Kaija: Queen of Stone

14

Hona

I remained by Mara's side as she slept, listening to her breathe. Hour after hour, I would check on her, making sure that she was all right. When she screamed earlier, I thought something was wrong.

My thoughts kept me awake and stumped. I waited for her judgement, shaming me for I was in the bed of another woman. Her ruthless cry sounding against my sin.

"Hona!" Anai cried out, laughing as we fell onto the bed. When she said my name, it felt right. It was the only thing that had ever felt so right. I held her in my arms, hoping to keep her safe. Together, we kindled a fire between our bodies.

I jolted. I couldn't let the memory in. I couldn't let her take over my mind now. Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about her even with Mara by my side.

When Anai entered my life, she showed me more than fighting and conflict. She taught me all the things sustaining me from being detached. She taught me how to have compassion instead of an emotionless warrior like Jonga. Anai reminded me of humanity.

In time, I fell in love with the fascinating person she was despite her being a Kaijan. Baria watched from the side. She sought to tear me away from Anai by any means and she succeeded.

"I'm glad you could escape from her grasp," Anai chuckled, kissing me on the cheek. She stared into my eyes, searching for my soul. Her gaze opened my heart, bearing it. "That means I get you for a night."

"I shouldn't be gone long," I explained, taut, staring toward the wooden door. "Baria has been wary since we've been spending time together. She placed me on guard to watch over her while she slept."

Anai's brow rose. She looked at me with her radiant blue eyes and laughed. Placing my tanned hand on her pale one, our fingers entwined.

"I should be jealous," she whispered, bearing a sad smile. "There is not a man in Udan that can compare to you and the queen gets to have you all to herself."

I smiled, bringing her head close to my chest. I kissed the top of it. "There is not a woman in Udan that can compare to you, even the queen," I countered. "So don't worry your pretty little head."

"Smooth," she oozed with a roll of her eyes.

Her beautiful eyes. Blue as the sky. Her white hair. Soft and gentle as snow. Everything about Anai was beautiful.

"I think I have fallen for you," I blurted, causing her expression to shift.

Anai broke from my cage and turned to me, laughing in disbelief. Her white hair tumbled to the bed in waves, shining like pale moonlight.

"Fallen for me?" she laughed again, smirking. "How?"

"You are all I can think about," I answered, my grin broadening, "Every hour of every day, you are my sole reason to smile."

She reddened, holding her hands over her face and fell back against the pillow, trying to conceal her own growing smile. Anai revealed her face, displaying her blushed cheeks. She sat up, planting her hands on her lap.

"Thank you, but you lie."

"I would never lie to you," I promised. "Believe me, you are constant, always in my mind."

"Am I?"

"Indeed," I whispered, feeling my face turn red as one of her straps from her dress escaped from her shoulder, falling to her arm.

"What thoughts linger in your mind, warrior?"

I grabbed her by the waist and flipped her over. She landed on her back, staring at me with shocked eyes. "Impure ones worth exploring."