"Well, I'm proud of you! I always knew you had it in you." He pulled her into another hug, and Essa melted into his embrace. For a moment, they stayed like that before separating long enough to hold hands and return to their walk. As they did, Eya passed, pausing long enough to smile before continuing on her way.
They waited near the front of the palace with the other guests as transportation stopped to take people where they needed to go. James's hand tightened around Essa's and he took a deep breath.
"I don't want to say goodbye. It feels as though each time we do, it is longer until the next and I do believe you are my love."
"I promise you will see me again," Essa assured. "Destiny always brings us together, one way or the other. If that is not a sign from the gods, then I don't know what is. And you owe me a date."
"I do, my queen," he purred, "Not even space and time can keep us apart." He drew her closer, holding her waist with on hand and her hand with the other. "May today be the start of something new for us as well. May our love grow stronger and our bond never be broken."
James pulled Essa against his chest, pressing his lips to hers in the passion of the moment. Essa melted against him, heat rising through her chest as she felt all the more certain that James was the one for her. Someway, somehow, they would always find a way to be together.
"Mmmm," Essa hummed, her eyes peeking open to look at his face. As she did, she noticed the crowd staring at them with smiles and soft chuckles. "James. James, I think everyone is staring at us."
"Don't be silly." James opened his eyes as she pulled away, glancing around to see everyone's gaze. "Hmm, I think you're right, my queen."
Essa's face heated up and she looked away, a soft smile playing at her lips as James released her and chuckled, squeezing her hand. "No one really cares. Now, I will be in touch shortly to arrange our adventures."
A vehicle pulled up to them and James stole another quick kiss before entering, offering her a wave. Essa blew him a kiss, which he caught and pulled close to his heart. James kept his eyes on her as he began to leave, the two watching until they could no longer see each other.
As the two lovebirds said their goodbye, Eya began to settle in her room, glancing in the mirror as her mind began to try and formulate plans. James- she wasn't sure how, but if Essa loved him so much and he was as much of a lovesick puppy as he seemed, she knew he may come in handy one day. Until then, she returned her focus to counting the days until she would have everything together.
And those days came quickly. Eya had formulated her plan and rose early in the morning to put everything into motion. Darkness still loomed across the planets, the night bugs still singing their songs in the absence of the early birds that still slept peacefully. Her steps pounded down the hall towards the throne room as she sent out a command to receive the ten nearest guards to her presence.
Something ominous haunted her expression as she received the guards with a chilling gaze. The men shifted in discomfort, a couple of them diverting their eyes as a sense of uneasiness rose amongst them. Eya stepped up to the line, looking them up and down before she began to relay her orders.
"Find me every pregnant woman on this godforsaken planet and bring them to me. Do not let a single one slip by," she instructed.
"What is the purpose?" A guard spoke, his voice hesitating as he looked at his companions. "It is a bit of a strange request, my Queen."
Eya stopped pacing, her head turning to face the man as her eyes narrowed. She began to walk towards him, his mouth falling open as he began to trip on his own voice, searching for the words to say to somehow fix what he'd caused.
"I did not mean to offen-"
A sharp slap silenced him mid-sentence, the guard's hand rising to touch a small trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. His look of terror landed on one of the queen's rings which now dripped with a crimson stain.
"Question me again and it will be the last thing you do, do you understand?" she hissed before her shoulders relaxed and she straightened. She flexed her hand, looking over the tainted metal as a soft smile began to play at her lips. "You see, you have no right to know my purposes. Do you not trust me to do what is best for this kingdom?"
"O-of course I do, my Queen. Forgive me, I did not mean to overstep," he stuttered, shrinking back as she walked away, waving her hand at him dismissively.
"I can expect no less from a commoner raised with no manners. Now. Round up as many others as you need and bring me those women! Or I swear, a slap will be the least of any of your worries! Is that understood?" She waited a moment for the quick, nervous nods. "Then go! Out of my sight!"
The guards scattered on her command and she sank into her throne, leaning her head back as she sucked in a deep breath. Now she would wait, and perhaps, all would go smoothly. Yes, she convinced herself it would and returned to her mental planning.
Within a few hours, the guards managed to round up all the pregnant women they could, some going as far as the outer reaches on the planet using the highway systems and vehicles. The seriousness and unease cast by Eya turned them brutal, not offering explanations or taking their time, simply collecting the women, shoving them together, and moving to the next house. The air was charged with fear as the group was ushered into the throne room, some clinging to themselves, others to the person beside them.