Empress Unveiled

by Jenna Morland

  “Faeries move very fast, but if you focus on your opponent, your eyes will adjust to their speed. You need to anticipate their next move, and strike before they can.” I could feel his lips move against my ear when he spoke. Having him this close with my bed only a few feet away made it extremely difficult to focus.

  He let go of me like he sensed how distracted I was and got into a fighting stance, his knees slightly bent, his hands up like a boxer. “Show me you can do this,” he encouraged me.

  It took a moment to slow my heart to its regular pace. “No, I’m not ready.” I shook my head.

  “Yes, you are. You are an Alexander—show me you can do this,” he said more forcefully.

  We began circling in my small room, and before I could even consider making a move, Daylan twisted toward me, grabbed the hand holding the dagger and flipped me onto my bed. It happened in a blur. Before I knew it, he was kneeling over me, his hand clutching my wrist holding the dagger above my head, his other placed gently on my throat, showing me he had won. His smile was playful, but his eyes were serious.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Again,” I said, pushing against his chest.

  We circled again, and this time, I swung the dagger at him without hesitation. He moved quickly, and I started to follow, but he had already smacked my forearm sending the dagger flying across the room.

  My arm stung from the impact, and I groaned in frustration.

  I picked up the dagger. “Again.”

  After spending the entire day training, my body was tired and sore. I felt muscles I didn’t even know I had, and Daylan taught my body to move in a way I didn’t think was possible. He told me time and again how I needed to allow The Alexander Dagger to become an extension of myself—that it would come naturally to me if I just let it. I listened and forced myself to connect with the dagger, but that spark never came. There was a wall. My lack of trust in my own ability was holding me back.

  There was one glimmer of hope when I nicked the top of his shoulder, but I stopped short when I saw the blood and apologized profusely.

  Daylan was miffed at me for apologizing, not for drawing blood.

  Other than that, he was a patient teacher, sometimes showing me the same move several times, pushing me, so I could see I was stronger than I thought. He believed in me, and because of that, I tried even harder.

  By the end of the afternoon, my eyes had grown conditioned to following his fast movements. I could only hope that one day I would be able to fight with the same swift grace and precision.

  “What’s this bruise from?” Linda said, tapping my shoulder while she curled my hair for the masquerade ball. I was sitting in my chair in front of my desk, and when she set the curling iron down, I twitched. Tyler was picking me up for the dance and I had never been so nervous for him to arrive before.

  “Oh, I don’t remember.” I shrugged. “I bumped into a door I think.”

  I knew exactly what it was from. While lunging at Daylan with the dagger, I had overshot and rammed into the corner of my computer desk.

  Linda accepted my explanation and continued curling my long hair. She began French-braiding it with a vine of white flowers she had picked up at the flower shop next to the café. The braid cascaded down my spine with the flowers tickling my bare back. She put the finishing touches on my makeup, using a small amount of black eyeliner to make my blue eyes pop. She applied rose blush to my cheeks but left alone the freckles on my nose and under my eyes.

  “I may not be here for your birthday, but I give you full permission to have a raging party while I’m away. You only turn eighteen once.” I knew by her coy smile she was being completely genuine.

  “I’m not having a party, Linda,” I said as I applied lip gloss to my lips.

  She helped me into her dress. “Well, you should. You look absolutely beautiful.” She looked me up and down and began tearing up.

  Suddenly, I realized that this was it. Linda was leaving, and I might never see her again. I didn’t have it in me to say goodbye, but I had to say something.

  “Thank you, Linda, for more than you know. For being the best mom. For always being there for me.” I was getting misty now, too.

  “Stop, you’ll smudge my masterpiece,” she joked as she wiped her eyes and handed me a tissue.

  “You have to go already?” I sighed. I didn’t want her to leave.

  “My flight to Anchorage leaves in an hour; I’m already running late. The meeting with the lawyers is first thing tomorrow morning. You sure you’ll be all right here this week without me?”

  “Yes…I’ll be fine,” I lied and hugged her tighter. I tried to sound confident, but I wanted to collapse into her arms and never let her go.

