“You have no idea what this life you were born into has to offer because you refuse to explore it. You refuse to walk into the path already given to you by the Sun–––”
“I refuse because this is not what I want for my life,” I exclaimed through tears. “I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to leave this place. I know I can leave. You never take me with you–––”
“You cannot leave…ever. Your purpose–––
“WHAT PURPOSE, BABA?!” I cried with my hands thrown in the air. “You will have me married to a strange man who will beat and abuse my body for your sacred purpose?!”
The tears stained his skin in the corner of his eyes as they trickled down his cheek. He knew I was right. There was no avoiding how the men treat women here. I would be ruined for the sake of prophecy, beliefs and hierarchy. If a man wills it to be, then it shall be.
“How can I be a princess if I’m treated like a prisoner?! Abused and beaten constantly for my womb and if I don’t give birth to a son?! You said you would take me with you to see the world… You would tell me stories about the cities, the people, the music, and food… You promised to take me with you. I am a prisoner! A PRISONER HERE—-”
“TA KARA ORI!” He shouted angrily in Sutari, silencing me as I flinched at his tone. “The world is not a safe place, Ayira…and you are not ready for it on your own. You have a duty far above every other woman here in Khamar the moment you were born. No man can hurt you without hurting themselves, Ayira… You are born of flame… the first flame… You are the most important being on this earth. You are history. You are magic… You are the daughter of the Great Sun…” pounding his chest with pride before swallowing hard. He didn’t bother to wipe the tears after repeating the same spiel I’ve heard since I was a child. “You will never leave.”
“Ahem…”
Khamar stepped back to see my mother standing there with the three sons, all of us as a family stood in the corner of the hall leading to my room. King Khamar adjusted his clothes and cracked his neck from side to side.
“Her born day will soon come at the end of the season. We need to plan for the festivities and wedding.”
He walked up to my mother with a hateful tone he only had for her.
“Teach her to behave before they do,” he threatened. Glancing back at me, I knew he meant the men I would eventually be shipped off to.
…
“You did not have to disrespect your father in that way,” Minka said as I sat in the chair facing the large wall mirror. I stared at myself before releasing the orange clip that gathered my hair into a massive clump of dark black strings. I still bore the jewels around my ankle and wrists as I began to take the comb to go through my hair for the nightly ritual.
“I did not disrespect him,” I argued as I leaned my head to the side, letting the long strand tease the plush rug. My room was a palace within itself that stretched from one end with a sitting area to lounge, a personal kitchen, and balcony that overlooked the courtyard and connecting corridors to the men’s palace. “I spoke up for myself. Are you not always telling me,Princess?” I suddenly mocked with wide eyes. “You must know how to defend yourself. I will not always be there to protect you. Princess, you need to know when to say no. It is okay to say no to some things–––”
“I never said any of that,” Minka stated proudly as she sat beside me with a frown. Her pure white fur, the color of snow, was always clean and free of dirt as she began her maintenance routine just before going to bed. “When you were little, I remember being by the king’s side and hearing him tell the council who attempted to claim you, and send you off to theother six kingdoms to be raised… The Great Sun said, "She is destined to save the world.”
I rolled my eyes to the skies. Shaking my hands, airing them out from the humidity that only surrounded the palace before feeling the sudden warmth grow from my belly. Carefully, I set my palms to a low lit flame, covering each finger with fire until my hands could no longer be seen.
“It is true,” Minka stated proudly.
“I have heard this story many times, Minka,” I said as I began to pull my hair, squeezing and tugging until the blue flame was coating the strands.
“He said he had a dream that you would one day save the world, our world. It is why he’s kept you here for so long. Not out of love but out of protection and safety, but they have been pressuring him. He is not the only king you know.”
I frowned as I continued to stare at my reflection while straightening my hair. My mind was scattered from the conversation I had with my father. Only to think about the hidden phone my mother snuck and gave me many suns ago, giving me access to the world above ours.
“What do you think New York City is like?” I asked as Minka began stretching.
“I do not know, Princess. Not desirable in the least.”
“One day, I will see it,” I said with a determined tone.
“And how will you do that?”
My hands grew cold as the flame seeped into my hair before disappearing. I turned to see the Queen of Khamar, wife of the Great Sun, and his biggest enemy, Nayara walk in, also known as my mother. Her long sleek figure showed no sign of true birth with her long neck decorated with necklaces stacked high. Herlong hair was coated with silver flecks with not a single curl or crinkle in sight. Sharp round cheekbones and slanted eyes full of wisdom and magic. Nayara was beautiful in a dark twisted way. None of the other wives liked her and were constantly trying for her position, but it would never happen. Nayara was too cunning, and too smart for their games. She sat down on my bed with her hand smoothing the linen sheets free of wrinkles before crossing one leg over the other, exposing a mere peek of her ankle underneath the long dress. Her toes were painted pearl black just like her nails and it only served to match the color of her eyes. Eyes of a woman with no soul, and no heart. That is what my father would say to describe his wife.
I turned back around to face the mirror, my vanity space where I was privy to makeup from all over. Different brands I saw through videos and movies to things my father would bring back from his educational trips.
“Father said he would take me to travel with him one day,” I said.
“You believe him?”
I took a deep swallow as I felt Minka slink underneath my legs for comfort and silent support, but my mother was no fool.
