by Lyza Ledo
~~~
Kohl and I walked around the maze of gardens taking in the bushes, rare flowers, and gorgeous scenery. Next, we went through the first floor of the mansion from wing to wing. He showed me every room and described the art, the purposes of the room, and any significance anything could possibly have. I was still a bit nervous after the first comment I had made and was watching my words. Of course I liked Kohl, but a part of me told me that was the old Jayde not letting go of the image of Kohl I had created in my own head. Now he was so much more. I didn’t know if that meant my feelings were stronger, but I was sure the only reason Kohl was here right now. He wanted to be the ruler of Encante and that meant making me believe and perhaps even fall for him. I needed to be cautious and guard my heart better.
“You’re quiet, is everything okay?” Kohl asked shaking me out of my head.
“Just thinking.”
“You must have a lot on your mind.” He responded reaching a small stone bench nestled into the back gardens and the start of the private beach, we had come out so I could see the water. It was already past dusk and it was perfectly dark outside but there was plenty of lighting in the garden to make up for it.
“Tell me about us. What is really true about Encantado?”
He smiled and looked off at the large bushes full of exotic flowers I couldn’t even put a name to. I was accustomed to roses, lilies, hydrangeas, and many other kinds of flowers but the startling pink of these took my breath away.”
“They are Christmas cactus flowers.” He said with a knowing smile. “I guess maybe I should start with the generalities. Encantado are mesmerized by human interaction. It is something that we are drawn to particularly their party settings. Humans are very susceptible to our charms and it is common for humans to fall in love with one of us after one meeting. That is the main reason we have a few humans in Encante. Encantado do have a few tricks that work on humans. We can lure humans to us, we can trick the eye into not seeing us, and we can manipulate with our words and thoughts if we put enough power behind it. Since we are royals our powers are a little more overreaching, you, Sy, and I are capable of using our magic on other Encantado, even on other royals but that isn’t really effective.”
“Like today when I told everyone to stop fighting. You were the only one to move.”
Kohl nodded, “You are lot stronger than I gave you credit for. I was completely taken off guard with that display.” He said showing no animosity and smiling about it.
“After eighteen, due to the morphing process aging slows down. We age at a progressively slower rate than humans our typical life expectancy is one hundred fifty years. It also speeds up the healing process within us.” That stopped me in my tracks sure everything had sounded farfetched, but this was plain unbelievable.
“Seriously?” I skeptically replied.
“Serious. Sy’s father, who died of natural causes, lived to one hundred and fifty nine.” He smiled reassuringly. “There really aren’t anymore differences besides us and humans than everything I explained.”
“What about the war? Tell me about it?”
“It’s been going on for the last twenty or so years. It started as a disagreement that led to a reasonably amicable split of the community. Followers of Sy’s father relocated to Encante-South and Supporters of our parents moved to Encante-North. There was no territorial lines until the actual war started. Then water boundaries and land boundaries were set into place later. If opposing sides cross those lines now it usually leads immediately to a battle and all negotiations are called off. In the last few years, Sy and I have developed multiple treaties to try and keep some peace, but Sy seems to forget about them when it is convenient for him.” Kohl said showing his contempt for Sy clearly.
“Sir.” Philip ran out into the garden startling me.
“I have reached Reggie. Did you have a specific date in mind for Lady Jayde to meet Sy?”
Kohl looked at me apologetically. “Can you get back on your own?” I nodded and he walked off with Philip. I sat thinking about everything I had learned today, it was all so unreal. It made me want to call Julio and tell him about all the absurdities that were happening. He was the only person I would talk to about this. In this new world, I wasn’t even sure he’d believe me. He’d think the worst. I wasn’t ready to hear how worried he was. I looked over the water. The moon was gleaming on the sea making a lovely glow.
I mauled over what was the biggest news I’d ever heard. I was a queen? It seemed like a joke I was one of the most irresponsible people I knew how was I expected to run this place? I didn’t know the first thing about keeping my life in order let alone countless other people in a time of war.
I rose from the stone bench and headed back to my living quarters. I didn’t know what was planned for me tomorrow so it would be advisable to get some shut eye. I opened one of the intimidating and heavy wooden front doors and quietly walked past the front living room where Kohl was on the phone arguing with someone. I snuck past and headed to the North wing, my quarters. No matter how many times I said it, it was unreal.
I opened the door and looked around. This was too nice for me. Isadora had impeccable taste I couldn’t have decorated this place any better. I went into the kitchen grabbed a package of cookies and walked into my lavish bedroom. This was the room I was having the most trouble with. How was I supposed to sleep in a bed that ten people could sleep in, alone? I walked into my closet finally getting my first real look at the clothes organized inside. The walk in closet was massive, on the right side were shirts, jeans, pants, sweaters, and anything else I could imagine for casual wear. On the left side the whole stretch of the closet had dresses from casual to formal in length and color order. I looked at one of the evening gowns a fierce green that if I had seen it in a store would have begged my mother for without having an occasion to wear it. I pulled it out and looked at the plunging neckline and backline. It was bold and seemed like it was meant to be worn. I placed it back in its allotted area and went in search of pajamas. On a vanity in the back of the closet, Isadora had laid out a pair of light pink silk pajama pants with a matching camisole. At the foot of the table were white slippers. Isadora was probably one of the most intuitive women I had ever met. I was going to enjoy her company once all the formalities were out of the way.
I slid into my new pajamas appreciating the soft feel of the silk against my skin. I slid my feet into the slippers and picked up the fluffy robe folded on the vanity chair. I headed into my room to enjoy some television and cookies before I dozed off in this unfamiliar place. I gently placed the throw pillows on the small bench at the foot of the bed. I slid into the soft down covers and opened the Oreos I had taken from the kitchen.
A soft knock at my door alerted me. I shot up and pulled the covers to my neck.
“Jayde, it’s Kohl.” I relaxed a little.
“Come in,” I said closing up the cookies and putting them on my nightstand.
“I almost forgot something.” He said closing the door behind him. For once he seemed nervous but when he turned around and had a small cake with one candle lit in the center, I forgot all about his anxiety. “It’s your birthday.” He said a cautious smile on his handsome face. I felt tears come to the surface with his gesture. All the chaos of the day had made me forget, it was my birthday.
“Thank you.” I choked out.
“It’s been an unusual day for you. I thought you could use some normal.” He said sitting at the edge of my bed. I crawled the distance between us. “Do you want me to sing?” he continued jokingly. I shook my head and wiped at the tears in my eyes.
“Can I blow out the candle?” I asked as he still held the round homemade cake in front of me.
He nodded reassuringly, “Make a wish.” I blew out the candle and made a wish just like he’d advised. I don’t know if it was selfish, but I didn’t care at the moment. I just wanted a million more moments like this one.
“I can get
a knife if you want a slice?” Kohl said abruptly standing and shaking me out of my haze. He was tall but not tall enough so I kneeled on the bed and pulled his face to mine. I don’t know what was going through my head that I actually kissed Kohl, but I wouldn’t allow myself a chance to regret it.