  “What’s the matter?” Linda asked pulling away. The freckles on her nose scrunched in concern.

  “Nothing, really. I’m just a little bummed you’re going to miss my birthday,” I said, putting my best fake smile on display. In truth, I didn’t know if I would make it to my eighteenth birthday nor what would become of my life if I did. Or Linda’s life. I wanted to spill everything in hopes that she had all the answers I was looking for.

  Daylan or Tyler? To stay with her and die or live in Empress and never see her again?

  “I love you, mom.” I hugged her one more time tighter than I ever had before. I blinked away my tears and tried to swallow the lump in my throat. When I pulled back, I knew all my pain and suffering would be worth it if it meant that she would be safe.

  “You sure you’re all right?” she asked, studying my eyes again.

  “Yes, I promise. I’m just going to miss you.” I nibbled on my lip.

  “When I get home, we’re going to have our best Dirty Dancing viewing party yet! We’ll eat candy and popcorn until we have food babies and crash on the sofa from the sugar high.” She laughed. “It’ll be great. Just like old times.”

  “Sounds perfect.” If only.

  I heard Tyler’s footsteps on the porch. He knocked twice before letting himself in.

  Linda looked towards my bedroom door hearing Tyler’s entrance. “Ready?” she asked.

  “Actually, yes, I think I am.” I smiled.

  I was surprised how confident I suddenly was. How ready I was to walk down those stairs into Tyler’s arms. Even though I had spent most of the day with Daylan, I found myself missing Tyler.

  “I’ll meet you downstairs,” she said and kissed my cheek.

  I looked in the mirror one last time. The French-braid with small white flowers pinned throughout rested on my shoulder cascading down the right side my chest. The dress was long enough to touch the floor and cover my pink Chuck Taylors. The layered lace chiffon was stunning. The A-line neck framed Linda’s necklace from Oren and hugged my normally flat chest. The spaghetti straps highlighted the backless quality of the dress revealing the scar that ran down my spine. I wasn’t going to hide it anymore. The scar was a reminder that even though I was healthy, I was still human and extremely fortunate to be alive.

  I found Tyler leaning against the front door. He was wearing a black suit with a matte grey tie that lay slightly crooked on his white shirt. His hair was tucked behind his ears and his stubble darkened his jawline—he was perfectly imperfect. His eyes locked on mine when the stair creaked upon my entrance. He sucked in a small breath and stood up tall. His smile made me smile.

  “You are gorgeous.” He held out his hand for me as I stepped down the last few stairs.

  “You look pretty dapper yourself.” I smirked.

  He grinned and held up two Venetian gold masks, sequined with flowers and embellished with rhinestones and embroidery. “My mother gave me these before they left today. They got them when they went to Venice last year.”

  I turned my back to him and allowed him to reach around me and place one of the masks over my eyes. He ran his fingers lightly down my neck after he finished, then he leaned down and gently kissed the top of my bare shoulder.

  “Eh oh, mother of the daughter
still in the house.” Linda laughed awkwardly.

  Tyler cleared his throat.

  We hadn’t even heard her, but Linda already had her jacket on, her purse was thrown over her shoulder, and her suitcase was behind her. She held my instant polaroid camera in her hand, and Tyler put his matching gold mask on and held me tight, his hand grazing the small of my back.

  “Smile,” Linda said just before the flash went off. She passed me the undeveloped photo and kissed us both one last time. “I love you both so much.”

  “One more.” She turned the camera and took a selfie of the three of us. My eyes momentarily blinded by the flash.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” She shouted to us as she ran out the door to make her flight. In typical Linda fashion, she forgot her keys on the table beside the door. Tyler and I both counted, “Three, two, one.” Linda popped her head back in and grabbed her keys.

  “Bye, Linda,” we both called through the closed door, laughing together.

  My smile faded looking at the closed door, and my chest pumped in agony. The thought of never seeing Linda again made my heart ache and my eyes burn. I knew if I turned to look at Tyler, I would completely lose it. I think he knew this too. His hand gently touched the inside of my wrist, his fingers feeling my thumping pulse. He didn’t say anything because he knew there wasn’t anything he could say.

