IARA

The sun had started dipping low in the sky. Golden rays cast long, distorted shadows on the ground, the air starting to cool. When I came home, Rey was absent. She was probably getting my present ready for me. I could hardly hold in my excitement. I kept checking outside to see if the old woman would be hobbling out from behind the trees. I waited for what felt like an eternity. The sun dipped lower and lower until it was completely night out. The moon was high in the sky, only a half. It was waning. It would be days before I could charge my crystals in the full moon. But the new moon meant change. There was unrest in the air. Things were changing and I could feel it. Hopefully it was only the jitters I felt about turning twenty. I wouldn’t be a teenager anymore.

Just as I sat back down, the door swung open wide. I yelped in shock and spun around. Rey stood there in her usual ragged robes. I couldn’t remember a time when she wore anything different. The only thing that looked spectacular about her was the bobbles she wrapped around her antlers.

I rushed over to her and clasped my hands together. “I’m very excited to see what you got me,” I gushed. I bit my lip. Vi’s words were replayed in my head. I did act immature for how old I was turning. I let my hands fall to my sides and I cleared my throat. “I mean, it’s almost my birthday.”

Rey nodded and raised her eyebrows to see me through her wrinkles. Her milky eyes met mine and she gave a small smile. “Sit down girl. This year is different.”

A pit of dread formed in my stomach. “Different?”

She pushed past me and headed over to the old wooden table. Her gnarled hands ran across the equally gnarled surface. “There is a lot to be done.”

“What?” I asked, stepping forward to look at her face again.

“Sit,” she ordered. She gestured to the chair in front of her.

I did as she asked this time. My hands went up to play with a lock of my hair as a nervous gesture. I tugged and wrapped the light strands around my fingers as I watched her reach into her robes. Eventually she pulled out a white silk bag. The fabric shone with the light of the moon filtering in through the open window. I gasped. “Is this my gift?” Rey had never given me something with so much material value before. It looked so easy to stain. So easy to ruin.

She offered it to me and shook her head. “In the bag, fool,” she snapped.

I frowned at her and took it. I paused to feel the fabric in my hands. I almost didn’t care what was in it. I had never felt real silk before. I rubbed it between my fingers, the smoothness pleasing to the touch. I untied the strings slowly, careful not to pull too hard. When I reached in, cool metal brushed my fingertips. Whispers of emotions ran over my skin. If enough emotion was felt next to an object, that object can carry some of that energy with it. Sometimes I would have to cleanse items from second hand sellers if it was exceptionally bad. This one felt exceptionally bad. Heat ran up and down my arm. Anger, sadness, anxiety, lust, greed, love, happiness. All of them had their mark on whatever was in this silk bag. I gritted my teeth and fought the urge to rip my hand away. Rey told me not to recoil so much when my blessing did this. I needed to work on controlling my ability instead of letting it control me.

Don’t let the emotions overwhelm you, I reminded myself. Don’t pull away when it gets like this.

My hand shook as I pulled the metal piece out of the bag. To my surprise it was solid gold. Small diamonds adorned the front piece, spiraling around one larger stone. It was a brilliant blue that reminded me of deep waters. The gem was cut smoothly in a teardrop shape. The piece was a horseshoe shape, obviously made to be woven into your hair. A crown. I was certain I wasn’t seeing what I was meant to. There was no way something this expensive was in my hands right now.

I looked up at Rey. Her eyes bore into me like needles. “A crown?” I asked in disbelief.

She only nodded.

I looked back down at the headpiece. It was beautiful and terrifying to me. People lived their entire lives with this on top of their head, people far greater than a young witch like me. Why was Rey giving it to me? How did she even get this?

“You’re a princess,” Rey said finally.

I almost didn’t understand what she said. I sat motionless, trying to process it. I felt myself getting overwhelmed though, as much as I tried to hold it together. I steadied my breathing as I sat the crown on the table. “You’re not serious,” I told her flatly. There was no possible way I was a princess. I was very sure about my identity. To be a princess meant I was something different.

Rey shook her head. “I am. Your mother was the princess of Sherwoods. The night goddess came to her when you were young. Leda herself chose you to be the next queen of Bloodtide.”

I stood and clasped the silk between my fingers. It softly crunched in my grasp. “You can’t be serious,” I repeated. I felt my mouth go dry. “Why would a goddess choose me?”

“You already know how impressive you are. The gods favor you,” was all she replied with. It was her half baked answer to everything when she didn’t want to tell me more.

