Coreopsis 5

    King James stood on the terrace overlooking the ‘back 40’, as his daughter Juliah called it. Rao soon joined him. 

   “I know,” James spoke softly.

   “What are we to do?”

   They stood there in the silence of nature. She secretly wished her children could be as happy as the deer playing at the edge of the meadow. Juliah was. She was the most free spirit in the world.

   “Pray.” He almost cried. “Pray that this trip will help.” He turned to his wife studying her face. The worry he could hide was written all over her delicate features. “We never should have agreed to this.”

   “We had no choice in the matter. How do you renege on a promise so dark?”

   “So our past was spared by the life of our son?”

   “Sounds almost religious does it not?”

   He studied her face then offered her his hand. She accepted. They entered the palace together. Floria met them in the hall. She curtsied. James wanted to throw her off the terrace. The gentleman in him remained calm. The sound of her fake honey stained voice made his teeth ache. 

   “I am looking for Orion.”

   “I sent him on an errand.” James reported.

   “Where sire?” She probed.

   “He will be back soon.” James brushed past her.

   She flung herself around. 

   “The only reason you let me stay here is because you’re afraid of my father. You are dependent on his military power.” She snorted. “He could crush you like an insect.” She balled her fist in anger as she spoke. 

   “Believe what you will. Though, I am very sorry that you feel this way.” James spoke kindly. “I have sent my son on an errand. Forgive me for being so honest, there will be many things we ask him to do that he can’t tell you about.” James wanted now more than ever to push her over the terrace. There it was, in his minds eye, her free falling into nothingness. He glanced past her to Rao. She just rolled her eyes.

   Floria felt a burst of air as Rao walked around her to join her husband. 

   “Why would you send a man that has one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel, to do any errand?” This comment set James’ heart on fire. “If it was an errand of importance, surely someone more fit could have gone?” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her head as if to say, ‘me’.

   It took every ounce of strength that James had not to be ugly to Princess Floria. With his teeth clinched he finally said, “I have every confidence in my son.” He and Queen Rao disappeared down the hall hand in hand.