by Bar Sagi
“Rightfully so?” Yasmin asked.
“Haven’t you seen it, walking around town?” Amanda asked, sighing as she sat down in her desk chair. “My mother has let go of schools, orphanages, and even hospitals, in order to stop the rebellion. Which would be fine, if she was winning. Right now, the rebels number may be a few thousand, which isn’t that much compared to the size of the country. But they are impossible to stop, and impossible to predict. No one is winning, and no one is losing.” She took off her tiara, and let her waist long hair free. “So many people are dying, Yasmin.” Amanda looked near tears. “And I have no idea where they might attack next. Their attacks are so random! I don’t know what to do!”
Maven stepped toward Amanda and hugged her tightly, letting her cry. He looked sad himself, but he wouldn’t break down. Not in front of her.
“We should go,” Violet said, taking Yasmin arm. “My brother will help her. It’s not our place.”
They exited the room, and all Yasmin could think about was Amanda breaking down. The princess had always seemed like such a strong person. Was the situation really so hard on her?
“I get the feeling I still don’t have the whole story,” Yasmin said, looking at Violet, who had begun to pace outside Amanda’s room. “Could you fill me in?”
“I suppose you have been feeling a bit lost all along, huh?” Violet grinned. “It all started eleven years ago, when Amanda was named the next queen of Atlantis. The law was that only males can become rulers of Atlantis, but the old king was determined to change it, because he saw a great queen in Amanda. But when he died, the queen reversed the rule, and she has been ruling Atlantis for her son all these years. When he becomes twenty five, he will be king.”
“Okay, but why did Amanda cry?” Yasmin asked as they walked toward the courtyard. “Is she under a lot of stress?”
“She doesn’t think she is fit to lead anyone, even though she is a tactical genius and really cares for the country. Her younger brother does not, and the kingdom knows it.”
Violet’s steps became faster, and Yasmin had to jog to keep up. “It’s so frustrating! She works so hard for the kingdom, searching for the rebels, but even though no one else can find them either, she still feels responsible for the deaths. Maven tries to share the burden, but it’s hers alone at the end of the day. And the queen won’t acknowledge Amanda as a great ruler!” Violet looked like she wanted to scream.
“Have you tried spying on the rebels through magic?” Yasmin asked, interested.
Violet threw her hands up. “Of course we have!” She looked very close to breaking. It wasn’t just Amanda who was under a lot of pressure.
“I overheard some of their conversations once or twice,” Yasmin said. “That’s how I knew there was a second mage.”
Violet turned and grabbed Yasmin’s hand, her eyes desperate. “You can spy on them? How?”
“Through dreams,” Yasmin said.
Violet looked confused, so she tried to explain. “I used to have these dreams, though in the last few months they have stopped, ever since I turned Abby away. I was in a dark castle and I could hear people talking. I think they were the leaders of the rebels, because Varly was there, along with someone they called ‘my lord.’”
Violet’s eyes widened. “This is amazing! You can spy on them! I know you can. And we’ll finally know their secrets!” She nearly skipped with joy. “I can’t wait to tell Amanda!”
“But didn’t you hear me?” Yasmin said, looking down in disappointment in herself. “I haven’t had dreams like that for a while, not since I rejected Abby and the beast in that dream.”
“Dang it!” Violet looked heartbroken, then confused. “I thought Abby was dead.”
“She is…” Yasmin felt a wave of sadness swamp her as they walked into the courtyard.
She leaned against the wall, trying to process all the information she had gotten today. “But a part of her, her magic, I think, remains inside me, or at least it did. With that, the beast also has control over my dreams, but I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in months. I guess I should be grateful,” she said, tugging her hair. “I just…” She trailed off, feeling useless.
“That doesn’t make sense.” Violet sat down on the grass, apparently too distracted to be aware of her dress. “If Abby is a part of you, then you should have at least sensed her presence. And the beast, why hasn’t he been trying to invade you? The human mind has so many weak points…” She trailed off, looking lost. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Yasmin said. “Right now I can’t even dream, and I am personally glad that Abby isn’t here. She made my life miserable whenever she was around, anyway.”
