by M. Dalto
Alex looked down, completely forgetting about her current wardrobe situation, and an embarrassed flush came to her cheeks. “I suppose a change of clothes may be ideal given the circumstances.”
He nodded and started leading her through the library. She once again felt the sudden urge to flee, but his grip on her arm was tight, as though he preemptively expected the same reaction from her. “I have some more practical things you can wear, though if you hadn’t gone running away like you did, you’d already be changed by now.”
She remained thoughtfully silent as he walked her back through the palace. She felt as though she had much she needed to say but wasn't exactly sure how to say it. She still didn’t know where she was, truthfully, or if the man beside her was anyone other than some sort of prince to some unknown Empire as he claimed to be. Even so, he was a stranger.
But still…he could be a stranger with answers.
“I want to know what happened,” she said as she stopped walking, attempting to gather her thoughts. “Between last night and every moment since I've arrived. No more tricks, no more games, and no more making me pass out!”
He had a playful glimmer in her eye as he glanced down at her. She was about to retort with something sarcastic but caught herself before continuing.
“Obviously, this is all new to me, and it's a lot to take in, but...” She took in a breath. “I still don't know how I'm a part of it all, but now I feel like I need to know what's going on, even if that means I need to make myself a part of it to figure it out.”
He stared at her as she caught her breath. “Seems like that book did a number on you after all.”
“I guess you could say that.”
He let go of her arm and took her hand in his, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. The gesture was more tender than she expected, and his expression was gentle as he leaned down to bring his eyes level with hers. She didn't realize how much taller he was than her until that moment, standing so close.
“You’re right—I haven’t been fair to you, Alex.” His throat bobbed as if he was forcing himself to swallow his pride in admitting as much. “I’ve been selfish and uncaring in regard to your feelings during this time of adjustment. My mind has been focused on the thrill of what finding you meant for me that I hadn’t t considered the impact that it would have on you.”
That was not the answer she was expecting at all.
Her face flushed, and she hoped the halls were dark enough so that he couldn't see it. She looked down in an attempt to avoid eye contact, but instead he lifted her chin up to keep her eyes on him.
“I mean it. From here on out, there will be no more tricks—no magic, no illusions. It will be you, and I, and nothing but complete and full disclosure. Honesty and trust—is that fair?”
“Magic?” she managed to get out. “So you admit it?”
He held her gaze, unwavering as he waited for an answer.
“Fine,” she conceded, and nodded. She’d press him for more information later then.
“Good.” He leaned in, and her breath caught in her throat. She thought of the night before, and the time before that. His breath against her skin before he did whatever he did to make her fall asleep. But he promised no more tricks. Just them. Alex closed her eyes, half-expecting their lips to meet, but instead he gently gripped her chin between his fingers and kissed her forehead. There was an odd peace in the moment, with just the two of them there in the hallway.
“Now,” he started as her took her hand in his. “Let’s get you changed before that old fossil who calls himself the Councillor sends out a Key to retrieve us.”
Treyan led her back to the room she discovered would be hers, should she choose to want it, and he gave her the privacy she required to ready herself for their meeting.
Alex assumed she didn't have much time before the Councillor came looking for them, so she quickly washed her face in the basin within the washroom and brushed out her auburn hair before the dresser's mirror. A loose blue blouse paired with black leggings, with a black belt and knee-high black boots to complete the outfit waited for her on the now neatly-made bed. Everything fit her well, even down to the shoe size. Nothing surprised her anymore.
She gave herself a final look in the mirror before walking over to the door and opening it and found Treyan leaning against the wall as he waited for her. The moment he saw her emerge he straightened up, making a casual glance up and down her body, his eyes lingering longer than they should have. Her fists clenched in response.
“Glad to see they fit,” he teased as he finally met her gaze, a gleam in his meeting the daggers in hers.
“I don't even want to know how you got my sizes right,” she responded curtly.
He shrugged nonchalantly, and he took her hand and began leading her back down the hallway. “We’ll just say your arrival was not a random one, as I am sure you’ve figured out by now.”
She bit her lip as she focused her attention down the hallway. He was right, and she hated to admit it. It made no logical sense, and even though she still hadn’t figured out exactly how long it had been since she arrived, but between her dream, what the book had shown her, and the Councillor seeming to want to tie it all together, the more she began to believe what he was telling her.
Treyan led the way in silence as though he, too, was lost in his own thoughts. Together they walked through more foyers and hallways, lined by nondescript doors and staircases. It was definitely some sort of palace, for the sheer size paired with the décor was wealthier than even the million-dollar mansions she was familiar with seeing while growing up in one of the wealthier Massachusetts towns. There were others that passed by, though whether they were servants or courtiers she was uncertain. Rarely did they acknowledge her or the Prince beside her, and if they did it was no more than a nod as they continued on their way. Treyan, to his benefit, offered smiles and nods of his own, but maintained their trajectory until they arrived at a set of simple doors at the end of yet another hallway. Only then did he let go of her hand to open them without hesitation.
