Beyond the Stars- Awakened

by Angela Morales

  Salixz met Nefertiti’s eyes from the other side of the room, when he suddenly began to feel nervous.

  Focus.

  He scolded himself. No one had ever made Salixz nervous or unsure of himself. Since he’d mastered his talents, he became stoic and controlled. Now, he was feeling unsure of his mission. Nefertiti smiled and looked away nervously, while Salixz pulled a vile of some sort of alcoholic beverage from a servant’s tray, drank it in one gulp, and then handed the vile back to the servant with a thankful nod. The servant bowed in acknowledgement.

  A waltz began moving in a clockwise direction, as partners switched from the middle of the dancing circle. Salixz made his way into the circle, trying to keep up the polite moves and nods with each partner as they greeted him for a short dance. It was like something out of an earthly renaissance period. He hoped Nefertiti would join the dancers, but she briefly met his eyes and quickly shied away to make conversation with whoever was next to her. She knew he was watching, and it made her nervous too. He squirmed his way through the crowd, trying his best to keep his gaze on Nefertiti, losing her for brief moments when he would have to oblige to the dancer before him.

  Finally, he had made his way across the room to where Princess Nefertiti stood. Their eyes were suddenly locked in a trance of unspoken emotions. A love ignited quickly. He bowed before the princess, leaving the other dancers behind. He tried to tell himself this was only a mission for a stone, but something else was stirring inside of him that he couldn’t understand. Were his emotions deceiving him, or was he actually falling for his prey? The drunken crowd seemed to not notice the interaction between the young pair. The princess lowered her eyes, trying to not make it obvious that she too had been noticing him all too well since he’d entered the room. Royalty was always guarded, but there were no guards to be seen on such a private occasion.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor, catching her off guard. This made her jolt with hesitation and excitement all at the same time. They were in the center of the dance floor, the drunken crowd still barely noticing, with a few bystanders murmuring to one another that the princess was dancing with a man they didn’t recognize.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked.

  She didn’t speak, but she began dancing with him anyway.

  “May I kiss you?” he asked.

  Nefertiti blushed and smiled…looking away modestly. “So direct, young man.”

  “Do you blame me?”

  “I could have you banished for such uncouth behavior,” she threatened lightly.

  “You wouldn’t,” he responded confidently, and their eyes locked.

  “The nerve to touch royalty when I haven’t even offered you my palm,” she retorted.

  “Then offer it so I will no longer yearn to touch you.”

  She smiled, breaking her gaze to look in the distance at a young lad that was being entertained by other drunken women. Nefertiti tried to go unnoticed, but when the young man looked her way it was obvious he fancied her. Their eye contact was not of strangers; they knew each other. She pulled away from Salixz.

  “Do you know him?” Salixz asked, hoping she did not.

  “Don’t look in his direction,” she said, still holding her courteous royal smile.

  Princess Nefertiti did her best to look as though she was just casually entertaining Salixz like every other guest, but her heart was doing summersaults.

  “Are you engaged to be married?” he asked, as he noticed the palm of her hand was stamped. A common custom in Euron was to stamp the palm with semi-permanent ink to show you were engaged.

  “You couldn’t possibly?” Salixz became angry.

  “Please, you will draw attention to us,” she looked around. “What does it matter to you anyway? I don’t even know you.”

  “I must say, I’m surprised,” Salixz said.

  “Why so?” she asked.

  “Such a lady, paired with a tart like that?”

  She giggled. “A tart? Not like a gentleman who has just met me and has already asked for a kiss?”

  “You didn’t say no.”

  “I didn’t say yes.”

  “You could’ve said either.”

  “I could still banish you.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” he said as he took her hand and bowed.

  In that moment, Salixz had forgotten all about the stone. He was completely enthralled by the princess, and jealous of the young man who courted her.

  Nefertiti smiled and blushed. Her fiancé noticed her again, and began making his way towards her. Nefertiti quickly pulled away from Salixz.

