by K. Lyn Hill
They both believe to be from a different world.
"We need to figure out how to get back home. We don't even know how we got here." Was it too much to hope that she really wasn’t the girl who ran from him? That this other world wasn’t just a ploy? "Your father is going out of his mind, Aer. Not to mention Mya and everyone at the station and now I went missing too. They will think the worst."
Aerity’s panicked voice tortured him slowly, twisting that knife in his chest round and round. "Eli." Her voice wobbled. "What if the other Aerity switched places with me? What if she is in our world pretending to be me?" If what they were saying was true, the princess would be wreaking havoc on the other one’s life.
"She obviously wasn’t around a few days ago but in case it happens, it’s just another reason why we have to go. Come on Aer. Be smart about this. I'll find a way to get you home. To get us both home."
Damien's feet were carrying him before he could think better of it. Coming up behind them, he pulled Aerity’s back flush to his chest. In a growl that sounded more predator than human, Damien roared. "You will not take her from me!”
∞∞∞
Aerity
She froze, processing the firm body at her back. Damien. Remembering his accusation snapped her out of her stupor. Tearing free from his grasp she spun around, slamming her hand to his chest. "And why would you care? Huh?! You think I'm manipulating you and lying." A humorless laugh slipped out. "Why would you possibly want to keep me around? You don't have anyone else to rip apart?!"
Damien stepped toward her cautiously, like one would a wounded animal. She hated that look on his face. She wasn’t weak; yet the way he looked at her made her feel broken.
"Elias, can you please give us a minute?" Damien directed his attention over her shoulder.
Elias took a cautious step closer to her. "Aer?"
"Its fine Eli. I'll catch up with you later."
Hesitantly he turned on his heels tossing over his shoulder, "I hold true to my threat about you hurting her.” And then he stalked down the hallway, disappearing around the corner.
Damien sucked in a deep breath. "I'm sorry about what I said. You must realize I've been run from and manipulated before and you began spouting words of another world where you have an evil twin. Sounds like a story book, does it not?"
"Do you believe me now?" Of course it sounded crazy but she had offered him ample proof. He just refused to see it.
"I don't know what to believe, but I will try to keep an open mind and not hold you accountable for the wrongs someone else did against me."
She was tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of this little battle that never seemed to end with them. And she was hungry. Fighting made her ravished. Her stomach echoed that thought with a loud grumble.
With a simple nod, she began walking towards the dining room.
Damien followed, sticking closely to her tail. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the now cold food. I'm starving."
Imagine that, he actually kept his mouth closed. Maybe he was learning. She scoffed.
Once assured the food wasn’t poisoned, Damien seemed to enjoy what she made. Pizza had the power to accomplish many great things. Clearly, it was not the same as New York pizza, but she had improvised, and it turned out pretty good. It was a little taste of home that made tears prickle behind her eyelids. Damien shoveled in mouthfuls. It was a surprise he didn't keel over from lack of oxygen. Once he slowed down, they settled into a comfortable conversation. Huh. Who would have thought they could ever communicate like normal human beings?
"So, you and Elias are close?" He asked innocently enough but she sensed an emotion behind the question. Jealousy. Shocking.
She nodded. "We grew up together, went to school together. He lost his foster sister around the same time I lost my mom. We became inseparable after that."
His slow nod hinted that he wanted to ask something else. He didn't disappoint. "Do you love him?" There was a tightening around his jaw as he asked and a crinkling around his eyes. Knowing the answer seemed to fill him with dread, but he was keeping his voice calm and free of judgment, so she humored him.
"I am his sister, just as he is my brother. Yes, I love him. But not romantically." Her answer seemed to placate him for the time being. Just as she thought the conversation had died, he added cautiously, “Do you love my brother?”
Their peace was tethered to a fraying string but for that night, so far, it was holding. Tomorrow, however, would bring about a new day with new knives working to hack away at what they had precariously built.
She had to be careful how she worded things or else he would fly off the handle again. “Siel has become a good friend, but I recognize that a friend is all he can be.”
He didn’t miss the way she technically didn’t answer his question, but he let it go and nodded. "Thank you for the food. I am very much thrilled it wasn't poisoned."
The corner of her lip tipped up a hair. "The night is still young." Her smirk grew at his deadpan glare. "Just kidding." She threw him her trademark wink. "So....we are getting married. Crazy right!" Humor was the only way to get through this. She could do it. For the people counting on her she would have to do it. There was no other choice, even when her insides raged with panic.
"Indeed." Was all he said in response. "I should let you get some rest. It’s been an eventful day." Damien stood and pushed the stool away. Bending down on one knee in front of her, he glanced up through serious eyes. She sucked in a breath. "I know this isn't what you imagined, especially if you were dumped in a different world but I thank you." Grasping her hand in his, he kissed it tenderly. "I will strive to make you as happy as I can." Aerity recognized this for what it was. He was laying down arms and offering what little of his soul he had left. It may be tattered and missing some pieces, but she knew it matched hers in a twisted way. Any anger she felt for him melted away as she knelt and met him on the floor. She as well, laid her soul bare in a silent response.