This room was smaller than the library, with most of its space was occupied by a solid wood table surrounded by matching high-backed chairs. Along the walls, similar doors led away from the room, but they were currently closed to curious eyes. As the two walked in, the Councillor was already standing at the end of the table furthest from them, and Treyan placed his hand at the base of her back, making her jump. He smiled at her jitteriness and motioned to the chair closest to them as he took his place at the chair to right of hers. There were other chairs at the table, all remaining empty, but neither Treyan nor the Councillor seemed to notice as they took their seats. Realizing she remained standing, Alex quickly sat herself down at the table, an embarrassed flush spreading over her cheeks.
The Councillor did not waste any time. With thin arms emerging from his robe, he raised his hands above his head and began.
“Before us sits the Queen Empress Alexstrayna, the daughter of Saviors, and the Light of the Empire.”
“The Light of the Empire,” Treyan echoed in response with his head bowed as though in prayer. He glanced up, as if sensing her watching him, and his blue eyes playfully met her as he nodded his respects.
That did nothing to help her blush, and she decided silence was the best course of action as the Councillor continued on.
“We have no time to delay.” His attention was now directed towards her. “Empress, with all due respect, your coronation must take place as soon as the suns allow. Our Empire is in a dire condition, and the sooner we can unite you with the Crown Prince, the stronger our forces will be against any attacks from the Borderlands.”
“The Borderlands?” She felt as though she would be learning someone new as each day carried on. “I thought we were going to defeat Reylor.”
Treyan snorted.
The Councillor's gazed shifted to the Crown Prince, who merely gave a casual shrug in response, causing the Councillor to sigh in exasperatio
n.
“Empress, Reylor—the former Lord Steward of the Empire—was banished to the Borderlands when he betrayed the Annals and the Prophecy.”
Alex blinked, and bit her lip to refrain from giggling. “I’m sorry, the what?”
The Councillor showed no sign of amusement. “The Annals, Empress. The tome within the library that you discovered earlier. The very source of the Prophecy of Fire and Light, that which our Empire requires to thrive.
Of course, it was.
“But you still haven’t told me why—why me? How are you even certain that I come into this? Couldn’t it be anyone—”
“No,” Treyan answered, his voice low. “Though unknown how the line of the Queen Empress is determined, it’s certain that you are who you are through the magic of the Prophecy.”
“That’s doesn’t answer my question. How did you know it was me?”
Treyan held her stare a moment before responding. “I dreamt about you.”
Alex’s jaw dropped. “These same dreams you told me that I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone? Are you now telling me you’re the one having prophetic dreams?”
“Not exactly, Empress,” the Councillor interjected as Treyan ignored her insistent stare. “But Prince Treyan isn’t wrong. There is a magic involved with the Prophecy that even we are uncertain about.”
“But this Prophecy—you mentioned the uniting of the Queen Empress with the Crown Prince.” She turned her attention to the Councillor after giving Treyan a final glance and swallowed. “I assume you’re going to tell me that I’m a part of it all and it’s my destiny to fulfill whatever it is these Annals say I’m supposed to do?”
The Councillor nodded. “Exactly that, Empress.” And as though he was hoping she would ask, with a flick of his wrist, a large globe of light appeared, hovering at the center of the table. Colors swirled in and out, finally settling as though it was ready to project a documentary with the Councillor narrating the history lesson.
“Twenty-one sun cycles ago, twin sons were born to the Empire; two heirs predetermined to live in the way of the Prophecy, and to lead us into another era of peace and beauty.” With a slight wave of his hand, the orb displayed an image of swaddled newborns held within adult arms. Alex's breath caught in her throat as she recognized exactly who it was she was seeing before her and drifted her gaze towards the Prince beside her. The woman holding them was the same as the one in the portrait she saw earlier before she entered the library. Her exclamation must have caught Treyan's attention, for she noticed his glance, and quickly returned her gaze to the orb.
“Treyan, the Crown Prince, would one day rule. And when the Prophecy deemed it was time to reveal the Queen Empress to him, he would venture to the Otherrealm and retrieve her, thus setting in motion the Prophecy’s cycle once more.
“The other twin, Reylor, was destined to be the Crown Prince’s Lord Steward, his advisor in every way, his main source of information and council in ways of the Empire and its people.”
With a nod from the Councillor, the orb showed two teens training and learning together. Where the features of one were darker, the other possessed a lighter complexion, but the similarities between the two could not be overlooked. The images then started to shift quicker, focusing on each boy individually. The dark-haired brother showed skill with a sword and other various weapons, while the blonde seemed to spend his time among books and scrolls, conducting experiments of his own design.
“When the Queen Empress unexpectedly passed, the twins assumed the positions of their bloodline, and together grew strong in the ways of the Empire, training daily in both physical combat and scholarly literature. As they matured, each had their own unique talents to hone.”
“But what about their father?” Alex interjected.
Treyan hushed her under his breath while the Councillor pursed his lips at the interruption. Another something to be discussed later then, she decided as she murmured her apologies before the Councillor continued.
