Kiora

The emperor waits for Kiora outside a set of grand golden doors. He smiles when he sees her and holds out his arm.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

Kiora looks at the closed doors and lets out a shallow, nervous breath at the sounds of the people partying beyond.

"As I can be," she finally replies.

"Did my sister explain the rules to you?" he asks.

"She did," Kiora replies with a sigh.

"You don't approve?"

She turns to face him, her jaw clenched with anger.

"Can you try and have some empathy?" she asks him, her voice a harsh hiss. "I have been stolen from my life – a life where I had complete freedom to roam the realms, a life where I had the pure, and wonderful love from my sisters, and I have been bought here. To a place I cannot leave without your permission and even with your permission, I am not free to roam by myself. Not only that, but my new 'sisters' all despise me. To make matters worse, I can't even talk to anyone here, at the ball celebrating OUR marriage, without your permission. Nor can I even eat or drink unless you say so. Tell me, Emperor, how should I be feeling right now? Should I be happy that even my most basic freedoms have been stripped away? So, to answer your previous question, no, I do not approve. How could you even think that I would after everything that has been stolen from me because of your vanity?"

He chuckles. The infuriating sound sends bolts of hot anger searing through her, making her limbs tremble.

"By all means, Kiora, tell me how you really feel," he jokes.

She glares at him and feels tears sting her eyes.

"Is this all some kind of cruel joke to you?" she asks, her voice wobbling. "Do you take joy in my suffering?"

His face softens and his smile becomes gentle. "Kiora, you haven't even given me, or this realm a chance."

She scoffs. "Your sister has already told me that my 'precious Winter is irrelevant.' How can I even think about giving this place a chance after everything that's happened today? This is my first day here and my beliefs, my whole being, has been disregarded with venomous disdain. Why are you surprised I feel this way if these are my first impressions of this place? Do you not understand how alone I am here?"

Her voice breaks and she looks away from him. A tear spills down her cheek and she quickly wipes it away. He puts his hands on her shoulders and turns her back to face him. Then, he lifts his hand to her cheek and gently wipes away a new tear.

"I will make you happy here, Kiora. I promise." His words sound so sincere, but Kiora shakes her head.

"How, emperor?" she whispers. For that, he doesn't have an answer. He looks away from her and Kiora brushes his hand away. Then, she squares her shoulders and looks ahead.

"Do not worry, emperor. I will put on the show of a beautiful obedient wife in front of all your guests. I will abide by your rules."

He doesn't answer her, and they link arms once more.

"I will speak to my sister," he says lowly as the doors begin to open. "I will ensure that your beliefs and devotion to your mother are respected."

Kiora's eyes widen slightly, and she peaks at him out of the corner of her eyes. He looks ahead, his expression stoic.

"Thank you," she whispers sincerely, not wanting to insult his small act of kindness – if having her beliefs respected counts as kindness when it is a basic right.

The doors open completely, and both take in shallow breaths before putting on wide smiles. Grand marble stairs, lined with golden bannisters and red carpet, descend into a huge ballroom.

The room is the biggest she'd seen in the palace yet. With walls of pure white stone, adorned in intricate golden carvings, and the biggest diamond chandeliers Kiora had ever seen, she can't deny that it is magnificent. When she looks up at the ceiling, she almost forgets to breathe in awe of the way paintings of beautiful dragons curl around a huge dome of multicoloured glass adorned with golden fittings.

The emperor chuckles at her expression and she quickly looks away from the ceiling and back to the crowd, which have all stopped to watch the pair descend the stairs.

Kiora lets out a shaky breath as she looks over the sea of guests in all their grand finery. She grips the emperor a little tighter as they walk, desperate not to trip or fall as her legs start to wobble with nerves.

As they reach the main floor, the guests part ways for them. The way their eyes bore into her fills her with discomfort. Especially with the overly wide smiles on their faces. When they lean in to whisper to each other, Kiora's stomach twists with a strange, discomforting fear.

It's not that she cares that these people are judging her. But something about it all feels off. She feels more like a prize mare than a respected bride.

She pushes down those feelings and focuses on keeping her expression as 'happy' as she can make it.

