The Lily's Splendor

Chapter 19

“Where are you daughter?” King Albion’s reflection asked.

“In the girl’s bathroom. No one is here.” Damita said as she spoke into the sink and the pool of water that she had used to summon her father’s reflection.

“How is it going?” her father asked. Damita pursed her lips.

“Henry is with a girl here. At first I thought she was just a toy, but things look serious.”

“Then you know what you have to do.” Her father said matter-of-factly.

“Yes. I will wait until I get her alone and she is completely vulnerable.” Damita said determinedly before brushing her fingers across the water until her father’s reflection rippled and disappeared.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Thanks Lilly for letting me share your locker.” I said as I stuffed Henry’s knife along with my clothes and necklace in the long, blue locker.

“No problem.” she said with a sweet smile. Since today was another chilly day, we were moved to the indoor pool inside the gymnasium. Lilly and I rolled our eyes when we saw Damita waving at the boys lounging across from us. We began with our usual warm-up laps before practicing different strokes. I smiled at Henry underwater when we swam side-by-side, separated by the long net that floated with those attached red balls.

“Love you.” he whispered to me after we had surfaced for air and were back underwater. My heart stuttered as I felt my limbs lose their rhythm but quickly regained my composure and finished the lap. When we both climbed up the steps out of the pool, I replied back in a soft, sure voice, “I love you back.” I knew I probably had a dopey, love-struck facial expression as I walked back to the group of girls but I didn’t care.

He loves me. Henry, the Prince of the sea, loves me!

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Alright kiddos! You’re free to leave.” Our coach bellowed out. I stayed sitting next to Lilly on the edge of the pool with our feet dunked in.

“Wanna stay? It’s nice to have the pool to ourselves once everyone is gone.” Lilly asked as she moved her feet around, creating a swishing noise with the water.

“Are we allowed to?” I looked around, noticing that soon it was just us left, along with Reeve and Henry who sauntered over. Reeve was ruffling a towel over his hair while Henry just flipped his back, letting water droplets cascade down his wiry and toned back.

“Has Henry not told you?” Lilly looked at me with creased brows before turning to Henry who sat on my other side.

“Told her what?” he asked.

“About compulsion . . . our power.” Lilly spoke slowly. I shook my head.

“You can tell me now.” I looked at him just as the coach came back out from his office.

“What are you guys still doing here? Gym’s closed.” he said as he came toward us. I was about to apologize but Lilly spoke up.

“It’s alright. We can be here. Go home.” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. First, Lilly’s eyes were glowing a soft golden hue, as if there was a halo around her hazel eyes, while her voice changed into something lyrical. I turned to the coach and found him nodding while his eyes took on a dazed look before he turned back around.

“That’s compulsion,” Lilly stated just as Maddox bounded through the same doors the coach had just used.

“Here you guys are. I started to think that you guys had ditched me.”

“We would never do that.” Lilly rolled her eyes.

“What’s wrong with Kyra? She looks kinda spooked.” Maddox said as he peered into my face but my eyes were narrowed on Henry.

“When were you going to tell me that you wielded such power?”

“You didn’t know?” Reeve asked me.

“Of course not.” I said, my eyes not leaving Henry’s.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked, face wiped clean of emotion.

“No. Just wondering why you didn’t tell me.”

“I honestly didn’t see the need. It’s not like I was going to use it on you. But I guess I should have told you.” Henry confessed as he ran a hand through his drying hair that was beginning to wave and curl.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to start a fight.” Lilly tried.

“It’s okay Lil, it’s not your fault. I should have spoken up about this. I see that now.” Henry comforted his sister who still didn’t look convinced, her eyes full of guilt. Reeve patted her hand in reassurance. Maddox just brought over one of the folding chairs and sat back as he watched.

“So you can like make people do what you want? Like me and my power?” I asked, trying to understand what Lilly just did to our coach. She nodded as Henry said, “Yeah, but we don’t e*****e them. It’s just for the moment. They won’t even remember a thing the next day and their will remains their own”. I shrank back from his cutting words and got to my feet.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know my power bothered you so much.” Tears sprang into my eyes as his words echoed over and over in my head.

