Again.

“I do not love him.”

My brother looks at me, his features stern, but a glint of doubt is present within his eyes. Our attention to one another is as tight as the figurative rope that I am currently walking. The rats that crawl through the walls have told him nothing but lies, and yet, he still rather believe them over my own mouth…his own sister.

“You do not?”

He questions with a strain in his voice—almost as if giving me the chance to offer any honesty, when that is all that I have. “Your actions have been monitored by many, and your lies will no longer fool me—”

“I have nothing to hide. Believe the wagging tongues of those pathetic nobles…be led by the finger of those aristocrats that would swipe your throne from under your ass—but do not question my fealty.”

Slamming his ridged fist against the arm of his throne, my brother’s eyes blaze in a cardinal red.

“I will not tolerate such flippancy! You may be of my blood, but your misconduct during court, and your lack of respect in my presence has brought you to this point. The fact that you are my sister is the reason why we are having this discussion without an audience. Your relation to me is the very reason why I am not tearing your heart from your chest cavity as we speak.”

With a huff, my brother’s fist loosens, fingers splayed around the ends as he settles deep into his throne. “I speak to you with our parents in mind…with our ancestry in mind. But when I have the persistent whispers of your activities with a low born, I cannot remain idle.” Fully relaxing into his seat, my brother sighs, and with the action he almost resembles our father. “Asna, I do not wish to be so stern, but with so many eyes watching…so many ears listening to every single syllable that leaves my lips, I must hush their conspiracies no matter the pain I must endure. Do you understand?”

For the entirety of his lecture, I stand, stiffer than any mountain. However, I manage to nod in agreement, but when that does not satisfy my brother enough, I force my mouth to open.

“Yes, my King. I apologize for my misdemeanors…I will offer my sincerest atonements to the elders as well.”

“You needn’t go so far…I will accept your thoughts on their behalf. Though, there is another issue that I must address.”

My eyes are still fixed forward, waiting for the next blow.

“And…that is, my King?”

“Ryson must leave the Kingdom. He is banished for attempting to seduce the King’s sister.”

Thus far I have stood tall, and unmoved by anything that has been said in this room…though my brother’s newest revelation has caused me to choke on the air I sucked in.

“What?”

“Ryson is exiled from Eda. That is my final word.”

I can still hear my brother’s voice echoing through my ears. My mind purposefully not accepting his proclamation. Even if I were to acknowledge it, I still would not allow it—but that’s if I were entitled to such.

Leaning against the wooden frame of the horse house, I watch a muscular brunette brushing the long mane of a horse. The man’s arms appear swollen, but it is just the natural manufacturing of war. All low borne children in Eda are produced and made to be soldiers—even the worst of them. My species has always looked down on such discardable creatures…but how pathetic are they really? I used to hold the same ideals as those around me, though I never understood why. Why do we hate those that are different? Fragile? Or even…just human.

At one point in time, I could have cared less for the disposable beings we raised…until him. Ryson, a man that got on every last one of my nerves—well, I suppose he still does. But how unfortunate I am to be completely and undoubtedly smitten with him and his odd humor. Though, I laugh at every one of his horrible jests with sincere delight. I have never been so enthralled with someone before. Every suitor that my brother has brought forth was nothing but banal and…well, disappointing. They were just like every man wanting to conquer a female in the royal family. Filthy, misogynistic, overbearing, tight-lipped—

“Asna?”

My thoughts dissipate, and my eyes focus on my love in question. The charming mortal of my devotion.

“Ryson.”

He chuckles, making blood race unashamedly to my cheeks.

“You look…distracted.”

“Oh. I suppose I am…”

My eyes find comfort with my hands, where my fingers have interlocked with themselves. I am disheartened by his almost aloof attitude, but Ryson is just better at filtering his emotions. “I am so sorry…if I had kept my distance…and if I had just conducted myself as a lady should, then you wouldn’t—”

Ryson’s hand rests atop of mine. They are rough from training, dirty from war...but caring from whatever warmth the gods have blessed him with. Just like the man himself, just so daringly bright, I would gladly lose my sight to stare at him for just a second longer. I would do anything for him.

“You have done nothing wrong. We are just not in the right time.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean…one day we will find each other again. Who knows? You may finally be married with little ones, and I with a family of my own. Our friendship is much stronger than we think.”

I do not love him.

I remember saying such a thing to my brother, I tried to convince myself till the very end that all this was…was friendship. At least Ryson can have such a lovely thought. At least he will not be hurt by our separation. I can at least thank his stupid, simple mind for not reading through my every word or action. We can still be friends no matter how far…but lovers we cannot be.

I finally give my farewells to my dearest friend, to my love that will never be. He left beyond our walls and to where? I will never know—even now.

