight. Kenza considered for a moment. Then, with sudden clarity it all fell into place.
Of course, tonight was the Summer's End Fest, and Kenza would be required to attend.