The Looking Glass

The Party

Ensley rolled over and slowly open her eyes. Man, she needed to stop passing out. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. She sat up feeling light-headed.

“Move slow Ensley. You’ve been out for a few days, and it seems within those few days you got new marks as well.” She looked over to see Amoret carrying a tray of food over to her. She set the tray down and pointed at Ensley's leg.

“It seems that every time you black out it has something to do with those marks.” She explained as she sat down next to Ensley, “May I?” Amoret asked as she gesture to her leg. Ensley nodded putting her leg in Amoret’s lap.

“You see, we don’t know much about water fae. What we do know is that they are stronger than the rest of the fae. More than likely its because they can use water to heal and they can live underwater if need be. I’m sure you realize you didn’t need to come up for air while swimming with the keep of the sea.” Amoret didn’t give Ensley time to respond instead she kept talking as she looked at the new pattern on Ensley’s leg.

“This is really quite beautiful. It isn’t just blue now. There is some pink mixed in. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you.” She was staring at her now with intensity. “I don’t think you realize how important you really are.”

“Mother, give her room to breathe. Plus, Crimsyn needs you downstairs for the party.” Calev said from the doorway.

“Wait the party is still on?” Ensley asked

“Yes, I want to make sure everyone knows your not a threat,” Amoret explained. “We need to keep the peace. Plus, we get to dress up.” She said with a smile. Ensley shook her head. They never stopped surprising her. Everything had to be perfect, too perfect. She stared at the doorway long after Amoret left. Something told her that this party was going to be a disaster. She could feel it in her gut.

“Earth to Ensley. Are you there?” She heard Calev. She shook her head and looked up at him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t hear anything you said. Its been a long morning.” She admitted.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked as he sat down next to her. She looked down at the floor. He clasps her chin and turned her to face him.

“Queens never look down at the floor. No matter what. Now, what has you so lost in thought?” He questions her again.

“I don’t think this party is a good idea.” She started “Something doesn’t feel right.” He stared at her.

“It will be ok. You’re just scared after yesterday. I promise it will be fun.” He said as he ran his thumb over her lower lip. A shiver ran down her spine. He has touched her like this before. That simple touch made her head spin. What were they keeping from her?

“Why can’t I remember the last time I was here?” she asked him. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. A surprised Ensley put her hand on his chest and pushed him away, Calev looked at her with hurt in his eyes.

“You really don’t remember anything. How is that possible?” He stood and walked to the door. The hurt on his face was more than Ensley could take. She was about to say something when Crimsyn came sweeping in. she had on a powder blue silk dress, her hair was curled. She looked beautiful.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I have to get Ensley ready for the party.” She said as she pushed Calev out the door.

“The party isn’t for another 4 hours and we are having an important conversation.” Calev snapped as he turned away from his little sister.

‘Well, it will have to wait. She needs to get ready.” Crimsyn stomped her foot at him.

“Fine!” He looked at Ensley “This conversation isn’t over.” He said as he walked out the door. Crimsyn closed the door behind him and went to Ensley.

“Let’s start getting you ready!” she squeals with excitement. Ensley rolled her eyes at her. This was the last place she wanted to be now, but she got up and followed Crimsyn into the huge room they called a closet. At least she could enjoy this. She did, after all, love having her hair done.

Meanwhile Calev is looking for his mother for answers. Calev went straight to the kitchen where he knew she would be. there was a party going on shortly and she would make sure everything was perfect.

He found her sitting at the table talking to a few mermaids and sirens.

“How do we not know that is isn’t a ploy to kill us?” one of the mermaids with teal hair asked. Calev stared at her. You would never know that she was a mermaid until you got up close and seen her pointed ears and her webbed hands. Yet he knew that she wasn’t really trying to hide who she was. The sirens on the other hand never cared about hiding their true nature. Their sharp teeth and scales were on full display. Sirens are horrible, they are quick to kill anyone they feel is a threat to them and their way of life and now they have their sights set on Ensley. Amoret sighed “Look she is the last of the water fae and she isn’t a threat. She will be a great Queen once she is ready. Trust me this isn’t a ploy. You saw what happened in the sea last night. The keeper of the sea is here as well.”

“Aye, I am here.” A woman with white hair came to the table. Her thick Irish accent was welcoming. “Please, Calev join us.” She said as she sat down. “The future king should be here.”

Calev took a seat next to his mother. He was about to ask her why Ensley doesn’t remember being here before when the keeper of the seas spoke.

“Ensley has awoken every keeper last night. I’m afraid she also has woken the evils that laid dormant for years as well. As for your questions Calev, I can answer them.” She stared at him with her silver eyes. He could feel her in his very soul.

“You’re right about Ensley not remembering being here…” Amoret was about to stop the Keeper, yet the keeper's influence stopped Amoret. Calev could only assume that she felt exactly what he was feeling.

“We cannot keep this a secret anymore, Amoret. I felt Ensley as soon as she stepped over into our realm.” The keeper explained as all the mermaids nodded their heads in agreement. “She will find out the truth sooner or later and she won’t be happy with any of us…” she was looking at Amoret now.