They reach the middle of the room and the emperor stops. He dramatically spins her around before pulling her in close. Kiora gasps slightly as their chests collide. When she looks up into his eyes, they are bright with mischief. His smile is wickedly handsome, and Kiora shivers. She rests one hand delicately on his shoulder and her other in his.

His fingers curl gently around hers, making her breath hitch at his delicate touch. As she stares into his piercing eyes, she forgets about the silent crowd around them, who are watching their every move. She is greatly aware of the way his other hand holds her waist. She can feel the heat of it even through her dress.

He pulls her in even closer and Kiora's smile relaxes slightly as she is absorbed by his presence. Somehow, being close to him feels oddly comforting in this room full of complete strangers. At this very moment, she feels like he is the only one who will keep her safe.

The music starts. It is delicate, with an assortment of string and woodwind instruments accompanied by some of the prettiest piano music Kiora has ever heard. She relaxes into the music, into him, as he leads her around the room with effortless grace.

He smiles with awe as he looks down at her and the way she dances with ethereal elegance. For those few minutes, Kiora is free. She revels in the way her dress flows and flutters around her, and the way it sparkles from all the lights. She enjoys knowing that everyone is staring at her with the same awed expressions as the emperor does.

They should be awed.

She is a Winter Priestess, and no matter what the princess says, Winter is not gone from this place. Winter is not irrelevant. As long as Kiora is here, a daughter and representative of Winter, then these people will marvel at Winter's magic and beauty.

Too soon, the music stops. The emperor is breathless, his cheeks slightly flushed. He stares at her with that dangerous, predatory intensity. Kiora remains calm. She doesn't breathe heavily or show any signs of exertion. She just smiles at him calmly and continues to look perfect in every way.

Their faces are close. She can feel his warm breath on her lips. The way they look at each other is intimate; like everyone else in the room doesn't exist. Like his other wives don't exist.

Kiora almost feels satisfied knowing that she has this effect on him. All it takes is a dance, and the emperor is looking at her, and only her.

"May I kiss you?" he asks. Kiora bites at her lips and gazes up into his eyes.

"In front of all these people?" she asks with mocking innocence.

He chuckles. "I am not ashamed."

"You may emperor, but this is the last kiss I shall give to you. So, I suggest you make the most of it."

His eyes darken and his smirk grows dangerous. Kiora knows it's his way of saying that he will make her give in, that one day, he will have her. Kiora's own smile remains calm with her defiance.

I will never be yours.

He closes the distance. His soft, warm lips press against hers and she closes her eyes. The kiss is slow, and he holds her tightly. Kiora's toes curl at the sensual intimacy of their shared kiss, enjoying the way his lips delicately and slowly move against her own.

If she had a heart, it would be racing wildly. If she had blood pumping through her veins, her cheeks would be flushed.

Too soon, the emperor pulls away, though his face remains close. Kiora's eyes flutter open and she looks up at him through her lashes. His smile is confident, and his stare is intense.

"Are you sure that will be the last?" he asks, his voice a low, almost growled whisper.

"Very," she replies and smirks. His smile widens and he steps back to look at all the guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he says, his voice effortlessly booming around the hall. "May I welcome my newest wife, Lady Kiora."

At once, they all bow their heads. Kiora's eyes widen in surprise. After a few seconds of silence, they lift their heads once more. Smiles adorn their faces, and soon, they are all clapping. Then, the music starts. It is cheerful and it isn't long before couples are dancing and loud chatter fills the room.

"What now?" Kiora asks. "Princess Alethia said I would have a chaperone."

The emperor chuckles and holds her slightly tighter.

"You are not leaving my side tonight, Kiora," he says.

"Oh," she replies.

"Now, shall we get some food?"

***

Surprisingly, the ball passes quickly and Kiora even enjoys herself. With the exception of the other wives, who outwardly appear in a joyful, celebratory mood, but Kiora can feel the rage radiating off them, the guests are all in good spirits.

Kiora ignores the wives and focuses on making a good impression when the emperor introduces her to all of his advisers and important military leaders.

