Blessed by the tides
Vivienne could hardly stand most of the men in her kingdom. Their eyes, full of intent and often insincere, made her feel like little more than a piece of meat to be ogled. It irritated her beyond measure, yet she’d learned to mask her disdain. Today, she walked down to the beach where her brother’s ship had docked, flanked by two guards—though she found their presence unnecessary. After all, her brother had been teaching her how to defend herself in secret for months. Still, a sense of security, even if artificial, was comforting.
As she neared the shore, she spotted Ashten, his back turned as he spoke with a crew member carrying a bag of fish. She knew he wouldn’t notice her until he finished his conversation. True to form, he eventually turned and faced her. His hair was a darker shade of blonde, reminiscent of their father’s, and their striking contrast in appearance had often left others surprised at the realization that they shared the same mother.
"Viv!" Ashten called out enthusiastically, striding toward her with a grin. She gave him a polite, restrained smile in return. He smelled of saltwater and the sea breeze—his scent whenever he returned from a voyage.
“How nice of you to help me arrive,” he teased, knowing full well that Vivienne hadn’t chosen to meet him on the docks. She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, not bothered by it, but hardly entertained either.“Quite a catch,” she remarked, gesturing toward the fish. She receives a proud smile from Ashten, as if he's been awaiting that remark.
Ashten chuckled proudly. "I’d say we were blessed by Veyrith. Only a minor storm on the way back." He took the bag of fish in hand, preparing to head back to the castle. Vivienne began walking ahead of him, her mind wandering.
Veyrith, the god of tides, was a blessing she’d prayed for during her brother's absence. Despite her cold exterior, she cared deeply for Ashten, more than she often allowed herself to show. As her brother walked beside her, Vivienne couldn't help but hope that Veyrith’s favor had indeed been with him on his journey.