Skin as Smooth as Snakes

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

We waited for a while until Gust flew down and we both yelled in unison “you just took Mila down there!” “Wait, you're kidding me.” “Nope, so take us down there right now.” I demanded. “But I can’t carry both of you!” He insisted, getting irritated. “Then please, just take two trips.” “Ok, fine. But no need to get so mad at me, I've never met the girl!” “Ok, you’re right. Sorry.” He flew me down there and I saw Mila helping Emerald up. She had no wings now, but at least she was OK. “Mila!” I yelled, running over to her with tears spilling out of my overused eyes. “Kiera? Is it really you? I have missed you so much!” She ran over to me as well and gave me a tight hug, turning slightly to kiss the outer corner of my lips before pulling away and asking “are you OK? Tell me everything.” She demanded, more playful than stern. “Only if it is over dinner and a bottle of wine.” “Promise.” She replied.

Now, you may think that this is one of those and they lived happily ever after stories. Well, I am sorry to tell you it is not. Seconds after we started walking, a blade of fire stabbed through her back, and she fell to the ground. “NOOOOO” I yelled at the top of my lungs. “You’re welcome.” I heard someone say behind me. I ran to the voice and grabbed the neck of my opponent, surprised to see it was Ember. I dug my nails into her skin saying “how could you do that!” “Umm, she was attacking you.” “No, she is my girlfriend and the entire reason we are here.” “Oops.” She answered simply, and I felt the anger and hatred boiling up inside me, ready to overflow at any moment. “ What were you thinking?” I whispered, more to myself than to her. Just then, a purple and blue blackhole thing appeared a few feet away, and a beautiful woman with glowing periwinkle hair and eyes walked gracefully out. “What happened?” She asked softly, turning Mila onto her stomach, revealing a nasty cut surrounded by blood. This lady, who I thought was probably that Queen Lavina I had heard so much about, whisked away the blood on Mila’s back with a swish of her hand. “Look closer.” She pushed, gesturing towards my fallen friend's back. I did what she asked, and saw that there were slowly disappearing scales around the cut. I looked at Queen Lavina and she nodded her head as I grasped the blade that was still in her back, burning myself in the process, but I learned that the blade had only gone in an inch or so, the thicker part being stopped by the strong scales that I guess had appeared when I touched her. “But how-” The Queen silenced me and I heard slow, rasping breaths. “Mila?” I said quietly. “Mila!” I said a little more enthusiastically as I saw her eyes flutter open as she smiled at me. “We need to get her to a doctor” The Queen added, somehow still so calm “But she will be OK after a few weeks and bandages. Good luck to you two. Ember, you are coming with me. Your short days of being an Elemental are over.” “But-” Ember protested. “Oh shut up Ember. You almost killed your cause.” She rolled her eyes- which I now called the Ember move, and disappeared with Queen Lavina into the blackhole - galaxy pretty thing. Minutes later Fern, Cove, Gust, and Emerald flew down and Emerald collapsed on the ground. "What happened?" Fern asked with a concerned look. “Well, uh, Ember kinda stabbed her, and then she was saved by scales that I guess appeared after I touched her, and then Queen Lavina took Ember away and I think she was fired.” I was out of breath when I was done talking, but the surprised and confused look on their faces was worth it. “Yeah, I know it is confusing, but we need to get her to a doctor, and Emerald to a vet.” “Uhh hello? I am still here!” Amelia exclaimed, walking over to Emerald. “Oh yeah, sorry. I totally forgot that my best friend existed.” I said with mock sarcasm. We helped Mila onto Emerald once Amelia gave her some magical elixir as she called it. Gust flew carrying Fern, and Cove and I hopped on the now strong Emerald’s back. “So, I was thinking a long mint green dress with a low cut neckline, flowy short sleeves, tight around the waist, long at the back, glittery gold lage and matching heels.” Cove, I love it!” I exclaimed, reaching over and giving her a tight hug. “You are such a genius, how did you come up with this in such a short amount of time?” “Well,” she started, holding out a large sketchbook with a drawing of the dress she had just described. I gasped when I saw the intricate details. “That