The Queen Is Here

I was awake the whole day trying to accept the fact if what had happened was reality or just what I dreamed in thought. It tore me to pieces emotionally and mentally. If he had kissed me and it was to punish me, he got his cake and ate it too. on the other hand, if it was truth, what do I do? However, if it was only in my head, why now? The list of questions parading through my thoughts kept my train off its rails. This all made as much sense as the thought of the world having people in charge just as pawns. Oh the confusion tormented every nerve in my body. Here is where being in a position like mine gets hard. I wanted to stay in bed for fear of what was unknown, but to lead my protectees by example was to get up make myself presentable and see our guest off. I decided not to to bury my problems but to no longer fight the thoughts on my own. I admitted to myself the I needed help. After getting dressed, I went to the edge of my land with all those that wished to go. I cleared my throat and mind, "Remember everyone,you may see events or activities in hwich you do not agree with, but YOU are from Aqua. You answer to me and the Royals. If anyone else causes issues, report them to King Edward, or Princess Vanaura, and they will handle it." I looked my mom whom had been standing nest to me. By the simmer in her eyes, I know she knew I wanted to talk afterwards. "Or myself." Amerilla and I both whipped our heads to see David had snuck up during my speech. All I could do was stare and ponder. I still could not read his expression. The thoughts came flooding back with revenge. Not far behind was Janyn with the same smirk as the night, well day, before. I lowered my eyes but not my head, so I noticed the rest of Opal approaching as well. I looked back at David slightly leaned my head forward to show respect. I then started saying my farewells and good lucks. As I finally made it to Danq and Charles, they smiled this knowing smile. "What is so amusing friends," I asked. Charles went to the front of the envoy that was forming after bowing. I gave my questioning look to Danq. He said on sentence then did the same. "It was real."

As soon as all those leaving had left, my mom and I made our way to room. I was ready to poor every last one of my concerns on her sleeve or shoulder, whichever she gave me. When we finally sat down on m cloud-like bed, waterfalls started running down the edges of my face. I told my mom everything in between my gasping sobs. She started comforting the way only a true mother can. " 'phire? I remember back all those year ago there was a female whose heart seemed to shatter in the months after her greatest achievement. Do you remember her?" I nodded quietly. "Do you remember the confusion she went through?" Once again I nodded. "If you were really that confused, you would not have been there today, or handles him leaving like that. Do you want my honest opinion.?" I lifted my eyes to meet hers. "You love him enough to allow him to decide what makes him happy. You did the right thing. If he does not know what he wants that is on him and no one else. Just do not let him pull you along as a second choice or back up plan. You will need to confront him and respect what he says. If he says you then you inform him and Edward about Janyn." Our conversation continued for hours. It was full of advice, grief and even laughter at times. It was a much needed bonding time. Even though the advice someone one can give is sometimes easier said than done, I was willing to try.

The time to which I fell asleep is a mystery to me. I woke up to the moon being highest in the clear night sky. I wiped my eyes and rolled over in the bed to find Danq walking through the door. " Ever heard of knocking," I sleepily demanded. Over the years, he had became a good friend, but that was not an excuse to barge in my room. "I have thought long and hard many nights as to tell you what I know or not. . ." "Hold that thought. What day is it?" His statement made me wonder enough for me to interrupt him. "Oh, it is Friday." I jumped out of bed exclaiming, "I slept an entire week?!" Danq nodded then continued as if nothing had cut him short, "I came to tell you something." I slowed down enough to simply glare at him. He took a deep breath then blurted, "David might be trying to use you to make Janyn jealous!" What? I could just stand there thinking how odd it was for him to say anything like that, let alone betray his best friend's trust to tell me. There must be truth to it for that to happen. "I thought you should know since. . ." Yet again, he was cut short. This time it was from my mom walking in. " Out!" He had always been smart enough not to argue with Amerilla. He did not start then either. " 'phire, you need to come see this."

"What does that mean?" I confusingly pondered as I stared at the glowing words on the ground. "It means that you are to make an appearance. You and I are being summoned. Summoned by the Witch King." I rest dog faced her. "She sighed, "The Witch King is the only one powerful enough to get messages to this extent this far inside of the Mist. So it would seem that something or someone has caught his attention." The words disappeared with a flash of green light. The murmurs began instantly. The fear was not hard to feel in the slightest. I had to reassure everyone of their safety.