“Kyra, that’s not what I meant.” Henry quickly got to his feet and placed his hands on my shoulder but I shrugged them off.

“Don’t you think that I scare myself too? I am only planning on using my power as a last resort!”

“I never said that you’d misuse it!” Henry stressed.

“Okay guys, chill. Your voices are practically echoing around here.” Maddox stepped in but earned identical glares from the both of us and had him stepping back with his hands raised.

“I didn’t choose to be this.” I whispered just as the first tear broke through my barriers and fell.

“Kyra.” Henry said my name affectionately. It tore at my heart.

“I need to be alone for a while.” I sniffled, taking a few steps back before running to the empty locker rooms. Going to Lilly’s locker, I worked the combination and got my clothes out and quickly changed into my loose jeans and a sweatshirt. Slipping my hood over my head, I sat on the long bench, sticking my trembling hands between my thighs as I released soft tears. Using the end part of my sleeve, I wiped my damp cheeks as I gave myself a pep talk.

“You’re acting childish, Kyra. There’s nothing wrong with Henry’s power. Or yours.”I murmured and then sighed. “What a silly fight you started. Now you have to go and apologize.” I stopped talking when I heard a noise come from the opposite door that I had used.

“Hello?” I leaned over. Nothing. “Great, now you’re hearing things,” I muttered. I covered my ears when I heard a sharp noise like nails raking down a chalk board. It grew louder as it came closer until I went to the end of the lockers to look into the other row. Nothing.

It must be the row behind me. I realized too late. When I turned around, I found Damita making her way to me while dragging a menacing dagger across the closed locker doors, creating that horrible, loud screech. She quickly leaped when I tried to get away, the blade of her dagger nestling against the tender skin around my neck.

“Oh, don’t go.” she said sweetly.

Reeve, his name went across my head. My instincts told me to keep calling his name in my head, as if I could summon him. The double doors flew open and there he was alongside Henry, Maddox, and Lilly. I watched their faces pale as Reeve whipped out his sword and released a low snarl.

“Let her go.” he said with force. Henry began to take steps closer but froze when Damita put a little pressure on the blade until I felt a trickle of blood go down my neck. And then the room was engulfed in its floral aroma. Damita sniffed.

“Is that . . . ?” I didn’t let her finish as I screamed with rage while pushing my body against hers until I slammed her back against the lockers. I heard her breath whoosh out as she dropped her dagger. Everything felt and looked as if it was in slow motion as I whirled around, my left hand going to her shoulder, holding her in place while my right hand went over her heart.

I pictured fireflies hatching in my chest and traveling to my right hand until they flew into Damita’s heart in a sweeping rush. Her blue eyes grew wide as light glowed from her chest where my hand rested. When the light began to die down, I felt myself drain completely of strength and stagger back into a pair of strong arms, slowly fading into darkness. I tried to cling to the voices I heard, each calling out my name, but I couldn’t. The darkness just came and took me.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Bring her to her room.” I heard my grandmother say. I felt a swaying movement as if I was being carried and opened my eyes. I recognized the grand stair case and knew that we were definitely home. But who was carrying me? I looked up and saw Henry’s chin. The movement had him look down at me and his smile showed relief and something else.

“Will she be alright?” I heard a familiar, unexpected voice ask. I turned and saw Damita’s worried blue eyes looking at me. I felt myself recoil into Henry’s arms in fear.

“It’s okay sweetheart. She won’t harm you.” he murmured into my hair. I watched in disbelief as Damita’s eyes widened at his words. “I would never hurt you, my beloved.” I felt my heart still and I looked to Henry for an explanation.

“Questions later. Let’s get you to bed first,” he said. I sighed, noticing that Maddox, Lilly, and Reeve were following close behind. My grandmother held the door open and we all paraded into my room. Henry gently placed me on my bed, gathering my pillows to support my back while Lilly took my shoes off. Henry sat down next to me and took hold of my hand, his thumb creating amazing sensations across my knuckles while Damita stood on my other side. Lilly and Maddox stood next to Henry while Reeve sat at the foot of my bed with my grandmother who watched me with concerned eyes.