I gripped my hands into fists, begging them not to shake. “Rey, please tell me the truth.” I felt hot tears in my eyes. I blinked them away as fast as I could.

“You’re engaged to someone,” Rey replied after a long moment.

“I’m engaged to Vi,” I snapped at her.

She shook her head, her bells annoying me more than they usually did. “Did you say yes to that blacksmith boy because you wanted to or because he grabbed your hand?”

I felt my face get hot. “O-of course I said yes because I wanted to,” I stammered. I knew I was lying though. Rey wouldn’t let me forget that my biggest fault was my soft nature. It was easy to sway me with no more than a single touch. It was as though I lost a piece of my reasoning when people touched me. My thoughts were forced away by theirs. It was easy to guilt me into anything. It was the biggest reason I shied away from people’s grasps, the biggest reason I wanted so desperately to control my blessing.

“Now you aren’t being serious,” Rey said in a mocking tone. “Get ready. Your carriage is coming soon.”

“Carriage?” I squeeked. “I’m being taken away right now?”

The old woman nodded. “Didn’t want to give you too much time to be swayed.”

“I-I can’t go. I want to become a stronger witch regardless,” I said. I felt frantic, grasping at anything to avoid this. I had plans for my future, even if Vi would be my husband or not.

“The rich palace royals have much more resources than you could ever scrounge up out here,” Rey sang. “And they might have answers about your mother.”

My nails dug into my palm and my chest constricted. Suddenly Rey seemed distant to me. She was pushing me to go, and with something she knew would make me. “You have answers about my mother! You can just tell me,” I yelled.

Rey didn’t reply to that either. I knew she would shut down the conversation there. She never gave me answers. She would barely give me hints. I was lucky to grab at the crumbs she happened to throw my way. It was how she taught. It was hard, but she insisted it made me stronger in the long run. It didn’t frustrate or hurt me any less though.

Before I could say anything else, I heard twigs breaking and people talking outside. There was the light sound of plate armor clanking together and the swish of grass against shoes. I felt my heart skip a beat. “Are they here already?”

Rey nodded. She pushed past me again and swung the door open just in time to stop someone from knocking. I peered over the old elf’s shoulder and saw a girl around my age. She was dressed in a comfortable looking dress. The design was simple, almost like a maid uniform. It was a soft warm color that matched her strawberry blond hair. It ended in a blunt cut, the ends curling up ever so slightly. She was pale, just like the man that stood next to her. He was in armor as black as the night. His ears were long and pointed, the most obvious sign of being a vampire. He was large and foreboding. Seeing him next to the kind looking girl made him all the more intimidating to me. This was the first vampire I ever met and it scared me to my core.

“Greetings, Lady Rey,” the girl chimed. Her accent was light and airy. She bowed low and smiled at us. I was relieved when she didn’t have sharp fangs. She was human. “And you must be-”

“Please don’t call me princess,” I interrupted. I regretted speaking though. The man looked at me, his gaze chilling. I shrunk back behind Rey, comforted that she stood between me and him.

The girl looked a bit taken aback. She set her eyes on Rey again, a disapproving look settling on her face. “Did you only just-”

“Don’t give me lip, girl,” Rey snapped at her. She swung her old cane at her but she slipped her foot back and laughed.

“I’d been practicing when I heard I’d be seeing you,” she giggled. I couldn’t help but laugh as well at what I knew was coming next.

Rey swung the cane back around and hit the girl square in the head. She gasped and the knight next to her chuckled. The sound was deep and rumbling, but a laugh no less. His fangs peaked out, the sharp points catching the low light of the moon.

“Start packing,” Rey ordered.

The girl came into my home and did as Rey asked. She pointed the stranger to my space and she started picking through everything. I felt utterly helpless. I didn’t know what to do. Did I even have a choice? My heart raced as I ran through what little Rey did tell me. I was already engaged. From a young age, I was chosen to marry someone. Did my mother know? She had to have known. If I was a princess, why did I live here? My only memory was living in this cottage with Demarcus and Rey. My head spun at all the new bits of information. Pieces of my life I didn’t even know about.

I looked at Rey, just outside of the still opened door. I wanted to pick at her for anything more, but she looked rather busy. She was harassing the vampire man who remained in the moonlight. He looked uncomfortable in her presence. Rey certainly had that effect on people, but for a vampire to react the same way? I was surprised at how human he seemed.

“I’m Elisif, by the way,” the girl said, pulling me away from my thoughts. “I’ll be your lady-in-waiting.”

“Rey didn’t really tell me anything until just a few minutes ago,” I said, half dazed.