She felt a twinge of guilt as she said that, but pushed it aside. I am telling the truth, Yasmin thought stubbornly. Abby did only make my life horrid. First in fifth grade, then in ninth. And it’s not my fault that she got possessed. And what did happen to the magic she gave me when she died? I heard from her an awful lot the first few weeks. How come she isn’t here to talk to me now? And what about the beast not invading me? That doesn’t make sense. He should be more forceful now that I am in Atlantis. I have a feeling it’s connected to Abby somehow.
“Violet?” She heard a familiar voice call in surprise. “What are you doing with Yasmin?”
Looking up into David’s blue eyes, Yasmin wanted to scream. As if the day hadn’t been hard enough already.
Violet smiled at David, with a dopey look in her eyes. “Just girl talk,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her. “Dresses and makeup.”
Yasmin couldn’t believe it. Violet lied to David! And she was supposed to be in love with him. Do you ever lie to the one you love? Especially about something this big?
“Makeup?” David snorted. “Yasmin? Are you sure that’s what you were doing?” His gaze slid from Violet to Yasmin, where it stopped, making her uncomfortable. David’s expression was unreadable.
“Not makeup,” Yasmin said hurriedly. David knew her. She would never wear makeup if she could help it. “We were talking about the orphanage in town. Violet said she feels bad the orphanage couldn’t come to the last ball. She would have loved to give them makeup.”
Violet’s gaze slid to her, and changed from ‘idiotically in love’ to a ‘what the hell’ glare on Yasmin.
Yasmin could basically feel Violet asking ‘Would I do something so stupid?’
David still looked suspicious. “You know about the orphanage, Yasmin?” He stared at her carefully, trying to figure out if she was lying.
“Duh!” Yasmin said. “I visit them every weekend. Did you know your mother cut part of their funding?” She glared at him, every hurt feeling she had ever felt against him, plus every good one coming to the surface.
She had to use all her willpower to fight back tears. But one or two still escaped. “Now go away, David.” She turned her back on him, not wanting David to see her crying.
“Violet?” David asked. “Is this true?”
Yasmin could hear Violet’s answer. “Of course! I feel horrible that us nobles get everything while the poor orphans get nothing! We should invite them personally to the next ball!” Violet fluttered her lashes, adding, “Please?”
Yasmin turned around. Was there going to be another ball? How many did this kingdom have? “How many balls does your kingdom have?” she asked, crossing her arms in anger. She refused to be anything but angry around David. “One every week?”
“No, Yasmin,” he said, lecturing her as if she was his student. “We had one for my birthday, as is custom to have a ball on a royal relative’s birthday every year. So every year on the 27 of February. But the ball Violet is talking about is the spring Equinox ball, and it happens on the spring Equinox. Which this year, is March 20. So, not that far away.”
Yasmin wanted really badly to stick her tongue out at David, but restrai
ned herself. “So, basically, you want to invite orphans from all over the country to the ball?” It seemed like a terrible idea. No way could all those orphans fit in one room, even if the ballroom was over seventy feet wide.
“No, silly!” Violet giggled, her noble façade dripping over her like a second skin. She clung to David’s arm, leaning against him. David leaned slightly away from her, ever so subtly.
“Only those from town. And of course we’ll provide them with clothes. If they barely have food, how could they afford ball gowns?” Her eyes glimmered with amusement.
What was her game?
“Oh, that reminds me.” Yasmin said, changing the subject. “Do you know why the beast wouldn’t be attacking me, David?” She couldn’t believe what she was saying. Why would she ever ask David for input?!
David raised an eyebrow, detangling himself from Violet as politely as possible. “The only possible way for the beast not to be trying to invade you with an easy path open is if something was holding him back. And since your magical power is limited thanks to your necklace…” He pointed at the opal necklace that Yasmin had wanted to take off for months. “I must assume is another power at work here. Is there someone else with a pathway into your mind?”
