by Cici Wickens
“I’m glad that you came. Did you want to…watch a movie or something?” I suggest, my own cheeks filling with color. I’m surprised by my boldness. I like Cam. I wanted more than a friendship with him.
Cam sighed. “I can’t. I’ve actually got to head back because I’ve got one of my classes this afternoon.”
I frown, upset with his response. At least he had begun to take more care with his college. “Okay…well thanks.” I say, trying not to sound like I had gotten my hopes up.
“What, I don’t get a hug now?” He asked, giving me a look.
“Fine, I guess you deserve it.” I say boringly, but my heart flutters on the inside. He rolled his eyes at me, but then took on a more serious expression that causes my stomach to flip upside down.
Cam teasingly grabbed me bout the waist and drew me in. My blood heats up when I’m leaning flush against his warm body. I can feel the solid muscles beneath his shirt, which causes my heart to race even faster. He rested his chin atop my head, holding me in a way that makes me feel like my heart might stop. I get the sensation that I’m about to combust. This hug is different from the one before, when he had comforted me outside the library. This one was intimate. An embrace.
Cam slightly released me, giving me some space. His eyes had changed to that vibrant green that excited me so much. I realize that he was gazing at my mouth. He noticed that I caught him looking and quickly raised his eyes, cheeks reddening. An embarrassed laugh escaped his lips. Those perfectly parted lips that were just asking to be kissed.
“Iris! Come show me everything you got for Valentine’s Day!” My dad yelled from the living room.
We both spring apart, although my dad hadn’t seen us. Cam ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. “Yeah, uh. I better go.”
I nod mutely, completely flustered.
“Bye.” He said, giving me one last glance.
“Y-yeah, bye.” I stumble over my words.
I stand there after he leaves for a long moment, trying to catch my breath and calm my heart.
“Iris?” My dad called again.
I swiftly gather up my gifts and walk to the living room. “Alright.” I tell him, a smile of content making its way to my lips. “I got these flowers from Thomas and Ron. I got another charm for my bracelet, and some more flowers from you. And I got some chocolates and a bear from Cam.” An idea comes to me then. “Actually, dad. I’ve got to head out for a bit, but I won’t be out too late.”
“Where are you going?” He asked in surprise.
“I’m gonna’ bring these chocolates to Blaze. I can’t eat them.” I say with a shrug.
My dad narrowed his eyes, not appearing pleased. “Why would you take chocolates to another boy besides the one you’re interested in?”
“Hey!” I defend, not liking his tone. “Blaze is my friend. I don’t think he got anything for Valentine’s Day. I mean, Ron and Thomas didn’t either, but at least they participated. Blaze avoided school altogether today. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “That boy is trouble.”
“That’s what everyone says. But he’s just misunderstood. Seriously dad. You shouldn’t judge someone who you’ve barely taken the time to get to know.” I fold my arms and give him a disappointed look.
“We shouldn’t have raised you so well.” He muttered. “Okay, you’re right. Now I feel bad for the guy. Take him the chocolates. Be a good friend or whatever.”
I chuckle and pat him on his tightly-coiled hair. “Of course I’m right.”
✽ ✽ ✽
I knock on Janelle’s front door, despite not seeing the usual van parked outside. I figure that Minerva and Blaze were still home, and their parents had just went to the store or something. I look down at the heart-shaped box of chocolates Cam had gotten for me. They were the expensive kind.
The door opened. “Uh, Iris?” Blaze greeted in confusion. He was dressed in an oversized shirt and some black joggers. “Minerva’s not here right now. She went grocery shopping with my mom. But I’ll let her know you stopped by.”
I plant my hand on the door before he could shut it in my face. “Wait! I actually came to give you this.”
Blaze’s lips frowned when he looked from me to the chocolates. Not exactly the reaction I had expected. But honestly, I can’t imagine him doing anything else. “Thanks, I guess.” Blaze opened the door a little wider. “This is the part where I’m supposed to ask if you want to come in, right? Uh…do you?”
