Skai Prisa - English version

Chapter 4

Zarah braids my hair into intricate plaits as she sings a song in trig. I'm proud to recognise most of the words, though others I still don't understand. I am wearing a delicate but warm navy blue dress with long sleeves. Zarah places white flowers in my hair. They are exclusively found in Azgueda, as they only grow in the snow. I think I remember they are called Trillium.

There is a knock at the door and Zarah gives permission. Roan, dressed in a warrior suit enters the room. Normally, I should have worn armour too, but I've never worn armour and I'm not used to the weight of it, so Zarah insisted that I wear a dress. Zarah, who after tonight I will officially call mother, or in trig, nomon. As much as I miss my parents, Zarah is doing a good job of taking care of me. Sooner or later I would begin to see her as a mother figure and I chose early.

"Wow, but you look like a princess." Roan smiles. "My future strisis (younger sister) will have a lot of suitors." I chuckle at his nonsense.

"Roan is right." Zarah comments finishing my hairstyle and puts me a tiara made of silver with little blue gems to match my dress. "But you are not allowed to have a partner until you are twenty." She tells me very seriously, but I know she is trying to hide a smile.

"Until she's twenty?!" Roan asks, alarmed. "I would forbid her to have a partner until she's thirty."

We all burst out laughing, until it hurts to breathe. A guard enters the room and warns us that everyone is already in the throne room, even the commander. I've only seen her during the dinners. I've been busy training with Roan and the bitter witch. I haven't seen much of Zarah either, she has also been busy preparing for the coronation and having meetings with the commander. I'd like to know what they're talking about, but Zarah hasn't said anything.

We leave the room, as usual Zarah in front and Roan and I holding hands behind. We walk through the corridors, all the way to the throne room. With every step my nerves are growing. I'm going from being Clarke Griffin kom Skaikru, to Clarke kom Azgeda, Skai Prisa. Despite being the princess of Azgeda, everyone insists on calling me sky princess.

Finally we reach the throne room. The wooden double doors are closed and there is a guard on each side. I take a deep breath. Tonight my life is about to take a drastic turn, one that I want to take. The guards open the doors and Zarah begins to enter followed by us. Advisors, representatives, guards and peasants kneel. Everyone in the room but the commander, she kneels to no one. I feel her gaze, but I keep my eyes straight ahead. I feel her scanning, sizing me up.

Roan and I pause before climbing the small stairs that lead to the thrones. Zarah, however, continues up and sits on hers. Everyone stands, while Roan and I kneel.

"Today we are gathered here as many times before, however the reason is very different than before." I know what she says not because I understand, but because Zarah translated for me what he would say in the speech before he came. "Today, my nephew and Prince of Azgueda Roan, and Clarke, Skai Prisa and future princess of Azgeda, will become my family, my successors." She pauses for effect. "Prince Roan kom Azgeda, do you accept your title and the honor of becoming part of my family?"

"Sha, Naiplana." He answers in a strong voice, without hesitation.

"Very well, join me." Roan stands and walks to his throne to Zarah's left. I look up slightly and he smiles at me, giving me support. "And you Clarke, Skai Prisa, do you accept this title and the honour of becoming part of my family?" Her voice seems to grow softer as she addresses me.

"Sha, Naiplana." I reply as loudly and confidently as I can.

"Very well, then join me and my son." I rise and walk gracefully to my throne on her right. "People of Azgeda, today we have gained a strong warrior and two more than capable successors. Now celebrate, welcome your future leaders."