My Doppelganger Mate

Chapter 6

Aria paced up and down her chambers. She could barely get a wink of sleep. Her maid stood behind the closed doors, biting her nails, though there was barely anything left to bite.

"You told me it was okay to ignore the old woman's words. You advised me to turn a deaf ear. Now look at me—I'm the bad egg!" Aria panicked.

"I... I am sorry, my lady. The old woman is known for her mental disorder in town. That’s why I told you to ignore her. I never knew it was true," Lyra, her maid, pleaded.

"I knew something was off the moment my hair changed to dark red that evening. Everything happened the moment my shoulder brushed against that blonde-headed guy," Aria said.

"You hit a guy before that, my lady. That was when the change started," Lyra corrected gently.

"What guy? I didn’t even see his face! Do you think he’s the mate the old woman warned me about?" she asked.

"Definitely, my lady. Your hair changed color the moment your shoulders touched."

"We need to find him," Aria said firmly. "And that’s going to happen today!"

"My lady… that might be rather impossible. I’ve never seen him in this kingdom before. He dresses quite differently from the folks," Lyra replied.

"That makes it more interesting," Aria smiled. "The henna?" she asked.

"Yes, I sneaked some in tonight," Lyra nodded. "The black dye is fading and speckles of red are starting to show."

"Thank you. I need to cover it up more than ever. I can’t be tagged the evil twin by my parents," Aria said as she followed Lyra to the bathtub to dye her hair back to black.

The scent of lavender oil filled the air as Lyra carefully applied the dye, making sure it didn’t stain Aria’s skin.

"I hope the Queen doesn’t find out sooner than expected," Lyra murmured.

"And that’s why we need to get Aurora out of this palace sooner than planned. I need to be sure she carries her own fate. I can’t bear the burden of two."

"How do you mean, my lady?"

"The old woman prophesied: if only one twin’s hair changes, that one bears the burden of both fates."

"Isn’t that intriguing?" she asked. "What do I have to do for you, my lady?" Lyra asked, loyalty laced in her voice.

"I’m waiting for the perfect timing," Aria said. "The time I’m sure I won’t lose the target."

"When is that, my lady?"

"The eve of our 18th birthday," she smirked.

***

The morning sun pierced through the window holes, disrupting Thanatos' sleep. He yawned widely, stretched his arms, then rubbed his face. He made the sign of the cross on his chest before taking a long sip of water from the cup beside him. Placing it down gently, he stared into the thin air for a long time.

"Taanay?" he called as he walked to his brother’s room. "Taanay, wake up. It’s late. The head florist will be here any moment." He waited a few seconds before barging in when there was no response.

"Oh, come on!" Taanay groaned. "Can’t I sleep in this house in peace, for Christ’s sake?"

"Yes, you can’t," Thanatos replied. "Not when you have to find your mate in two months or die." He joked, walking off.

"Oh, please!" Taanay rolled his eyes. "We’re both good as dead."

"Taanay!" Jordyn called from the kitchen. "Mind your words!"

"Forgive me, Mother," he muttered, rolling out of bed and making the cross sign.

"Go get dressed. The head florist will be here any moment. We need to get flowers from the neighboring village," Jordyn instructed.

As they all went about their day, Thanatos couldn’t help but reflect on the letter revealed to them yesterday.

Dear sons,

Forgive your father for being inquisitive. I wasn’t raised this way. I was only tempted by friends’ ways. I shouldn’t have asked about your fates, but deep down, I feel grateful that I did. Perhaps it’s a sign things will take shape. Don’t panic—I’ll be by your side.

The man, Atlas, said you’re both fated children. You are someone else’s doppelgängers—and those people are your mates. Failure to meet them after your 18th birthday might lead to your death by your 19th. You are destined to walk and work alongside the princesses to help them defeat their ill fate. It is what you were born for.

And if you think you can change destiny with your own hands, it’s only a lie to yourself—the gods already have it planned out.

Love,

Your Father, Polivican.

"And now you’re six feet beneath, Father," Thanatos murmured. "I’m scared. We only have each other now. Mother is weak; she’s barely holding on."

He stared long at his father's apron hanging in the hut. Memories flooded in—how his father helped him make his first silver spoon, the first tiny sword at age six. His father had been his best friend.

He quickly wiped his tears as the front yard door creaked open.

"Hello, brother," Taanay greeted. "Mother and I have a florist gathering to attend. Tend to the house while we’re away. Who knows—maybe I’ll bring your mate to you so you won’t die before me," he teased.

"And what if you never meet yours? Won’t you miss my little troubles when you’re up there?" Thanatos replied with a smirk.

"Nah. I’ll only miss your fine ass and that jet-black hair—blacker than mine," Taanay grinned.

***

"Lyra!" Aria called.

"My lady, I’m here. The guards are stationed at the gates. We’ll have to take the fence."

"Nice. Let’s go," Aria said, grabbing her cloak. She led the way while Lyra followed, both moving cautiously through the halls. They passed Aurora’s room—it was empty.

"She’s probably on the field doing martial training," Aria murmured. They took the secret passage leading to the fence, and soon found themselves staring at the palace lawn.

"Fresh air," Aria smiled, breathing in deeply. She handed her cloak to Lyra, then raised her dress and wrapped it to her waist for ease of movement. In a split second, she was on the other side. Lyra followed.

"Where are we headed?" Lyra asked.

"To the old woman’s stand."

"What about finding your mate?"

"I need a lead first."

They walked quietly through the bustling market until they reached a strange-looking hut. A dreamcatcher and human-like figurines hung from the door.

"Knock twice. Walk in with your hands folded. Leave your footwear outside," came the old voice.

"You’ve come to know your fate. Go to the marketplace by the florist’s stand by 4. There you’ll meet your fated mate again," the woman said before Aria could speak.

"Oh—thank you," Aria said, turning to leave.

"Don’t, young lady. You can deceive people, but not yourself. Your fate arrived earlier because you’re stronger—and need to be controlled before the vile within consumes the good. Come out in the open before it’s too late, or you may lose your soul," the woman warned.

Aria froze. "Whatever," she muttered, storming out.

The marketplace became livelier as they wandered between grocery stalls and florist stands. The bright colors and floral scents were enchanting. Aria suddenly caught a sharp, unique scent from one particular stand—it pulled her like a thread.

"I think I’ll go home with some flowers today," Aria told Lyra.

"Which ones do you love?" Lyra smiled.

"Let’s see which captures my fantasy," Aria said, stepping toward the source of the scent. Her nose twitched as she neared a beautifully adorned flower shop. She reached for a tulip when a voice spoke behind her:

"Nice glowy red hair you’ve got," Taanay said.

She turned sharply. And in that moment, she knew—the scent came from him. He smells nice, she thought.

"My lady, your hair! It’s glowing. You need to cover it," Lyra whispered urgently.

Aria's eyes widened. "He’s the one," she whispered.