I agree, smiling at his awkwardness. “Where’s your dad?” I ask.
“He’s at our neighbor’s, mowing a lawn.” He said flippantly.
There are empty bags of spicy chips atop the coffee table and couch. I glance at the TV and see that he was in the middle of playing a video game. It dawns on me. “Wait, you like spicy foods, right?” I ask with a wince. “Does that mean you don’t really eat a lot of chocolate?”
Blaze started picking up the chip bags so I could sit down. He picked up the chocolates and read on them. “I like the ones that have caramel inside. And the ones with peanuts. I’ll give the fruity ones to Minerva.”
That makes me feel better. “Sounds like a plan.” I motion to the TV, completely out of my element. “Do you have any two-player games?” I inquire.
Blaze gave me a long look. “Not any that you’d know how play.”
I fold my arms. “Come on. Try me. I can learn.”
He seemed to internally debate with himself for a few seconds before finally sighing. “Alright. I guess we can play this game—” He held up a case that had a military man on the cover, holding a large gun. “—Zombie mode.”
I nod encouragingly. “Okay.”
The horrid screams of Zombies soon filled the air around us. The game was bloody and made my heart race with adrenaline. I’d be lying if I didn’t scream like a little girl several times, especially when one would start to claw at me. “Shit!” I exclaim as I sprint away from a horde.
Blaze laughed at me. Really laughed at me. “I didn’t know you knew about that word.” He joked while firing at the Zombies cornering me.
I roll my eyes at him, but then flinch in fright as two of the creatures jump me and my screen goes red. “Hurry and revive—”
The front door opened, silencing my shout. Minerva and her mom were back with a brown bag filled to the brim with veggies and a box of pasta. Janelle’s eyes widened. I guess she hadn’t seen me coming. “I was not expecting you.” She said.
“I came to check on Blaze and bring him some chocolates for Valentine’s Day.” I explain, silently hoping Blaze wouldn’t be embarrassed by the admittance. But throughout the entire time I’ve been here, I almost felt like he appreciated my thoughtfulness.
All of a sudden, Minerva stomped over and gasped when she saw the screen.
“How could you two play this without me?” She demanded. “Where’s the other remote? I want to play!”
“No way!” Blaze said immediately. “The screen will be too small then! Person with lowest number of kills passes the remote.”
Well that’ll be me every time, I think bitterly. “Are we starting that with the results of this round? Or the next one since this one’s already over?” I ask, wondering if I should go ahead and pass the remote.
“This one—” Minerva started to say.
“Next round.” Blaze said, giving me a smirk. Minerva narrowed her eyes between the two of us, not liking being teamed up on. “We were playing first anyways.” Blaze said at her expression. “Wait until next round Minerva.”
Minerva huffed and plopped down on the couch with us. She reached forward and grabbed the box of chocolates. “Fine then, I’ll just sit here and eat the chocolates she brought for you.”
“Only the fruity ones.” Blaze warned. “The other ones are mine.”
Chapter 45
The Execution
Iris
I stumble to the side to avoid the strange feeling of having some
one walk through me again. I had been dodging Faeries left and right as we strolled throughout the crowded streets of Daphidle Kingdom, barely able to keep up with Zola, who weaved through the masses with the kind of ease only an Angel was capable of.
Zola stopped walking. “This is where the different Fae races come together to trade throughout the day. We are currently standing in the center of the lower half of Daphidle Kingdom. You should know that only Fae live here in the kingdom, mostly of the First Level. However, the occasional Second Level will wander through as well.” She explained, her voice rising over the noises around us. “Notice that there are four groups of Fae who are easily distinguished between if you consider the tone of their skin, and their hair and eye color. Also, note the dye of their garments. The ones who wear blue are water elementals. The purple signifies the air. Green is for the earth. Red clothes are for fire.”
