Ihrena's Prophecy

Chapter Two

Emelia looked down, then slowly back up, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. Soleil was confused, never having seen such an expression on the lovely elf's face before. They had been friends for as long as Soleil had been in the land of Struso. Emelia was the first person to befriend her. It was a huge leap considering humans and elves had a strained relationship, a past that went on for many hundreds of years. It was still a tense time but Emelia had overlooked all of that and befriended Soleil. To see her like this was a blow Soleil never saw coming.

“I don’t understand,” Soleil said, looking between Izar and Emelia. She was lost for words, none coming to the forefront of her mind. She wondered at that moment if everything she knew about Izar and Emelia was a lie. Did she, Atlas, and Izar ever fall in love? Had it been Emelia and Izar this entire time? It didn't make sense, the memories that Soleil kept deep in her heart told her this was all an untruth.

- - -

Soleil’s eyes traveled left and right, up and down as she witnessed the beauty of Iya Caelora. The human village that she had grown up in couldn’t match the beauty that was all around her. Below were moss-covered rocks leading down to the clear blue Myrin River. Animals roamed freely, sitting on white-stoned steps that led to the river below, drinking the fresh water. Above were intricately carved arches covered in vibrant green ivy, trees as far as the eye could see and even higher, it was nothing like her home of Asmye.

Soleil’s eyes refocused on the sound of laughter, “You really love it here, don’t you?” Izar asked.

Soleil smiled lovingly up at him, “How could I not? It’s magical.” She replied.

He stopped their movements, softly placing a kiss on her forehead, “And as my betrothed, it will all be yours and more.”

The smile on Soleil’s face was slowly replaced by a frown, “But how?” Soleil asked. It was common knowledge that a marriage between an elf and a human was taboo, it just wasn’t done. Who knew what their union would beget as far as offspring? There were many factors but it seemed as though Izar was hardly worried as he laughed once more.

“We will stand under the sacred oak tree and profess our love to the Gods.” He said, a mischievous smile upon his face.

Soleil lightly pushed his shoulder, scuffing as he barely moved an inch, “You know what I mean.” Soleil regretted asking as his playful expression went away, being replaced by his own frown. Soleil waited patiently for his words, knowing he was formulating his thoughts.

He nodded his head slowly. “My parents don’t understand.” He said, slowly grasping Soleil’s hand in his as they continued their walk, “no one really does, but I wouldn’t trade the love I have for you and Atlas for anything.”

“Izzy…” Soleil began.

“Let me finish.” He said gently, looking down at Soleil’s upturned face. A soft smile graced his lips as he continued, “I was, am supposed to marry another. Emelia.” He said.

Soleil stopped in her tracks, “Emelia? My Emelia?” She said, her voice raising an octave. He looked down, releasing a heavy breath, shoulders caving in as if the weight of the world was now upon them. Soleil, being a compassionate person wanted to relieve the stress he certainly was feeling, but she needed answers.

“It’s been predestined. We’ve known since we were children that one day we would marry."

"What?" Soleil said, eyebrows raised up to her hairline, "What do you mean you've known since you were children? Were you going to tell me and Atlas or just wait until you were ready to say your vows under a tree?"

He looked down, "Please, I need you to understand. We became quite close as children, but as we grew, we knew it could never be more than friendship. It was further solidified when I met you and Atlas.” He placed a calloused hand upon her soft cheek, turning her eyes back to his when Soleil looked away. "And when Emelia met Dimitri.”

“Dimitri,” Soleil confirmed, remembering the tall and handsome man that Emelia talked about often.

He smiled, “Yes. Why do you think she introduced us? She loves another, as do I. We are trying to convince our families to let us decide. It’s been an ongoing fight but it’s important. I need you to understand the gravity of the situation, Soleil.”

Soleil nodded, following him as he led them to a bench under a weeping willow. “Marriage for elves is different, Soleil. Once you marry, no matter what, you can’t leave that marriage. It’s binding for life.” Soleil felt a tingle down her spine at his words, but quickly shook them aside, paying even closer attention as he continued. “Emelia is a great person, a great friend, but I do not love her and she does not love me. I’ve explained to her, and she understands, but she represents everything I want to change. No longer do I want humans and elves to be enemies, for you are not my enemy Soleil, you never could be.”

- - -

“Darling, why don’t you monitor the men while I talk with this woman?” Emelia said.

Soleil’s head jerked back at the tone in her friend’s voice, it was so different than how they normally communicated. Soleil watched dejectedly as Izar nodded, a grateful smile taking form on his face. Soleil’s heart broke at the look of relief; it was unusual. Izar was the kind of man who would ask for a dozen kisses before he would let her take two steps away from him. What was going on? Soleil knew the answer she wanted would only come from the stranger that now stood before her.

“What is going on, Em?” Soleil demanded.

“Careful.” The blonde said sharply, “One word and I could have your tongue for speaking to me like that.”

Soleil swallowed the words forming because she knew Emelia was right. Soleil always knew there was a power difference between the two of them, but Emelia never used that power against Soleil. She couldn’t pin point what moment in their relationship caused this to change. But she couldn’t focus on that. The most important thing was that if everyone believed her to be his betrothed, then she had a great deal of power at her disposal. For whatever reason, no one remembered Soleil and that placed her in a precarious position.

Soleil took a deep breath before looking into the bluest eyes she had ever seen, eyes that she had grown familiar with, had learned to love. “I apologize.” She said reluctantly, “Please tell me what’s going on.”

Emelia smirked, “Much better. I like this.”

Soleil’s mouth fell open, “Like what? I don’t understand, Em.”

“First of all, my name is Emelia. Second, I like seeing you powerless. You always walk around with your chin up, shoulders back as if you matter, but you don’t Soleil. No longer can you strut about, you’re a lowly human and you should know your place.” She said with a sneer on her well-formed lips.

Soleil’s head snapped back in shock. To say she had never been looked down upon would be a lie. She was a human in an elven city, but Emelia had been different. The person in front of her looked like her friend, her voice was the same, her mannerisms were familiar, but the look in her eyes had changed. The once welcoming light was hostile.

“Please tell me what’s going on.” Soleil said once more, mindful of the attention they were garnering from the elves and humans who walked past them.

“In due time. Walk with me.” Emelia demanded as she continued forward. Soleil was resistant but she knew she had no choice. If she wanted the truth, if she wanted answers, she would have to play the game.