Epilogue
Angie
I woke up to the flutter of wings over my head. I opened my eyes and smiled at the colorful bird that pecked at Thev’s pillow. A month had passed since I came to the palace, and I wasn’t yet bored of this morning routine.
Thev woke up early and went about his royal duties. His sister, the queen, needed him often, and he tried to see her before I woke up, so he could then spend more time with me.
And me... well, I loved to sleep in.
I sat up, and the bird looked at me curiously, then flew back out the window. Breakfast was waiting on the table in the next room. I lazily got out of the bed and padded there to fill a cup of tea and take it to the window, where I loved to sit and just meditate for a few minutes. There was no rush. There was nothing that I needed to do, so no need to even think about the day ahead. I simply enjoyed my tea and soaked up the sun.
Then, I went to wash myself and brush my hair, so I could slip into a comfortable dress. I sat down and started having my breakfast when Thev walked in.
“Good morning, beautiful!”
“Good morning.”
He walked over and kissed me on the cheek, then sat down, and I poured him a cup of tea.
“How is our queen today?”
“Stressed because of the festivities. She wants everything to be perfect.”
The day of the Three Heads was coming, and the whole kingdom was equally excited and agitated. It was a sacred day, when the statue was taken out of the temple and carried through the capital. Zokunians from all over had already flooded the city in the forest, and there was a constant hustle and bustle. I loved it, but on the other hand... I wasn’t involved in any way, so I could just sit back and enjoy what was happening. No one ever asked me to do anything. Every time I offered, Thev reminded me that I was his royal mate, and as a royal mate, I didn’t have to lift a finger.
That suited me just fine. I spent my days reading – the palace had a huge library that occupied an entire tower. I often retreated there and forgot to eat or sleep. I’d also taken up painting, and the queen herself had once praised my skills. It meant a lot coming from her. Her personal collection was hosted in the other tower of the palace, and few people were allowed in there.
“The festivities are going to be perfect, I’m sure.”
“They will,” he said. “This is your first time attending, and I want the day of the Three Heads to make an impression.”
I giggled. Thev kind of hoped that he might convert me one day. He’d never said it, but I suspected it. It didn’t bother me, really. I’d never been religious, even though he thought I was by the frequency with which I mentioned God. It had been impossible to convince him that they were just expressions.
“I wanted to ask you,” he started, a bit hesitantly.
“What?” I spread jam on a piece of bread. Yes, the Zokunians had bread, and I was eternally grateful.
“Would you like... I mean... Would you consider riding the sacred kova through the city?”
“What?!” I dropped the knife and stared at him. “Ride a cow through the city?”
“Yes.” He’d gotten used to my calling the kovas they worshiped so much green cows. Because that was what they were. No offense. “It’s tradition. A lady of the court would ride the sacred kova on the first day of the festivities. I would like it to be you.”
“Maybe Ta’sha would like...”
He shook his head. “Ta’sha did it before she was queen. Many times. She can’t do it now. It has to be a lady of the court, not the queen.”
“Ride a cow...” I bit the inside of my lip, looking at him reluctantly. “I don’t know.”
The kovas were huge. I called them cows, but in truth, they were the bigger, taller, wider cousins of cows. They were kind, tender creatures, and they were allowed to roam freely through the forest. They weren’t dangerous.
“I would be honored if you said yes,” he insisted.
“And I’m honored that you asked... I just wonder... Wouldn’t your people disagree with it? I’m not one of you.”
At that, he straightened his back and puffed up his chest. “You are my mate.”
“Well, yes. But I’m still not one of you. I don’t look like you, I don’t worship the Three Heads... I don’t want the Zokunians to think I’m an intruder, or that I’m disrespecting the... I don’t know... your culture, your traditions.”