She was right. Faeries with skin that had the slightest tint of blue to it wore sapphire-colored robes, their eyes the color of the deepest ocean. Others were garnished in purple and their white eyes shone brightly against their alabaster skin. There were also Faeries dressed in robes of green, with earth-toned skin and light brown eyes. Last were Fae who wore bold red clothes against their charcoal skin and had dark orange eyes. They were tall creatures, and they were all beautiful in their own way. They milled about, bartering with their neighbors and laughing.
“They seem…happy.” I say in confusion.
“Would you rather they be sad?” Zola asked with a raise of her brow. “Their problems run deeper than their masks, dear girl.”
“Where did you take me last time? With the Troll and the Dwarves?”
“That was outside of the Kingdom walls.” She answered. “As I said, only the Fae are allowed to reside in here.”
A woman’s wretched wails silenced the busy bodies around me. A wave of murmurs ran through the Fae. “The Scouts are coming.” They said amongst themselves.
A flicker of silver catches my eye as it cracks against the wind at a breakneck speed. The woman cried out as it bit into her flesh. I cringe at her strangled cries, and I find myself instinctually stepping forward when she reaches her hand out in my direction.
Zola put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Do not.” She said firmly, her eyes aglow.
“Why?” I ask, my voice thick with emotion. “We have to help her!” Tears sting at my eyes at the sight before me. No one spoke up or did anything to help the poor woman. “I have to help her!” I cry. “No one else is doing anything.”
“Your time will come. But it is not now.” Zola gripped my shoulder tighter.
I watch as a supposed Scout slashed at the hand that seems to reach for me. I can’t pull my eyes from the horrific scene unfolding. The Scout grabbed the woman by the hair, dragging her to a platform in the center of the circle. She kicked and fought as hard as she could, her knees skinned and dirtied, and her body caked in filth. I wonder how far they had drug her. What did she do to deserve this?
They put heavy metal cuffs around her wrists and hoisted her in the air to hang. Her voice carried over the crowd that had begun to watch. “I see in our near future…” The man lashed out at her to silence her, threatening to cut out her tongue. Her body was shaking, and tears had begun to drip from her face. “…the daughter of our former king will arrive in our once golden lands, purging all evil…” Whisch. Another slice. Gold liquid coated the whip and spilled out onto the stand. It started to drip from her mouth. She bleeds gold. “…and uniting all supernatural. She will restore the balance between Lux and Nox…” My breath hitches as she’s hit so hard that her body pulls against the shackles, and we are splayed in a shower of warm gold. The crowd reeled back, and murmurs erupted amongst them. “…and our hope will not have been for nothing. My fellow Aurumians, wait for her.” She took another heavy blow, causing me to recoil in fright, and her glazed eyes drifted somewhere far away. The man spoke up.
“This is what happens when you defy your Queen. Claiming that Queen Valencia is not the proper heir to the throne is treason and will result in a slow and painful death.” He struck the woman again to emphasize his point, and she let out gurgling moans. He raised his hand to quiet the whisperings that had started. I notice that he’s missing a finger. “Whosoever speaks of this rightful heir, or harbors the radicals and Prophets who do, will be drug from their homes without question and suffer the same fate as the wretch who hangs before us. You all know of the Queen’s most recent decree, which states that any Prophet who utters her name, be put to death. Heed it well.”
The Scout motioned to the other one beside him, and I watch in horror as he pulled out a long, curved blade. He slowly walked over to the Prophet, whose body was now unmoving, and raised the blade to her throat. The Fae around me casted their eyes low. Some turned away, but a few stared at the men with undisguised hatred.
I can’t let her die. The Prophet was speaking of me. I am the reason that she’s up there. She was going to be killed because of me. “Stop!” I yell, breaking Zola’s shield around us. The Fae beside me stumble back in surprise and the Scouts hesitated, eyeing me warily. “Please don’t kill—”
I wake up gasping for air with tears streaming down my face. Zola had pulled me from the vision. She had stopped me from saving the woman. I cry into my pillow, realizing that the Prophet was going to be killed. If she wasn’t already. I shudder into my very being. I watched a woman’s last moments alive and witnessed her last words. How many had died before her because they had been caught spreading my name and giving others hope? How many would begin to now that I had shown my face? That’s what Zola meant, I think with grief. This would likely cause a new wave of revolts—all because they expected my arrival. So many more would die in vain, spreading the word, waiting for me to come. But I still wasn’t strong enough to save myself, much less someone else.
