The Looking Glass

Progue He stood there leaning against the glass watching her. His eyes never left the paper she was writing on. He reads each word as she writes. “It comes when you least expect it, that soul shattering pain. That pain that never leaves. Gut wrenching, you just want to die pain. You know what I’m talking about because you, yourself have felt it. Even though you thought you were passed it and over what started it in the first place. Yet here you are, overthinking, wondering if you can ever let it go. That gut feeling that something isn’t right. Half the time you’re wrong, then you remember that you have been right many times. It kills you, breaks you down deep within. You try to run, yet you can’t get away. It’s always there in the back of your mind. You know what I speak of. I know what you do at night. Silent tears that slide down your cheeks and on to your pillow, crying in the shower so others can’t hear. I know this pain all too well my dear. I have endeared it many times. Yet you keep going back to what broke you. When will you walk away? When will you be free? For you are not alone. Your tears don’t go unheard, as you may think. That pain will fade along with the gut feelings. You will no longer wonder, nor will you cry. How do I know all of this you ask? For I am, you…” She looks up and stares at herself in the looking glass, face is tear-streaked, sadness in her eyes. He stares back at her, knowing she can’t see him. Not yet, it’s not time yet. Her tears start to fall again. He shook his head. She wrote about her pain being over, yet here she was crying. He put his hand on the glass. Soon you will be free. He thought walking toward the horse. One day you will be by my side. He climbs up on his horse and takes one more look at her. If she only knew what the future held for her. “Sir, we must go before someone sees the looking glass.” A small voice said breaking the stillness. He sighs and watches the glass fade as they ride away. He leaves with her tear stained face on his mind… Part One: "Does it get any easier? She asked. "When will I feel better?" She stared back at her reflection. Taking in every flaw. Her sea green eyes looked sad, long red hair dull and her face was sunken in, the spark within her was gone. She screamed "NO!" at the looking glass slamming her fist into it. She watched the glass spider out. Her reflection no longer lied. The looking glass matched her. Flawed and broken. It no longer showed just beauty and lies. It showed pain. It never showed what a person is really like. Never showing what evil was hidden within someone. It is after all a reflection of the outside. Why would the world want to see the truth about who people really are? The world is truly hell. If she only knew what was behind that shattered glass. That was begging to set her free. She stared back at the broken reflection biting her lower lip until she saw blood. The pain brought little relief from the pain deep within her soul. She watched the blood run down her chin. Why, why me? she thought. The tears started to roll down her cheeks. Was she forgettable? That unworthy? "You have no grace. No grace!" She repeated over and over into the shattered glass. Her distorted reflection stared back. No one will miss it or her. She reached out and touched the shattered glass, it shimmered at her touch. Her eyes narrowed at the glass. There was something on the other side. Was that something she was willing to explore? Was she willing to leave this pain and see if the other side was better? She stared at the looking glass. To disappear without a trace would be nice. She pushed on the glass more watching her fingers disappear. What if she could be happy? That thought made her heart race. It's now or never she thought as she pushed farther into the shimmering glass. She may get her wish after all... Ensley closed her eyes as she walked through the looking glass. Once through to the other side she opened her eyes to a forest, she could hear the rush of a river nearby. She took a step forward looking at the beauty that laid in front of her. Ensley turned toward the looking glass to see that it was no longer there. She couldn't get back even if she wanted to. She smiled at the thought of never returning. Ensley wandered farther into the forest. "You know its customary to say thank you to the person who saved you.” A deep voice said. She turned around to only come face to face with him. His brilliant blue eyes caught her attention. Ensley studied the man before her. She took in every detail; the first thing she noticed was that his eyes weren't blue but light purple, they went well with the shoulder-length silver hair, his high cheekbones fit well with his very Roman features his skin was almost silver with highlights of lavender when he moved. He eyed her. The next thing she noticed was his coat and its color. The lilac made his eyes stand out, his white button down to his black slacks. He honestly looked like a lawyer or a con man. “Do you like what you see, Ensley?” He asked as he pushed away from the tree. "Who are you?" She asked taking a step back. His eyes lit up, on his lips played a sexy smile. "I'm the man who saved you," he said "I'm Calev." “What are you, and how do you know my name?” Ensley asked without hesitation as she took a step toward him. “What am I?” He snickered “Why, I am the man who saved you. I have been watching you for some time now. You were unhappy, no?” “Watching me how? I was unhappy, but that still doesn’t tell me what you are, because you’re not human.” Ensley retorted. She stood there