“What do you remember?” my grandmother asked once everyone was settled. I blinked as I gathered my thoughts. Scrunching my forehead, I replayed the last events. “Well, we were swimming, and then Lilly used compulsion on our coach . . .” I didn’t notice Lilly blush as she looked away from my grandmother’s raised brow, “and then Henry and I had a silly fight. I left for the locker rooms to be alone . . .” I paused, trying to make sense of the hazy details until the fog began to lift. “Damita.” I said her name.

“Yes, my beloved?” she came close to my side, her hand reaching for mine but I quickly retracted it away from hers.

“Stop calling me that!” I snapped. Her eyes went forlorn as she said, “What would you prefer to be called?”

“What’s wrong with her? Moments ago she was ready to kill me, holding her knife against my throat.”

“Forgive me! I beg of you.” Damita began to sob as she clutched onto my comforter.

I gripped onto Henry’s arm as he consolingly stroked my hair while murmuring comforting words.

“You don’t remember using your power on her?” Henry asked. I wrinkled my brows as I sifted through my memories. “I remember calling out for Reeve in my mind as if I could summon him.”

“You can.” he said. I blinked. “Yeah, I figured that when you came with your sword out and ready. After that, when she had her knife against my throat, I remember feeling afraid, but then it changed into honest-to-goodness rage. I pushed her against the lockers before turning around and then it was like instinct took control and my hand went up and covered her heart. Then I . . . I . . .”

“Passed out.” Maddox helpfully put in.

“Yeah.” I agreed. I turned to Damita and her sobs. “And now she is enslaved to me.” I murmured. “I did that to her.”

“You had no other choice. She would have killed you.” Henry said softly as his fingers gently ran through my hair.

“Damita.” I called her name and she looked up at me.

“Yes?”

“Before I used my power on you, do you remember what your thoughts were when you smelled my blood?”

“No. I’m sorry,” she pleaded.

“It’s okay.” I said tiredly, not wanting to hear her sobs again.

“Is there anything that you need?” she asked, ready to get up and do whatever I asked.

“No. I’m fine.” I said awkwardly. I wasn’t used to having this Damita and not the one who wanted to kill me.

“What do I do now? I mean with her?” I looked at my grandmother.

“She will have to stay here for a while until we can figure out what to do. I would say command her to go back to her home but she won’t remember how to act like King Albion’s daughter, at least not for a while, and she can’t stay too far away from you without dying.” she said as she studied Damita who watched me.

“What would happen if I put on my necklace? Oh no! I left it back at school along with your knife!” I looked at Henry who lightly shook his head.

“I brought your stuff.” Lilly said as she pointed to my bag that sat on my desk chair. I sighed in relief as I lay back against the pillows.

“And no, the necklace would temper down your power, but it still swims in her. No matter what you do, you will always carry her will inside of you.” my grandmother said with finality.

“Can I ever give it back?” I glanced at Damita who was still watching me with worship in her eyes.

“I don’t think so dear. It’s not like a telephone. It only works one way with no returns,” she said as Jacques walked in the room holding a tray filled with a steaming bowl and a glass of water.

“We’ll let you eat.” Lilly smiled as she patted my hand before ushering Maddox out the door. My grandmother came and planted a kiss on my forehead before walking out with Reeve who smiled encouragingly at me. Jacques carefully placed the tray on my legs before leaving.

“Uh, Damita? Do you mind leaving us alone?” I asked her. She giddily got up and nodded before skipping out of the room and finally shutting the door behind her.

“Henry?” I began but he interrupted me.

“Eat first. You need to regain your strength. Since it was your first time, your body wasn’t used to using such power which was why you fainted. But you’ll get better at it.” he stroked my cheek.

“I will eat. But I also remembered something that I have to do.” I persisted.

“Okay, what is it?” he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear as he gazed warmly at me.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for causing that petty fight and for acting childish.”

“Oh Kyra, it was my fault. I’m sorry.” he whispered lovingly. I shook my head.

“No. I over-reacted—” I didn’t get to finish because Henry’s lips were covering mine in a fierce and possessive kiss as his arms wrapped themselves around me, pulling me closer. I was careful to hold the tray steady with my legs as I clung to him.