I’m so stupid. I should’ve listened to her. I just couldn’t help it though. I had to at least try. My weeping eventually becomes so loud that my father burst into my bedroom.
“What’s wrong Iris?” My dad asked with worry, his eyes wide. “Why are you crying? What happened?” He sat on my bed and pulled me into a hug.
I cry into his shoulder, shaking. “Zola brought me to the kingdom.” I hiccup. “There was a woman who was killed because she told people that I was coming to save them. She died dad! And it’s my fault.” I sob even harder after admitting it out loud. My chest and throat burn.
My dad tensed up, realizing the depth of the situation. Then he sighed and rubbed my back in soothing circles. “It isn’t your fault, Iris. Believe me. People make their own choices. She died for what she believed in.” He murmured.
I shake my head. “But they saw me dad. Which means that more of them are going to start rising against Valencia. And more will die. I have to do something.”
“Iris.” My dad said sternly. “You can’t stop them. This battle has been raging for fifty-four years there. You have to accept that sweetie. The mass can wait for a little longer until you get stronger. I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to go there and be killed because you can’t defend yourself. Then all their sacrifices would be in vain. I can’t imagine how hard this has to be for you. But please don’t blame yourself. You don’t need that kind of poison in you.” He paused for a moment. “When…your mom passed, for the longest time I blamed myself.” I look up at my dad when he shifted the conversation. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I kept thinking that I should’ve known. I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve talked to her more. I told myself that I failed her as a husband. Those thoughts plagued my mind each night. Until finally I realized that it wasn’t my fault. She made a choice. There’s nothing I could’ve done to stop it.”
I hug my dad tighter as fresh tears leak from my eyes. “Don’t leave me, okay?” I whisper.
My dad kissed my forehead. “Never.” He promised.
Chapter 46
Several Weeks Later
Iris
The next several weeks had flown by and combining my own personal training with Trace’s had definitely made a difference in my skill level. I had gained more control over my senses, and my speed and stamina in the water had increased seven-fold. I could sit on the lake for over an hour now, and with that move mastered I had quickly grasped making whirlpools. I didn’t pick back up on practicing with the swim team after school though. I didn’t have the time for any messing around.
But while I can say that my body had gotten stronger, my mind had suffered. I was plagued with nightmares nearly every night. Although my dad told me to accept what had happened and not let it weigh me down, it continued to bother me. I still blamed myself.
My friendships took a beating too over these weeks. A separation had begun to ease between us all. I never had any time to spend with them. I wanted to tell them what was going on, but I was afraid of how they might react. Especially Thomas since Caesar had been in his home. Minerva and Blaze already knew mostly everything. But they still had no idea that I was an Aqua and that I had been blowing them off to train with Trace all this time. Ron knew about some of the dreams, but only the first few. It was confusing. I didn’t know what I had told to one and hadn’t told the others. I needed to sit down with everyone at one time and start from the beginning. I’ve got to be honest with them. They deserve that much. No one really said anything about it at school, but I could tell everyone knew I was keeping secrets.
Graduation was only a couple weeks away, which left me feeling a bit nervous. It was unspoken, but after graduating and studying with Cato for a short while, I was pretty sure I was expected to go to Aurum. I wanted to go, but I didn’t think I’d be prepared enough for a long time. My dad’s words had started to bounce around in my head for the past few days now that the time was drawing nearer. Their sacrifice would be for nothing. I can’t be too hasty in my training. I’ve got a lot to learn. I’ve barely even scratched the surface of my capabilities, I just know it. Still, some part of me felt like I was only using that as an excuse because I was afraid to face Valencia and Caesar.