The Royals

Chapter 3 PARTY FAVORS

The inside was even more glamorous than the outside. The greeting room was a big open area with a low hanging crystal chandelier, there was soft music playing while people conversed. My mother came in from another room, a fake smile plastered on her face as she squeezed me lightly in a small hug and kissed my cheek.

“You’re a bit under dressed.” she whispered in my ear. “Not much of an improvement but it’ll have to do for now.”

My mother led me into the room where she had just come out of and started introducing me to different people. After what felt like an hour filled with pretending and fake smiles I needed to get away. I was finally able to excuse myself and slipped away to the back of the room and out the back door. Outside I was finally able to breathe calmly and relax some, I’ve barely just gotten here already I want to leave.

I lean against the stone railing that lines the back of the house and look out. A tall wrought iron gate crawling with vines and other foliage caught my eye and I felt a little curious about what was back there. Giving in I made my way down and through the yard, the gate wasn’t locked so I opened it carefully trying my best to not make it squeak. My breath caught as I looked at a collection of the most beautiful flowers and trees I have ever seen.

I was so distracted by it all I didn’t notice someone walking up behind me until I felt a soft tap on my shoulder giving me a small heart attack and making me jump.

“Thought that was you, I almost couldn’t recognize you without the baggy clothes.” Avalon laughed.

“What are you doing here?” I asked calming myself.

“I could ask you the same thing. Amongst a few other questions.” Avalon stood there with her arms crossed over her chest.

I narrowed my eyes at her. Over the past few days I've picked up on the fact that she is a very persistent person.

“I was invited, along with my parents. You?”

“I live here.”

I didn't say anything but just nodded in understanding.

“So apparently our parents must be business partners.”

Avalon didn't say anything, she just looked at me confused.

“Something like that.” There was an awkward silence in the air before she spoke again. “Thank you for saving me.”

“You’re welcome. So what’s the big party for?”

“My parents finally talked my brother into agreeing to an arranged marriage.” Avalon scoffed. “While I was used for a business deal.”

“Is that why you were crying that night?”

Shit!

My stomach dropped once my brain caught up to what I said.

“How did you know I was crying?”

“Uh…” I racked my brain trying to come up with a believable excuse. “Your eyes were red and puffy. You looked like you had been crying.”

“Okay, but that brings up another question. How did you know I was there?”

I couldn't come up with a good enough lie for that. I didn't know how to explain to her about the dream without her thinking I'm some kind of freak. So I just shrugged her off.

“You know I think I hear my mom calling me.” I quickly brushed past her to leave but she grabbed my hand.

“Hold on.”

Before I could pull away I suddenly felt light headed, and my vision went black.

* Avalon was walking through a house, she seemed to be looking for something and was growing more aggravated at whatever it was. She turned a corner and froze as she looked down the long hallway, her gaze falling on the scary scar dude. I could feel the betrayal and hurt along with the sadness she felt as she watched the scary scar dude heavily making out with another woman with long blonde hair and a daisy tattoo on her shoulder, his hands sliding down and under the other woman's skirt. Avalon couldn’t see the blonde's face because her back was towards her as Scary scar dude was pushed against the wall. The blonde had stopped making out with him and now began to trail kisses down his neck, across his chest, and past his stomach. She was now on her knees in front of him and started to undo the belt of his pants.

Scary scar dude looked up from the woman, and his eyes locked with Avalon, his face pales knowing that he’d just been caught. Avalon turned and ran back the way she had come and out the front door and into her car.*

The vision was gone and I was now back in the garden, Avalon still gripping my hand tightly.

“Eris!” Avalon peered over my shoulder to where my mom was calling me.

“Is that your mom?” I nodded and pulled my hand free walking away.

“s**t, Eris, wait there's something I think you should know.” Avalon yelled running behind me.

She tried to catch up with me but I was too fast and reached the back door where my mom was waiting for me.

“Oh good you two have met.” My mom said as she led me back inside and through a crowd of people.

We stopped in front of a well dressed couple who looked like they could be movie stars. They were so beautiful. The man with dark brown hair and green eyes stood at least six foot tall with his arm wrapped around the waist of a shorter woman who had honey-colored hair and silver eyes.

“This is Craven and Wisteria Van Doren.” she gestured to the couple. “And this is Eris.”

My mom introduced me as if she had spoken of me before.

I shook their hands as we greeted each other and noticed my dad had now joined us.

“She’s quite beautiful really. From the way you had described her to us made me think she would be too plain.” It felt like I was being appraised by Mrs. Van Doren.

She pulled me closer to her and she stared into my eyes. It was like staring into a lake of mist, everything felt heavy and light at the same time like floating in the deep end of a pool or at the bottom of a lake. Then she held my hands, and an overwhelming feeling of loneliness hit me. The feeling is so intense my knees nearly buckle under me. I pull my hands away, breaking eye contact not wanting to feel whatever that was anymore.

“Eris right?” I turn and look at another man who I had not noticed join us. He had wavy honey brown hair, green eyes with silver streaks flecked through the colors.

He’s also very tall, like he must've been around 6 foot 7, and an impressive build.

“Eris, this is our eldest son Caspian and our daughter…”

“Avalon.” I finished for Mrs. Van Doren.

“We have classes together.”

“That’s good, I hope the both of you become even closer through that.” Mrs. Van Doren turned and spoke directly to Avalon. “You’ll be the one to teach her about everything and make sure she understands the rules.”

“I’m sorry what?” I look between the Van Doren’s and my parents.

No one spoke. They stood there not saying a word as I began to feel anxious.

Caspian broke the silence.

“We are engaged.”