Tangling his hand in her hair, he bent forward and kissed her forehead. "Until then my bride." Then he was up and out the door before she could even blink.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Aerity
“Hey stranger. Where have you been?" Aerity asked as Eli approached her in the hallway. She hadn't seen him in days and wondered how and where he was occupying his time. The main assumption was in innocent girls' beds, but she wanted to hear it from him.
"Oh a little here and a little there. I’ve found many ways to keep myself busy.” He smirked and stared at the rear end of a maid walking by. Aerity chuckled when she noticed it was Carly.
With towels in her hand, Carly spun to level a glare at him. “This was the guy you wanted to set me up with? Really Aerity?” She hmphed, making Aerity laugh harder.
Eli placed a hand on his chest and feigned offense. “My fair maiden, how could you say such a thing?”
Siel chose that moment to join the fray as he leaned against the hallway wall, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched as they bantered, stealing her attention to share a smirk.
After meeting Eli’s arrogant grin, Aerity rolled her eyes and turned to face Carly. “I swear he isn’t always such a dog. He has some redeeming traits too.” Aerity tried and failed to defend him. A few days in a new world and he was already breaking hearts. He deserved Carly’s ire.
“Whatever.” Eli mumbled. “Oh I meant to ask you, one of the maids said that there was an attack on the castle the other day. What’s up with that?”
Aerity shivered, remembering all the blood that day. This subject always incensed her. Damien may or may not have more information but he would never tell her any of it even if he did. “I don’t know. We still don’t know where they came from or how they got in. Damien doesn’t let me join in the war council meetings so I’m in the dark.”
Eli raised an eyebrow. “Even after he has seen you fight?”
“Sadly, that makes no difference to him.”
Siel must have sensed her darkening mood because he jumped into the conversation, completely derailing it. “You should have seen Aerity fight. All the girls were running and screaming to get to the safe room and Aerity was cursing everyone out to give her a sword.” He chuckled.
After a minute a thoughtful look appeared on Eli’s face. "So I obviously know why you were in the height of the fight but what were you doing when the attack began if you were with a bunch of girls?"
She grimaced more at the thought of embroidery than at the thought of blood on her face. She knew Eli would laugh as soon as she said it. "I was in the game room.” She skirted the subject.
He noticed, quirking his eyebrow. "What were you doing in the game room?"
Curse him with all his questions. With a sign of defeat, she relinquished and just told him. "Embroidery."
He was silent at first and then his laughter burst free and echoed through the silent halls. Aerity scowled at him but that only made him laugh harder.
"Shut up." She slammed him in the arm with her fist.
"Oh Mrs. Wilson would you care for a spot of tea with your embroidery quill?" He mocked.
Siel had made his way from his spot on the wall to stand besides Eli, trying to hide his smile as he pretended to scratch his nose. Fuming, she glared at Eli but he kept on chugging. "Oh no! We don't have any crumpets! What will we do?" His voice sounded like Mrs. Doubtfire on crack. Siel eventually stopped trying to hide his smile. She moved to punch him too.
Hardening her voice, Aerity stood up on her toes to seem more intimidating. Those bastards only laughed harder. "You'd better stop the comments Eli, or I'll tell everyone here about our first sleepover."
That shut him up real fast. His eyes narrowed at the threat. "You wouldn't dare." Oh how quickly he turned serious when the joke was flipped on him.
Siel tilted his head curiously. "Something you care to share? What sleepover was this?"
Aerity smiled wickedly at Eli, watching as he scrambled to answer. "It was nothing."
"I'll tell you later." Aerity mouthed to Siel.
Eli spun to face her again. "Aer...no."
Her smile grew. "Eli...yes."
She could feel the desperation growing in his body as he tensed up like lock jaw. "I'll spread to everyone you were embroidering."
Pffft. Like that mattered. “I’m a Princess here. It's what we are supposed to be doing. In fact, I’m pretty sure it would help my reputation."
His gaze hardened. "Then when I get back, I'll tell everyone at the police station.”
Okay. That was a valid threat. She would die of humiliation if they found out. He must have realized he had her because a smug expression crossed his face.
"Fine." Wagging her finger at him. "But this embroidery stuff dies here and now. What happens in this world stays in this world." Sticking up her pinky. "Swear it." His pinky wrapped around hers as they shook on secrecy.
“So we are about to go for a walk in the village. Care to join us?” Siel asked Eli but he violently shook his head.
“No, I’m sorry to say but I’ve had enough of your villagers when they tried to burn me alive. I’m good. I’ll stay in the castle. I’m sure I’ll find ways to amuse myself.” At that moment a maid came around the corner and caught eyes with him. The girl immediately started giggling.
Aerity rolled her eyes. “You are such a man whore.”
Eli shrugged, gliding his way towards the girl who had begun swaying her hips. “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”
“I feel like I’ve been replaced.” Siel whispered, staring longingly as Eli’s arm wrapped around the maid. “They used to fawn over me like that.”
Aerity shot him a dirty look.
“What?” Siel asked, confusion clouding his eyes.
