Candescent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1)

by Isabelle Gallo

  She looked away. “I went to seek refuge in the Frozen Waterfalls but Pearl, Taj’, and their children were gone. I couldn’t stay there alone. So I traveled. I kept my eye out for you. I scanned the streets but you were nowhere to be found. I assumed that you were also a captive. With that thought, I decided to stop looking for you. I went on, lived, and raised the baby myself until I was sure the war was over. That’s what I did. Then, I started to make my way back. I had lived on my own very well with the baby, but on my way back here, I got sick. It was just a cold at first but I neglected to acknowledge that it was important. I continued to push myself until I didn’t know where I was. Soon I lost my appetite and then I couldn’t even hunt for food. I knew the baby was getting sick, which only made me push on. Soon I didn’t know who I was or where I was. All I knew was that I had a baby and we were both starving. Somehow I ended up here. I found you after all.” She embraced him and he kissed her lovingly.

  “I didn’t even know it was you. You wouldn’t take off your cape.”

  She smiled and laughed quietly. “I wasn’t thinking straight. But…now that the war is over, what happened?”

  “Sebastian was the cause of the war. He was the man you saw. He held Chenille captive, but Pete destroyed him…well,” he paused, “Pete had a Ceremonial Trial and his punishment was that he was given Lucian’s heart. So when the heart took over he summoned Jasper and Jasper destroyed Sebastian.”

  “Where is Chenille and Pete? What about Fitzray?”

  “Chenille refused to have a Ceremony with Fitzray because of the Ceremonial Trial. She was guilty about Pete. Fitzray was killed in an accident, to never return. As for Pete, Lucian’s heart made him weak and almost killed him. It tortured him and put him to sleep. Chenille couldn’t take it. Everything was overwhelming her. She got my bag one night when I’d foolishly left it unsupervised and she found poison. Pete apparently woke up after she’d taken it and probably saw her suffering, but they were attacked by a foreign enemy.”

  “Oh no. I was too late to see her. I wanted to see her and show her the baby. Oh, why was I too late?” Her eyes filled with tears.

  “You must understand Amelia. She wanted that. She even left me in charge.” His eyes rolled away from her. “She didn’t even have an heir. Her own baby was killed before it was born.”

  “Speaking of babies, look who’s up!” Raven chimed as he walked down the stairs. He handed the baby to Amelia. “I’m glad you’re doing well. The baby is too.”

  “Raven, this is Amelia, my Eternal Mate. She was looking for me, but then she fell ill.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Amelia.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too Raven. Thank you for looking after my baby.”

  “I was just telling Amelia that we don’t have an heir to carry on the Silver name.”

  “Yeah,” Raven frowned, “it’s too bad.”

  “Well, what about the baby?”

  “What about him?”

  “Look at those eyes. Look at how marvelous they are,” she chimed.

  They were gold, the most luxurious shade of gold. They were the color of Lucian’s eyes and the color of Sebastian’s eyes.

  “What about them?” Raven asked.

  Amelia smiled happily, bouncing the baby in her arms. “Well you know I didn’t name him yet. I wasn’t going to name him until I found you so we could name him together.”

  “Well if you’re implying his eyes,” he paused. “I am not naming our son Gold.”

  “No, but what about Silver?”

  “Silver,” Caspian said quietly to himself.

  “He would almost be like an heir then. He’d carry on the Silver name,” she continued.

  “I never thought of it like that.” He gazed down at the baby. “Then I guess that would make him the heir?”

  “I guess it does. If anything…we could always say he was Pete and Chenille’s son. Of course then he would be Silver Silver, but either way he would still be Prince Silver. King Silver.”

  I watched them smile down at the baby, the new Prince, the new King. Caspian took the baby from his Eternal Mate and held him in his arms.

  I could feel myself smiling at the sight. This was how it was supposed to be. I felt happy. Catastrophe would be a better place – a better planet. And the scene started to fade from my view. I felt myself float away from the palace. I was floating further away from Catastrophe. I could hear Caspian’s voice as he told the creatures about me.

  “I have sad news to bring to all of you today. Today our King and Queen rest together in an eternal sleep. Nay, will they wake from passing time, nor will they sleep forever without being alive in spirit. Let us all remember our great Queen, who sacrificed herself to Sebastian, knowing that he would one day be destroyed. She knew one day we would be free again. Let us remember our fallen King who loved his Queen as any Eternal Mate should. Without him, we may still be at war with the werewolves, our brethren, and mourn over thousands of slaughtered dragons. We may still have a gap between the worlds. Our Bridge may never have been rebuilt. Let us remember our fallen Prince, Fitzray, who loved our Queen as much as our King, if not more. Without him…well, where should I start? He was the one that helped our King change. Now good creatures, we shall prevail together still. We shall not be suppressed by an immortal again. I hope that our great City will never undergo such devastation again. I know we can rebuild it. I cannot guarantee that there is no evil or difficulties here on Catastrophe, but never again will it hurt us the way it did. We are more united now, more than ever.” He took a breath.

