Bruised Sky

The evening had arrived and Tarana walked through the cottage to find the king who she hadn’t seen since their spat in the library. Step after step took her to Sol’s room which she initially found empty but before she could enter the bathing chamber she heard a noise. She detoured her route and went outside where she found Sol standing on the dock of the small lake. Tarana took a deep cleansing breath before making her way to where Sol stood silent and unmoving like a statue despite the growing winds blowing back his lengths. Her eyes glanced up with wonder at the sky which didn’t seem the same as the evening skies she knew in Tydaria and Baromund Forest which were always a dark royal blue with such bright shining stars.
This sky was not of the sort. Huge clouds, dark with a mixture of fuchsia and purple gathered above them. The color reminded her of a bruise from one of Sol’s many injuries from fighting creatures along their journey. It was almost frightening and Tarara shivered, pulling her linen robe around her tighter. Despite her fear, she knew she needed to talk to Sol so she could fix this.
Sol finally sensed he wasn’t alone and turned his head to look over his shoulder at her. Tarana swallowed before starting, “Sol…I…I had some time to think about what I said to you and I shouldn’t have said it. I should have supported you, solano. I know you’re a wonderful king and you’re doing your best.”
Tara glanced up at the sky again as the clouds crept ever closer and a lime green flash of lightning made her jump slight to which Sol didn’t miss, his own eyes going up to the same sky. He had seen this rare colorful sort of storm before; the Creators Three made it so that when the rains fell, each type of plant species would get just the right type and amount of nourishment it needed. He wasn’t afraid but the trembling of the woman behind him told him she didn’t feel the same.
“There’s a storm coming, we should go in soon.”
“No! Not before I get my words out. Sihisi...” Tara pleaded, shaking her head furiously
Sol sighed, understanding more and more of Tarana's Asri language as time went on in their journey. It was strange really, how much he understood it. Was it because Fax was starting to react to Lumina from inside both of them? That he and Tara really were connected? Those were questions too mysterious to answer at the moment so Sol came back to reality.
“Tarana, you’re scared. I can see it. Let’s go inside.” He turned to face her, noting her determined scowl. She really wanted to speak her mind and with that thought in mind, the king waited patiently for her to finish.
“I haven’t had a king in my life, Sol. Never. Never in Asrail did I hear about a king and when my mother took Tsuna and I across the lands to Tydaria I still didn’t realize we were all ruled by one king. When I was abandoned by both my mother and sister I was the ruler of my own life. So I was a bit jaded when you told me that. I’m so sorry for letting that harden my heart to your words because I want nothing more than your happiness, my king. Always.”
Sol stared at her, his heart stirring with a feeling for her words that were now a stark contrast to the ones she said before to him. They still hurt but he knew she understood her wrongdoing. He reached out his hand for hers and when she took it he brought her to him, putting his head against hers.
“I forgive you, sweetheart. I know we have a lot to work on with you and I. But you have to let me in, Tarana or we can’t begin. I want to be the only one for you but I need to know I have your support at all times.”
Tarana looked down hiding her ashamed eyes and Sol moved his head to try to find them. “Do I?”
“Fis. You do, Sol. I promise I’ll do better.”
Sol kissed Tarana’s forehead before reaching down and scooping her up into his strong arms. Tarana wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Solano noi.” She said in a soft voice.
“I love you too. “ He returned, kissing her back.
Feeling her shiver again after looking up at the sky, he explained to her the phenomenon that was going on. Tara nodded in understanding before hearing him say. “Let’s go in before we get soaked.”
“You’re right. We don’t need any of that nourishment.”
“I got exactly the kind of nourishment you need, ma’am.”
Tarana laughed asking “Why do I feel like that has nothing to do with food at all, my king?” Sol stayed quiet, bringing them both back inside the royal cottage as the bruised sky finally decided to break open it’s bounty.