Flame Kissed

Chapter 1

Kaze

Kaze’s impatient stride almost made him collide with the elegant double doors before the servants could hasten to open them. His boots slammed down with impertinence on the polished stone floors. The floor’s tiles, blocks of  bi colored native stone polished to a sheen laid in a fishbone pattern, reflected both his image and that of his manservant, Shimus.

“I will not sit and listen to another word from that harridan!” Kaze’s voice echoed in the grand hallway, easily wide enough to park two luxury shuttle craft nose to end. “She is insufferable to the extreme. I will have her sent to the furthest reaches of the kingdom, so I will not have to hear her shrewish voice ever again.”

Shimus showed no sign that his Prince’s words bothered him. At least, not that most could tell. He came from a long line dedicated to royal service. You could stick him with a hot poker, it was said, and all Shimus would do was comment that the smell of burning flesh disrupted the harmonious aromatherapy he’d so carefully constructed.

“My liege, might I remind you to keep your words soft and sweet, as you may have to eat them later. After all, this is your mother you are talking about.”

“Mother?” 

Kaze spun on his heel, facing the older Dragonian at last. Shimus was a study in contrast. Pale, wizened white scaled skin on his face and hands appeared stark next to his charcoal velvet livery. So gray as to be black, excepting for the lace accents at both collar and wrist. His long-tailed coat had been stylized to appear as a dragon’s tail. His wings he kept folded like a leather cloak about his shoulders, clawed appendages acting as a clasp.

This was a sharp contrast to his own wings, which flexed and waved with annoyance.

“That woman is the mother of my troubles! She constantly seeks to belittle me, to undermine me—”

“She only disagrees when she thinks you are wrong, my liege.”

Kaze grasped the sides of his head and made a strangled grunt.

“That’s all the time! She always thinks I’m wrong. If her task isn’t to drive me mad, then she’s the most contrary, ornery old dragon in the entire galaxy.”

“My liege, you are exaggerating. Didn’t she commend you on that award the Imperial Academy gave you?”

Kaze laughed, some of the tension fleeing from his shoulders. He clapped a hand on Shimus’ shoulder.

“As you are well aware, old friend, that ‘award’ was a badly molded statue of me made from paper and glue that the five-year-olds at the Academy made, because I built them a new playground.”

“My liege, I think you underestimate yourself. That playground is a testament to your noble spirit, and the children’s gratitude is worth more than that of all of the nobility in all the stars combined.”

“You might be right.”

Kaze strode down the hallway again, passing by elegant, arched windows on his left side. The view out the windows displayed the Bridge of the Ancients, a long-raised stone causeway which was a sort of ceremonial entrance to the imperial palace. These days, most travelers came and went via the spaceport on the opposite side of the palace, including Kaxe himself.

Only on holidays or for parades was the bridge used. It was still a beautiful sight, however, its ivory span arching over a deep ravine said to be caused by a meteor strike in eons past.

“Where are you going?” Shimus asked.

“I’m going to the holo-chamber to blow off some steam.” His eyes narrowed to mean slits. “My mother has me entirely too riled up to meet this visiting dignitary tonight.”

“She’s not a dignitary as such, sir, but a—”

“Yes, yes, I’ll deal with it later.” Kaze fluttered his hand toward Shimus. “Right now I want to break something.”

He wished he could leap into the sky and fly, get above all the petty politicking—figuratively and literally. The sight of the crown prince flying over the palace, however, would likely be noticed by his mother, who would probably send an escort along to keep him safe.

Only in the holo-chamber could he really have some time to himself, and only for himself. Which meant that Shimus following him through the interlocking doors to the chamber proved annoying in the extreme.

“Why are you following me?”

Shimus’ brows arched high on his wizened face.

“I want to make sure you don’t push yourself too hard. My liege, you must not put off your guest tonight. She is—”

“I told you I would deal with it later, Shimus. If you’re going to insist on being present during my workout, the least you can do is be silent.”

Kaze looked up toward the ceiling, as he often did when addressing the Virtual Intelligence that controlled the holo-chamber.

“Computer, run program Kaze 245.”

Affirmative. Now running program Kaze 249.

Kaze’s eyes went wide.

“Computer, no, end program!”

It was poor timing on his part. The Computer was busy setting up the holographic chamber, and couldn’t receive the command in time. The gridwork walls of the vast chamber vanished, replaced by a bedchamber well stocked with furs and flame. Also stocked with a holographic playmate, a female with only a suggestion of clothes and a suggestive smile.

The computer ended the program, and he sheepishly turned to Shimus, who was struggling—and failing—to contain a smile.

“I remain silent, sir.”

Kaze ran the intended program, his shame adding fuel to his exertions. He faced off against a dozen elite swordsmen, all intent on hacking him to pieces with their blades. 

“I’ve never understood the nobility’s predilection with archaic weapons. Shouldn’t you be training with a firearm, my liege?”

Kaze grinned as he ducked under the swing of a chrome armored warrior before exploding the opponent into pixels with a thrust of his own sword.

