Wrath of the Angel

Darkness. Feathery wings glinted in the dim torchlight as their owner knelt at the feet of a figure, cloaked in shadow. The glassy, blank dark eyes, slowly fluttering closed. A flash of bright hair, a gleaming dagger, golden eyes. Then Aubrielle awoke to the autumn light filtering through the silvery curtains with a start, her head hitting the faerie made canopy. She reached out and grabbed a delicate, round timepiece, with a glass cover and golden hands. Her fingers lingered tenderly on the inscription. Golden. "What does your name mean, Auralie?" "It means golden, dear." "What about mine?" "Your name means elf ruler, as one day you will become the queen." "Aren't you going to be queen?" "I'm sorry, Aubrielle. One day you will realize the truth." Aubri closed her eyes briefly before she slipped out of bed, carefully pocketing a dagger. She sneaked out into the hallway, keeping to the shadows yet feeling more free with every step. She yawned, the result of another restless night filled with nightmares. Footsteps. Quickly, she pasted an innocent look onto her face, blinking her amber eyes. She would never have survived the Elf Kingdom if she was truly innocent, though. One of her handmaidens hurried down the polished wood hallway, looking horrified. "My lady, why are you awake at this time? It's a big day ahead of you." Aubri lied smoothly, "Oh, I'm hungry. You know those little honeyed bites, they never satisfy a real appetite." Lying was a part of her now. "My lady, please go back to bed. It's only 6 o clock," the maid chided. Her voice lowered and she whispered, "Plus, your parents don't look too happy about something." Her mind exploded with hidden secrets. A list of the things she could have done ran through her head. Secret training, secret meetings, secret boyfriend. Secrets ruled her life. Aubri stayed silent the entire time her maids dressed her, silent and passive as a doll. As they looped golden ribbons into her dark hair, she could feel their curious glances on her. She didn't care. Inside, she itched and ached to run away from the castle to another realm, where she could be free and away from all these rules and obligations as Ryan said to. But she just couldn't do it. As Aubri glided towards the Dining Hall, light skirts rustling, she tried to calm herself down. And failed. "Good morning, Mother, Father," She murmured, balling her hands up in the light, silky fabric of her gown. "I hope you have had a good night's sleep?" Aubri curtsied daintily, the epitome of a perfect princess. On the inside, though... she was screaming and dying. Queen Amaryllis' eyes glinted with malice. "Definitely better than yours, dearest daughter." "Sit." Rumbled King Orist, tense and coiled as always. "Sit, Aubrielle. This seat is better than a tree stump, correct?" Hell. They knew. And they were determined to torment her about it until she confessed. Well, she wasn't going to lose without a fight. Aubri perched on the edge of the armchair, examining a cookie. "Hmm. I would say that it's a close one, but I like tree stumps more. At least then I could be in good company of the people I actually like." The king glowered, looking like he was going to slap her. "Aubrielle Dryadalis, mind your mouth. This is not a matter to be joked about!" He thundered. Her mother gave a sickly sweet smile before moving to wrap an arm around her daughter, a fake, poisonous one. "Aubrielle, don't you think you need to be punished?" Oops. One point Team Horrible, none Team Aubrielle. "So what are you going to do?"I try to keep my voice steady. But a tiny quiver sounds at the end of my sentence. "Well... We want you to break up with your secret little boyfriend, Ryan."