Today is October 3rd, 2021. Almost 6 thousand years from that day in the horse house. The world has changed so much, and even I have changed. I no longer needed to cater to the men of court with my silence, now I can openly flip them off with my perfectly polished fingers and give them a big ‘fuck you’. If my parents were still alive, how shocked would they be with the transformation of society.

I am still considered the King’s sister; well, I suppose now I am the sister to the CEO to one of the greatest corporations in North America. My brother still rules over me, but with my newly celebrated feminism, I tell him to fuck off too. Life has evolved with freedom and boundless wonder. I just wish that I could find someone to share it with.

“Asna, I have meetings from 9am through 10 tonight. Can I dare to ask you to grab me a coffee on your way to work?”

Holding my phone to my ear, I hum in response to my brother’s request.

“And what do I get out of it? Last I checked, I was your VP and not your errand girl.”

“Last I checked, you were supposed to already be present in the office 2 hours ago—”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get so snippy with me. You’re so bitchy without your daily dose of espresso.”

“Make it two. Leila will be here, and I can’t stand that woman.”

“What’s wrong with Leila? She’s only proposed to you like…7 times.”

“And I’m hoping today won’t be the eighth. Now be quick—I want to at least savor a taste of my drink before she comes and dumps it on me again.”

Hanging up the phone, I laugh thinking of my brother’s latest business partner gone psycho. Another great thing about feminism. A woman can propose to a man without little to any shame—however, this one is persistent…and I truly don’t believe it is because she actually likes my brother. Though, that’s his karma finally coming around to nip him in the butt.

Stepping into my go to café, I walk straight to the register where the same red-headed girl I see gives me a knowing grin before already filling in my order on the tablet before her.

“The usual?”

“Yeah, but double the espresso—”

“Oof…your brother got another upcoming proposal?”

I laugh with a nod. “It’s really become a pattern at this point.”

“I’m just surprised that your brother hasn’t gone into hiding at this point—better than throwing out another expensive suit with a fixable stain.”

“He’s just stubborn—but he’ll learn.”

“Okay, your drinks will be ready in a bit, and these will be put on tab?”

“Of course.”

This shop is small, and family owned, but it’s cozy, and their drinks are far better than any other coffee shops out there. I don’t really need to hype them up too much because they’re always bustling with customers. I just get lucky at this hour. Perhaps I should get my brother to change my work schedule so that I can always have a peaceful coffee run.

“Asna, your drinks are right here.”

Picking up my tray, I start to head towards the exit. People are beginning to pile in, probably those who are already late, but making sure to get their fix before subjecting themselves to slave away in their jobs nearby.

“Hey, let’s grab the booth over there.”

I don’t usually pay attention to the passing faces of strangers, however, I look ahead to offer my thanks to the gentleman propping the door open for me, when I feel every inch of my skin freeze over. His brunette hair is no longer the length of my own, but it is cleanly shaven at the sides with the load of it swept back in a devilishly charming way. His eyes remain the same shade of brown, and despite 6 thousand years, he does not resemble the skeleton I so often have nightmares about. His face is full of life—a little stubbly, but no matter, he was—is alive.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“What?” I manage.

“You…you dropped your drinks.”

My eyes fall slowly towards the floor where my tray of coffee has exploded, soaking into my pumps, and splattering the man’s shoes with whip cream.

“Oh my god. I am so sorry! I—” Meeting his face again, I feel the lump of every letter piling in my throat.

“No, it’s alright—they’re just shoes. But…your feet. Are they burned? Steam is still rising from the coffee.”

He’s right—but my species don’t suffer pain the way his kind does…but I suppose a little acting wouldn’t be inappropriate.

“Ah! Oh, yes…I…my feet do hurt! Can—can you help me sit? I don’t think I can walk.”

Perfect.

“Sure! Uhm, allow me…I hope you don’t mind—”

Taking his arm around my waist, I smile at him. “Not at all.”

Sitting me down, the girl at the register brought the man a first aid kit, him insisting on patching me up. I stare at him attentively, watching him dab a cool cloth across my ankles, and applying ointment. He’s never been so close to my flesh before. If this happened all those years ago, he would have been executed for even seeing the skin of my feet—let alone touching them.

“Uhm…thank you so much. I am Asna, and you are?”

The man delicately places gauze around my supposed wound, with a huff of satisfaction. “Ryson.” He smiles up at me, and I wish I could have reflected it.

A look-alike was all I thought of him. My Ryson was human—a mortal, meaning he could not have lived after all this time. This Ryson, however, is still young—just like the day he left me for his banishment. I should be thrilled, but why do I feel so cold? It’s a lie, isn’t it?

One day we will find each other again.

Right. He did say something like that…