“As they grew into young men, however, their paths were determined to lead to different ends, running parallel to the other’s as foretold by the very Prophecy our Empire was built upon, but jealousy and bitterness soon tore the brothers apart.” As added emphasis, the central globe now pictured two men, one definitely resembling the Treyan she had come to know, while the other, clearly having the family resemblance, was fairer in coloring but darker of the eyes. A dramatic and sudden bolt of lightning tore the image of the brothers apart, and as they split, their eyes began to glow: Treyan's a striking bright blue, while the brother's were a glowing, demonic red.
Alex had seen those red eyes before.
The memory of her nightmare caused a sudden stabbing pain through her skull, as if her head was being bombarded with a spray of bullets. She held her hand to her temple and squeezed her eyes tight. It all felt too real for her to let go.
“Alex?” Treyan turned to her, standing from his chair and bracing his arms upon the table to lean closer.
She was already grabbing the edge of the table tight enough her knuckles shone white through her skin, needed something to keep her grounded when running away again wasn't an option. She didn't look at Treyan when he called her name and wasn’t sure she could have responded if she wanted to. All she could see were those red eyes, watching her. Taunting her.
His other hand came up, and in a flourished motion, he willed the orb to black and void of any further scene.
The annoyance was on the Councillor's face was evident. “Is there something wrong?” he asked impatiently. “We have much more to discuss—”
Alex opened her mouth to response, but nothing came out. Treyan said to not tell anyone her dreams, as foolish as it seemed at the time. But was this why? Because there was some reality behind it? She had yet to meet Reylor, but would she? If she vocalized it now, would she not be able to stop it from happening in the future?
Treyan’s gaze remained intent on Alex, as though he could see through her, into her mind, could see the dream as though it played out on the very orb he dissipated. But his voice was calm when he said to the Councillor, “The Empress seems to be distracted. Let’s adjourn this meeting for another day.”
“We may not another day, my Prince—”
“Tomorrow, Councillor.” Treyan's tone was stern, so much so that Alex found herself questioning his motives as well.
The Councillor watched Treyan and Alex intensively for a moment longer, as if he, too, was trying to assess the situation without actually know what had previously transpired. But instead of pressing the issue, he waved a dismissive hand towards them. “Fine. Until tomorrow then, but I beg you, Empress, please come back as soon as you can. We must not—”
“Delay any further. Yes, Councillor, I know,” Alex snapped, finally standing from her own chair. Though she was aggravated at Treyan for deciding what she could and could not handle, having to explain at that moment why seeing Reylor bothered her so much left much to be desired.
Treyan gave the Councillor a dramatic bow before leading Alex out of the room without a single glance back. His grip on her hand was iron tight as they walked, and after a moment of silence, she let you a breath she didn't know she was holding. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We are far from done.” His eyes remained on the hallway before them as he spoke. Without warning, he pulled her back and held her up against him, his hands grabbing hers tighter than what Alex thought was necessary. His blue eyes blazed into hers, no longer holding that caring gaze they had earlier.
“When did you meet my brother?”
8
Alex's head began pounding once again, as if the very mention of Reylor make her blood rush, but she wretched her hand out of his, her rage rising.
If Treyan sensed her discomfort, he didn’t show any signs as he continued to press his point. “This is beyond you hearing him in your apartment—you’re acting like you’ve seen him before. Like you’ve met him.” He peered at her a moment long
er. “As if you’re scared of him.”
His voice was harsh, panicked, and urgent, and she took a defensive step away. He said don’t tell him her dreams, but did that involve those within them as well? “No, I’ve never met him,” she finally admitted once she found her voice.
"But you have seen him." Not a question.
“I don't know if I've seen him, in person, per say, but—”
Treyan cut her off. “Where?”
Alex knew her response was going to sound ridiculous any way she spun it, so she shrugged it off. “It could have been during that dream I had last night...”
Without warning, Treyan grabbed her arms, tightly above the elbow, and pushed her back against the nearby wall. His blue eyes raged as she felt the stone of the wall dig into her back before she could attempt to maneuver out of his strong grasp.
“Was it Reylor in your dreams?” he inquired through clenched teeth.
She swallowed and cleared her throat and bared her teeth. “You just told me not to tell anyone my dreams,” she snapped, not appreciating the force or tone.
His hands held her tighter. “Let go,” she ordered.
Instead of acknowledging her request, he shook her as if in an attempt to regain her attention at the subject at hand.
“This isn’t a game, Alex,” he growled. “I need you to answer me. Was Reylor in your dreams?”
“I'm not playing a game, Treyan,” she hissed as she once again struggled against his grasp. “Let go of me. Now.”
He wasn't having any of it. The fire in his eyes would have engulfed her if she let it. His face was close to hers now, his grip still tight on her arms with an almost inhuman-like strength that she knew she wouldn’t be able to break no matter how hard she tried.
But she still tried.
“You need to show me,” he finally demanded.