Yasmin locked gazes with Violet. Abby! They thought. But her expression didn’t betray the slightest bit of indifference.
“Whatever, David.” She shrugged. “I don’t need your help.”
David’s eyes crinkled, as if he was hurt, but his expression smoothed over in a millisecond. “I was just thinking, Violet,” he said, turning to face his fiancée, who lit up under his attention. “That is a really good idea. We should make it come true. All commoners are not as lucky as us,” he said, with a hint of distain.
Yasmin flinched. He hadn’t been very subtle in hiding his disgust.
She turned away and left, unable to bring herself to be near David anymore. It hurt so much. Every time she was anywhere near him, her broken heart turned into a rubber band, wound up tight. It hurt so much, it physically hurt, that it was all Yasmin could do not to fall to the ground and clutch her heart. But no. She had decided to stay away from David to let her heart heal. To try and get over him.
But would she ever be able to? It had been three months, and she still felt her knees lock into place whenever he slid his gaze on her. She might put all these walls around her, but he took them down with one look from those light blue eyes.
Shaking her head, she closed he eyes and tried to think of something else. A face popped into her head immediately.
One with a head of messy, white blond hair, and gorgeous green eyes. Lucas. He could always make her feel better.
Maybe he could help her at the next ball, if she had to go. Maybe he could help her get over David.
A friend was something she needed right now.
Chapter 14
A visit home
“Digdig!” she cried, barreling past the open arms of her father into the comforting paws of her cat. He meowed in protest, but didn’t move as she hugged him and kissed his head. Finally, he squirmed out of her grasp and ran away. Yasmin straightened with a laugh and looked around.
The house was just like she remembered it, with the smell of rice filling the house. Lunch time was near, and because it was Saturday, her family had nothing to do. No work, nothing.
“Hey, Bar,” Dror said.
Yasmin started, unused to hearing her name being spoken in Hebrew. Everyone in Atlantis spoke in English, so she spoke that language too, most of the time. “Your last test results are in. Eighty-five. Good job.”
Yasmin jumped and clapped her hands. Because she had to go to Atlantis, but still had to go to school, the royal family had devised a compromise. So basically, she was tutored in the royal palace, and the schoolwork there was the same level as in her old school. Her tutor emailed the results to her family, and viola, everything worked out.
Her last test had been math. She was pretty good at math, but she hated concentrating. It had become a problem. So the test result really cheered her up, because she had studied hard.
“Yay!” she cheered, still jumping, but her smile faded fast. “I missed you, Dad,” she uttered, before running into his arms and hugging him.
He had always been her rock. She hated being away from home, but she couldn’t let so many people die without at least trying. But sometimes it felt like her best fell short of making a difference.
“How was Atlantis?” Dror asked, his voice light. “Did you visit the orphans again? Did you see Lucas?” Yasmin had told him about her only friend, and he wanted to know more about him.
“No, Dad,” Yasmin replied. “I’ll see Lucas tomorrow, after I go back to Atlantis. And I can’t believe there’s going to be another ball!” She groaned.
Suddenly, all she could think about was seeing David and Violet dancing together, and getting mocked by the nobles again. Maybe she could fake sick.
“Why don’t you bring a friend?” Yael suggested, hugging her daughter too. “It might help.”
Yasmin turned to face her mother, sadness written all over her face. “But Miriam and Daniella have to study hard for tests. They can’t make it.”
“Then how about that Lucas fellow?” Dror asked. “He seems like a good friend.” He looked thoughtful. “As long as he doesn’t plan on betraying you, it seems like a fine idea.”
“Dad!” Yasmin cried, shocked. “Why would he betray me?”
“Well, David–” Dror began, but was stopped by a look from Yael. He cleared his throat. “Anyway, bring a friend. And are you hungry? Lunch is ready.”
