Paying no attention to his sister, Quinton reached down and traced a circle around the animal with his fingers.
Ignasias!
With his fingers completing their path, a small circle of blue flames formed around the frightened ratork. Alex watched as the creature looked around in terror, trying to find a way out, crying out for someone to save it. Tears formed in her eyes as Quinton chuckled and looked over her in amusement.
“What's wrong, little sister? Do you feel sorry for the little vermin?”
“How—how can you be so cruel?” Alex swallowed hard. “It’s just a baby, it has done nothing to you.”
“If you have a problem with it, Alexandra, why not do something about it. Unless, of course, you don't think you can conjure up a spell properly.”
Frozen with fear, Alex was not sure what she should do. She wanted to save the little creature, but it terrified her that Quin would catch on to the fact she was not as dumb as she made herself out to be. If he realized she was not as incompetent as he had thought, he might also figure out she could leave the castle at night. And the last thing Alex needed was for Quinton to catch on to her double life.
Fearing of what would happen to Richard if Quinton was to figure out she left the walls at night to be with him, Alex stole a glance at the defenseless animal on the floor. She knew there was no way she could let it suffer any longer, she had to take the risk and save it. Taking a deep breath, she crouched down and closed her eyes. Putting out two fingers towards the flames, she pretended to focus hard.
Extinctus!
The flames under her fingers flickered and fizzled before going out. Reaching down, Alex grabbed hold of the ratork who settled down in her hands despite shaking with fear. Stroking its fur, she contemplated on how to complete the next step without giving herself away. Deciding on what to do, Alexandra pressed the animal to her chest, cupping its back legs with her hand.
Curarus!
Letting the ratork go, Alex allowed it to scamper up to her shoulder with its healed legs. Giving it another gentle pat, she glanced over at Quinton who was glaring at her with displeasure.
“Pathetic,” he scowled, “using incantations for a simple healing spell. How much more pitiful can you get? It's a darn shame Philip has no idea what a worthless wife he’s getting. Not like that weak-minded fool would care. Still, you are an embarrassment to the Hamilton name, one I can’t wait to get rid of.”
“I'm sorry, brother. I will try to do better next time.”
“I'm sure you will. Now if you don't mind, I'll take that vermin back.”
Quinton went to reach over for the ratork, who went scurrying to hide behind Alexandra’s hair. Without thinking, Alex put out her hands and shoved her brother back with all the strength she had. Quin went stumbling back before tripping over the hem of his cape and falling to the floor with a thud. Sitting where he fell, Quinton glared up at Alex, hatred filling his eyes as his face turned an unflattering shade of red.
“Why you little—” Quin shot up, lunging at Alex with his hands aimed for her neck.
“That's enough Quinton.” shouted Phyllis “Don't make me go get your father.”
Stopping a meter away from Alex, Quin glared at the old woman, his nostrils flaring like some wild animal. The threat of dealing with his old man was enough to give him some pause about what he wanted to do to his sister. Arthur always had a soft spot for his daughter, one Quin could never understand. Regaining his composure, Quinton backed off and straightened out his suit before he did something he would regret. Turning on his heels, he shot a dreadful look at Alex as she stood trembling in her spot.
“Fine, keep the little pest if you like. Next time, however, I will find a filthy peasant for you to practice on. Maybe I’ll find that gardener you were so fond of and break his neck.” Quinton stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
With a sigh of relief, Alex pressed her back against the wall and sank to the floor. Her hands were shaking, and her heart pounded in her head. Unable to believe what she had done, she reached back and plucked the ratork off her shoulder.
“Think I've gone and done it now.” Looking at the animal, Alex scratched its head “At this rate, I'll be locked away in my room for another eighteen years.”
“Well, I wouldn't say that.” Phyllis removed the critter from Alexandra's hands and let it out of the window. “They’ll have to relinquish you to Philip, eventually. But, for what it’s worth, I think you did an excellent job of standing up to Quinton.”
“Maybe so, but, I shouldn't have pushed him like that.”
“But did you see the look on his face?” Phyllis grinned “I don't think he expected that from you.”
From his hiding spot, Cosmo poked out a snout and let out a reassuring squeak of agreement, causing Alex to burst out laughing. After years of torment, she had stood up to Quinton, and she had to admit it felt good. Still, she was concerned about what her parents would say if they found out, and as she was wondering what her punishment would be, her door creaked open again.
This time, her mother walked into the room, her stern gray eyes focused on the spot where Alex sat. Her raven hair was up in a tight bun, and her thin lips pursed in anger as she rapped her foot on the wood floor.
“I just saw Quinton storming past me.” she reached up and fixed the stray strands of hair on her head, “He said you shoved him.”
“It was an accident Rosemary dear.”
“I was not asking you, Phyllis. I was asking my daughter.”
“I'm sorry, mother, I did not mean to.” Alex looked down to the floor, trying to avert her gaze. “I thought he would hurt me.”
“Don't be ridiculous, Alexandra. Your brother would never do such a thing. He cares deeply for you.”
“Forgive me, mother. It won't happen again.”