  My arm fit perfectly in Tyler’s, and I couldn’t help but sneak side glances at him as we walked into the ball. When I saw the crowd, I took in a deep breath and reminded myself that I was Swayzi Solasta, the Princess of Empress and the rightful heir to the throne. If I could handle that, I could handle a high school dance. Right?

  Mouths went agape, and the crowd murmured when Tyler and I walked into the ballroom arm in arm.

  “Who is that with Tyler?” the crowd whispered.

  I thought about how much had changed since Mellie’s end of summer party. I didn’t even recognize that girl lying helplessly on the bathroom floor anymore. Apparently, neither did they. I walked by their watching eyes, my head held high. I was no longer the broken girl they had bullied. I was healthy, and I had a new-found confidence.

  Love changes everything.

  When I fell in love with Daylan, my first instinct was to hide; instead, I let myself seek out his presence, and in the process, I learned I was a strong, independent woman. I let myself love Tyler, too, allowing him to see me and trusting unconditionally that he loved every part of me. But most of all, I learned to love myself—to know that my life meant something—that I was capable of making a difference.

  “Can I have this dance?” Tyler whispered into my ear.

  He led me towards the crowded dance floor, and the song slowed with only a few couples remaining. We had the space to dance freely underneath the massive chandelier. My fingers brushed the side of his neck to beat of the song, his hands resting on the small of my back. I leaned my head against his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart.

  I lifted my head and felt Tyler’s stubble against my cheek and then the soft, warm rush as our lips met. I tasted the sparks on his tongue and savored the touch of his fingers against my body holding me to his.

  The crowd was giving us more space than any other couple on the dance floor, but neither of us cared who was watching, or what they were whispering about.

  The song was over before either of us wanted it to be.

  “May I cut in?” A whimsical voice sounded behind me and my heart skipped a beat.

  The next song began to play, and Daylan stood smiling in his black tux. It fit him perfectly, a black shirt and black tie, sleek like he had just stepped off the red carpet. His eyes smoldered behind the black mask he wore, and his hand was waiting for me to take his.

  When I reached out and placed my hand in his, there was a brief moment when I was holding onto both of them at once. Then my hand fell from Tyler’s as Daylan gently twirled me towards him.

  “You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen,” he breathed into my ear before he twirled me again. I let him lead me around the dance floor, not once thinking about my feet or what to do next. I surrendered myself to him.

  The fire between us felt like we were slow dancing in the heat of summer. My cheeks flushed from the energy he was giving me. It used to be a forced painful struggle to stay alive most of my life, but every time he touched me, I felt stronger, my breath was more fluid and natural.

  If this little taste of Empress could heal me and make me feel this good, how would I feel when I was there permanently? Would I still crave Daylan’s touch?

  His eyes sparkled when he looked at me like they were only meant for me. I felt the sounds of the song fade away, the murmurs of the crowd grew quiet—it was just me and him, embracing one another.

  He touched his full lips to mine and a hand reached in and pushed us apart.

  Tyler.

  He shoved Daylan’s shoulder, and I stumbled back from the force.

  I held my still stinging lips and didn’t know what to say. I was suddenly very aware of all the people watching. Tyler and Daylan, though, were only focused on each other.

  Daylan’s body remained still, in control, but his eyes burned. He knew he was stronger than Tyler and that with just a snap, he could end Tyler’s life. But he also knew I would never forgive him if he did.

  “Daylan, walk away,” I said, watching the growing fire in his chest.

  They stood their ground, only a few inches away from one another, the tension ricocheting off of every wall. The chatter amongst the crowd grew as they expected a fight. My heart beat faster.

  Someone tapped the microphone on stage. “Good evening students,” Principle Austen said. “I hope all of you are having a good time this evening. Just a reminder, there are chaperones keeping an eye on the punch bowls, so no funny business.” A few shouts of disapproval whistled in the crowd. “It’s time we announce this year’s King and Queen. So, without further ado.” He opened up one of the cards in his hand. “Your Queen is… Mellie Parsons!” The crowd cheered.

