crossfire || cardan greenbriar

four

"What the hell am I supposed to wear to this stupid party anyway?" I ask, skimming through all the hung dresses in my wardrobe as a frustrated groan leaves my mouth.

"Just wear anything simple or borrow one of Oriana's dresses, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." she suggests, as I look at her in a way that makes her sigh.

"What?" she questions, sitting on my bed and taking her shoes off.

"Like I would ever ask Oriana for something, she's the type to care more about looks than status," I concluded.

"Besides, going to that party looking like Oriana is not something I'd look forward to," I turn back around to look for a proper dress, or one that I haven't already worn. "Like, ever."

I roll my eyes, resting my back against the wardrobe, feeling my anger only build up I slam my fist against the wardrobe in irritation.

"What was that?" Jude asked, sitting up.

"What was what?" I question, not knowing what she's talking about.

"There's a paper, a letter, look" she picked up a piece of parchment from the ground, "For Atarah?"

"Who's Atarah?" I puzzled, sitting beside Jude, as she unsealed the letter.

"Dear Atarah, I hope this letter finds you well. I am sending this to you in hopes of stopping you from going to Elfhame. Come back, Atarah. There has to be another way for this to work, a way that doesn't threaten your entire existence.

Sincerely, your tomodachi."

"What the hell is this..."

"Atarah?" I query, my nerves tense up, and my heart beats against my chest.

"Why would this be in my wardrobe...It can't be for me, do you have anyone here that goes by the name Atarah?" I doubt, trying to sum up a conclusion.

"No...not that I recall," she says, as I take the letter from her, looking for any hidden details on the parchment,

"What does this mean?" I hold my head in both my hands. The letter plummeted to the floor, like a feather, weightless, tet so crucial. How can a parcel of paper with no prestige, mean so much to me. A mortal girl who hardly remembers anything about herself, it's infuriating and baffling, and the further I think through it, the more my head stings.

"We have set this letter aside for now, the tournament's not far from now and this will only be a distraction," Jude advised, getting up and placing a hand on my shoulder. She pulled me in for a deep hug, as I let go of all tension my body held onto, it wasn't permanently gone, but I felt safe.

"Listen, just get dressed, and come downstairs for breakfast. We'll figure this out later, it's too early for this now," she promised, as she sent me a delicate smile, leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

I sit down on the bed once more, picking up the letter, and gaping at it. It makes no sense, unless,..my real name is Atarah, and as much as I hate the idea of this letter being written to me, I can't blindly ignore the possibilities of it.

I try and shove the thoughts away and focusing on going downstairs for breakfast with the rest. I pull out a casual purple dress, and a pair of slippers, showing them on, with no corset to support my breasts.

I walk downstairs, heading towards the wide, door shaped opening in the wall, that leads towards the dining room. As soon as I reach the dining room, my jaw nearly drops to the floor and my eyes widen.

"What the—" I hesitantly cross my arms over my chest, pulling myself back, so that I'm now resting my back against the wall that connects to the wide opening in the wall.

"Jude!" I grit through my teeth, as I heard her say something before leaving her seat.

"What is Cardan and his father doing here?!" I demand, my hands still bridged over my chest.

"I don't know, I was walking downstairs for breakfast and I just see them seated down and chatting with one another, I assume it's something about the anniversary?" she responds, placing a hand on her waist.

"Does that mean the King will be here?" I riddle, my thoughts tumbling over one another.

"No," she says, "I think, he's hosting the party at his palace, as a thank you for Madoc's service and loyalty to him."

"What? I can't go there, this is nonsense!"

"Anastasia! Jude! Please come in here now and greet King Eldred since he so humbly chose to come here in person," Oriana calls, while I slightly panic. I'm not wearing anything suitable for his presence and with half my chest exposed, I'm making a fool out of myself.

"You have to go in there and greet them, I'll sit beside you," she says, grabbing my hands and urging me on.

"No, Jude please!" I argue but I'm already being dragged into a room where Cardan, Prince Dain and The King sat.

We walk inside, as I snatch my hands away from her, desperate to somehow cover myself up, I flash them a friendly smile, as I sit down, trying to hide behind the table's edge. Jude takes a seat next to me. King Eldred, Prince Dain, and Prince Cardan sit across Jude and me.