“You best see to it that it won't.” Rosemary turned her attention to Phyllis and frowned, “What is it you’re still doing here?”
“Am I not allowed to visit with my granddaughter in my own castle?”
“Are you visiting or are you putting more crazy ideas in her head? After all, it's your fault she needs to stay locked up. Filling the girl’s head with crazy ideas of love, free will, and whatever other nonsense you come up with. Not to mention it hasn’t been your castle since Arthur took over for your late husband.”
“I'm sorry you feel that way, Rosemary. However, this is still my house, no matter what you think. So, I shall ask you show me more respect.” Phyllis replied coldly and turned around to leave “You take care Alexandra dear, I'll see you later.”
Watching her grandmother leave the room, Alex felt a sense of loneliness set in as she was left alone in the room with her mother. The usual awkwardness filled the space between them. Both of the women never saw eye to eye, and it strained their relationship during the best of times. Their difference in opinion is why Alex always hated talking with her mother, but she looked up to meet Rosemary's stern gaze, regardless.
“What can I do for you mother?” Alex smiled politely.
“I need to have a word with you. In my room.”
“I see.” Standing up from the floor, Alex bowed her head to Rosemary as one would expect of her. “In that case, I shall follow you.”
Shuffling beside her mother out of the room in silence, Alex headed down the lengthy castle hallway. Looking around at the walls, she tried her best to reduce the tension between her mother and herself. While observing the different paintings on the wall, Alexandra was trying to think up of something to talk to Rosemary about, but nothing came to mind. Alexandra knew her mother would understand nothing she had to say, not that Rosemary would even listen, so she found it best to avoid conversations in general.
Stepping inside her mother's room, Alex sat down on a small single bed with a peach down comforter. Unlike gray couples, her parents didn't share a room. It was not uncommon for pure-blood couples to have separate rooms, after a
ll, they only married to expand their bloodlines. The only time they would share a bed was when they copulated hoping to produce a child. A practice distressing for Alex, who had always dreamed of waking up in the arms of the man she loved.
Suppressing her urge to sigh, Alexandra looked up at Rosemary, who was fishing around in her dresser, looking through various articles of clothing.
“What did you want to speak with me about, mother?”
“You need to pick out a proper dress for your birthday party,” Rosemary replied flatly.
“But mother...” protested Alex “... my birthday is still a few months away.”
“There is no better time like the present. After all, this will be the first time Arthur will introduce you to the people as Lord Philip's fiancée. You must look presentable while you are at your future husband’s side.”
Alex let out a quiet groan. She had forgotten her family intended to make her engagement to Philip official. She had only met Philip once, two years ago when he asked her father for her hand. But even then, Alex knew she could not come to care for him. Philip was not the tall man she’d dreamed of since childhood. Thinking about it now, and the things he’d do to her as a husband, Alex could not contain her disgust.
“Don't make that face Alexandra.” Her mother pulled a dress down and laid it on the bed. “It's not as bad as you think...” she glanced over at her daughter “... letting them do their thing to you once in a while.” Rosemary pulled out another dress. “You'll get used to it. It doesn’t last long, and you can always pretend to like it. Love, passion, sexual desires, those are all exaggerated. Things of fancy, really, they don't exist in the real world.”
Alex knew full well her mother was wrong. They existed for the grays, just as they used to exist for them, but there was no use arguing with her. How could she expect Rosemary to understand something she had never experienced? Most pure-bloods may have been fine living their life in a loveless marriage, but that was not a life suited for Alexandra. She craved so much more out of marriage, more than Philip could ever provide. However, this was not something anyone in her house would understand, so Alex nodded her head and smiled as her mother finished up.
“All right Alexandra, which dress do you want to wear?”
Looking at the three dresses laid out on the bed, Alex’s smile faded. In her opinion, all of them looked terrible, gaudy, and unsuitable for her personality. Alexandra hated the fancy gowns they always forced her to wear, and even her plain dress was too much. She would have much rather had the simple dresses the grays wore around town, or even the more fancy ones from their solstice celebrations. Studying the flashy white gowns up close, Alex played with their different fabrics, settling on a lace empire waist gown.
“This one.”
“Really Alexandra, how plain of you.” Rosemary gave her daughter a disappointed look “Wouldn't you rather have the beaded ball gown?”
“No mother, plain suits me just fine.”
“Honestly child. Sometimes I can't fathom how you could have possibly come from my loins.” Rosemary let out an exasperated sigh “All right, suit yourself, go put it on. I'll get the seamstress in here to fit it for you.”
Picking up her chosen gown, Alex walked behind the folding screen in the corner of her mothers' room. Putting the dress on, she looked in the mirror and frowned. Rosemary was more well-endowed than her, so the dress hung around her frame like some white potato sack. As Alex was studying her reflection in the mirror, the door to the room opened again to allow Rosemary in with the seamstress.
“Alexandra, are you done yet?”
“Yes, mother.”
“Then step out and let the seamstress fit the dress for you.”