"That was horrible!" I managed to finally say within my pacing. Amerilla sat on her bed patiently waiting for the best time to enter her thoughts into the one sentenced conversation. "Zapphire, it could have been much worse. It could have been a threat or a warning. My gut is telling me that you should go. I am going. You just need to make certain to have his Word." I skidded a foot or two. "His what?" My mom stood up and started again to expand more on the subject, "His Word. It is a verbal contract of protection in which states that as long as you are outside the Mist answering the summon, you will be protected by high ranking and high leveled Witches." This conversation turned into a debate.It went on for a few hours. Finally, she and I came to the same conclusion. I would indeed have to go, but the question was when. I needed to remove myself from the stale air. "See you later mom," I said as I was closing her door. I stated walking in the direction of the forest behind the House. I felt at ease among the trees lately. It was peaceful and secluded. I found the grove that had become my quiet place. I sat down on the soft greass and leaned back against the oak tree. I closed my eyes so that I could listen. I had been doing a bigger amount of talking lately. It was time the world around me talked for a turn. I heard animals talking their speech. Critters scurrying across the ground over fallen leaves. The flaps of wings from birds and insects. "What caused you to roam away?" My eyes shot open. Oh no. Why would he follow me out here. Wait a minute when did he arrive back on my land? "Zapphire? May I kiss you again," David whispered. I thought about what Danq had said and everything since. That is when it hit me. The true emotions could not keep from revealing themselves from sight. I slightly pushed him back since he was only inches away from be by this point. "If you want to kiss me, do it when I set off." He looked confused as I stood up making my way back to the House. When I got back, I announced that there was to be a dancing feast in two nights time.

The food for the humans and Half-breeds looked absolutely amazing. Everyone's outfits looked fabulous. I sat at my table enjoying the fact that all those attending seemed to be enjoying themselves. I watched the dancing, flirting, and socializing. It had a calming effect on m mood and racing thoughts. My mom eventually waltzed her way to me from across the dance floor, and gave me a nod. I stood up and moved my way to the center of the entire room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know many of you were rightfully spooked by the event tat occurred the other day. I have decided that I will visit the Witch King. . . "gasps and concerned exchanges were heard all around. I believe I even heard someone yelling something like who was to watch over all the protectees. "I will be leaving at the end of the party. I know not how long I will be gone, but fear not. You will be protected." I pointed to the Aqua Guard. They were now professional who started as volunteers. I knew they would do well because of how hard they had trained. As I looked around the room, most of the faces seemed to be comforted. Those that wanted me outside the Mist looked happy. Then, there was concerned. "Enjoy the rest of the party." With that, I started circling the crowds putting any lingering doubts to rest. I finally arrived in front of the Opal Clan crowd. I continued with my task like before. The smirks from the two groupies sent hateful images through my mind. "I eill return. . ." "Why would you go outside the Mist?!" The moment David burst the comment, we just stared at him. "My, my what a reaction," I sarcasticly managed. The excuses just started flowing from his mouth. After I had heard enough, I turned to walk away once again. "I must now leave." I began to head towards the entrance of the room. As I was leaving the room, I am going to admit that it was a bit stupid to hope for that kiss. A hand twirled me around. I saw Amerilla making her way over. We were the only ones who had known that she was to be my companion on this adventure. the person who had turned me shocked me by who it was. It was Janyn. "I told you do not try anything," she lightly whispered. She followed it by shouting, "Christine has offered to escort you to the city in which you are to meet with the Witches." I could see Christine trying to hide the excitement boiling in her. David was had become a statue with a dropped jaw. He honestly looked like all this had ruptured many neurons. I knew what Christine was coming along to do, and at that moment my heart was bleeding enough to allow it. "Accepted," was the reply.

The three of us were a few miles past the Mist by this time. "Christine, there is no need for you to journey any further out than your task requires." I stopped by some tree stumps. I sat down and leaned against one of the stumps. Amerilla was obviously not thrilled about this but knew to do nothing. Christine was new to her ability and was still trying to prove herself to her Clan. "Smart to not fight. . ." "Christine! I am allowing this. You are proving nothing! Do your worst." My patience were thinner than a vale. She nodded as I encouraged, "Amerilla make sure she makes it safely back to Aqua and her clan. Then return to the Witches were you will answer your part of the summons."

