Their Promised Queen

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

            “Wow, this party is not very busy. I thought there would be more people.” Leslie, one of our acquaintances says. Usually, it is just Ruby and I, but Leslie is good people too. She is a kind person who cares for everyone around her. She is also one of the only other people who likes to hang out with Ruby and I. Other girls find us more of an oddity. 

            “Well, I mean the party technically doesn’t start for another 45 minutes,” Ruby says as she is taking a drink of whatever is in her cup. I have never seen Ruby drunk, even though she drinks often enough and more than enough for several people. 

            “Yeah, but still, you know high schoolers. They like to party.” Leslie mentions with a shrug of her shoulders. “Elora, you’re glowing! It is so beautiful!”

            “What? You can see it?” I ask. “Ruby, can you see it too?” 

            Ruby looks at me up and down, tilts her head, and smirks. I don’t think she notices that I’ve seen this, because when she looks up at me, the smirk is gone and she shakes her head, “No, I don’t see it. Must be the light from the bonfire.”

            “Maybe, possibly.” Leslie said and shrugged. She took a big chug of whatever was in her cup, grimacing after she swallowed it down. Must taste gross. I am not a fan of how liquor, or beer, tastes and am so thankful that I have lemonade in mine. 

            It is almost 8pm, the start of the party, and the stars are starting to shine in the sky. I love the stars and the magical feel they give off. 

            “Are you ok El?” Ruby asks me. I look over at her and she’s staring at me with this look of aw. 

            “Yeah, I’m fine. Just looking at the beautiful stars.” I smile at her. “Let’s go dance!” I say and pull her towards the stereos blasting some very fun music. We dance the next few hours away, laughing and having fun. For that little while, It was almost as if nothing else mattered. 

            “How are you feeling El?” Ruby asked me. I look at her with a questioning look. She laughs. “I think we’ve been dancing for a full three or four hours straight.” 

            “Oh, I mean it has been a little over three hours. But, I feel fine,” I look at the clock on my phone. “Wait, midnight is in 20 minutes! Ruby, I turn 18 in 20 minutes!” 

            “I know! I am so excited!” She squeals. “Do you want to go for a walk with me?”

            “Umm…” I take a look around. Everyone is still dancing and having fun. “Sure, I guess.” 

We both grab another drink, my lemonade and her…whatever, and head off down the trail. The moon is so bright that it lightens our way with no problems. After about 10 minutes and far enough away from the party that I can’t hear the music anymore, I feel a sudden flutter in my stomach. I kind of laughed. Hmm…feels odd. Maybe someone spiked my lemonade when I wasn’t paying attention. I look over at Ruby, she’s just smiling up at the stars like I was earlier. I feel the flutter again, but this time, with a tinge of pain right on the edge of the flutter. I kind of gasp out this time. Ruby still doesn’t seem to be paying attention. “Ruby, somethings wrong. I think someone spiked my lemonade.” I say as another spasm goes through me. This time I feel it in my head. I dropped my lemonade and grabbed my head while sitting down to the ground.

“Are you doing ok El?” Ruby started to bend down to help me up when the spasm subsided. “Seems like this burst charm burst has finished. Another one will be coming shortly. Let’s find some place to sit down.” 

“What? What is a charm burst? How did you know this was happening?” I asked, confused. Ruby seems…excited. Yet, still not telling me what is going on. “Ruby, what is a charm burst and how did you know that this is happening? You got me away from the party right before this started.”

“We can talk about that in a few minutes. It won’t be much longer now. I promise,” She sits me down on a fallen tree nearby. Another spasm was starting and Ruby pulled something out of her pocket. She gave it to me. “Put this in your mouth, it’ll make the spasms not so painful for you.”

Before the pain could hit, I put the thing she gave me into my mouth. It tastes like tree bark, but it instantly makes my stomach feel like a marshmallow. The pain subsided, but my vision starts to swirl and little lights start showing up all around me. I close my eyes and that only makes me feel like I’m going to throw up. I start hearing little sounds, like flutters. When the nauseous feeling starts to drift away, I open my eyes. Everything looks brighter and prettier. There are still some little sounds and lights but no matter how many times I blink, they don’t go away. There’s this weird blue/green light shining from somewhere. Finally, realizing it’s coming from me, I gasped. “What in the world?” I mumbled to myself. 

“That must have been the last one!” Ruby exclaimed. Checking her phone, she confirms that it is officially two minutes after midnight. “That was definitely the last one. How do you feel?”

“I feel…fine. Now, can you explain to me what just happened?” I ask. I blink again and Ruby is not Ruby anymore. Her eyes and ears are like that of the lady in that weird room I was in. This must be another dream. “This must be another dream. It has to be another dream.”

