When it was actually morning, I found next to my spot was empty. I stared at the mirror, grasping a soft smile on my face. The sun was resting slightly up on the hills. It wasn't that bright but soft against my skin. The birds were singing their morning greeting songs, a soft noise of waterfall, though I couldn't see one. This was magically beautiful.
But I also remembered the black soil, no plants, no flowers. How could people survive without plants? It puzzled me.
Everyone wanted to hide things. I was cursed. His mother cursed me. Why? Dastien hated what I did. His mother held me responsible for everything. They wouldn't be only one, I would get many haters. What would I have done to earn their wrath? I could never forget the venom in his eyes I saw when he said that he hated what I did to us. What did I do? How could he expect me to remember everything if I were reborn. Wasn't it the rule of God that you would forget what you did in your previous life? Am I a bad one?
Suddenly I felt tired. I dunno what's going on. I shouldn't expect much from life. I'm going to be happy no matter what I face.
"Queen," A soft voice came from behind me.
I plucked my gaze staring at the mirror blankly. I swiveled my neck and rolled my eyes. "Jolly, You could simply say - Good morning, Emma. Did you sleep well? You can keep Queen for your Queen Esmeralda." I told her, looking back at the mirror. It was full of mystery.
"Everyone is waiting for you, Emma. I'm here to help you." She managed a smile.
"See, that isn't so different. Is that?" Drawing on my feet, I whirled to look at her. I smiled her way.
Her smile was nervous, she was looking scared too. "The Dark King would burn me."
"He's not going to say a thing. Now, tell me about the mirror. The view is breathtaking. Is it from the earth?" I asked.
"No, it's from Dark land. It was so beautiful before." She smiled, looking at the mirror.
"Before?" I asked her, hoping to get something out of her mouth
She gulped and took the remaining steps forward. "Before you disappeared. It made everyone's life hell." Horror clung to her face.
A zip of equal fear and anxiety slithered through me. "I disappeared?" I asked.
She shook her head, looking terrified. "It's cold outside today. A warm bath would be nice and a pretty warm dress for the queen." She looked at the couch. I didn't notice. There was a yellow gown resting on the couch.
I wasn't getting any information from her. I didn't even want her to endure anyone's wrath because of me.
"Yes, that would be great. Thanks, Jolly." I turned to look at the beautiful purple, black bird. Nobody was here to help me. I had to find a way to get the information.
I dolled up in the clothes whoever picked for me. I should thank him. It was comfortable and beautiful.
I couldn't ignore the look when we argued yesterday and he left suddenly. The anger and sadness in his eyes tore off my heart. It was painful. I might not have felt it right then, but now his look and words were haunting me.
"We are already late." Jolly called out from behind me.
I turned without nodding and looking at her. He told me that it was going to be a difficult day. I was already feeling low and anxious. This place, especially when I witnessed the black soil, it told me to run away. If Dastien did this, I would be the reason. No doubt. Esme had confirmed that he lost his temper and burnt everything. I still couldn't believe that we are married. I should be freaking out but I was fascinated with this, particularly this part gave me relief.
I stared at the ring. This was protecting me from what danger was waiting for me in this world.
My eyes rested on Aragon, Esmeralda and they turned to him. I didn't break eye contact for a long second. Feeling all gazes on me, I averted my eyes. I could feel something big was coming.
Dastien pulled the chair out for me. "You must be hungry." He whispered.
I nodded, settling down. I looked up at him. "Where are my friends?" I asked him. I was actually looking the member of some royal family
He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on my head. "They're coming." He took the next chair to me.
I ran my teeth across my lower lip. I felt like a timid person. I saw his finger moving slightly. I gasped in shock when the empty plate was piled with food. "Do you know magic?" my head jerked to him, my big eyes on him.
"Kinda," He chuckled.
"I don't wanna get sick. " I couldn't bring myself to push the plate away. I didn't want to hurt him.
'Remember? You die, I die. I won't let anything happen to you.'
I heard him in my head and nodded my head.
I ate a little. Thankfully, he didn't ask me to force it down. Whatever this curse or what? I wanted to end it. I was excited and waiting nervously for them.
"I met your brother, yesterday. You never told me about your family." I asked.
"Our family," He tucked a loose strand away, brushing his warm fingertips on my cheek. Suddenly, my hands felt so cold. It was actually cold out here. But I wasn't feeling it.
"Um, your mother. Haven't you tried to ever talk to her? She..." A shiver ran down my spine, recalling my paralyzed body in the middle of the jungle. "She's so powerful." I bit my lower lip.
"Not more than King." Esmeralda said.
I forgot we weren't alone. I batted my eyes gazing at her. She wasn't looking to give sarcastic statements today. Which I appreciated.
"And you too." Aragon added as he shot Esmeralda a cold look.
She looked away immediately, pretending not to notice his anger.
"Still, she was able to make my life hell." I waited for Dastien to scold me.
"I don't wanna discuss her." He fisted his hand.