is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen in my entire life.” I could see her blush, and slightly smile. “I am glad you like it. I can start sewing it once I get home.” “Oh, do not be silly. You, Fern and Gust will all stay at the palace with me. And I am going to see if I can get Amelia taken out of The Forgotten.” “Great. She is really nice. Maybe we can become friends.” Cove wished. “I mean, if a princess thinks you are a great friend, I have no doubt a queen will.” “Thank you.” We sat there in silence for a few minutes before Gust called out. “Uh, guys? I think we have a little problem.” I looked at Gust and saw he was looking backwards, and I saw my mother, riding in a carriage that seemed to be made of fire. “Ember.” Cove and I said in unison. I had Emerald fly as fast as she could, but she was injured, and a few seconds later she let out an ear-piercing scream, and started falling with increasing speed. Fern jumped out of Gust’s arms and shot down a cradle of leaves and fell into it, Cove dove off my now pummeling horse and landed in a small pond she created a split second before she would have hit the ground. Gust was still flying, which left only me and Mila hanging on to Emerald’s reins like a lifeline. The pain in my leg was suddenly very noticeable, and all I wanted to do was let go. So that is what I did. “Kiera!” I heard Mila scream, but all I did was close my eyes and imagine myself in a better place. Looking down I saw just a few feet until I would be dead, but instead I was swooped up by what looked like Mila but had long silvery hair, pearlescent skin, indigo eyes with no pupil, and a stunning lavender and blue dress. “Mila? What happened to you?” I asked, very confused and light headed from my fall. She smiled and said “Queen Lavina is my mom, and I am the Moon goddess.” “What?!” I practically screamed, jumping out of her unfamiliar arms. “Why did you not tell me?” “I wanted to so many times, but your title is not secure until you find someone to rule it with, and I thought maybe you would feel pressured and leave me.” I felt my eyes bubble over with tears as I demanded “No, you did not trust me not to be selfish and leave if I did not want to rule two kingdoms. You thought of only yourself when you needed someone to talk to but did not because you were scared. Maybe my mom is right. Maybe you should not be my queen.” The accusation hurt me, but I knew it was the right thing to do. “Please Kiera, do not do this.” I heard her plead. I looked back and saw her crying on her knees, but kept walking forward. My mothers carriage had landed, and I saw a gagged Queen Lavina. I hoped Mila was too distraught to notice her mom, because she might have just disappeared if she did. “I will not marry Mila if you let this queen go.” I said calmly, even though I was screaming inside. My mother smiled and had Ember untie a terrified queen, who ran straight into her daughter's arms. “Come.” My mom demanded, and I did as she said, leaving all of my friends and Mila behind. “So, why did you run away for that… Girl?” She asked calmly, like this was a normal conversation that you can have over dinner and a movie. “Because she is ten times better than any life I would have with you.” I spat, and she whipped her buned head around to face me. “Never talk to me like that, or I will do the same thing to you I did to your father.” We sat in silence until Ember spoke up; “How is it fair that I was fired when your little friend is completely fine?” “Because she will have to endure weeks of pain and will have a huge scar down her back for the rest of her life. So if you do not want to have a matching one, I suggest you stay quiet.” She did as I said, arching her back and leading the flying horses. I felt the heat of the fire scorch my skin, and I took a nearby water bottle and poured it on the floor, leaving a smoking, gaping hole in the somehow sturdy ground. Ember turned her red head and glared at me for ruining her chariot. “Who will you marry me to?” I asked my mother. “A prince that came to the palace looking for you. He is very sweet.” “Ok, but what is his name?” “Prince John. He is the prince of England.” I gagged at the thought, but did not dare say anything. “He told me he will propose when you get back. But first, we have to change this.” She made a face and waved her hand at me. I knew that my clothing was dirty and ripped up, but does a proposal really need me to get dressed up? “Let me guess. I will have to pretend to be surprised?” “You got it dear.”