The Whisperer

Chapter 5- Before the Ball

The Enemy

"Watch it," I growled to the tailor. He looks up at me with fearful eyes and shaking hands. The tailor was pinning my jacket and had plunged the pin into my left rib. 

I was frustrated and over this already, "Leave me. We will resume tomorrow." I flashed my eyes at him, knowing they were a blazing gold. My eyebrows furrowed and my lips frowned.

He gulped loudly. He stood up quickly and bowed before rushing out the door. I looked at my reflection while adjusting the black suit.

"Gods what did he do to you," A figure leaned on the door frame with their arms crossed.

"Nothing really," I said with a stale voice, still fidgeting with the suit collar. "Do you need something Azaria?"

"What? I can't watch you throw a temper tantrum," She asked with a chuckle. She then started to walk towards the podium I was standing on. She was wearing jeans that were ripped at the knees with a black tank top. Azaria's auburn hair was down in a wavy mess like always.

She stood in front of me and smacked my hands away from the black material. Azaria smoothed out the collar and sighed a deep sigh. "It's okay to be stressed out. We are going to be with our enemies for hours but all I can say so far is that dad will not be pleased if your suit isn't ready." She looked back at me. "So stop yelling at Jeffrey and get the suit done," She pats my chest before walking away.

I rolled my eyes wishing Azaria wasn't so right. I slipped the suit off with ease and left it on the table cluttered with sewing tools.

I was angry, even more than earlier. I was angry at Azaria being right, at my father but I'm always angry at my father, and I was angry that I would have to be in Aquila, the country we are at war with. I was stomping down the halls heading to my room in the west wing. When I reached my door I stopped and slowly turned to the guard. 

"Get Lady Jasmin now," I said with an angry whisper. My eyes a fiery gold. He, like the tailor, gulped and rushed off. I opened my door and slammed it behind me. My window curtains blocked out the light, just how I liked it. My bed was covered in red silk sheets. The sheets were embroidered with gold thread.

My bed was on the walls across from my bathroom. I needed a nice relaxer so I threw off every piece of clothing I had on. My hands turned the shower nob to a boiling temperature and once it was warm enough I slipped in. 

I put my head under the flowing water, rubbing my eyes. Trying to concentrate on the water flowing down my back. I was in a meditative state before I felt a hand rest on my back. I sighed a heavy sigh. Her hands were cold despite the boiling water.

"You called for me," She asked.

"I need a distraction, please," I said with a heavy voice. "Everything is so stressful. My dad, Azaria-" she cuts me off before I finish. Her cold hands grab my bicep urging me to turn around.

"I thought you wanted a distraction. I'm not here to be a therapist," Her light brown eyes colder than her hands.

At that moment she reminded me that this was not a relationship and it made my heart burn. I then grabbed her black hair to move her head to the side. The nape of her neck was showing and the tan skin beckoned me. I kissed and nibbled the soft skin.

JASMIN WAS LAYING ON MY BED ASLEEP AFTER THE SHOWER. Her naked body stretched out across the bed and her wet hair soaked my pillows. I was surprised to see her still there. I had left about an hour ago to finish up my suit. Seeing her still here made me aggravated for some reason, maybe it was the fact she only wants s*x and nothing else. I could make her a queen. 

"Jas, wake up. Wake up. You need to leave," I shake her carefully but enough to wake her.

Her eyes opened and just as soon as they did, she closed them again, "Can you just let me sleep?"

"No, you need to leave," I say as I walk to the chair near my window. I sit down with my elbows on my knees.

she gets up from the bed and stomps across the room to her clothes. She angrily picks them up. Jasmin clips on her bra and slips on her panties. She aggressively slides into her pants and shirt.

"Damon you are twenty-two years old, stop acting like a child," She scoffs.

"Get out," I say looking out my window.

"Alena raised a child," She says under her breath.

My eyes widened and the brown grew to a gold. I whipped my head to her, "My mother's name should never come out of your mouth. Get out before I do something I regret."

But before I knew it my hands were burning. I watched as the flame in my hand became bigger and bigger. I looked at the woman who was supposed to be my girlfriend. I knew I had a dangerous look in my eyes but I didn't care. I pushed the flame in her direction but before the fire reached her, Jasmin closed the door. The wood caught fire. I wiped my hand in the air and the flame dissipated. Yet scorch marks imprinted the dark wood.

I fell into my chair, steam coming out of my nose. What a great distraction she was.

THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIGHT WITH JASMIN, I WAS LEAVING FOR AQUILA. I had my black suit on and my brown hair was slicked back. Azaria and My father were waiting in the car across from each other. Azaria was uncomfortable alone with my father. She was wearing a form-fitting gold dress. It contrasted perfectly with her auburn hair.

I sat next to Azaria, "You look awful as always," She said with a smirk.

"And you look like rubbish as always," I say back. She punched me in the arm playfully. We laughed.

"Damon, Azaria stop acting so childish. I don't want you two embarrassing me, do you understand," My father said with a stern voice. His peppered hair was slicked back like mine and his suit was a traditional black and white. He had a red and gold sash across his torso. 

I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything because I knew what would happen if I did. The six-hour car ride was silent and it didn't help me calm down. 

Soon the brown mountains turned into rolling green hills and sand dunes. The smell of the sea seeped through the vents. We passed beautiful towns full of excited people. Children dressed in their best clothes and mothers and fathers laughing along with their friends. 

we finally reached the capital, Ntreke. On the main street, a huge crowd formed surrounding something or someone. I rolled my window down to get a better sense of what was happing.

The crowd was chanting 'Sarini'. I knew the basics of Aquilian but I had never heard that word.

"Close that window, boy. I don't want to smell the stench of this kingdom," My father said with the same cold voice.

"You should show some respect," I say in retort. Azaria smacks me in the chest.

"Watch yourself or I'll make you walk," He said with an evil glint in his eyes.

Knowing that if I'd walked I probably would be beaten in the streets because I was from the enemy nation, I shut my mouth.

Azaria, scared of my father, held my hand tight worried he might hit her. I looked at her as if I was saying I wouldn't let him hurt her. 

The car pulled up to the gates of the palace and the driver handed the guard the invitation. We pulled into the round driveway. Women and men headed into the white marble palace. The big wenge doors were open wide. Light pooled into the dark street. The driver pulled up to the front.

Footmen opened the doors and helped us out. Their faces trying and failing to hold a smile. 

I helped my sister up the stairs. her forearm resting on mine. 

I reached the door but hesitated to walk any further.

"Come on slowpoke," Azaria said from the inside.

I took a breath and stepped.

I was inside the home of my enemies.