The Lily's Splendor

Chapter 14

“Grandma!” I shouted her name as soon as I had parked in the garage and practically stormed into the house.

“What’s with all the yelling?” her voice came from her study. I found her sitting behind her desk while studiously drawing on a big notepad.

“Well, what is it?” she asked when she heard me step in. When I closed the door behind me, letting it slam, she looked up.“Kyra? What’s happened?” she dropped her pen. Unfolding the piece of paper, I laid it out in front of her. Her face grew pale as her eyes took in the drawings.

“Oh my.” Her hand went to her stomach, just like mine had.

“Charlyze? Is everything okay in here?” Jacques poked his head in. It was as if Jacques had a radar or something that could sense when things were going awry. I gave him a strange look but he ignored me, his eyes focused on my grandmother.

“Who gave this to you?” she asked in a shaky voice as she slowly got to her feet, hand clutching the piece of paper.

“I found it on the windshield of my car.”

“What is it?” Jacques asked as he went to my grandmother’s side. She handed the piece of paper to him as if it was venom. After opening it and seeing its contents, Jacques set the paper back down before looking up at me with serious, grave eyes.

“Kyra, did you do anything reckless that would have tipped someone that you are a descendant of the Water Lily?”

“Of course not! I was even careful when I joined the swim team. In the beginning, I forgot to resurface for air, but then I got the hang of it and nobody noticed my glitch. But . . .”

“But?” my grandmother waited.

“I got horrible cramping in my stomach after seeing that.” I gestured to the paper. Jacques and my grandmother exchanged looks.

“What?!” I couldn’t stand their dread, silent looks.

“Do you remember what we told you about the Adaro?” Jacques asked quietly, his voice going dangerously low when he had said their name.

“Only that they have black tails.”

“Now you will hear the rest.”

“Jacques.” my grandmother’s voice warned.

“She needs to know Charlyze,” Jacques exasperated.

“Then I will tell her,” she said before turning to look at me. “Kyra, the Adaro’s are the most darkest form of evil. They thrive on darkness. For this, they have been banned and cursed by the Faeries. They can never step foot into Avalon. For centuries they have tried to find a way. And since we are highly favored by the Faeries, how do you think they would look at us?”

“As the heart.” I whispered.

“Yes. If they ever wanted to retaliate and hurt the Faeries, all they have to do is kill us. Their favorite way to do that is by doing exactly this.” she said angrily as she held up the paper. I jumped when the doorbell sounded.

“I’ll get it.” Jacques got up. I took the piece of paper from my grandmother’s hand and refolded it. We didn’t need to punish ourselves by seeing the drawings any longer. Once was enough. I pocketed the paper before sitting down and rubbing my stomach in comfort. My brows furrowed when I heard a familiar voice that grew closer, as did their footsteps.

“Reeve?”I got up just as he appeared in the doorway along with Jacques. His worried expression changed to instant relief.

“You’re okay.” he sighed, surprising me when he took me into a long and tight embrace.

“Yes, uh, Reeve? What are you doing here?” I asked when he pulled away.

“You haven’t told her yet?” Reeve looked at my grandmother and then Jacques.

“Tell me what?” I sighed, tired of finding out more secrets. I wished they would just give it to me all, but I guess they figured my brain wouldn’t be able to handle it and they are probably right. I’m surprised I haven’t snapped. I wonder if it’s because of my magic; perhaps it has special properties that allow me to accept these new revelations with ease.

“Kyra, Reeve is your guardian and Jacques’s nephew.” my grandmother made the introductions.

“What?” I felt my mouth gape open but quickly closed it.

“Don’t you remember me telling you about Jacques being my protector?”

“Yes, but—”

“Well, you get one too,” she said.

“Oh. Okay. I wish you would have told me sooner.”

“Did you show them that note Kyra?” Reeve asked.

“Yes she did. You are going on high alert from now on. There seems to be an Adaro enrolled in that school who has figured out what Kyra is,” Jacques said critically. I watched as Reeve paled but gathered his bearings as he nodded sharply. I swallowed, tasting a slight tang of fear when he resembled a soldier going off to war.

“Perhaps I can ask Mathew to accompany Kyra.” My grandmother looked at Jacques for affirmation.

“And what if we are just assuming? Perhaps it wasn’t even an Adaro? Now I am not saying that it wasn’t, but think. Having one guardian there is enough. To have one such as Mathew there, that would definitely tip them off that there is a Water Lily there.” Jacques said. My grandmother’s face fell.

“I will protect her with my life.” Reeve swore to my grandmother who smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek.