Stepping out from behind the screen, Alex made it to the center of the room, holding the top of the dress up to her chest to prevent it from falling. The seamstress got to work pinning the surrounding fabric. Alexandra mused how this was what it must have been like to be a pin cushion. But in no time at all, the seamstress was done, and Alex returned to looking in the mirror with her mother by her side.
“What do you think Alexandra?”
Spinning around, Alex watched her reflection in the mirror. Though understated, the dress still did not suit her well. In her opinion, she looked more like a porcelain doll than a young woman, but maybe that was all she was, a doll devoid of a soul. The lace fabric hugged her small form, and the diamond band under her bust sparkled in a rainbow of color. Yet, the woman in the mirror wearing it was not her, at least not the real her. She hid away the real woman, longing for her to be free.
“I suppose this will be all right.”
“Well, I think you look beautiful, Alexandra. Lord Philip is a lucky man to have you as his bride.”
Those words made Alex cringe. She hated it when people referred to her as Philip’s bride, or whatever term they chose. No one asked her if she wanted to marry him. He was no fiancé. Alexandra thought they should call Philip what he truly was, her intended new owner. It was distressing enough to think people could treat her as nothing more than livestock, let alone remind her of it. Still, what could she do, voicing opinions against societies laws had caused Alex enough pain already, and she was not daring to take another risk. For now, it was best to keep silent, at least until she figured out a permanent solution to her conundrum.
“I guess you're right, mother.”
“Of course, I am.” Rosemary straightened out the dress on Alex “I am your mother, after all, I know what’s best for you. Now change back so the seamstress can go work on this dress for you. It must be ready in time for the party.”
“Yes, mother.”
Changing into her modest, ivory, bell-sleeved gown, Alexandra looked up and touched the girl in the mirror who stared back at her. The mirror Alex looked sad and broken. She resembled a caged animal from a passing circus who longed to be free. More than ever she wished she had a different face and a different soul. She wanted to be someone else, far away from here, as far from this life as possible.
“Alexandra, what's taking so long.”
“Sorry mother.”
Walking out from behind the screen, Alex handed the dress over to the seamstress and smiled at her. The woman bowed as she took the dress and rushed out of the room, leaving Alexandra alone with her mother again.
“Is there anything else you need me for, mother?”
“No, I think that will be all for today. I'll walk you back to your room.”
“Of course, mother.”
The walk back to her room was no less awkward. The two women still did not speak to each other, and the swishing of their dressed echoed through the wide, empty hallway, whispering as if they were phantoms in the dark. Opening the door to her room, Alexandra looked over at Rosemary, who was staring back at her blankly.
“May I have dinner in my room tonight, mother? I don’t feel too well. I think I might be coming down with something.”
“Of course.” Rosemary nodded nonchalantly, “I will let Rupert know to bring your food up.”
“Thank you, mother.”
The two women smiled politely at each other before Rosemary shut the door behind her. Alex waited for the lock to click into place and listened as her mother's footsteps faded away into the distance. When she was certain she was alone, she flopped over onto her bed, spreading her arms out and looking up at the ceiling. The tiny, winged pig fluttered out from under the bed and settled on the pillow beside Alexandra’s head.
“Can you believe it Cosmo, she had me pick out a dress for my birthday. She wanted me to look good next to Philip?”
“Hoink?”
“I’ll be all right. It’s just… I don’t know. I guess I want to find a way to escape this life of ours. I want to be myself, with no restraints.”
Staring up at the empty white space above her, Alex fantasized about being outside, looking up at the sky instead as the pigrie nuzzled her face. Alexandra loved looki
ng up at the sky with its wispy clouds in the day, and bright sparkling stars at night. The freedom it signified was magical to her. Instead, she was locked in her room, with nothing to do but lay there and wait for night to fall. Closing her eyes, Alex listened to the rain pelt her windowpane as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 3
Meeting Richard
By the time Alex woke up, the shadows of the night had swallowed the city of Winter Haven whole. She looked over at the table and noticed Rupert had left dinner for her. Rupert was the butler Phyllis hired a year before Alexandra was born for one reason or another. And although she did not know why, Alex trusted the old man completely. Perhaps it was because he was her caretaker since she was born, or maybe it was the fact that he was the only other person who could see Cosmo.
The brown pigrie still lay snoring on her pillow, and Alex gave him a gentle poke to wake him up. Grumbling away, Cosmo fluttered his green wings to hover above Alexandra’s head while she giggled at his response. Sitting up in her bed, she yawned and stretched her arms out while Cosmo settled down on her shoulder. Glancing at the clock, Alex squinted her eyes. The face, dimly lit by the paleness of the moon, indicated it was already six. Dinner would be cold by now.
Getting up, Alexandra walked over to the table where a grand silver platter sat waiting for her. Sitting down, she lifted the cover off her plate and frowned. Cod stew with sweet peppers. This was the third night in a row the kitchen served fish. Turning her food over with her fork, Alex thought about how she would much rather have some antelope stew Richard made for her occasionally. Giving the peppers to Cosmo, Alex picked away at her cold fish until Rupert came in to take it away.
“Is there something wrong with your food my young mistress?”
Dark World Genesis Page 2