  “I – I should probably go check on the tart,” she said slyly.

  Salixz tilted his head, amused by Nefertiti’s coy, yet confident manner. Salixz walked over near a pillar. He watched her, cautiously, avoiding being noticed. She whispered something in the man’s ear, she was obviously coaxing him. He stumbled like a sloppy drunk, attempting to kiss her and pulling her closer. Nefertiti did her best to keep her composure for the room full of guests. The man suddenly became ill, turning to a potted plant nearby to expel his guts. Nefertiti called for two servants who came rushing to the rescue. Nefertiti kept her composure, but Salixz could see her disgust. She looked over to him and nodded slightly signaling him to meet her on the other end of the room. He watched her as she moved gracefully across the room; he was careful to keep his distance not to stick out like a sore thumb. Gently, nonchalantly, he walked over to her in an empty hallway. She had her back to him for a moment, and then turned towards him.

  “I don’t even know you and somehow I’m already making stupid decisions around you. Something tells me you are trouble.”

  “Stupid is a tart who doesn’t notice you. You, my lady, are far from stupid.”

  Nefertiti giggled.

  “You’re quite the charmer,” she said.

  “I believe I’m the one who has been charmed.”

  “Will you accompany me somewhere?” she asked hopeful.

  “Anywhere,” he said.

  Salixz meant his words. He felt sudden guilt, remembering he was there for a purpose. He knew that somehow his task had changed. Nefertiti fed something inside him he’d never felt before. But he kept it locked away, because he knew that he was a Kahnroch, and after this mission, he would probably never be able to return. It was crazy for him to think he was falling for Euron’s princess, and in just an instant. What was happening? His hands tingled; his heart pounded; his feet felt jello-like.

  Nefertiti felt the same in that moment. Both of their senses heightened. It was something they couldn’t control. Once their brains had developed powers and keen senses, it was impossible to go back to their original way. On Earth, humans only used about ten percent of their brains. On Cova, most species used a minimum of twenty percent or more, depending on their abilities. Nefertiti and Salixz’s senses and powers grew to a level they’d never known in that moment.

  “Do you feel that?” she asked, mystified.

  Salixz brought her hand up to his chest, knowing she’d feel his heart in her palm. Silently, she stood watching him, mesmerized in the moment. He brought his hand up to her cheek and moved closer. It was so sudden, but it didn’t matter. He went in for the kiss. A kiss that would probably haunt him forever. At this moment, he didn’t even care for the stone. He only cared to feel Nefertiti close. The kiss was explosive; something inexplicable. It was love at first sight, and in love at first kiss.

  Nefertiti opened her eyes and pulled away to look at Salixz’s face.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  Salixz was silent. He knew he couldn’t truly tell her who he was.

  “I was a lost soul until today,” he responded. It was the only thing he could tell her that would be true of who he was.

  Nefertiti held Salixz’s hand and walked him through a secret passage, and into her quarters. With no one in sight, Salixz felt more comfortable. He didn’t have to worry about being seen.
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  Salixz felt a desire for Nefertiti he had never felt for any other woman. He wanted to make her his, right then and there. He knew it would be wrong. He would hurt her, as he’d have to abandon her after his mission was complete.

  “What is it? Something is troubling you?” she asked him.

  He just kissed her instead of answering. It was easier to show her how he felt than to explain his inner turmoil. Nefertiti’s instincts were too good though. Even without words, she instantly felt his inner pain. She knew he was torn about something, just not exactly sure what it was.

  “I feel like I’ve come alive today,” said Salixz.

  “You say the truth,” she said with a smile.

  “I’m sorry for being so direct. It’s just…” he began.

  “It’s okay,” she reassured him.

  They sat there for a moment, holding hands and just looking into each other’s eyes. Suddenly, Salixz looked up and out of the window.

  “I have the best view in all of Euron,” Nefertiti said happily.

  She walked him to her wraparound balcony, where laser-like fireworks filled the sky. Jets zoomed in the sky overhead.

