The Love Quest

Blaring: Things are most of the time different from what they seem; I just got done reading several versions of one of my past grandmothers’ stories. Glancing from the current book sprawled across me, I felt a pair of eyes examining me. Peering around, I spotted one of the council members, the youngest Virtuous Witch (Magenta), wearing a hooded cloak and walking up to me. It was weird because Magenta never stepped foot into the library.  Ignoring the unusual behavior, and continue my research on my past grandmother. But to no avail. Magenta sashays her way to my table. “Doing research, are we?” she questioned. I lean back in my seat, somewhat annoyed that she had just interrupted my reading. “Yes, madam, just looking into my family history for clues,” I smile. “Okay, well, I won’t disturb you any further. I am shocked to see you in the study at this hour.” She mocks, smirking as she walks away.  Rolling my eyes, I picked up where I had left off in my book. My past grandmother was famous amongst all the supernatural and human worlds. Her story, although altered, some think she was human. Others say she was a different supernatural being.  It all remained the same; she received a fairy’s help to win her sweet human husband. Yes, her father had a chosen mate who also had two daughters of her own. Of course, they mistreated her after her father had died. And yes, she lost a glass slipper. As you may now guess, yes, my fifth maternal great-grandmother was Cinderella. The stories you read in fairy tale books are not correct. Only the werewolf books had it somewhat right. Cinderella ran off, leaving her glass slipper because she could not contain her wolf after midnight. Her wolf was defiant because of the mistreatment of her family. After midnight, she would always have to go for a run, just to keep her wolf calm. On this night, she had discovered that the Prince, a werewolf as well, was indeed her mate. Her wolf just could not contain herself. Plus, the fairy had warned her that her magical makeover would vanish after midnight.  Hoping meeting my mate would be just as magical. I was ready to make history my way, as my ancestors had done. I was searching my supernatural history to figure out what being may have my fated mate. Knowing my family history carried a lot of the “so-called Disney fictional royalties.” From the blood records I gained from my pack doctor. It turns out I am 60% werewolf, 15% fae, 13% elf, 6% witch, and 6% human.  My other fifth maternal great-grandmother, Snow White, was a fairy or fae, whichever you prefer. “Her White as snow skin. And the way she sang to the animals should have given that detail away,” I mumble to myself. Cinderella’s youngest son, Chase Charming, and Snow White’s daughter, Iclyn Florian, were mates, which created my fourth great-grandmother, Ember.  Comparing the information I had written to the history books, I had sprawled out in front of me. My head was pounding. My 21st birthday is in two weeks. In normal circumstances, I would have found my mate as we ran off into the sunrise, or watching the sunset as we drank our tea. Everyone had always found their mates by the time they were 18. For goodness' sake, my grandparents were only 16 when they met each other. I had seen no one walking in until they plopped an apple down on the book I was skimming through. Looking up, I see Ginger studying me while taking a bite of her pear. “What are you doing?” Scrunching her nose as she tilts her head in curiosity. “I am trying to figure out where I can find my mate.” I spit, annoyed. “Blare, why don’t you try the love quest? My cousin just came from his. He found his mate in the dragon lands.” She smirked, doing her tiny success dance. I laughed at her, feeling she had lost her mind. Only fools would take that quest. I mean, it wasn’t a terrible idea, although I just didn’t think it was for me.  “Tell me, who wants a bunch of high and mighty people sitting on thrones dictating how they find their mate?” I retorted. Glancing around at the castle walls “It’s too late for that, Ms. Royalty.” She jokes. I roll my eyes. I am tired of being treated like such a princess. This was not me. I belonged to the outdoors, the trees, the mountains, and nature. It did not mean for me to be stuck behind Castle walls. My mom had kept me hidden for a long time. She claimed due to “dark forces” wanting to take out the royal families. I was the Key. The last piece: the one that ties them all together. Unless I married someone magical, the Magical DNA, that one would be too weak to be of any significance for anyone to inherit. My mom was an only child, and so was I. Leaving me with the decision to either find a true mate or find some random magical being. We tried looking into Chad’s family line to see if they had any magical blood. Chad is Chase’s older brother. Truth is, only Chase’s side of the family had ventured into the mystical side of the supernatural world, creating hybrids. Being a pureblood werewolf was rare, but being a hybrid with magical creatures was exotic.  We knew Iclyn had a brother... Several times, I wondered if my mate was fae or not. If I decide to take Ginger’s advice and go on a love quest, it would be an arduous journey. I would have to search for the exterian stone. An exterian stone is a magical stone that summons the trials of “love,” as I heard several people call it. The issue was that I only knew this quest to be taken by men; there was never a female who had taken the love quest. As the Elders and Virtuous Witches say, it is too full of danger for a female to begin. I knew they would deny my request since I was, in fact, the princess and the Key to everything “magical”.  