Make up something. Make up something! Her brain screamed at her. But what? What would be a legitimate reason as to why a young lady of her age had never even been kissed? This was, after all, the twenty first century!
She had seen the documentaries in her women’s studies class. Girls today were not like girls from back, say, in the early nineteen hundreds. Girls took charge. If they wanted to be with a guy, they would boldly take that first step needed to ensure the relationship happened. They were not as timid as they had once been.
Sadly, things had not progressed so much in her world. The gentleman still called on the lady, wooed her, and eventually sought her hand in marriage from her father. Perhaps that was her problem. She had been frozen in a time of romance and chivalry; something that human beings did not view as important anymore.
“Heidi?”
Brison’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts and again, her face was heating up with a blush.
“Earth to Heidi,” He chuckled. “Your mind isn’t here, is it?”
Heidi sighed, feeling defeated. Isaiah had been so correct in his accusations. She wasn’t ready for any of this. She would easily expose her kind with her own ignorance.
“No, I’m sorry,” She replied, glancing up at him again. “Parties aren’t really my sort of thing,” That was true. She had attempted to act like any normal girl would, but it was not an easy feat for someone who was used to being tucked away in her own chamber of silence for the greater part of a day.
It wasn’t like she was held captive. She quite enjoyed solace. She wasn’t a complete hermit either! She went to plenty of social events at home. When her father threw banquets, she was the first to arrive in her best dress. She liked dancing and speaking with other fire folk. Things were just so different here. Why did they have to be so different?
Heidi was surprised when she felt Brison’s arm wrap around her shoulder. He was leading her towards the front door and she glanced up at him in confusion.
“Let’s get out of here,” He suggested. “I don’t want you to be anywhere you’re not comfortable.”
“Thanks,” Heidi replied with a small smile.
As they left the deafening atmosphere of the party behind, Heidi was beginning to think that Brison wasn’t like the other boys from this world. He wasn’t such a bad guy after all.
But the truth was, he wasn’t and an observant Isaiah begged to differ.
6
On Monday, things went back to normal. Well, at least as normal as it could get for a Fire Princess who had sought refuge on a different planet. That sounded really dysfunctional when she thought about it.
Classes resumed as they were meant to and any traces of Isaiah’s latest temper tantrum had melted away with the warmth of the sun as it shined brightly in the sky.
Heidi took comfort in that; seeing the sun. She knew that as long as the sun was in the sky, her kind was safe. Her people were safe. Her father was safe. If anything ever happened to the people of fire, the sun would grieve itself into non-existence. It was a promise that had been made at the beginning of time-because the people of fire were the children of the sun.
Sitting upon the same bench as always, centered only a few yards away from the main entrance, Heidi shut out the noise of giggling girls and boasting boys who were talking about their weekend and whether or not they had gotten ‘lucky.’ From what Heidi could gather, getting lucky today meant that one had sexual intercourse. Why did this generation use such terminology when getting lucky was meant for those who played the lottery or found a four leaf clover? What did they consider a rabbit’s foot to be?
When she was only a small girl, her mother had told her stories about human beings and their superstitions. One was never to walk beneath a ladder or open an umbrella inside of their home. If a black cat crossed your path, pluck a hair from your head to ward off bad luck. Never break mirrors or earn yourself seven years of misfortune. If one spills salt, they must throw some over their shoulder.
It was amazing how she could still remember that. But the memories of her mother lived strong within her mind; and her heart. She missed her mother.
Her mother had been so beautiful. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman among the people of fire. She had such a warm face, and an even warmer smile. Heidi had her eyes-and she was proud of that. Queen Teralynis was adored by her people, loved by her husband, and idolized by her daughter.
Her death was so sudden. It came with no warning and shattered Heidi’s young heart. Her mother hadn’t been sick. She hadn’t complained of feeling ill. The healer could have prevented it had there been any signs, perhaps. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on Heidi’s behalf. The day her mother died had been the most tragic day of her existence.
“Now then, if you ever want to catch the eye of a man, Heidi, you simply separate yourself from the rest of the ladies,” Her mother had said.
Heidi had been no more than seven, watching her mother through the mirror as she brushed out her long hair. Heidi smiled when her mother smiled and then asked how she could possibly separate herself from the other pretty girls.
“That is simple, my darling,” Her mother said, moving her fingertips to tuck Heidi’s hair behind her left ear before kissing her temple. “You just keep being you. You’re very special, my love. More special than I can even begin to explain. You are going to be such a spectacular young woman. One day, everyone will see that. And when they do, the man you’re meant to be with will see it, too. When he does, he’s going to stop at nothing to win your heart.”
Heidi never understood what her mother meant by that. She never saw herself any different from other fire people. Of course she understood that being her father’s daughter automatically bumped her up on the scale, but aside from a crown full of rubies and a throne made of gold, Heidi really didn’t see what could possibly make her so special. She had no great strengths or talents; unless someone cared to count her endless thirst for knowledge.
Doubted.
Inhaling deeply, Heidi savored the scent of the warm fresh air. It was probably the warmest day they would have this month. February was quickly approaching and more snow would be moving in. It would be natural at least, and not brought on by the hissy fit of a grown man who decided to act out.