  “And I cannot promise you a perfect world. Our Queen asked me to take care of all of you and this planet before she died. As you know, she did not have an heir to carry on the royal name. So my Eternal Mate, Amelia, and I will do our best to keep order. We do not ask for you to call us King or Queen.” He paused and Amelia handed the baby to him. “But as for our son, all must call him as though he is the heir of the throne. His name is Prince Silver and you shall address him as so. One day he may become your King, but for now he is here to keep a very important name alive.”

  I could hear thousands of creatures kneeling before their new rulers and their Prince. The sounds faded away and I was surrounded by silence.

  Then my head was filled with flashbacks and I saw Pete. He held me tightly as he did on our last day. He did not suffer from a torturous heart. We were happy, content, and free at last.

  * * * * *

  I woke, feeling like I’d just slept a day away. I nervously turned my face to the window to find there was a dreary overcast. The clock on my table read eight thirty.

  My eyes rolled down to look at my chest. I was holding my charm involuntarily. I thought about my complex dream. At least it ended the way it did. I didn’t feel like it should be questioned any more. Luckily it ended on its own and was probably the last of it.

  I thought about Louie, concern flooding over me. I wondered how he was. I wondered if he left like his brother. I grabbed my cell phone, desperate to call him and find out. The other line just rang and rang until finally it was picked up.

  “Louie!” I said relieved.

  “Oh hi Chenille,” he replied, sounding almost disappointed.

  “Have you heard from Monty yet?”

  “No, and I don’t expect to.” I heard him sigh. “So what’s up?”

  “Oh…nothing.”

  “You’re just making sure I’m still home, aren’t you?” He laughed dryly. “Why would you even think I’d leave?”

  “It’s just… about last night…I’m really sorry.”

  “Chenille, don’t worry about it. Forget it even happened.”

  “No…I never wanted to hurt you.”

  “I know. I know you were very upset. Everyone was.”

  “Are you sure everything is ok?”

  “I’m good. I’m positive.”

  “How are your parents?”

  “They’ve been better. They’re trying to cope with the fact t
hat their baby bird just flew from the nest.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that. What if he doesn’t call them and let them know that he’s ok?”

  “Trust me. He’ll call. I know he’s fine. This is Monty we’re talking about.”

  “If you say so.”

  “How about you? Are you feeling any better?”

  “I guess so. I really wanted to see you.”

  “It’s early now.”

  “I know. What about later?”

  “Sure. When?”

  “Twelve?”

  “Ok, that’s fine.”

  “I’ll see you later then?”

  “Of course. Bye Chenille.”

  “Bye Louie, see you later.”

  I hung up my phone and remained sitting Indian-style on my bed. It was only going on nine o’clock. I headed downstairs to find my parents were already gone. Zaire was still home though.

  “Look who’s up early,” he chimed. “That’s not like you. What’s the matter? You couldn’t sleep last night?”

  He was right. I was never up this early in the summer. If I didn’t sleep in until ten o’ clock, you knew I was either anxious, sick, or had a restless night.

  “No, I actually slept well.”

  “Oh really?” He looked over his shoulder as I entered the kitchen.

  “Yeah, I had a nice dream.” I called, now reaching for the box of cereal on the top shelf of the cupboard. “Typical,” I grumbled. It was empty.

  “Oh, right, forgot to tell you that we just ran out of cereal.”

  Why does he even bother? I thought. Now cranky from not eating breakfast by now, I went over and sat by my brother.

  “Don’t you have work today?”

  “Nope. I thought today I would go to the beach. You wanna come?”

  “No, I have plans.”

  “You? Have plans? Already? It’s like…nine and you already have plans?”

  “Shocking, I know. I called Louie to see how he was. And I wanted to see him.”

  Zaire smiled. “So you did listen to me last night. I’m glad someone takes me seriously around here.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m glad you forgave Louie.”

  “I realized that life is too short. I couldn’t stay mad at him forever.”

  “I don’t think you were ever mad at him.”

  “Yeah…how could I? He’s my friend. Friends forgive each other. That’s exactly what we did.”

  Zaire’s smile became more prominent. “You know what I think? I think you really like Louie.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “And the both of you deserve each other.”

  I diverted my gaze away. I never even thought of us like that.

  Zaire’s words stayed in the back of my head for the remainder of the morning. It even lingered until the doorbell rang and Louie arrived. Luckily, Zaire made himself busy doing things in the kitchen. He tidied up – anything that would allow him to be close enough to hear us talk. I let my friend come inside to find that the first thing he did was smile. He looked so much better than how he looked the previous day. He was miserable and depressed the day before. What more could directly express happiness than a smile?

  “Hey Chenille.”

  “Hi Louie.”

  “You wanted to see me.” He lifted his arms. “Here I am, in the flesh.”

  “I wanted to see how you were.”

  “I’m ok.”

  “You didn’t have me so convinced on the phone.”

  “How do I look to you then?”