"Though I suppose a woman like you doesn't know much about the Second Realm and its wars," one of the high generals jokes as he finishes a big speech about wartime history between the Fifth Realm and the Second Realm. He smiles smugly at Kiora, proud of showing off his great knowledge whilst assuming that Kiora doesn't understand a word he said. In fact, he seems to enjoy holding it over her.

Kiora laughs politely. "I am well versed in a lot of realm history," she replies. "Especially the Second Realm, as that is where I am from."

His eyes widen and he gulps. Beside her, the emperor chuckles.

"But, you speak our language so well," he stutters.

"Yes, I speak a great many languages fluently," she replies.

"Really?" the emperor asks.

"My job before this union was to travel the realms bringing Winter. Speaking the native languages was very important."

"Huh," the emperor says thoughtfully.

"As for war, well, violence has never been of interest to me or my kind. We do not involve ourselves with realm politics. Though we do make sure to educate ourselves on both the history of the realms, and the current political situations."

"You do?" the general asks.

"Of course. We may keep our world separate and isolated, but we are not uneducated."

"And what sort of subjects do Winter Priestesses learn about?" the emperor asks.

"Well, I assume whatever subjects you and your people learn. History, literature, mathematics, sciences, arts, music, dance-"

"Combat?" the general interrupts.

Kiora chuckles awkwardly. "No, we do not learn how to fight. We are a peaceful people and have no need to use violence. Well, usually." Her voice darkens slightly as she says the last sentence. Perhaps that will change after what happened. In some ways, she hopes it does. She hopes that The High Priestess is teaching her sisters how to fight so that no one can come and steal any of them ever again.

"Well, a woman has no place in discussions of invasion and war anyway," he shrugs. Kiora raises an eyebrow.

"And why is that?" she asks.

"Well," he stammers and looks to the emperor for help. The emperor's smile is amused as he watches the general try to come up with some sort of explanation. The general looks shocked that she dares question him.

"Emperor, with the greatest respect, should your new bride be discussing politics?"

Kiora raises a brow. "With respect, general, you bought up war and politics first in an attempt to make me look like just another 'silly' woman who doesn't know all the important 'manly' knowledge. Does being a woman and wife automatically mean that I can no longer respond to the conversations that you present? Or are you only implying that because you don't like my answers?"

The emperor and the other generals around him laugh. Kiora notes a bead of sweat form on his temple and his skin begins to redden.

He shoots Kiora a harsh glare, but her expression remains calm. A soft, elegant smile toys at her lips. "I suggest, general, that you stop challenging the intelligence of those around you in attempts to make them look stupid. Trying to show off how smart you are whilst trying to make the other look uneducated and silly does not make you look like a particularly nice person."

He forces on a tight smile. "I apologise, Lady Kiora," he says after realising that the emperor isn't going to back him up.

"Thank you for your apology," Kiora says, and she can't resist a smug smile of her own.

The general quickly excuses himself. Once he's gone, some of the others laugh harder.

"I like her," another says, tapping the emperor on the shoulder.

The emperor looks down at her, his smile wide. "Yes, I am a very lucky man," he says.

***

The evening wraps up and soon, Kiora and the emperor are waving goodbye and leaving the ballroom.

Once the doors are shut behind them, she lets out a long breath and the smile falls from her face.

"You did wonderfully," he says to her.

"Thank you," she replies. "What happens now?"

He smiles charmingly and takes her arm. "Now, we return to my quatres for the night."

Kiora narrows her eyes. "Do I not get to change first?"

He laughs. "There will be robes for you there."

"And who is going to help me out of my dress?"

His smile widens and Kiora sighs. "This night is not going to go how you want it to go," she tells him.

"You have made me well aware," he replies, laughing.

"So, what are we going to do then?" she asks.

"Well, Kiora. You seem like a very interesting woman. I'm sure with the education you bragged about to General Tulbert, that we can keep up a conversation."

"Or we could just go to sleep," she replies.

He laughs. "And why would we do that?" He stops and turns to face her, a wicked grin on his face. "By the end of the night, I want to know everything about you."

Kiora snorts. "That is not going to happen," she promises.

He smirks, his eyes twinkling with mischief and excitement from her challenge.

"We'll see," he replies.