That also bothered her. She was thinking of Isaiah far too often these days, but only because of what he had said. He had been so correct. She was nearly giving herself away every time she turned around. She was just lucky that Brison didn’t suspect anything. Even the simplest, most sheltered virgin on Earth probably didn’t act as ignorant as she did.
Brison liked her. She knew he did. She liked him, too. But that’s where the problem began. She could not pursue a relationship with a human boy because she herself was not human. She belonged with her own kind. She would help continue the next generation with a man of her kind. That was how it had always been, and always would be. Fire with fire, ice with ice, and so on.
Yes. Brison was out of the question. She couldn’t think about him. She could not day dream about his smile or his laugh. She could not crave the touch of his hand against her own, and she surely could not, under any circumstances, yearn for his arms to be around her during a slow dance.
She had greatly underestimated the humans. The daily struggles a young female human must have had, longing for another of their kind. Heidi couldn’t even fathom how an ordinary human reigned in their feelings like that!
It was with a heavy sigh that she collapsed upon her bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn’t even bother to take her shoes off as she laid there, an arm resting over her closed eyes as the merciless thoughts and images continued racing through her mind. She had to let these feelings go. Whatever they were and whatever they wanted, she had to ignore them.
How did Isaiah deal with this? How was it he could come to this planet and do the things he did? Did he not yearn for the young women he pursued? Did he feel nothing for those he bedded at night? She cringed
at the thought; not wanting to envision Isaiah sowing his seed among the unsuspecting humans, but she was painfully curious as to how he restricted feeling anything.
He couldn’t be entirely numb, could he? She knew he missed his people just as much as she missed her own. He thought of his parents and his younger sister, did he not? It didn’t matter how cold the temperature of his skin could get, he still had a beating heart. A heart that could feel and hurt just as much as her own.
“Poppycock,” She groaned, rolling over to bury her face against her pillow.
She never pondered over worries this much at home. She had no need to. There were plenty of things to keep her mind off such petty things-especially Isaiah! He had no idea how much he was torturing her lately. He plagued her mind with worries and insecurities she’d never had before. That stupid boy.
Heaving another heavy sigh, Heidi rolled onto her side, her eyes remaining closed as she decided a nap would make her thoughts rest for a little while. Maybe when she awoke things would be a little easier to decipher. Maybe then she could sort out everything she was feeling and her frustration would have resolved enough to where she could think clearly. One could only hope.
7
The annoying chime of her alarm sounding was what pulled Heidi out of her deep slumber. She had been dreaming about home. Oh, how she missed it. She missed the warm, vibrant colors of red and gold drapes that covered her large windows. She missed the silk sheets of her bed and how they felt against her skin. She missed her ladies in waiting, but she missed no one more than she missed her father.
Blasted alarm! Why did it not silence? She reached her hand out blindly, refusing to open her eyes as she swatted at the night stand to feel for the little device known as an alarm clock. Why did humans no longer rely on roosters to awaken them? It was in moments like this that she missed the magical morning gale of her world. It was such a cheerful, musical little bird with bright orange feathers that glistened in the morning light. The sweet melodies that left the morning gale’s beak were enchanting and nearly hypnotic. No fire person could resist the charm of a morning gale and the song it sang, beckoning for them to rise and meet the day.
But then her eyes suddenly popped open. What time was it exactly? She bolted upright on her bed, blinking her eyes rapidly to clear her vision as she tried to focus on the tiny red numbers that illuminated from the alarm clock. She was very surprised to be met with the blinding bright flash of orange that caused her to lift her hand up to shield her eyes. Had she left the curtains open, or perhaps her roommate had done so this morning without meaning to?
Oh no! Did she really sleep all night and the morning had slipped up upon her so soon? She couldn’t oversleep! She couldn’t miss her classes! In those few seconds where a person was still somewhere in between dreaming and awake, Heidi fumbled from her bed, nearly tripping over her own shoes that had managed to be kicked off sometime during the night, as she reached her hand out to grab for the dark blue curtain that her roommate had hung at the beginning of the semester.
The little chime grew louder in her ears as she grabbed the cotton fabric and gave it a tug, only to realize it was already closed. What in the world?
Though as she stopped for only a moment, allowing her senses to awaken a bit more, Heidi realized the chime she had mistaken for an alarm clock sounded an awful lot like laughter. An alarm clock most certainly did not laugh.
Turning her attention back towards her bed, she shielded her eyes as the light seemed to grow brighter, lighting her room up as if someone had flipped the switch. She heard a groan and turned her head quickly only to realize her roommate was in her own bed, rolling onto her side, back facing Heidi to avoid the sudden disturbance of light.
It wasn’t anywhere near morning time! Heidi released a gasp around the same time that the room went dark. What was going on?
Her question was answered soon enough as the light returned, but as a much dimmer glow in the form of a small figure atop her night stand. From the outline of strong, wide wings to the small hand that lifted to wave at her, Heidi couldn’t stop the smile that grew on her face.