  “I thought fuel was low,” Salixz said.

  “It is, but it’s a special occasion. You know that,” she said, expecting he’d know of the annual tradition.

  “Of course, that’s why I came,” he lied, not knowing exactly the celebration that was taking place. He just knew of it as the Euron’s Annual Celebration.

  “Every year we celebrate Princess Inanna. She’s out there somewhere. I wonder if she looks like me? I’ve always wondered,” she reminisced as she watched the sky.

  Nefertiti had no idea what Salixz was up to.

  “It must be hard, to not know where she is,” he paused. “And to wonder how she’s surviving without her stone.”

  “What?” she said startled. “How do you know about the stone?”

  “I don’t? I’ve only heard stories. Maybe they’re myths,” he said, trying to convince her that he was just a commoner who had heard stories.

  “You do know about the stone. I can sense it now.” She confronted. “You don’t have to hide what you know. I can sense truth.”

  Salixz chose his words wisely. “Impossible. I know nothing.”

  That wasn’t true. But what he did know was that the stone wasn’t safe if he didn’t take it. Otherwise, Kah would send someone else, possibly someone who would harm anyone in order to take it.

  “Like I said, it’s probably a myth. I bet Kah would have stolen it by now,” he said.

  “You have secrets,” she said nervously.

  His silence made her worry.

  “Wait, are you from Kahnroch?” she said, as if in denial.

  Salixz was silent.

  Tears quickly filled Nefertiti’s eyes.

  “You must leave,” she said.

  Salixz hesitated.

  “Now,” Nefertiti demanded.

  Salixz was torn; he knew his mission, but he also knew what came to life within him when he met Nefertiti.

  You are truly beautiful, Princess, beyond skin deep, he thought to himself.

  Salixz was mystified by the evening. He tried focusing on what he was supposed to do, but he felt as if he’d been put under a spell. Had Kah done this? Was this another one of Kah’s tricks? He knew that he had been known to use sorcery occasionally, but it had been a while since Meretseger had actually granted Kah any wishes. He had betrayed her once, and she wouldn’t let him get to her a second time. Or had Kah gone to Jeneka for this one? All these things were going through his mind.

  Salixz felt shame for his mission. Even if it wasn’t a mission he wanted to fulfill, he still had to complete it. His loyalty was to Kah, whether he liked it or not. Salixz wanted to somehow tell the princess everything, but he knew he couldn’t. Taking his chances, he went in for one last kiss. If he couldn’t take the stone – he would at least have something to think about when Kah took his life.

  Nefertiti’s eyes were still closed when Salixz pulled away. It seemed like minutes before she breathed again and opened her eyes.

  Nefertiti felt her stomach turn. Had her senses fooled her? This mystery man had something up his sleeve, it became clear to her, and fear struck her like a train.

  “You’re hiding something,” she thought out loud.

  Salixz contemplated abandoning the mission, but he knew he couldn’t. He had to do whatever it took to bring back the stone. He couldn’t abort the mission – it was more than just his life on the line.

  “You’re right,” he said.

  Nefertiti’s eyes went wide with fear.

  “Tell me then,” she whispered.

  “Princess, I need the stone; it’s a matter of life and death,” Salixz urged.

  She didn’t know the reason; she knew he was being honest. Deep down she felt that trust, which scared her a bit. Could his powers be deceiving me? she thought to herself. Maybe he is part of the prophecy.

  “Be gone or I will call the guards,” she said before she had more time to think.

  “Really?” he asked doubtfully but then quickly changed his tone.

  “You have many secrets, and somehow I feel my instinct is deceiving me and telling me to trust you. You’ve done some sort of sorcery on me.”

  He couldn’t possibly tell her the full truth.

  “I am sworn to secrecy, but I assure you, I mean no harm to you or the lost princess.”

  “It seems everything is a secret in Cova these days. I suppose it’s for my own good. I don’t know who you are or what you are trying to do. I do believe you are not going to harm me, but you need to go,” she said assertively.