I sigh, hanging my head down in defeat and uncertainty. Ginger raises her brow, trying to decipher the hidden meaning of my sigh. “Are you done reading?” She questions me. Scowling at her in frustration, “I guess.” Packing up my organized mess. “What do you have in mind?” I ask her, knowing her; she may be up to no good. She gives me a mischievous look, confirming my suspicions. “The King of Wenderfed is coming today.” She announces, looking at me through the corners of her eyes. I can tell by the way she is looking; she has something rolled up her sleeve. Rolling my eyes, she giggles. Regretting it as I do, I agree to go with her as she shrieks, piercing my eardrums. This girl is going to be the death of me one day because of her little escapades. She rushes to my aid to quicken our pace. “Can you place my bag on my bed inside of my chamber?” I address Zukor, my houseboy. I notice Ginger batting her lashes and twirling a strand of her red-ginger-tinted hair. Swaying from side to slide as I was returning my attention to her. She always acts this way when she sees Zukor. I can’t remember a time she hasn’t.  Even I had to admit, Zukor was the most handsome specimen I have ever laid my eyes on. He is an ogre, not those big green things you see in human cartoon shows. Ogres were just like everyone else; All supernaturals came in different colors, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. I grabbed her arm to get her out of the trance she placed herself under by admiring Zukor. This girl needs to find her mate soon, or I will be out of a houseboy, I laugh to myself. “Where is the last place you saw King Snobby?” I scrunch my nose.  Ginger smirks, trying to hold back a laugh while grabbing my arm and pulling me along to the other side of the castle. She was walking so fast I almost slipped on a loose stone on the floor. She slows after ten minutes and hides behind a stone beacon. Placing a finger against her lips, letting me know that there was a meeting and that I should remain silent.  “I see, King Westerly.” Magenta answers him. “Explain your opposition further!” she encourages with an evil smirk as she entertains his idea. “Since I had failed on the love trails, I figured I would come to see if I may get the hand of Ms. Night? I was told that as long as there is Magic within my bloodline, I may be within consideration.” He had explained and announced, appearing more cowardly than brave. When he had occurred two weeks before to gain permission to conduct a love quest by the council, He acted courageously. My eyes bulged out of my sockets. Was this man asking for my hand? I glanced at Ginger and pretended to gag. She held her hand over her mouth to try not to laugh. “Have you spoken with Ms. Hemming?” The Eldest Elder of Werewolves (Easton) asked. Elder Easton seemed to be a little wary of the King’s request. Even I was not a fan of this supposed King. I wait for his response; his demeanor becomes more and more uneasy as he shifts his weight onto each foot. “No sir, I wanted to address the matter with the council before involving Ms. Hemming.” King Westerly answers with noticeable hesitation.  “Well... your apparent ambivalent behavior shall be your answer to your request.” Magenta adjourns. It was obvious Magenta saw me as her secret weapon. Someone she held captive and could not so much as breathe without her permission. I continue to observe King Westerly as he sulks. The Council members now had started their separate conversations with one another. Ginger taps my shoulder, gaining my attention. She jerked her head in the council’s direction, wanting me to address them about the love quest.  I shook my head. I just knew they would not allow their only prized possession to take that chance. She furrowed her brows and cut her eyes at me. If she could have killed me by looking at me, I am certain I have would be dead at this second.  I inwardly groan as I drag myself from behind the beacon into the center of the Warzone. King Westerly’s mouth gapes open as he acknowledges my presence. “May I address the Council?” Ignoring the King’s existence. “Ah! Blaring!” Elder Easton acknowledges. “You may,” nodding his head as he spoke. “I would like to begin a Love Quest, with the Council’s permission, of course.” I talked more fearlessly than I felt.  No one needed to know how horror-stricken I was. As a child, I learned how to hide my facial expressions and body language, so hiding my emotions was easy. All of a being’s emotions are within those same gestures. I only allow those closest to me to see my genuine reactions. Most people think of me as an emotion-less snob. This was different. I had to approach them with more confidence than I felt, or they wouldn’t take me seriously. Magenta tries to read my intentions as she looks me over, glowering when she realizes she could not. “Blaring, why do you want to go on a love quest? Do you find us incompetent in finding a mate for you?”   “No, your kindness. I would just like to find the true love my ancestors have found. Even though they did not need to begin a lover’s quest to find theirs. I figured maybe I may need the help of the exterian stone since I will come upon my 21st birthday.” I explained.  The Eldest Virtuous Witch (Petal) speaks, “Do you understand only men have ventured on the love quest?” Her voice is soft and loving.  “Yes, Madam Petal, I do. I always understand that there can be certain dangers and many adventures I may take. I will compromise that if I do not find a true love mate during my quest that I will allow the council to find a suitor fit for me.”  “Very well then,” Petal mutters. “We will adjourn for lunch and will come back in an hour to discuss your request. In 3 hours, please, Ms. Night, come here for your answer.” I curtsy, thanking them as I leave in haste. Rounding the beacon, while grabbing Ginger’s arm, dragging her with me away from the council’s quarters. Once I knew I was far enough away that the council members could not hear me. “That’s for putting me on the spot!” Slapping her arm playfully. She pretends to pout as she rubs the spot I hit. “Do you know if they will allow you to go?” I can see the excitement in her eyes as she asks me. “I do not know yet? While I have my doubts, something tells me Magenta will be against it all the way.” Disappointment gracing my words as I voice my inner feelings. “Let’s go to your room and watch TV until it’s time for the meeting.” Ginger suggests. I shrug and follow. Watching TV would be better than wanting the time to go faster.