“I don’t have my doubts.” she patted his skin before dropping her hand and turning to me.“Be careful Kyra. Keep a sharp eye out.”

“Don’t I have a say in this?” I asked.

“What do you mean, dear?”

“I will not have him sacrifice his life for me!”

“Kyra, it is an honor—” Reeve began as he took a step towards me.

“No! I won’t hear anymore. I’m going to bed.” I got up and brushed past them. I heard enough. My temples had begun to throb as I questioned our friendship. Had he only befriended me because he had to?

“Let her have her time.” Jacques murmured, putting a hand out to stop Reeve from going after me.

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

After ditching my clothes for a pair of black leggings and an over-sized knitted grey sweater, I sat down on the padded stool and began to brush my hair out in even strokes that seemed to calm myself down after a while. Setting the silver brush down, I sighed heavily. My eyes went to the slim drawer and something sparked in my mind and heart.

Pulling the small drawer open, my fingers slightly trembled as they lifted out the jewelry box, gently picking up the folded silk. Very slowly, I picked at the folds all the while holding my breath in excitement and fear; fear that it wouldn’t be there; that it had only been a dream. My heart leaped into a staccato beat as my eyes zeroed in.

Carefully lifting it up, I felt my lips spread as my fingers caressed its softness, wary of the sharp edges. The silver glinted as did the flecks of gold which I suspected was because Henry was royalty— a prince.

Bringing the scale up to my face, I inhaled, taking in the scent of the ocean. I nearly dropped it when a rattling sound came from my balcony door. Hurriedly putting the scale back in the handkerchief, I folded it before slipping it back into the drawer.

Cautiously walking to my balcony, I fingered my necklace, wondering if I should take it off just in case. I froze when the door handle slowly pitched down before creaking open.

“Kyra?” a hoarse voice whispered.

“Yes?” I squeaked, not knowing what else to say or do. A shadowed form appeared from behind the door which closed, encasing us in the dark except for my flickering lavender candle lit from my vanity.

“Henry?” I said in disbelief. There he stood in a wrinkled t-shirt and jeans, hair disheveled as if he had run his hands through it a hundred times.

“Hi,” he said at last. He actually began to shuffle his feet, sticking his hands in his pockets.

“What are you doing here?”

“Reeve wouldn’t tell me what was going on—”

“Well you and Reeve aren’t exactly chummy.” I crossed my arms as Henry winced at my sarcastic tone.

“Look, can we set that aside?”

“No.”

“No?”

“N. O. No.” I spelled it out for him.

“Kyra.” There he went again, saying my name in that mesmerizing way, as if…

“Tell me Henry, do you see any seams running up and down my body?”

“Uh . . . what?”

“Poke me.”

“Kyra, what are you talking about?” Henry came to stand in front of my face. Grabbing his hand, I pulled his fingers until they were prodding the flesh on my arm.

“What does that feel like?”

“Kyra—”

“Tell me!” my voice went up an octave.

“Like the smoothest skin I have ever felt.” I tried not to buy his sincerity when he said it, or the way his eyes deepened and caused a shiver to tingle down my spine.

“Not what I’m looking for but close.” I glared.

“Fine! It feels like flesh!”

“That’s right. Flesh! Skin! Not cloth or stuffing with seams because I am not a heartless doll, Henry! I feel!” my voice cracked as I released his hand to touch my chest, just above my heart’s thundering hooves.

“I never said you were a heartless doll, Kyra.” he said quietly.

“Then stop treating me like one!”

We both stayed silent as my words echoed around us. I saw pain and regret swim through his eyes.

“I-I’m s-sure you can show yourself out.” I weakly said and quickly turned away so Henry wouldn’t see the tears that had betrayed me. I’ve never spoken out like that, not even to my mother. It was as if I was in shock now that the adrenaline had worn off. I waited to hear the sound of retreating footsteps but all stayed eerily still. Taking a deep breath, I summoned the rest of my courage and strength and turned around. I was about to tell him to leave again but the words got caught in my throat when his arms went around me.

His embrace was sure, strong and with no hesitation. I could hear his beating heart as he took in a deep breath.

“Forgive me.” he said while holding my head cradled to his chest. I was at a loss for words so I stayed silent.“Forgive me for being such an idiot.” he went on, pulling away to look into my eyes.

“Yes.” I heard myself automatically say. I could hear my heart apologizing to my mind for its disloyalty.

“Yes?” Henry said with disbelief and hope. I nodded and smiled when Henry grinned happily as he brought me back into a crushing hold. “Thank you.” he whispered into my hair with gratitude.

