A Whole New World

HomecomingPt.3

POV: Genevieve

I'm running, running as fast as I can. My pale pink dress flowed in the wind as I ran. I felt the burning in my veins and screamed out. The wind picks up pace, I feel like its only targeting me. Pine trees are all around me, the branches letting go, freeing themselves from the stump and making way with the wind. It must be well past midnight, the full moon is high in the sky as I looked up with tears in my eyes. Coming to a halt, I screamed once more, loud and clear for every animal in the woods to hear. Lightning bolts in every direction, like its responding to my discomfort. I want to let go of something but I have no clue what it is. Dropping to my knees, I wailed with everything in me. This pain is unbearable, I have no way to control it. In my agony I heard a raspy voice, "Let go my heart, welcome it please, I cannot see you in pain." I looked up and saw not a human, but an abnormally large wolf, with a midnight black coat, but under the moon's light he seemed to mock the color of the night sky. His eyes were the most beautiful eyes I've seen on a wolf, a cold blue with golden specks and flutters of purple. He put up his snout and howled to the moon, sounding as if he was in pain for me.

I woke up with a start, breathing heavily, trying to get control of myself. It almost feels like the burning is lingering, and I can still hear the wolves howl ringing in my ears. "That has got to be the weirdest and scariest dream I've yet to experience." I whispered to no one in particular. Shaking off my haze and fear, I stretched and got out of bed. Making my way to my closet to pick out today's outfit. On my way to the bathroom I notice a fancy note card on the fireplace, you know the ones you usually see in the Titanic or something. Picking it up, I shut the door to the bathroom and began to read it while I got my shower ready.

"Semidei Deam, we are one with you and will be at your call when you learn of it. Keep this close to your heart and soul. Nos Unum sumus." - your subjects

"What did this just appear by itself?." I spoke out to myself. Clearly there's something going on here. I put the note aside and stepped into the shower, my thoughts swirling. Mama would have told me anything if I needed to know something, right? Is that why she was so taciturn when we first got here? I don't know what's going on but I'm itching to find out. Finishing my shower, I put on the outfit I picked. It's late October, so it's slightly chilly. Considering the light chill, I put on a black knit sports jacket, paired with high-waisted denim, washed skinny jeans and black tennis shoes. This place is huge and I truly dont feel like having aching feet, so why not be comfortable? As I went out of my room, I walked down to the foyer. Actually appreciative that I have a photographic memory. I wish I had that tour yesterday because I look like someone who just broke in. I heard a throat clear behind me and turned to see Hawk looking at me with a knowing smile.

"Lost princess?" He coughed out. I assume he was trying to disguise a laugh, so I must definitely look like a damn robber.

"Hmph is it truly that funny?" I pout.

He just laughs and holds his arm out to guide me. Walking down the halls of the foyer, I can't help but stare in awe. This castle is the definition of beautiful. The walls are marbled black and white, it looks like the colors are dancing or telling a story. High above are beautiful lanterns with intricate gold designs surrounding them. Hawk brings me to two very large black doors, each door carved with designs of a wolf and two different phases of a painted moon. He opens the door to a beautiful large dining hall that could host a ball. Which obviously leads me to assume it is also a ballroom due to its size. The table has thirteen seats, holding six on the horizontal sides, and one at the end of the table. That seat is larger than the rest and also has gold edging. I went to sit in the middle seat on the left side, but Hawk quickly, and I should say, swiftly grabbed my arm and guided me to the seat at the end of the table. Clearing his throat, he said "It is only fitting, princess, your mother won't be joining you this morning due to the preparations for your birthday, but she will see you before nightfall. Breakfast should be out soon. I will be in the hall if you need anything." I gawked at him, I am NOT sitting in this big ass dining room by myself, who will I have a conversation with? The stoned gargoyles that are lining the walls? Ha, as if. "Why dont you enjoy breakfast with me?" I asked. "If you wish princess." He bowed his head. "May I ask why you call me that? You haven't called me by my name since I got here." I questioned. "Another time, Princess, perhaps on your birthday." He said with a knowing smile. We enjoyed our breakfast, having small conversation about the things I had seen during my travel. After breakfast, he toured me around the castle and gave me a small map of the place which I am completely thankful for because, well, it's a goddamn castle. I made my way back out to the maze, letting the red roses guide me to its secretive door. I saw the same owl from yesterday, sitting atop the hedge, as if waiting for me. Since no one is here, I might as well spend time exploring, right? He then flew in and this time I followed with no hesitation. What made my jaw drop was that it wasn't anything like The Secret Garden. This place was a whole different building. Directly infront of me was a throne with the same beginning words from my note, Semidei Deam, carved at the top. To my left was a luxury area with a red L-shaped sofa with golden designs throughout and possibly cherry wood as its legs. Next to the sofa sat a six-tier book shelf with what looked like first edition books of all different genres. The right side had my attention the most. Sitting there was a glass case with a crown that had to be atleast six inches tall, gold, and with red rubies embedded within the design, not just one, but plenty of them, of various sizes. Next to it sat a large trunk, a full-length mirror, and a changing center. The owl sat atop the crown starting intently at me, as if he wanted me to take the crown. I went to the case to see how to open it. Running my finger along the edge looking for any sign of entry. As soon as my finger left the edge of the case, it opened and I screamed out of shock. Then I heard the whispers again, "True Queen". I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I grabbed the crown to gain composure. Once I grabbed the crown and placed it atop my head, everything changed. The scenery, the items within these chambers, everything became more royal, like before it was just a facade. The walls turned crimson red with gold designs of a pack of Lycans, one of which was wearing the same exact crown that is sitting on my head right now. The throne turned completely gold and had the same rubies embedded in it. But what caught me off guard had me falling to the floor, only one word crossing my lips before I fainted. "Dad?"