“If I really wanted to fight, I would rely on my natural abilities. No firearm can match a dragon’s flames. The sword is the weapon of the duel.”

“No one’s had a duel in twenty five years.”

“Peace is the best time to prepare for war.” 

Kaze defeated the last opponent, but not before taking a long, thin slash to his ribcage. It bled freely, but wasn’t terribly deep. Kaze touched the red spouting from his side and showed his crimson fingertip to Shimus.

“There, you see? This is why I turned off the safety protocols. A healthy respect for pain keeps you that much quicker in the future.”

His metabolism already sealed the cut by the time he finished talking. Kaze accepted a towel from his servant and dabbed at his face and bare chest.

Shimus dropped off on the way back to Kaze’s private chambers. The old servant said he had to attend to their dinner guests. Kaze thought it odd that Shimus had waited until the very day to even try to inform him of the nature of the visit. 

There was too much cageyness in the old man for it to be something mundane.

Kaze figured it was probably something that the old man thought he would object to. He shrugged it off and soaked in a hot bath before dressing to meet his guest. Since it was a VIP of some sort, he decided to go all out.

He donned a brocaded coat, worn over a blousy long-sleeved shirt whose lace sleeves protruded from underneath. The gold coat bore a design akin to dragon scales, as well as his family crest of three flames forming a triangle. He had his servants braid his long, black hair, held in place with a cord of golden silk.

Kaze eschewed wearing his crown, considering it heavy and cumbersome. On this occasion, however, he wanted to impress. Shimus would not be so nattering if it were not important. The crown was a simple circlet with raised triangles each bearing a flame red ruby.

They covered the stiff parts of his wings with embroidered, thin gold foil, held in place with a gentle adhesive. He flexed his wings to make sure it would not tear or furrow. Not a bit out of place, he noted with satisfaction. The servants had done a great job.

“Well, don’t you look gorgeous tonight, Prince Kaze.”

He grinned as he turned to face a plump woman in her middle years, her long hair done up in a bun. She wore servant’s livery, but addressed him with great familiarity and ease.

“Adona,” he said, bowing his head toward his former nanny. “Perhaps I only seek to impress you, that you might run away with me and live a life of romance and adventure.”

She laughed, as she always did when he said something like that.

“I think my husband might have something to say about that.”

“Bring him along. I have a big bed on my shuttle.”

“Oh, stop it.” She slapped his arm. The other servants shifted their stances and exchanged uncomfortable glances. Not even Shimus would dare do that to the prince. Kaze liked having at least one person around who wasn’t afraid to get a little cheeky with him.

Besides, though he was only kidding, he often thought that if he did ever settle down with a woman, it would be someone with the same kind of spirit and spunk that his nanny displayed.

He made his way toward the grand dining hall, accompanied by his hangers-on as always. Shimus joined up with him, the old man’s eyes full of sparkle as he beheld the crown prince in all his glory.

“My liege, you look magnificent. The matchmaker will be most pleased—”

He stopped his stride cold.

“The what?”

“Matchmaker. The august personage of Sagazia Prozeus, CEO of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Agency.”

“Shimus, what did I say about matchmaking? I said NO matchmaking! Bad enough I have to fend off this constant stream of princesses my mother keeps trying to foist upon me.”

“It is because you have rejected so many suitors that I had to take this step.”

“I don’t need a mate, Shimus.”

“Oh? You’re not lonely?” The old man arched his brows.

“Not one bit.”

“Then why does program number Kaze 249 exist?”

Kaze looked at his servant, jaw wide open.

“Ah, I see you finally find the value of resting your tongue for a moment, my young prince. Now, allow me to lay it out for you. I have worked very long, and very hard, to arrange this meeting. Sagazia is a living legend. She has a one hundred percent success rate on matching couples. One hundred percent! Even the vaunted Companions cannot claim such a lofty number.”

“So she’s good at her job—”

“She is the best at what she does. Not simply good. And I have put both my own and the royal family’s reputation on the line.” His expression did not change, but his tone took on a decidedly clipped edge. “Quite frankly, if you do not see this guest and treat her with the same courtesy you would someone of your own station, then I see no recourse but to resign my commission immediately.”

“Let’s not be hasty, Shimus.” Kaze gave his servant a long, probing look. “In the twenty five years we’ve known each other, you have never, not once, threatened to resign. Is this really that important to you?”

Shimus’ expression softened. For a moment, it looked almost fatherly. Kaze darted away from that old pain like a fish darting from a hook.

“It is not only important to me, but to you, as well. My job is to watch over you and attend to your needs. Do you think I don’t notice your long, solitary strolls in the late hours of the evening? Or the way you brood in melancholy for hours on end while you are ostensibly ‘reading’ in your study?”

Shimus sighed, a rare sign of emotion.

“Your mind twists about itself too much, like a blind serpent, apt to bite itself as its intended prey. You need this more than you know. So please, not just for yourself, or for your mother, or even for the kingdom. Can you do this for me?”