I turned my head to see a broken building in the distance. I decided that that would be a better place for my "punishment". While standing up, I saw that my mom and Christine had already left. I knew she would not really be able to conjure such a tormenting image in me. I made my way to the building. It was two stories tall with the ceiling caving in. Furniture was everywhere. What had happened here? I began exploring each room. I found an open office building looking spot. I could hear footsteps shuffling around the corner of the wall divider. Okay, so someone else was here. I had to make sure he or she was well. I found him tripping over a few knocked down rolling chairs. "Sir," I said. He. . . no IT. . .turned at the sound of my voice. Rotten flesh was just hanging around his mouth. Dark circles were around his eyes. It looked like someone or something had taken chunks from his arms and stomach. He charged me. I went to grab and toss him back. My strength! What is happening?! We fell to the ground. It was taking everything in me to keep his snapping jaws from reaching my neck. I blinked hard as he was about to chomp down on my nose. I sat up looking around. I carefully and quietly stood up to search the area when I found a girl. She seemed to be in her teen years. "Are you okay," I searched. "I. . . I am. . .I am looking for my boyfriend. He is sick and I need to make sure he is okay," she sounded so innocent. "Come on, I will help you," I said as I was racking my brain for what had just happened. As we were making our way along, we heard noises from above. Not soft noises either. It was more like some kind of frenzy. We found a set of stairs and were about to ascend them to see if we could find a way out. Our plan was changed when a whole crowd came tumbling down. They all seemed to be infected with the same issue that the first guy had. WHAT! My force field did not work either?! What was this place to cause me to be so helpless. "Run!" I screamed at the girl. Run we did until we ran out of floor. We fell and fell hard. When I woke up, the girl was gone. I began exploring each room. I found an open office building looking spot. I could hear footsteps shuffling around the corner of the wall divider. Okay, so someone else was here. I had to make sure he or she was well. I found him tripping over a few knocked down rolling chairs. "Sir," I said. He. . . no IT. . .turned at the sound of my voice. Rotten flesh was just hanging around his mouth. Dark circles were around his eyes. It looked like someone or something had taken chunks from his arms and stomach. He charged me. I went to grab and toss him back. My strength! What is happening?! We fell to the ground. It was taking everything in me to keep his snapping jaws from reaching my neck. I blinked hard as he was about to chomp down on my nose. I sat up looking around. I carefully and quietly stood up to search the area when I found a girl. She seemed to be in her teen years. "Are you okay," I searched. "I. . . I am. . .I am looking for my boyfriend. He is sick and I need to make sure he is okay," she sounded so innocent. "Come on, I will help you," I said as I was racking my brain for what had just happened. As we were making our way along, we heard noises from above. Not soft noises either. It was more like some kind of frenzy. We found a set of stairs and were about to ascend them to see if we could find a way out. Our plan was changed when a whole crowd came tumbling down. They all seemed to be infected with the same issue that the first guy had. WHAT! My force field did not work either?! What was this place to cause me to be so helpless. "Run!" I screamed at the girl. Run we did until we ran out of floor. We fell and fell hard. When I woke up, the girl was gone. I began exploring each room. I found an open office building looking spot. I could hear footsteps shuffling around the corner of the wall divider. Okay, so someone else was here. I had to make sure he or she was well. I found him tripping over a few knocked down rolling chairs. "Sir," I said. He. . . no IT. . .turned at the sound of my voice. Rotten flesh was just hanging around his mouth. Dark circles were around his eyes. It looked like someone or something had taken chunks from his arms and stomach. He charged me. I went to grab and toss him back. My strength! What is happening?! We fell to the ground. It was taking everything in me to keep his snapping jaws from reaching my neck. I blinked hard as he was about to chomp down on my nose. I sat up looking around. I carefully and quietly stood up to search the area when I found a girl. She seemed to be in her teen years. "Are you okay," I searched. "I. . . I am. . .I am looking for my boyfriend. He is sick and I need to make sure he is okay," she sounded so innocent. "Come on, I will help you," I said as I was racking my brain for what had just happened. As we were making our way along, we heard noises from above. Not soft noises either. It was more like some kind of frenzy. We found a set of stairs and were about to ascend them to see if we could find a way out. Our plan was changed when a whole crowd came tumbling down. They all seemed to be infected with the same issue that the first guy had. WHAT! My force field did not work either?! What was this place to cause me to be so helpless. "Run!" I screamed at the girl. Run we did until we ran out of floor. We fell and fell hard. When I woke up, the girl was gone. Wait a minute?! I had done this before. "Zapphire!" Who had said that? I looked around me for the source of the voice. "Zapphire, you must do the opposite." Uh. Okay. I surveyed my surroundings in hopes to see what the opposite might be. I found a door. I could have sworn I saw someone pass by. I made my way there as I thought "I had been exploring the inside all this time. Maybe I should try the outside." I started heading out of the door and away from the noises. "Zapphire, follow you heart." Okay so the voice is female. It sounded from the direction of my beginning point. Okay that must be it. I had had enough confusion for on day. I ran towards the voice. A figure suddenly appeared at the forest's edge. I stopped dead in my tracks because it looked like David. What would he be doing all the way out here? He turned and began in the other direction. I wondered what was going on this time. "Zapphire, come back to me." His voice came from the other direction. When I looked, it looked to be a more intense version of the Mist. Now I had three directions to choose from. "Zapphire! FOLLOW! YOUR! HEART!" There she was again. I had to close my eyes to think. No not think. Feel. I had to allow myself to feel. Eyes closed as the wind russled my hair. Deep breathes in and out. My eyes popped open. I turned back around. The building was gone and instead a bright light was shining in my face.

