Chapter 5

I pried my eyes away from the beauty of the large hall and turned to face whoever had cleared their throat. There stood six men. Two were older, over fifty, and the other four were not much older than I, the oldest may have been twenty-five.

“Princess Areila of Lykarno,” Phylos introduced.

I stood still making sure not to look anywhere in particular. I wasn’t sure how I should greet these men. Protocol for princesses and protocol for prisoners of war and slaves were not the same. Luckily, the darker of the two older men stepped forward. He must be the Egyptian. I stared at him, taking in his toffee colored skin, tanned from the hot Egyptian sun. He had startling light grey eyes which I’d never seen. The people of Lykarno were famous for their bright blue or green eyes. Light honey colored eyes, like mine, were rear. Grey eyes, like the Egyptian, were non-existent.

As I stared, lost in his eyes, the man moved closer to me. When he was just a few feet away, he took a gracious bow.

“You look even more beautiful than before,” he said as he gently took my hand in his. “I am Ashmid of Cairo.”

I nodded in response, unable to do much more. Ashmid released my hand, letting it fall lightly to my side, and stepped back so that he was standing near the other men again.

“Princess Ariela, I present you to King Calastoen of Pythania and his sons; Prince Eden, Prince Goan, and Prince Polydian.” From the unintentional malice in Phylos’ voice, I assumed these were the ‘brutes’ he had referred to earlier. The mischievous glint in their eyes and the impish grins on their faces as they looked at me confirmed it.

I bowed as gracefully as I could manage and granted the most innocent smile I could muster. Maybe feign naivety would discourage them from whatever devious plan they seemed to be concocting. Maybe. As I watched them, Phylos’ words rang in my head: They would have fun with a delicate beauty like you.

Turning to look at the sixth male, I wondered how I had ignored his presence for so long. He was standing near the Egyptian, Ashmid, and he was staring intently at the pattern on the wall. I noted his delicate features. He was obviously not royalty, his physique too slight, but he was breathtakingly beautiful. He was brown, like Ashmid, but more like wet sand. His hair flowed down in thick black glossy waves and hit a little below his shoulders. It was too long for a boy, at least it would have been in Lykarno, but it suited him. I shifted my gaze to his eyes. They were the darkest brown I had ever seen, almost black, and perfectly shaped like almonds. His eyelashes, also too long for a boy, curled upwards creating a magnificent angelic, almost feminine, effect. His nose was straight with the smallest hint of roundness at the end, which only helped set the cherubic look. My eyes traveled further down his face and landed on his full lips. Cherry-red perfection.

Ashmid took notice of my inquisitive gaze and offered an introduction. “This is Faen,” he explained. “My charioteer.”

"It's an honor to meet you," Faen said in the most perfect Latin. He stepped forward and bowed elegantly. His hair created a dark curtain over his face. When he looked up the curtain parted and I was knocked breathless by the beauty and depth of his eyes. I couldn't speak but a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Let's move to the banquet room. Breakfast has been prepared." The King's voice crashed through my gazing and I nearly jumped.

One of the princes, Prince Goan I think, walked towards me and held his hand out. "This way, Princess."

I uneasily placed my hand in his and allowed him to steer be towards the hall. From the corner of my eye, I noticed him smirking.

This can't end well.

The next chapter will be longer. I promise. And something will happen. Some Action.