Kaze’s heart skipped a beat. Shimus had never asked for anything, ever, beyond his usual stipend and the accouterments of his profession. Kaze knew how much this meant to the servant.

You’re all but a father to me, old man. You don’t know it, but I would do almost anything for you.

“Very well. I will greet her with the utmost respect.”

“And see the program through to its natural end.”

“What if that natural ened comes upon the first meeting of my so-called match? What if she scorns me? What then?”

“You’re a crown prince, not a petulant teen. Let’s not go down this labyrinthian tumult of for instances. Just put your heart into this. Or at least, don’t put your heart against it.”

Kaze smiled, and put his hand on the old man’s shoulder.

“All right. Take me to her.”

Kaze was surprised when Shimus remained outside, subtly indicating the other servants should do the same. He entered the grand dining hall and found it empty but for one occupant.

The delicious meal which had been laid out—golden brown fowl glazed with honey was the main course—lay untouched. Instead, his guest stood at the far window, looking out over sunset as it cast red-gold brilliance across the Bridge of the Ancients.

Somehow, she pulled off a stark white suit with ivory accents, her long shimmering silver hair done into a simple ponytail. The understated attire and adornments had their own elegance. A single streak of copper shimmered in her hair as she turned to face him with a warm smile.

“Greetings, Prince Kaze Bahkouzga. Won’t you join me in watching this spectacular sunset?”
He moved over, putting on his best smile.

“Certainly. Though I have seen sunsets before, I do appreciate this one.”

Her face wrinkled with amusement. He couldn’t place her age offhand. She could have been twenty, or a thousand. She looked human, but appearances could be deceiving.

“Ah, but there’s so much more to experience when you do it with someone else. For instance, did you know that the Odex sun ceremony celebrates this exact moment? When the dying sun kisses the land with her final loving warmth before retiring to rest for the night. It is a rare type of beauty.”

“It happens everyday. Well, every day that it does not rain.”

Her brows arched, eggshell perfect face inscrutable. 

“Ah, but only for a few minutes at best. It is a moment of perfection which can be experienced, but not preserved. Except in memory. And the best, most vivid memories are formed when one has companionship.”

Kaze smiled and offered a slight bow of his head.

“My lady Sagazia—”

“Oh, stop. I am no noble. Call me Sagazia. Or Sagz. Or if you must, Ms. Prozeus, but I really hate that last one. Just anything but Saggy.”

Kaze laughed, enjoying her company more than he thought he would.

“Very well, Sagazia. I was going to say you I detect a common theme to your discourse. It would seem you think highly of the shared experience.”

“You could say that.” She settled her bottom onto the windowsill and sighed, the fresh air stirring her ponytail. “Tell me, Kaze, do you know the story of the Precursors?”

“Of course we do. God like beings who existed far before the memory of my people, or any other for that matter. Grand puppet masters who pull the strings of the cosmos for everyone’s benefit.”

She laughed and shook her head.

“A grandiose and somewhat overstated assessment, but with a kernel of truth. Many kernels, in fact. The Precursors are some and yet none of the things you mentioned, and they are certainly not gods. I will tell you one of my favorite precursor stories, however.”

As if the sun was but another prop in her presentation, it sank below the horizon at just that instant, leaving behind a faint red line as if left by a giant brushstroke. Now limned in twilight’s purple grace, Sagazia took on an almost mystical aspect.

“When the galaxy was young, and the different sapient species but swirling motes in primordial muck, the Precursors feared there would not be enough souls to fill all of the trillions upon trillions of life forms which would result.”

She spread her hand toward the deepening blanket of stars.

“So, they split some souls in two, but with the promise that eventually the two halves would eventually come together once again. They have a name for these two bodies with one soul. Jalshagar.”

The word sent a chill down his spine.

“If you’re implying you can find my jalshagar, that’s a rather large claim, Sagazia. And might bring down the wrath of forces beyond your ken.”

She laughed as if it truly amused her. Not in a mocking or defiant way. In a very gentle sort of way.

“I don’t think the Precursors would mind much. And no, I make no such claims. I will say that it is my business to bring together two halves that make a stronger whole. And, I am rather good at it, if I do say so myself.”
Sagazia laughed and settled back on the ledge. She took out a metallic tube and put it to her lips. After a deep inhale, during which the tube lit up, she expelled a cloud of pink, glittering smoke.

“A long time ago, I never would have, how do you say—tooted my own horn. These days, though, it seems that’s all anyone ever does.” She turned to him with a smile that hinted of a deep sadness in spite of her light spirits. “Everything is better with companionship, my young Prince. If you’ll allow me, I think I can help you.”

Don’t set your heart against this.

“It would be my honor to accept your help, Sagazia.”

Inside, he believed she would be unlikely to find him a suitable mate. His mother certainly never had, and this Sagazia was an outsider to their planet, their culture.

Still, it would make Shimus happy, and get his mother off his back for a while.

Besides, maybe the stars will align and I will find that I care for this match very much.