I give Jude a nervous look as we all sit awkwardly silent at the table before Madoc and the High King start talking about the anniversary, while Oriana inspects the conversation, simply maintaining a royal and respectful posture, while savoring her red wine.

Cardan's eyes are latched on me, I feel embarrassed, and trapped. I can't do something as simple as getting off the chair and leave, I can hardly even say anything, I have to maintain a smile and surely keep my hands over my chest. I'm not trying to be the subject of a nude photoshoot anytime soon.

The corner of his lips twists with a whiff of amusement, he clearly enjoys seeing me in such uncomfortable situations. Not to mention, how I'm practically naked, I mean I'm not even wearing a bra for god's sake. The dress is made out of a soft, and comfortable fabric, which is mainly the reason I chose it. I didn't think I'd be in presence of High King Eldred himself, nor did I think, of all people, Cardan would be here. Stuck up, unbearable, arrogant, Cardan.

He wears an expensive raven feathered coat, and multiple rings on both his hands, those of which look quite expensive. He has black kohl applied beneath both his eyes, giving his eyes a certain shine, even though they're as black as the midnight sky. He also has three ebony earrings attached to his pointy ears, one at the top, on near the earlobe, and the third beneath the first, he has black nail polish applied, and most of it is partially chipped.

"Anastasia," King Eldred calls, and my heart nearly drops to my ass. My face is hot, I feel my cheeks grow pink, of embarrassment, and my heart is thudding aggressively against my chest.

"Are you enjoying it here in Elfhame? I haven't gotten the chance to meet you so far, ever since you've come across Faerie, I've been fairly busy," he kindly asks and I try to keep that same smile on my face.

Everyone's glaring at me, and it makes me even more apprehensive.

"Yes—Yes it's, it's great here. Everyone here is so— Friendly" I jabber breathlessly, running a marathon wouldn't leave me this breathless.

"Well, I'm glad you think so," he smiles back, savoring his wine, while Cardan's gaze is no longer locked on me.

"I need to use the bathroom," Cardan finally says, as I quickly stand up.

"I'll show him," I instantly offer, as he looks at me, lifting his scarred brow.

"How nice of you, go ahead, you're excused." Oriana says, as I quickly leave the room with my hands still over my chest.

As we walk outside, I reach for the table knife I had taken off the dining table before leaving, we go upstairs, after making sure there were no guards around, I turned around, pushing him against the wall, with the harmless knife held horizontally against his throat. His hands went up in surrender, as I resided a firm grip on the knife. My body was pressed against his uncomfortably, and his eyes were boring into mine.

"If you don't stop f*****g staring at me I'll carve your eyes out with this knife." I aggressively threaten him, pushing slightly harder, a coil of wrath waiting to detonate.

"I'm not doing anything, Anastasia," he responds, not even slightly fazed by the fact that I have a knife held against his neck and I just threatened to blind him.

"Yeah sure, like I'm dumb enough to not notice how you were purposely trying to make me uncomfortable. " I respond anger flourishing in my voice.

"Do I make you nervous? Is that why you don't like me glancing at you?" he smirked, as both his brows raised aloft.

"Someday, I'm going to kill you, Cardan. And I guarantee you I won't regret it." I threaten, before releasing him from my grip, and walking away.

Before I could expect it, a hand gripped my wrist, turning me around, and pushing me against the same wall, where I once had Cardan cornered.

One hand on my waist, and his other on my throat, that same grip that day at school, the same power he had over me. His rings burn onto my skin, and his cold, rough hands send an unpaired shiver through my spine. I hate it.

"You should watch that pesky little tongue of yours, Anastasia," he warns, his finger lifting my chin so that I'm looking directly into his raven black eyes. "It'll get you hurt."

His finger caresses the the side of my cheeks, trailing down to my neck, "And we don't want that, do we?"

I feel this unbearable feeling, it's unnatural. My fists clench, as his eyes penetrate mine, he lets out a soft chuckle, as he let go of me.

"Good," he drawls and softly laughs, a laugh of mockery, "You kept that mouth of yours shut for quite a while."

My chest is heaving with anger, and I want to punch that irritating face of his, "You're a d**k," I scoff, shoving past him, my shoulder hitting his, before heading towards my room, locking myself inside, hoping I don't encounter another soul for— ever again.