She shook her head just as Eli called over his shoulder. “Remember what we promised, Aer!” These boys. Uggg.
Shaking her head Aerity grabbed hold of Siel’s arm. "Stop your whining. We have stuff to do. Come on hot stuff.”
Once they got further down the hall Siel thankfully stopped moping about his new competition and his mind switched gears. "So, you going to tell me about the sleepover?"
Aerity smirked. "When we were younger and I first slept over Eli’s house he put on his mom’s dress and high heels. When I walked into the room, he was smearing bright red lipstick all over his face singing, "I feel pretty. Oh so pretty. So pretty and witty and briiiiiiiight."” Light burst in Siel’s eyes as his melodic laughter shot down the hallway. She could have sworn she heard Eli's growl in the background and despite the way her life had flipped upside down, she couldn't help the smile that graced her face.
Once they made it into town, she watched as the children danced around playfully, despite the fact, their faces were sunken in and their eyes appeared hollow. The sight made her sick with rage at the neglect they obviously endured. A gangly boy who was probably around seven, sported a smug look as another little girl came around the circle. Without time to react, he shoved his foot out in the girl’s path causing her to crash to the ground. The little girl’s bottom lip quivered but she held back her tears. Aerity was impressed with her bravado.
"What did you do that for?!" The little girl yelled at the one guilty of tripping her.
"I don't know what you’re talking about." He shoved his tongue out at her. As she stood up, the long gash on her leg oozed blood. The girl looked down at her leg and simply hobbled to the side of the game.
"Where are her parents?" Aerity asked Siel because someone needed to clean the girl’s injured leg.
His face blanked, taking a minute to reply. "She doesn't have any."
She snapped her neck towards him. "What do you mean, she doesn't have any!? Who is her guardian?!"
His eyes clouded with regret. "She stays at the orphanage with the other kids who have lost their parents."
Aerity sucked in a sharp breath as her heart strings threatened to snap. "How did her parents die?"
"Many have been victims of war. Others pestilence, old age."
Aerity clutched a hand to her chest and whispered. "They are so young."
His gentle nod was the only indication he had heard her. "War effects many ages."
The girl still stood on the outskirts of the game, using her good foot to kick at pebbles on the ground. Aerity found herself taking steps towards her without even realizing it. She got an earful of childish mumblings as she approached. "Stupid boys."
Aerity couldn't help but smile. "I agree. Boys are quite stupid." The little girl’s eyes darted up and widened, taking in her dress. The servants finally ‘found’ the princess’ clothing chests, so she was dressed in ridiculously wealthy fabric swimming with elegant designs. It was better than what Damien kept putting her in, even if she still wanted to burn all the corsets to ash.
The girl’s tiny mouth popped open. “You’re the princess.” She breathed as Aerity bent down to eye level.
"You were very brave back there. I saw that boy trip you, but you didn't cry. That means you’re tough."
The girl beamed at the praise. "Ain't no boys gonna make me cry." The girl puffed out her chest and raised her chin. The same way Aerity had done when she was younger. Well, she still did it now too.
"You got that right." Aerity winked and the girl blushed fiercely. "But we need to clean up your leg so it doesn’t get infected. Can you take me to where you’re staying?"
The bold girl suddenly grew shy, lowering her gaze to the floor. "Dey don't like when we botter dem durin da day."
Trying to hide her temper at the thought of more mistreatment, Aerity calmly asked, "Who doesn't like to be bothered?"
The girl glanced up frightfully through thick eyelashes. "The guards."
"Well that's a shame because I'm going to go bother them. Remember? We fear no boys."
The girl seemed to gain renewed courage because she grabbed Aerity’s hand and started dragging her to her home. The word ‘home’ used very loosely. Wh
at was in front of her was a rundown shack, with holes in the patchy roof. Two guards laid slumped over in their chairs, holding bottles of whiskey. Aerity felt a familiar flame flush her system and her gut churned. The girl couldn’t possibly be expected to sleep here.
She bent back down to the girl. "What's your name sweety?"
Innocent blue eyes stared back at her. "Serenity."
What a contrast for the little fire ball in front of her. "That is such a pretty name. Do you think we could switch names?"
Serenity laughed and it turned to a cough. "We can't change names silly. You’re the princess!"
"But what if we switched for the day and you could be the princess?"
Serenity’s eyes popped out of her head. "I would love to be a princess!" Her filthy blonde curls bobbed up and down as she hopped in place.
"How would you like to spend the night in the castle with me? We could have a sleep over."
Her cheeks took on a rosy hue that was in stark contrast to the gaunt pale shade of her face. "Doya mean it?!"
"I do.” She smiled. “So here's what we need to do. Do you see that handsome man standing over there in the blue and gold?" Siel stared inquisitively at her pointed finger. Serenity enthusiastically nodded. "That's Siel. He's my friend. I need to have a little chat with the guards. Do you think you could go wait with Siel until I'm done?"
Her smile widened as she stared at Siel. "He's mighty cute but does he have cooties?"
Aerity chuckled. "No sweety. I searched him before. He’s all clean. It's safe."