  Principle Austen waved the crowd to quiet down. “And your King is…” He opened another card. “Tyler Cobi!”

  The crowd continued to cheer and clap as Mellie bumped my shoulder from behind, knocking me off balance. Daylan and Tyler still stared each other down, neither of them wanting to be the first to surrender. Mellie grabbed Tyler’s hand and pulled him away from Daylan and towards the stage. At first, he seemed confused. I could tell he hadn’t heard anything Principle Austen had said.

  His friends clapped his back while Mellie dragged him up to the stage.

  She was still holding onto Tyler’s arm, and when she was crowned, Mellie waved like she was the Queen of England. Though, her smile was sick and twisted. Tyler squinted against the bright lights, his hand coming up to shield his eyes looking into the crowd—searching for me.

  Daylan hadn’t moved an inch. He remained stock still, looking at me, waiting for me to come to him. He wanted me to show him I wanted him. But I couldn’t do that.

  There was a light tap on my shoulder, and I turned to see Penelope. She was in a long silk red gown, but behind her black lace mask, her pupils were dilated. “Princess,” she said nervously. I could sense her underlying fear. “Medallion will attack at sunrise. We will try and help in any way we can.” I realized then that it wasn’t Penelope, but Annora.

  My heart thumped loudly, knowing what was coming.

  Penelope’s eyes closed, and when they opened again, her normal brown eyes shifted around like she didn’t know how she had gotten there. “Swayzi? What happened?” She was frantic.

  “It was Annora,” I said over Mellie’s speech. “We need to get ready.”

  Penelope nodded and grabbed my hand pulling me to the exit. I gave a quick glance of concern to Daylan and motioned for him to follow us.

  The first duty as our high school King and Queen was to have their first dance. They were in the middle of the dance floor, th
e crowd circling them. I looked back long enough to see Mellie lace her slimy fingers around Tyler’s neck. I rolled my eyes and headed into the hallway.

  “Annora said Medallion will attack at sunrise. She said the others will help us in any way they can,” I said in a rush to Daylan and Penelope. “We need to get a hold of Fay and Ezra.”

  “I have my car. It’s this way,” Penelope said.

  Tyler came bolting out of the ballroom, relieved when he saw me.

  “Sway, what’s going on? Where are you going?” He adjusted his crooked tie as he moved to stand by my side.

  Before I could catch him up on the newest information Annora gave me, I heard Mellie’s voice ring, “Well, well, well.” She came into the hallway behind Tyler. “You can’t stop being a pain in my ass, can you?” she asked, glaring at me through her white mask.

  “Mellie, now is not the time.” Her shrill voice irked me.

  “You are such a freak. Yet somehow you have these two guys pining over you. I’ll let you guys in on a little secret,” she whispered. “You’re wasting your time. She’s not worth it. She’s going to die soon anyways,” she mocked.

  I heard snickers from the balcony above me, but before I could look up or respond to Millie, cold liquid poured over my head, drenching me from head to toe. I put my hands up to protest, but it was too late. I was already covered. I heard the empty punch bowl drop to the floor and the wild laughter of Thing One and Thing Two as they ran back to the ballroom. Tyler stepped forward to wipe my eyes with his jacket sleeve.

  “Daylan, no!” I heard Penelope gasp.

  I wiped the red carbonated liquid from my burning eyes and saw Mellie’s back to the wall, her feet dangling a few feet from the ground. The hem of her gold dress swayed beneath her, her feet aimlessly kicking underneath. Daylan’s hand held Mellie by her neck and he was squeezing tightly. Her hands were clawing at his forearm looking for something to leverage her weight. Moments before, he had held my hand so gently, but those same hands were now being used to squeeze the life out of a teenage girl. Mellie’s high heels fell to the ground when she kicked at the empty air, protesting the strong, unbreakable hold Daylan had around her throat.