Sun fairies were extraordinarily beautiful little creatures. Heidi had seen them come and go from her father’s palace before but she had never had the pleasure of meeting one this close in person until now. She took a step closer, watching as the little fae mimicked her and did the same. It did not appear that the fairy was afraid of her, but why would she be?
It had always been told that a Fire fairy came to a lone fire person in a great time of need; to guide them when they were lost. Heidi was certain that she was not lost at the moment. Slightly lonely, yes, but not lost!
“Hello,” Heidi said in a whispered voice.
The Fire fairy tilted her head, her golden hair framing her small face perfectly as she stared at Heidi with eyes that reminded the princess of a jeweled crown made of topaz. She was gorgeous. Her pale skin contrasted with her features and the shimmering yellow dress that clung to her tiny, yet perfectly developed fairy body. Heidi was jealous of it, to be honest.
The fairy gave her another wave before gently grabbing at the ends of her dress, giving the princess a small curtsy before lifting her head.
Heidi smiled, shaking her head. “There is no need to curtsy before me, um..I fear I do not know your name. Forgive me for my lack of manners. I am Heidi.”
She watched as the small fairy began to shake her head furiously so, as if one simple shake was not enough. With just a small flutter of her wings, the fairy was in the air, at face level with Heidi then.
To any human being, it was a series of chimes sounding off, like a wind chime that had been assaulted by a gust of wind to start up a melodious song-but Heidi understood perfectly what the young fairy was saying to her.
“Lille Solene, you say?” Heidi asked. “It is very nice to meet you, Lille,” She stuck out her index finger, allowing the fairy to shake it with both of her tiny hands. “Why have you come to me at this hour? Why now?”
For the next half hour, Heidi was seated upon her bed with the small fairy sitting on her knee as she explained that the Fire Kingdom was in grave danger. Heidi’s father was still fighting bravely, along with the strongest and most skilled warriors that their kind had to offer, but he worried for his daughter’s safety and had asked the sun to send a protector for his one and only child.
Lille insisted that Heidi shouldn’t fear for her father, for many other sun fairies had gone to aid him in battle against the unknown forces that wished to take over the throne. It was only a cautionary measure for Lille to be there, to ensure that nothing happened to the young heiress.
“Nothing happens here,” Heidi admitted in that same whisper of a voice. She shrugged her shoulders before shaking her head. “I am being an ordinary girl who goes to classes and doesn’t do much of anything else.”
As Lille chimed again, Heidi’s brows furrowed. “Isaiah? No. I don’t really place myself around him unless I absolutely must. He is the one who harasses me.”
Another series of chimes rang out from Lille, a small hand slapping against an equally small knee as she threw her head back in laughter. Heidi stared at her before giving a roll of her eyes. “You may be humored by it for now, but you’ve not met him. You have no idea how arrogant he can be!”
“Who are you talking to?”
Heidi jumped, turning her head quickly to realize her roommate, Sarah, was rolling over and fumbling to find her glasses from her night stand. Oh no! Sarah couldn’t see the fairy in her room. Heidi’s secret couldn’t be exposed!
“Um..” Heidi glanced back to her knee, surprised to see the dim light was gone and nothing more than a golden necklace with a ruby heart upon it remained. Was this a gift left behind by Lille? She picked it up carefully, holding it protectively in her palm as she briefly wondered where the Fire fairy could have gone. Surely she did not leave? Heidi still had so many questions that desperately needed answers!
Furrowing her brows, H
eidi glanced back to Sarah as she pushed herself into a sitting position, glasses in place on the girl’s face now.
“It’s four eighteen in the morning, Heidi. People have classes in the morning. You have classes in the morning. What’s going on?”
Think of something! Think of something!
“I was…practicing some lines for a new play,” Heidi started slowly. “I’m auditioning for the lead tomorrow.”
“Yeah?” Sarah asked, yawning a little. “What play?”
What play? Blast, she hadn’t thought about that at all!
“Um..” She thought for a moment longer, going into the greatest depths of her mind, trying to remember all the plays she had seen since her time on the Earth. The Skin of Our Teeth and Spring Awakening were the ones that first came to mind; the freshest in her memory. All of the plays she had seen had been put on by small community theater groups who were nearby, lacking in the costume department but not in talent. They had made the roles believable and heart felt. She had enjoyed them immensely. Sarah wasn’t going to believe her!
You have to try, she reminded herself.
“The Skin of Our Teeth,” She finally said, giving a confident nod as she shifted on the bed, fully facing her roommate then as she traced her thumb over the heart shaped ruby pendent.
“I know that play,” Sarah nodded, reaching out to turn on her lamp. Heidi blinked from the sudden brightness, she squinted her eyes. She knew the play? Drat!
“You do?” Heidi asked.
“Yeah, I helped set up the stage for it. You can’t help but to hear it a few times when you’re trying to set up between scenes in the dark, and you’re adjusting to new glasses, and you keep running into things,” Sarah smirked a little, though it didn’t appear she was reminiscing over the events.
Sarah clapped her hands together suddenly, moving to sit Indian style as she pushed her glasses back up her slender nose. “All right. So give me a line. Let me hear what you’re working on.”
The Fire King's Daughter Page 4