“I thought my heart had stopped when I saw Damita’s knife against your throat,” Henry whispered hoarsely when he pulled away.

“I have never experienced fear so strong like that. Fear of losing you” he admitted as he rested his forehead against mine; his thumbs running across my cheek-bones.

“You’ll always have me.” I said, slightly turning my head to brush my lips against his palm. My stomach decided to growl loudly then, making me blush crimson while Henry chuckled.

“Eat.” he pointed to my tray.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I’ll watch some television.” he stretched out next to me and reached for my remote on the nightstand before switching the television on to a basketball game. I gave him a you-must-be-kidding look and he sheepishly shrugged before settling into the game while I ate Jacques’s infamous tortilla soup.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Damita, I want you to stay here.” I pronounced clearly the next morning. After convincing her that I didn’t need any help getting dressed, she waited for me outside my bedroom door. When I came out, she was there, trailing after me like my shadow. I just finished eating breakfast, making sure that she ate too before I was giving her instructions.

“She isn’t deaf, Kyra,” Reeve retorted as he got up to leave his dishes in the sink. I made a face at him. Turning back to Damita, I said, “Do you understand?” she nodded. I smiled. “Good.” I was about to get my dishes when she beat me to it.

“What would you like me to do today?” she asked after placing my dishes in the sink. I paused from shouldering my bag and looked to Reeve, who shook his head as he walked out. “Don’t look at me. She will only listen to your orders.” I sighed.

“Work on remembering how to be King Albion’s daughter. Try to remember what your duties were as a princess.”

“Oh, but those duties are no longer important. Only yours, my beloved.” she said genuinely. I sucked in my cheeks at her name for me. “And please don’t call me that anymore. Just call me Kyra.”

“As you wish.” she bowed her head. I grimaced as I hurried out of the house and to my car. When I reached the school, I took my usual parking spot before getting out and joining Henry, Maddox, Lilly, and Reeve as they huddled by the SUV, waiting for me.

“You could at least help me, you know.” I huffed at Reeve as I made my way to Henry.

“I wouldn’t be much help,” Reeve shrugged.

“But you know so much more about this stuff than I do!”

“You’ll get the hang of it,” Reeve offered. Henry gave my shoulders a squeeze and I gratefully leaned into him. Nikki passed by our group with her little posse. She came to stop in front of me and I already felt Henry slightly pushing me so I was half behind him.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where Damita is?” she asked, eyes pinned on me.

“No.” I swallowed down nervously as I shook my head.

“Are you sure? We were supposed to go out yesterday after school but she went back to her gym locker and never came back.”

“Maybe she changed her mind?” I offered.

“I doubt that.” Nikki said as she measured me up. I had hoped that she would have moved on but she stayed standing in front of me. Soon, her brother jogged over and joined her.

“Did you find out what happened to your friend?” he asked as he smiled at me.

“No.” she said.

“Then let’s get going.” Vincent slung his arm around Nikki as they walked away. I felt myself deflate against Henry in relief.

“What am I going to do about Damita missing school? Or her family! I forgot about that! Do you know if she came with her family?” I panicked. Henry’s hands went to cup my face, his calm, gray eyes melting into mine as he said, “Hey, Kyra, relax. Damita’s only family is her father and older brother. Knowing her, she came by herself. Probably put herself as emancipated.” My fingers went up and rubbed across my forehead at the dull headache. I didn’t know how I would get through this day.

“Perhaps you should have stayed home today?” Lilly said as I felt her eyes run down my face.

“I wish, but then it would look rather suspicious if both Damita and I didn’t show up. I’ll make it.” I tried for a smile, looking at Henry when I sensed his worried eyes on me too.

“Alright then.” Maddox led the way when the bell rang.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Take care of her.” Henry said to Reeve at the end of the day when he escorted me to my car. After releasing me from his arms, Henry looked to Reeve, who rolled his eyes but nodded as he got into his Lexus.

“Will do.” Reeve said before closing his door and cranking up his stereo. His car idled with the engine on, waiting for me to go first before he would follow close behind.

“Call me if anything,” Henry said. I nodded. After hugging Lilly and Maddox, I got into my car and drove home.