“Oh, it is so not a dream my queen. You just came into your powers, although I have to admit, you’ve been getting a small glimpse of your powers for a few weeks now. The long story would take much longer than we have, but the short story? We are part of the Fae.”

“But, my mom. She’s human. Or at least I thought she is. I mean, I thought you were and obviously you aren’t. Is she like that?” I ask.

“Yes, and no.” Ruby looks down, sadly. “Your parents died when you were really little. They were murdered by a group of rogue fairies. The woman who has been taking care of you is your aunt. The man you thought was your father, was her husband.” Ruby explains to me. 

“What about Jason? Was he really my brother?” I ask.

“He was your cousin. But you two were very close. When your aunt and uncle brought you to the human world, they thought they would be able to keep you safe. When you turned six, you came to the human world with them. They were able to hide you for a little while but didn’t think to hide Jason. They found your uncle and Jason while they were on their way home from the grocery store. It was one of the most difficult times for our people. Not only had we just lost our King and Queen, but we thought for the longest time that we had lost you as well. That was when my parents decided to move to the town as well to help take care of you. They are considered some of the best warriors in the realm. They taught me the same so that I could protect you at school.”

“So, you’re only my friend because it is your duty?” I asked, just about ready to cry.

“I mean, I guess it started out that way. But I love your silly self. You’ve become my best friend. I remember us living in the castle with your family. Even though I was a few years older than you, we always played together, so we were friends before all of this too.” She shrugged, like it was nothing new for her to just talk about all of this. Although, I guess it wasn’t new to her. She was already aware of this world. But, for me, it was almost too much to handle.

“I would like to go home and go to bed,” I tell her. I stand up and try to walk away but get lightheaded. “Oh, that’s not good.”

“I am not sure the Fae would really want you to miss out on the party they have planned for you. We were supposed to meet them a little bit ago, but you know, fashionably late and all,” Ruby laughs her comment away.

I glance back at her and then try walking away again. This time I fall and when I stand back up, I am not in that forest anymore. I am back in that huge bedroom that I dreamt about before, with women all around, waiting for someone. Wait…they’re waiting for me. They start swarming about me, doing all this crazy stuff to my clothes, hair and makeup. 

            “Oh, my. Those charm bursts really did a number on you my sweet girl. I am so sorry!” I look up, it’s my mom. No, not my mom. According to Ruby, this is my aunt. How did she get here? 

“Mom?” I ask her. She gives me a sad look. 

“I’m sure Ruby has already told you who I am. If she hasn’t, her and I will require a discussion.” 

“Yes, she told me. You’re my aunt, aren’t you? Is Claire even your real name?” I ask her. “What is this place?”

“Claire is the human form of my name, yes. My Fae name is Clarionta. Though, you may call me Claire, if you would like. I know it will take time getting used to, but I hope to tell you everything when you are ready.” She says. Ignoring my question.

“What is this place?” I ask once more. Even though I feel like I already know. As she is getting ready to explain, the women start to dress me in the fancy dress the lady was speaking about this morning. It is extravagant and must have been worth a fortune. “I can’t afford this! The dress I was just wearing is fine. What is going on?” None of the women answer me, not even my mom…no, my aunt. That’ll take some getting used to. 

    After they have gotten me dressed and fixed my makeup, Ruby comes in and shrieks. 

    “Rumaliza, please, refrain from doing that. We can’t have you breaking things! Especially not tonight.” My aunt says. 

“I apologize ma’am. But, El looks absolutely stunning.” She says and then clears her throat. “Again, I apologize. My queen, I should have used your title. Please forgive me.” She says quietly and bows. Oh, she’s talking to me!

“Please, Ruby, don’t call me that. I’m Elora, nothing else.” I tell her. All of a sudden, I hear trumpets and people. The amount of voices keep growing and growing. What is going on? The ladies who have been helping, umm forcing, me into this dress leave and it is just my aunt, Ruby, and I. 

“I love you baby-doll. We will talk when tonight is over. Enjoy your evening.” My aunt says as she kisses me on the cheek, then leaves the room.

“My queen, are you ready?” Ruby asks me.

“Please don’t call me that. I’m not sure what is going on but I know that I always want to be El to you. Please.” I say. She smiles, nods, then holds out her hand for me to take.

“Shall we get going?” she asks. “They’re all waiting for you! By the way, you look absolutely beautiful.” She smiles and winks at me.

Great! One more thing to put on my list of experiences I am not sure I ever wanted to be a part of.