  Salixz felt relief. He thought it would have been much harder to convince the Princess he wasn’t there to hurt her. He had envisioned some great battle with guards and King Heron. But it was all the contrary. He came to woo a stranger, and in an instant, he had been the one who became mesmerized by her. The feeling was mutual, but it was definitely not what Salixz had anticipated before he arrived in Euron.

  “I know you want me to leave. I wish I could, but I need you show me to the stone?” he said.

  “I’m calling the guards,” she said as she ran.

  Salixz caught up to her before she got to the door, and held his dagger to her neck. Nefertiti’s heart raced in her chest; the dagger pressed tightly against her skin made her freeze.

  “I am not going to hurt you,” he whispered. “However, you need to show me the stone.”

  “Never,” Nefertiti said as tears filled her eyes.

  Salixz turned her around abruptly, holding her tightly by the arm as he sat her on the bench at the end of the bed.

  “I’m sorry that I have to do this.”

  Salixz, although a strong warrior, was fogged by his emotions.

  Nefertiti’s sword at the corner of her bed caught her eye. She quickly went for it and challenged Salixz to a quarrel.

  “Really?” he scoffed.

  With all her dignity, she held the sword. Nefertiti was willing to fight.

  “Come on!” she demanded. “If you want the stone so bad, then fight me.”

  “I will not –” he began.

  Before he could finish, she sliced through his sleeve, revealing a perfect thin line of blood from the wound.

  Salixz drew his sword and seemed to dance with the princess’s movements. Each time she swung, his sword caught hers, making flickers of sparks each time the metals smashed against each other.

  “Haw!” she yelled.

  “Keep it down,” he told her.

  “Oh really!” she yelled again in anger, trying to stab Salixz in the stomach.

  Salixz moved, and her sword got stuck in the wall. Pulling anxiously, she was able to remove the sword. Salixz watched in amusement, giggling at the sight as he walked slowly towards her.

  “You’re mocking me,” she seethed.

  “I find you adorable,” he countered.

  This just
made Nefertiti angrier. She went straight for his neck. Salixz used his power of strength and grabbed Nefertiti’s arm right before she could pierce his throat.

  “You were really going to kill me?” he said in surprise.

  Nefertiti could not fight back. She tried to use her power to push Salixz away, but she too had not practiced her powers enough. Her stone remained locked away, just like Inanna’s, which limited her abilities. Salixz removed the sword from her grip and threw it across the room. There was a moment of silence, as both of them stared at each other. Nefertiti kicked Salixz with all her might, sending him crashing through a wall in her quarters.

  Salixz tried to catch his breath, and quickly stood up. Nefertiti looked scared now. For even she didn’t know where the stones had been hidden. Right before them, on a pedestal, sat a crystal box with two precious stones.

  Realizing what she had done, Nefertiti ran towards the stones, but Salixz made it to the pedestal first.

  “Trust me,” he said.

  Nefertiti’s heart raced inside of her chest. A mixture of emotions danced within her, making her melt at Salixz’s words. She knew she had to fight! Cova would be in great danger if the stones got into the wrong hands!

  “No,” she cried.

  Without hesitation, Salixz grabbed Nefertiti and tied her up with the rope he had in his satchel. Grabbing only the larger stone, the one that belonged to Inanna, he went back to Nefertiti.

  “You’ll never get away with this,” she growled.

  “I believe I just did,” he smiled.

  With those words, Salixz bent down and kissed Nefertiti passionately. It was a kiss of defiance, but also of true love. He then pulled away and motioned for her to be very quiet, putting his fingers to his lips.

  “I would never hurt you,” said Salixz.

  Nefertiti sensed the truth in his words.

  “Why do you want the stone? Who are you?” she asked with tears in her eyes.

  “This is the only way to save Cova,” he said. “That’s all I can tell you.”

  “Are you really a Kahnroch?” she cried.