waiting for his reply. At that point she realized that she was alone with a strange man and no one knew she was gone. His voice pulled her thoughts back to him. He answered frowning. “I was watching you through the looking glass you broke in what seemed like a fit of rage. As for what I am..” he said as he pulled his hair back presenting pointed ears. “Fairy….” Ensley whispered. Taking a step back. Calev took a step toward her. “Don’t run, Ensley. I won’t hurt you.” He declared “I don’t want to have to chase you down.” “Everyone knows Fae are asshats! They like to toy with humans. Why am I here?” She shouted as her back hit the tree behind her. She jerked in pain but tried not to show it. Calev gazed at her. “I thought it was obvious why you are here Ensley. You wanted a better life, so I brought you here.” He retorted “NO! The looking glass brought me here. How would you know what I want?” Ensley yelled as she moved around the tree. She needs to get away from this man. Just as she was about to run, she seen horses coming up the path way. When did that get there? She thought. Ensley was about to take a step toward the men on horses when she felt an arm around her waist and a hand clamp down on her mouth. This is it. She thought, I'm going to die by a fairy. Death by fairy doesn’t seem so bad. She thought. The scent of lavender overwhelmed her as the world went dark… Ensley felt something soft under her as she slowly opened her eyes, they felt matted shut, how long was she out for? Damn that freaking fairy! She knew trouble when she saw it and boy was, he ever. “I am not trouble,” Calev voice broke through her thoughts “I’m unfortunately the unseelie courts prince, and you my dear Ensley will be my princess.” Oh great, this fairy is delusional! she sighed rolling over. “Look I’m not princess material. I can’t even walk in heels,” Ensley snorted as she opened her eyes. “And you a prince? The man who “saved” me?” she barked out while holding back laughter. She looked up seeing Calev unamused with her. The look on his face made her laugh more. Ensley stared at him until she realized that they were in a large room. They were on a king-size bed that sat in the middle of the room. The room was exquisite. The linens alone seem to be made from golden silk. Ensley wanted nothing more than to bury her face in them. She slowly sat up and looked around. The room was crimson and gold. On the far left a closet and a vanity full of makeup. To which she would have to look at later. Ensley slowly got up and looked around. “How are you not freaking out right now?” She heard him ask. “You mean how, am I not running away screaming at the fact that you’re a fairy and I basically came here through a looking glass?” She replied. He studied her. Ensley giggled “Give me time, I’m sure it will hit me soon.” “You are not what I expected.” She heard as the bedroom doors open. “There are pink fae too? Oh lord what have I walked in to.” Ensley sat down staring at the other fae in front of her. The fairy moved so fast that Ensley didn’t realize how close she was. “Ensley this is my mother, Amoret.” Calev spoke proudly. Ensley just stared at her. “Calev, I think mother broke your princess!” said a sweet voice from the door. Amoret turned toward the door. “I did no such thing, Alouetta! I think she was before she got here.” Amoret looked down at Ensley. “So much pain in this one.” Amoret whispered. She put a hand on Ensley’s shoulder. “Life has not been good to her. Alouetta, help Ensley get ready. I need a moment with your brother.” She said as she turned to Calev and walked out the room with him. Part Two: “You stupid, stupid fool! What in the hell were you thinking, bring her here?” Amoret snapped at Calev. He stared back at her confused. “She can not be here!” She went on. "What if they find out she is here? They will stop at nothing to get her!" “Mother give Calev a break. You did tell him to find a wife. She may be human, but you never know she maybe good for him.” His little sister came around the corner. Her silver hair was curled, she had on her light pink dress with her black flats. Mother hated her flats but Crimsyn never cared. Calev eyed her, in her arms she carried a deep purple satin dress and black pumps. “Going some where little sister?” he asked raising his eye brow at her. Crimsyn giggled “Well of course! I’m going to meet that future Queen of ours, plus those clothes she is wearing have got to go!” She declared. Calev shook his head snickering. He knew she would end up dressing Ensley. He followed her down the hall to the bedroom where Ensley was, Crimsyn didn’t even knock on the door. She glided in and went straight to Ensley. The first thing Calev noticed was how beautiful Ensley looked with her hair curled and makeup on. Amoret came up beside him. “She is beautiful!” his mother whispered. Calev shook his head. “Alouette, you never disappoint. She looks delightful.” “Thank you, mother.” Alouette responded as she walked over to join them. Crimsyn looked at Ensley. “Everyone out! She needs to change, and she very well can’t do that with you all in here!” Crimsyn exclaimed. Ensley stood there watching everyone leave. “I don’t know about you, but I think Crimsyn just got a new toy!” Alouette said walking toward the stairs. Calev could hear his mother tittering under her breath. “Maybe…” Calev said “I don’t see Ensley wanting to be a Princess every day.” His mother stopped him. “What do you mean? She is to be the unseelie court queen! Once you are married, she will be fae, no longer human.” Alouette jumped at her mother’s harshness