Yasmin wanted to continue the conversation, but her stomach interrupted her. She giggled to herself as she went to wash her hands. Perhaps a bit of food wouldn’t hurt. Food always cleared her mind.
“I can’t believe the weekend went by so fast, Lucas,” Yasmin said, lying on the grass, watching the kids run around below. “Did you get the invite?”
“What invite?” Lucas asked, his eyes focusing briefly on her face before drifting back to the kids running below. They had taken a small break from running around with the children from the orphanage.
“The one that invites all orphans over age twelve to the ball, of course,” Yasmin said, looking at Lucas in confusion. “Are you going to go?”
Lucas ran a hand through his unruly hair. In the sunset, the fading sunlight made his skin glow. “I don’t know.” He sounded serious. “Aren’t all nobles horrid?”
“I’ll be there.” Yasmin found herself suddenly desperate for Lucas to come, although she didn’t know why. “And don’t some of the younger kids want to come?”
She thought of thirteen=year-old Mitchel, who wasn’t that young at all. Mitchel had always dreamed of being a princess. She would be so excited that something like this had come up.
Lucas smiled tightly. “I just don’t want them hurt.” He took a deep breath them faced Yasmin, rolling so that their faces were inches apart.
Yasmin gulped. Suddenly his eyes seemed so many different shades of green, not like grass, as she had originally thought, but with flecks of brown. “But maybe you’re right.” He gave his signature grin, though it seemed a bit forced. “It might be fun!”
Yasmin sucked in a breath, surprised to be so close. She had this urge to pull away, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
The look in Lucas’s eyes was so vulnerable, that she felt her heart break for him. He was going through a lot, and had basically adopted some little brothers and sisters. He felt responsible for them. So she would help him in any way she could.
“I can’t wait to see you there.” She rolled back onto her back, feeling lighter. “I know some nobles that are okay, just like princess Amanda.”
“You know the princess?” Lucas asked. “Amazing!” He sat up. “I hope they give us something to wear, though. I wo
uldn’t want to go there in these rags!” He tugged playfully at the clothes he was wearing, which were covered with dirt and had a few holes. They certainly weren’t fit for a ball.
“Don’t worry, Cinderella,” Yasmin joked, sitting up too. It was getting late. She should probably head back soon. “I’m sure your fairy godfather will whip something up.”
She stood up, shading the sun out of her eyes. “I have to go,” she said with some regret.
Lucas grabbed her arm. “Promise me you’ll be there? I don’t think I’ll have the courage to face those horrid people alone.” He grinned like it was a joke, but his eyes betrayed his worry. Lucas didn’t like the nobility, for some reason. He was even scared of them.
Yasmin put a hand to her heart. “Promise,” she said, grinning. “Bye, Lucas.”
She felt like skipping as she walked back to the palace. It was good to have friends.
Chapter 15
A ball to remember
Yasmin was walking through the corridors, taking a break from magic lessons—Which she still refused to do—when she saw Princess Amanda walking by.
“Amanda!” she called, waving her hand.
Amanda turned, a smile on her face.
“Hi, Yasmin,” she said, looking as regal as ever in a smart, golden, day dress. “Are you excited for the upcoming ball?”
“Not really.” Yasmin sighed and rubbed the back of her neck nervously. “The last two have been horrible for me.”
Amanda’s gaze clouded over, remembering all the people who had died during the last ball. “Well, I suppose I shall have to change your mind.” She smiled again, but it was forced this time.
“About that...” Yasmin pondered. Would her request even be considered? “I was wondering if I could speak to some of the leaders of the rouge army. You know, apart from Maven.”
“Why?” Amanda asked, coming closer. “You don’t still think we could work together with the queen, do you?” Yasmin avoided her gaze.
“Yasmin,” Amanda said sternly. “I know she is my mother, but ever since my father died, she has become a frozen person, filled with cracks. I am afraid that someday she will shatter. I cannot trust someone so fragile.”