“I know, it was in her best interest. She would have been killed. Just like the rest. I did what I thought was right at the time.” Amoret defended herself as she ran a hand over the scar on her arm. She looked over to Calev who stared at her with so much anger in his eyes.

“What do you mean killed? Last night you said it was the war that killed the water fae. You said nothing about murder.” Calev was yelling now. The keeper cleared her voice both turned to look at her.

“All of this fighting and anger is pointless!” The keeper explained “We have to keep her safe now. All of us!” She looked at everyone at the table. “This means you three as well.” She pointed at the sirens. “We don’t need your schemes or you to sing. Use that against our actual enemy. Right now, we all need to be on high alert.” She stopped and looked around, “Where is Kemper?” she asked Amoret.

“He is making sure that we have a guard at every post.” She replied. The keeper nodded in approval. Calev stared at her.

“Why is it that everyone is listening to you?” he inquired. His mother put her hand on his arm to stop him from asking anymore question. The keeper put her hand up.

“It’s quite alright Amoret. Let him ask his questions. But be warned young prince you may not like the answers you get.” She invited. He stared at her waiting for her to reply.

“You may be a prince, but I am a goddess. Which mean I have more right to that lovely throne than you do, but most importantly I am Ensley’s mother not that FAIRY that is nothing more than a sitter who failed at her job. Where is she by the way?” She asked looking at Amoret.

Amoret looked around for the fairy in question. “I don’t know come to think of it she hasn’t been seen since Ensley got her marks.” The sirens screeched at Amoret.

“She left after last night.” One of them replied in a raspy voice “She was in a hurry as well.” The keeper stood up. “Where did she go?”

Calev stood up “Wait, your Ensley’s mother? Why didn’t you say so yesterday?” she looked at Calev. But before she could say anything Ensley and Crimsyn came around the corner. Ensley was wearing a light blue dress, her red hair was pulled up with curls all around, her beautiful green eyes shined. At that point, all his questions disappear along with the other people. He walked over to Ensley.

“You are so beautiful!” He exclaimed while moving a piece of hair that fell. Ensley smiled at him.

“The party is about to start.” He heard his mother say as she pulled them back to the real world. They had to get through this party and prove that Ensley wasn’t a threat. After the party, he planned on showing Ensley what happened the last time she was in this realm.

“Ensley, I would like you to meet a few people. One of them you know from last night.” Amoret put her arm around her and lead her to the keeper.

“This is the keeper of the seas.” She said. The keeper smiled at Ensley. “It’s nice to finally meet you, young Queen.” The keeper replied.

“Oh, I’m not the queen yet...” Ensley said.

“You are always a Queen, Ensley. Never forget that.” She stated before walking away to greet the other guest that started to arrive. Amoret moved on to the sirens. Who now actually looked human at least until they felt like changing back. Amoret was getting ready to introduce them as one of them stood up.

“I’m Kirsi. Your personal bodyguard.” She said as she took Ensley’s hand. Well, now we know what they were talking about. Calev thought.

Ensley looked at her. “It’s nice to meet you Kirsi, but I don’t need a bodyguard.”

Kirsi looked at Ensley and shook her head. “Sorry, but you're stuck with me. I have orders.” She said as the other two sirens got up and left. Amoret looked around to see the party was going well. She leads Ensley around introducing her to everyone. She would answer any questions they had or talk about anything they wanted. Ensley was ready to sit down and talk to Calev when all hell broke loose.

Ensley was standing by a tree with Calev talking about the keeper and about her new bodyguard that wouldn’t leave her side. All Ensley saw was the handle of the knife that was now stuck in the tree next to her just before they heard the screams and the sound of glass breaking. Kirsi stepped into actions fighting anyone that came close to Ensley. At one point there was a nothing but the sound of metal hitting metal. The next thing she knows is that Calev picks her up and starts running to the castle with Kirsi right on his heels. Ensley watches Kirsi fight anyone that comes their way. Until Kirsi is hit and goes down. The next moment Ensley is flying through the air and hits the ground. She quickly gets to her feet and runs over to Kirsi. Kirsi is out cold but is still alive. She starts to look for Calev and sees him fighting a banshee. She looks around for Amoret and Crimsyn, but she only sees everyone fighting. Ensley starts to run at one of the banshees. The banshee strikes Ensley in the side making her drop to the ground. Ensley starts to stand up as she gets hit from behind. Ensley gets tossed around a few more times while getting a few good hits in on the banshee’s face. The last thing she remembers was thinking that this place sucked. As she saw the world flash by. This time she was wishing she had passed out.

Calev started to look for Ensley after the Banshees ran off. While he was looking he helped others to the castle and asked if they had seen her.

He found his mother and the keeper by the sea.

“Ensley is gone.” He said as he ran up to them.

“What?!” they both said.

“We need to find her fast.” The keeper replied. She started walking towards the castle.

She turned to Amoret who was right next to her. “You know who did this, you also know what he will do to her if she doesn’t do what he wants. We got to find her.” Calev stood there wondering what was going on and who in the hell had Ensley. He was left with more questions than answers, yet he knew he may never get the answers he was seeking….