  “Good,” I admitted, “or at least better than yesterday. About that…I’m still really sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing,” he said annoyed, but playfully at the same time. “Just accept that I forgive you. I should be the one on my knees still begging for forgiveness.” He started to get down on his hands and knees.

  “No, stop! You don’t have to.”

  “Ok, good.” He quickly returned to his feet.

  “There was something I wanted to tell you.”

  His face became serious, concerned. “What? Is there something wrong?”

  “No, not at all. It’s just…well,” I paused to look up at him. “I love you too.”

  Afterword

  Iwould not go back to that charm. I would not dig it up again, let it be discovered, or speak of it again. I made myself a promise – one I would keep.

  As for my dreams, I still dreamed of Catastrophe. I would see the great planet Catastrophe and wander along the cobblestone streets alone. I could see the many creatures and how they lived and prospered.

  Sometimes I would see Amelia and Caspian and with them I would see Silver, the little prince. If I walked far enough I could still see the Frozen Waterfalls, the icy pool, and the hidden cave. There I would find the giant, old, wise snake Taj’ and his beautiful mermaid. Their children aged and left as all children should, but they remained happy together.

  I would wander in the dark woods, speculated by our great moon at night, without fear of being harmed. The small woodland creatures would not notice me and simply scurry by. And once out of the woods, once far away from the great City, I went toward the sea.

  Perhaps it was the salty sprays or the chill of the thundering ocean waves. Maybe it was the sight of the sun melting over the dark waters, or the sea dragons. Whatever it was compelled me to travel there. I got on a boat, one that Raven sailed, and I could see the other side of Catastrophe.

  I went to the North, Alfur, and I saw the wealthy immortals. I saw their hefty dragons, their crowns, jewels, and opulence. I felt power and luxury fill me again. Then I went to Eastern and Western Alfur, where I saw Rasha and Rallen. They were together whenever I went there and I saw their happiness. I went over to the other continents, sometimes seeing the other Allies. Then I returned to Inesious.

  Back at my home continent, I strayed along the coast. I admired the gorgeous beaches. But once the salty air was too much, I went to the Arii Desert. Now in the most desolate place of Catastrophe, I trudged along. I stopped by an oasis, marveled at its secrecy, its ever-growing green in the desert heat. I went straight through, longing for the sea, the water that was by now too far away. And nearly defeated by the heat, I would see the lights of my glorious City again. But I would not stop there.

  Instead, I would take another path that would guide me far away from the City of Lights. I would go to the Ticktay Mountains, the large mountain range made from dark stone and dragon scales. At their summits was always a blizzard and at their base was a fresh, cool scent from the spruce, pine, and evergreen trees. There were the cool creaks that wound themselves into deep valleys and aged like rivers. Through this beautiful, serine place, you would want to stay, but there came a time when the gray stone faded to white and the lush trees came to a clearing.

  It was here that you would find the poor, rundown little town called Nalani. Now from your long journey through the Ticktay Mountains, you would be faced with old excuses for fruit stands, broken carts, and rotten food. Here, you would imagine was where rejected or released creatures all seemed to gather. Here these creatures were thirsty, not for water – maybe blood, but they craved money.

  It was their malnourishment, their lack of shelter and well-being that drove them insane. They would strip animals of their fur or scales. And sometimes they would be graced with a precious jewel - a unicorn. No, the unicorn itself was useless to these savage beasts. The unicorn’s horn was most valuable. And if it meant death for the beautiful beast, then it would be so. You would not believe this if not seen by your own two eyes as I did. At first, no one believed me when I said I saw the exquisite Lazuli with her horn cut from her head. No more than a puny stubble of growth remained. That old thought alone made me rush through Nalani. I eventually made my way to the Star Pool.

  Once guarded by a giant phoenix Obsidian, the invisible pool still reflected the billons of starts shared by the two worlds. It still had unexplainable powers. It still held its
mystery. I was not the one to explore its depths, so I moved on.

  You would think that I would be awake by now. But no, I was not going to stop yet. I had one more place to go – the Bridge. Gazing over it, you would notice its orange fragments that were pieces of Clesta. Still at its edges were white fragments, old remains of our Bridge of Secrecy.

  Our beautiful Bridge of Secrecy was destroyed from our friend, Obsidian, the last phoenix who was poisoned. So left with Clesta’s remains, our new bridge was built. It unified the worlds, connected the immortals and the mortals. Knowledge was exchanged and so a rivalry started, that, would in time end, at least for a little while.

  Countless times while visiting Catastrophe I would lean against the high walls of the Bridge. I would gaze up silently at the stars and the two moons. The eclipses ended years ago.

  Verneil was particularly beautiful tonight, full and brighter than any celestial being, at night that is. There was a wonder about this place that brought me back each time. Even though I could not interact with any of the creatures anymore, I could still find comfort and peace in this place. Somehow it was like a sanctuary. It monopolized my dreams, for if I didn’t dream of Catastrophe, I didn’t dream at all. Whenever I woke from my dreams, I would recall everything I saw and then I would cross the Bridge onto Earth – into reality.