"Why? Didn't she curse me?"
"The hope that she would reverse it, keeping her alive." His voice was gravel with anger.
"She's your mother."
His jaw clenched. He didn't want to talk about her but I needed to know. "She was nice until we broke the rule."
I remembered her words. "We? Or only me, Dastien?" I asked him, not liking it.
He ran his thumb on my jaw. The question was still on the tip of my tongue.
What did I do to earn this!
I called in my head. His thumb stopped brushing as he had heard me. I waited. I thinned my lips in anger. "Don't you trust me?"
"We've talked about it before. This topic is over, Em." He softly said.
"I feel stuck in a dark room. Without light I can't take a step forward. And I don't care about the rules." I told him.
His hands fisted. "The rules are the rules, my queen."
My body jolted. "No, if it's troubling you instead of making your life beautiful. Then I don't care about the rules."
Aragon cleared his throat and he silently looked at Dastien. It irked me more But I needed to control my tongue. They were talking in their heads.
"They're here." He said, getting on his feet.
I felt coolness in the air as he stepped back. Sorrow brewed inside me. I would never prefer rules over my or someone else's happiness. Rules should be for convenience not to torture you.
My head jerked to the door, my eyes eagerly waited for them to come in. A muscular hand halted before my eyes. I looked up at him.
'We have to go there.'
I wanted to shove his hand away. I couldn't win over my feelings. I slid my hand in his. Curling his fingers around mine, he easily pulled me on my feet. Warm spread through my body as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I turned red when his soft gaze stayed on me.
"You're impossible to understand. You never tried to frighten me, but now, I don't know how to deal with your anger." I tapped my finger on his nose.
He flashed a dazzling smile my way. I elbowed him in the stomach. This man was driving me crazy.
'Our mate.'
'Alright, whatever you say.' I told my wolf.
We forwarded our steps through the back of the castle. All I could see was dark soil and some figures. Their backs were turned on us. It brought a smile and annoyed to me a little seeing Edward. I kept the annoyed part, he didn't need to know.
His cold blue eyes turned to me. "They're here." The wind carried his whispering sound in the air.
They spun and their happy faces looked at me. I snorted. They were looking totally different in a beautiful way.
Silver's white dress clung to her perfect body. Her hair was down and, soft and silky looking. She was always perfect. A shine from the side of her dress caught my eyes. It was a huge round white gem, glistening under sunlight. It wasn't just that, a throne of the same gems rested over her head.
"Em.." My eyes darted next to her. She was draped into a blue gown, clinging to her skin. Her hair was long and black. A bigger crown was also resting over her head. It was made of silver and green gemstones.
They were looking like members of some royal families, instead of my friends from the academy. They were rich, but royal, I wasn't aware of it.
Alessandro ambled toward us. He took him in a brotherly embrace. He looked as handsome as always with his black suit.
Dastien embraced him back. I could tell from their faces that they were exchanging words in their heads.
"Emma, so glad to see you fine." He ruffled my hair.
I took him in a quick embrace. "I missed you all. How's my family?" I looked up at him, taking a step back.
He chuckled. I wasn't bothered by what Silver was going to say. "They miss you. Everyone."
She cleared her throat. "Em, we're right here." Silver folded her arms over her chest, giving me an annoyed look.
"What are you Princess Or a Queen?" I asked sarcastically, looking at her.
"Oh!" She exhaled slowly.
"We are sorry." Elizabeth took me in a bear hug.
"You hid like everyone." I curled my arms around her and withdrew back immediately.
"Em, we can't tell you." Silver gave me a choking hug as Betty stepped back.
"Yes, stupid rules. All want to follow them blindly." I rolled my eyes and couldn't be stubborn to not hug her back. I missed them like hell. Problems didn't seem difficult with them around me.
"We're sorry." Silver muttered under her breath
"Not accepted. Go back to your castles, Queens, princesses, whatever you guys are." I waved my hand and turned. I found a soft smile on all the faces. My eyes rested on Edward again. "You must be happy to get rid of my presence around your girl." I contorted the one side of my lips.
He let out a slow breath. "I'm her mate." His eyes darted on Dastien and Alessandro. "But you have been friends from the day you opened your eyes. So, I won't agree with you. "
My eyes dilated. "Something happened to your boyfriend, Betty."
"He's my mate, Em. And every word is true. You can't be upset with us. Could you?" She arched her brows,
"Stop giving me your Queen's tantrum. I have endured enough in the past few days. It's boring, believe me." I avoided looking at Esmeralda.
Silver chuckled. "You still hate Esmeralda's attitude."
I opened my mouth and shut it immediately. I wasn't going to talk in front of her. "I don't know what I'm doing." My eyes locked with his forest green eyes.
'Time is gonna sort everything out. ' I heard him in my head.
" We should start." Edward waved his hand. Everything disappeared, getting blurred.
A shiver ran down my spine when the view cleared
and I found myself surrounded by a spooky place. Every cell in my body screane me to flee.