“Why did you act like an i***t?” I had to ask.

“That’s not important. I want to know if you’re okay and who is threatening you.”

I crossed my arms and gave him a look that said I wasn’t telling until he did. Henry closed his eyes and sighed reluctantly.

“Mind if I sit?” he gestured to my desk chair. I shook my head and he brought it over next to my bed where I sat down. Twisting the chair around, Henry sat with his arms folded over the back as his eyes went to the floor. He cleared his throat, “You know how I am a Prince?”

“Yes.” I nodded patiently.

“Since I am royalty, things are expected of me, more so than if I was to be a girl.”

“Okay.” I said, giving him a look of encouragement. Henry covered his face with both hands before running them frustratingly through his hair.

“I didn’t think it was wise for my siblings to know about you, or for our acquaintance to be known at all, even in school.”

“Why?” a horrible thought flitted through my mind that I was probably below Henry’s station.

“Because word might reach my father and he’s—he is trying to push this arranged marriage on me and I just don’t know how he will react to you being in my life.”

“What do you mean?” a sickening feeling bubbled in my stomach when Henry had said “arranged marriage.”

“Either he might embrace you since you are a Water Lily, or he might see you as a threat to his political plans.”

“Oh,” I managed to say.

“I see now that it was pointless. Madd wasn’t even letting me alone—”

“Henry?” I stopped him. “What exactly is a Water Lily? I mean, what is my . . . my . . .” I struggled to think up a proper word.

“Value?” Henry put in.

“Yes. I mean because a Water Lily in general is just a flower that thrives in water. It doesn’t have any special properties that I know of, at least.”

“No. The flower itself does not. But you do.”

“Because of the Faeries?”

“You know the story then?

“Only recently.”

“I see. But yes, Faeries do play an important part in your being.”

“What is the rest?”

“I won’t tell you,” Henry raised his hand to cease my protests as he finished with a “yet.”

“First, tell me now what was in that note and by who.”

“Fine.” I got up and plucked the paper from my desk, swallowing down the nausea that began to rise as my stomach threatened to cramp.“Here.” I practically shoved it into Henry’s hands.

“What’s wrong?” Henry’s eyes followed my hand that went to my abdomen. But then he got an understanding look.“That time of the month?” he asked with sympathy.

“No.” I cracked a smile as I lay down on my bed, hugging a pillow to my chest. I didn’t find the need to tell him that I hadn’t even gotten my period yet. I used to worry and now remember that my mother had seemed abnormally calm when I had shared my concerns with her. I wonder if it is a Water Lily thing.

“Then what? Are you ill? Maybe I should get your grandmother.” Henry got up as his eyes cast me a worried glance.

“No, it’s okay. It’s that paper.”

“What?”

“Just open it and see. And then I will tell you what my grandmother told me.” I closed my eyes as I heard the paper rustling and then followed by tense silence. I sat up when I heard Henry crumple the paper as he stormed to my bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet.

“What are you looking for?” I joined him. Henry said nothing, his expression set in hard lines. As for his eyes, they blazed with pure, raw hatred. All I could do was watch as he grabbed my matches that I kept for my candles, throw the crumpled paper in the sink and light a match before throwing it in and igniting the paper into flames.

“What are you doing?” It finally hit me that Henry just destroyed the only evidence I had, although deep down I felt relief. My stomach relaxed as did my piece of mind.

“Those drawings were obviously created with no ordinary pencil. That would be the reason for your cramps.”

“So you know who sent it?”

“I know what,” Henry said with clenched hands as his eyes stayed glued on the blackened paper that was now surrounded by its own ashes.

“The Adaros?” I said quietly.

“You know about them?” Henry asked sharply.

“A little. It was my grandmother and Jacques—her guardian— who came to that conclusion. What I’m still trying to figure out is how they knew.”

“You mean besides the spelled ink?”

“How can you tell that its spelled?”

“Well, besides the fact that it made you sick? I can just tell. I’ve been trained to spot things like this, Kyra so don’t be too hard on yourself. But also the drawings tipped me off.”

“What about them, besides the fact that they are repulsive?” I shuddered.

“The Adaro’s enjoy the hunt. They enjoy ruthless killing. A Water Lily to them is like the jackpot in the lottery. If they ever find one, they don’t just kill her.”

“They actually eat her heart?” my voice went into a shocked whisper. Henry nodded gravely. “But why?” I pleaded, horrified and scared. Henry wrapped his arms around me, tucking my head underneath his chin as he said, “Because that is what darkness does. It searches for any light, and destroys it.”