The Queen Is Here

The last time I had seen her was when I was maybe fifteen years old. I moved quickly to hive her a huge bear hug. "You certainly have grown," she said through a teary smile. When we let the hug stop, the room started spinning. "Uh, what is happening. . ." I trailed off as I began to plummet. I could only wait for the . . . Why did I not hit the floor? Huh? My strength halted this time but my vision settled enough to see a few feet in front on me. David? Why was he carrying me and more importantly WHERE?! I thought I had only blinked. When I woke up again, everyone was gone but a beautiful turquoise dress. Form fitting that was slit-slanted and floor length. This time when I got out of bed, I felt wonderful. I changed my clothes then proceeded to walk out of the room in search of my mom. I eventually found her in the maze of halls. She was in the doorway to the ballroom. I knew it was the ballroom because of the glowing pink letters that were floating mid-air. "Oh my galaxies! That looks beyond gorgeous on you. I have something for you. . . " she handed me a masquerade mask, "I hope you enjoy your time tonight." She had this knowing grin that sent a small shiver down my spine. Was I still feeling Christine's side effects? I figured the only way to find out was to play along. I carefully placed the mask on and entered the room.

The music was being beautifully plus perfectly played. I was not familiar with the present song being played. I wanted to swing and sway. I just knew it was the magic in the music causing it. I was inconspicuously making my way around the outer area of the room. The old sayings say that vampires stay beautiful with immortal lives to lure you away from the living. That has always been incorrect. The beauty to which I was witnessing could easily out shine even that of the Opal Clan's land. My stomach began to feel woozy. "You need more blood," Lavender's voice broke through what trance I had been in. "Blood? Where might I find a Terminal?" She chuckled. "Not here. But thanks to my many freedoms, I am able to practice my enhanced healing techniques. Therefore, I have found a way to tainted blood from the Witch's gathered ingredients that act as if it is a whole meal. Here darling." She handed me a tall wine glass. Within a few seconds of the first sip, everything was clear as crystals. I looked up at her smiling expression. "Only blooded vampires can resist the Witch king's charms. He is enhancing the intimacy during this event. Witches that are high older and more powerful, like Amerilla, are immune too." I started looking around to understand what her meaning was. It began to become clearer. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the almost choreographed dancing. At that time, it seemed that only a handful of people were not enchanted. I knew that Lavender and myself were two. I found my mom whom was acting normal, so three. She was conversing with, I was assuming, the Witch King, so four. And the final one I was able to see had snow white eyes. I only knew of one person who would be here with those. He was starring as intensely at me as the Witch King was earlier. The difference between looks was that the white eyed man man was not letting me get much of a look due to the amount of his face that was uncovered to confirm identification, yet. I momentarily looked from him to the Witch King. He smiled and slightly bowed his head then turned his head back to my mom for continue conversing with her and Lavender (whom had made her way to the head of the room by this point). I had apparently just received his blessing. I turned my attention back to the last one unaffected.

"Would you care to dance with me?" Just as I had known. "Hello David," I looked up curiously into his shimmering snow white eyes, "We need to talk." He nodded as he motioned to the dance floor, "Later I promise." I sighed, "I am not much of a dancer. You should remember that." He chuckled into a bursting laughter. "I remember. But if you have not noticed , allowing the charm to influence you results in . . ." he looked around. " I do not know if I will not be able to get out from under it again. I am not sure how this magic works." He leaned in and whispered, "Trust me." It cost my whole will power to not melt at the warmth he just sent through me. Hold it together Zapphire. I wanted to trust him but what Danq had told me came racing through faster than light "to make Janyn jealous". At that, I bowed and stepped back. "Why should I? What have I seen, heard or been told to prove that I can?" With tears wanting to form, I hastily left the ball. I could feel the glances from all around me following my path. I gave no cares in the world to that fact because I could only allow my feet to take wherever they went.

I shut the door. As I turned around, I saw a huge children pool sized bowl. It was full of moving silver and black goo. Still, I had tears now streaming small lines down my face. I was curious though. I walked to the pool of the goo. An eerie male and female voice combination echoed "What do you wish to see most? We only show your truth. Do you wish to know your origins, your personal past, that which is happening now though unknown to you or what you truly desire?" The level of creepy was so far off the scales that a stalker would have been out of place. I did not want to know anything from them. Or did I? I could find out anything. Like what happened in reality while I was dealing with the images. "Do not offer her that. If she wishes to know anything, she already knows who she can ask and trust." My mom stepped from the shadows along with David. He looked like I had broke what heart had been left. "What I wish to know can only be given by the truest intentions," I said sadly. "David? Do you mind walking Zapphire back to her room? She must be exhausted from all the excitement," Amerilla commandingly suggested.

"Will you ever trust me again?" It took three hallways and two sets of stair cases for David to finally speak to me. "I wish I could, but when you have seen and heard what I have, you would doubt too. Would you not? " He opened my door and followed me in. "Excuse me?" I was puzzled. "Do you want the heart felt truth?" He seemed nervous. My patience had ended, "Well, duh! What else would I want from you?!" I had just about shouted this at him. He took a deep breath and released. Before any more words could be spoken, I was embraced in such a protective hold with passion sparking in my lips. He paused for a second, " I want you. I always have. I am so sorry for any confusion I caused over the years." When I had gained control of myself again, I opened my eyes to tears running down his face. All I could achieve was a small gasp. He opened his eyes to be shocked by the expression on my face. I assume it comforted him, because he kissed me again. This time it was deeper. One thing led to another. The escalation caused the events that unraveled to be ferociously intense. How long or much, I could not tell you, but I could tell you one thing. I knew how I felt for David and , for the first time, how David felt for me. When I woke up, I was honestly expecting all the kisses, touches and surroundings to have been from a dream. I figured that I would be back in Aqua alone in my bed with Christine laughing from a distance. I finally built up the courage to open my eyes. I lifted my head slightly off what I thought was just a funny feeling pillow. It was not a pillow. It was David's chest. OH MY ABILITIES!!! We really did activities last night. I guess my minding racing caused him to stir. "Hey," he sleepily said. I could only smile back at him. "Sleep well?" "Mmhmm." He chuckled and began kissing me. Knock knock knock. "Hey, Zapphire, the Witch King is ready to see you." We rolled our eyes. "I guess I need to get ready," I said as I gave him a quick kiss. He held me there for a moment ,"To be continued." As I was about to walk out the door "Does this really change things back home too, or was I just a night of relief? Know for sure before we make it back, because I can name many that this will royally infuriate." I left on that note. I was needing to clear my my train of thought before I was in the presence of the Witch King.