I shot straight up into a sitting position gasping for air. "It's okay," a familiar calming voice said as hands pulled me back into a laying position. At that sound, I had no idea who it was, but I could smell that it was a male. Whoever it was, he gently slid his fingers across my cheek. I rapidly blinked as m mom's voice started, " Calm down. You are just feeling the affects of ARELEASE. It is releasing you from Christine's images. It will take a few more minutes." I attempted to sit up again. "Lay and rest a bit," the male said. I felt the male that was holding me pick me up and start carrying me. I had to keep my eyes closed. The moving scenery made me feel nauseous. "Do not worry. You will be comfortable soon," was echoing through my head. Follow your heart. Follow your heart. Zapphire come to me. All I was hearing had started blending together echoing on repeat.

I woke up warmly under a cloud, on top of marshmallow fluff and against air. Groggily, I slowly examined my surroundings. There was a fireplace warmly lit. Bedroom furniture with ebony color covered the room. Amerilla was lounging on the love seat reading some kind of golden brown book that was about two fist thick. I continued to examine. There was someone on the edge of the bed leaning against the head board sleeping. I gathered enough strength to sit up enough to lean against the pillow. "Mom?" She looked up and smiled. "Well you sure did take your sweet time, huh?" The person on the bed jolted awake at the sound of sudden speaking. "David?" I looked at my mom. " Zapphire, I did as you asked. Christine just about passed out when she put those images in you mind. I had to use my Lifting ,or as you call it force, to levitate her. I escorted her back to Aqua. Opal was still there waiting. When Edward and David saw us, they became worried. Janyn was only worried about Christine. So while she checked on her friend, I explained what had happened. Edward ordered imprisonment for the girls due to unjustable actions. David was already headed to you. You had not moved an inch. You were seizing so much that blood had started to form at the corners of your eyes. But remember what I had said about what the message said, and that you would need his Word? Well by allowing yourself harm so far from other, you agreed with your Word. By sending high leveled Witches, he agreed with his Word. The three of us have been given rest areas and King Edward has been sent word so that no attacks would take place. . ." As she continued explaining what had taken place while I was out, I noticed that David looked like he might have been crying. There was a knock at the door. In walked a sparkling emerald eyed woman. "Welcome Zaphhire, Leader of Aqua and adoptive daughter of my loving Andreo. My name is Lavender. Amerilla. David." They nodded. Okay, so who all have known all these secrets?