toward her brother. Calev looked at Amoret and shook his head in agreement. “I know mother. Ensley will do what needs to be done.” He clarified. Together the walked out to the court yard. “We need to introduce Ensley to the rest of the court. I thought we could have a party. Since her arrival is early.” Alouette chimed in. Amoret stopped and turned to her daughter. “Are you going to plan it?” she simply asked. Calev looked at his mother for the first time in months. Her silver hair was starting to dull, and her beautiful light pink skin was almost silver, her eyes looked almost black. “Yes, I will and Calev will help me.” She declared as she looped her arm thought his. “Very well then…” Amoret whispered, “I am going to rest now. I want to know every detail about the party, when will be and where. Make sure pick a good theme this time. Under the sea was horrible and the mermaids made a mess. Also, no sirens they make an even bigger mess.” She said as she went upstairs. Calev turned toward his sister. “What are you thinking? A party?” “What?! It’s the best way to get Ensley out there and see if she will fit in here. Can’t just turn anyone fae big brother.” She uttered while walking around him. “Now what should the theme be? Oh, I know let’s ask our new Queen to be. I’m sure you are dying to see her in that dress! I know I am!” she cried in excitement as she ran up the stairs, Calev was at her heels. Alouette beat him to the door. “Your getting slow in your old age brother.” Calev grinned at her “I’m not old! 213 isn’t old.” “Oh, come now Calev, your good looking for your age!” She exclaimed once she reached the door. Calev put a hand on hers. “Look, I think it’s great you want to throw a party for Ensley. But maybe we should keep it a surprise for now.” He said. Alouette looked at him and nodded. “She doesn’t know yet, does she?” “No,” He revealed “She may not want to be fairy.” Just that thought alone killed him. Alouette hugged him. “She will be fine.” She said as she let go and turned to the door. “I was wondering if anyone was ever going to come back!” declared Crimsyn, “We are ready!” Ensley was sitting on the bed reading a book. “Ensley?” Calev whispered, she slowly raised her head smiling at him. He walked over to her and helped her up. “Calev, why don’t you see if Ensley would like to see the rest of the house.” Alouette suggested. “Can I come?” Crimsyn asked with a bright smile. “I would love to teach Ensley some more about our world.” Ensley chimed in “I would love that.” She looked up at Calev and smiled. “Very well then, lets go.” He sighed, its going to be a long tour. They all walked down the stairs and in to the large ball like room. Ensley noted that this room was the same color as the room she just left. The room was empty, it seems to beg for a party. “This is our ball room of course. We do a lot of parties and events in this room.” Calev explained. As the tour went on, he let Ensley look at each room for as long as she wanted, sometimes Crimsyn would explain a piece of history to her or they would simply just let her look. Ensley favorite place was the west wings library. Calev noted that she lingered at the history section. He watched her face light up at the sight of so many books. “I have died and gone to heaven!” She announced proudly. Crimsyn giggled at her excitement. “Well at least you know where she will be if you even piss her off!” She stated as she skipped over to Ensley. “Well, at least you know she is willing to learn.” A booming voice came from behind. Calev didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. “Hello, Father.” He replied turning his head slightly to look at him. “You went and pulled her here after everything we talked about? What if they found out she is here?” His father proclaimed. He didn’t even wait for Calev to respond before he asked “Does she even know what is to happen if she agrees to be Queen? If the Seelie court finds out, they will try to take her. Then what, Calev?” Calev could tell his father was losing faith, he turned to him looking at him, “They won’t find out because we are the only ones who know she is here and no she doesn’t know what will happen when she is crowned, I will tell her. We will protect her. She has no clue what she is.” He explained as he watched her. In that moment he could swear he saw light blue highlights on her skin. “That can’t be…” he whispered. “That would make her a water fae and they have been gone for thousands of years.” He was looking at his father. “I told you.” He answered nodding his head toward the girls. He was about to ask what he meant when he felt Ensley behind him. He looked at her. “Ensley, this is my father Kemper.” Ensley put her hand out. “It’s nice to meet you.” She said while he took her hand and kissed it. This surprised her. “Trust me the pleasure is all mine.” Kemper said smiling. “I don’t know about you all but I’m hungry and its time to eat. How about it?” he didn’t even wait. Calev looped his arm around Ensley waist and lead her out to the dining hall. Thought all this no one notice the dark blue fae following them. She shook her head. Stupid fairies. The Prince brought back the only water fae in exists. Her boss was going to love that. She pulled out her phone “She is here, and she is a water fae.” “Are you sure!?” “Yes!” “Good! Follow her, do whatever you need to. Become her friend. Don’t let her marry Calev. Got it?!” “Yes” She put her phone up and went into the kitchen. It was time to befriend the enemy. She would do as she was told for now, until she could figure out a way to kill the water fae…….