She smiled kindly at me as if to say sorry. “We had expected as much to be honest. If you have any questions, I’ll answer them as best I can.” She folded up one of my old dresses, the rough brown of it looking out of place in her hands.

“Why am I here if I’m a princess?” I gestured to the room around me.

The cottage was one room only. There was a small fireplace under a crumbling chimney. Right next to the fire was the old gnarled table that barely had room to fit two. Across from the table was where our hay-stuffed beds were. There used to be three, one for me, Rey, and Demarcus. Marz’s bed was once separated by an old folding wall, but since his death the space had become mine. It made me feel closer to my lost loved one. There was only one window seated just between the beds. The four walls around us were cracking and kept up my sheer willpower at this point. Every time a storm ran through I could feel the whole house shake. The ceiling leaked, our dirt floor turning to mud on rainy days. The winters were exceptionally rough. Wind seemed to pass through every crevice of the place. The small cottage was a home, but not one a princess would choose to live. If my mother was wealthy there was no way she would have picked this place.

Elisif folded up another old piece of clothing and slipped it into a bag. She glanced around, her lips pressed together. “I imagine your mother wanted to be as inconspicuous as she could be. She was in hiding.”

“But why?”

“She didn’t like vampires and I don’t think she liked the gods,” she replied simply. The girl turned to me and another one of her kind smiles spread on her lips. “I know what people in human kingdoms say, but vampires aren’t all that scary. They’re a patronage just like any other.”

“Aren’t you a human servant?” I asked. I could think of a few reasons why a vampire royal family would have human servants living with them. It made my face contort into disgust when the thought passed through my mind.

She gasped when she realized the weight behind my question. “No, it isn’t like that! I chose to work for the Bloodtides. And most of the vampires drink animal blood until they decide to blood bond,” she explained quickly.

“Blood bond?” I rubbed my temples. That sounded even more horrifying than the thought before. Blood was the pressing theme in everything about our neighboring kingdom. How could it not be scary?

Rey cracked her cane across my backside. I glared at her and rubbed where it hit. “Talk when you’re in the carriage.”

Elisif started folding clothes again, faster than she did before, hoping to avoid the wrath of the cane.

“Rey-” I started, my voice filled with anger. She quickly turned away though, completely ignoring me. She wasn’t going to give me a chance to argue. My choices were being ripped away from me just as I turned twenty. I thought my birthday would bring me a new sense of freedom. It would be the year I would start traveling on my own. But instead of having a bright year planned ahead, I had this mess to look forward to.

When Elisif was done gathering the few clothes I did have, she asked if there was anything else I wanted to take. I grabbed a few books and other odds and ends I couldn’t bear parting with. The knight took the bags in his arms with ease and carried them out. Just like that, everything I owned in the cottage was gone. It was packed in just barely two bags.

I turned to Rey and felt the tears I was holding back finally spill over. The old elf wrapped her arms around me. When her wrinkled skin brushed mine I could feel her sadness. She would miss me. But beyond that I felt true intentions. She knew good things would come to me. Rey has never led me in a direction that would hurt me. I had to remind myself of that. Rey pulled away and slipped the crown back into the silk bag. I felt a pang of dread having to hold it again.

“Don’t forget this.”

I took the crown from her and slipped it into my leather bag that hung across my chest. “I’ll try not to lose it. This might be the most expensive birthday gift you’ve given me yet,” I laughed. I felt my fingers twist around a piece of my hair once again for comfort.

I turned, trying not to let any more tears fall. I blinked rapidly as I stepped out of the only home I’ve ever known. Elisif was right outside. She gave me the kindest smile she could muster and stepped toward the forest. “We had to leave the carriage in town so it’ll be a bit of a walk.”

I nodded at her and followed. She led me through the woods that I had called home for as long as I could remember. My head spun with so many questions. I couldn’t even focus on just one to even verbalize it. The leaves of bushes that we passed ran across my skin and brought me sanity. I would always feel at ease in this type of setting. I sucked the cool night air in and looked up through the branches.

The biggest thought that ran through my head was Telvin. I was relieved I wouldn’t be marrying him. But at what cost? I was uprooting my entire life and marrying someone I have never met. I would miss Vi. He was my dear friend, even if he wanted more from me. Maybe I shouldn’t leave after all. Me going missing would hurt him more than I could possibly know. I could run into the woods and they would never be able to catch me. I could run to Vi and tell him what was happening. Everything. I glanced at their backs. The knight led us forward, stepping a path in the thicket for Elisif and I to follow. If I ran into the woods now, would they even notice?

I remembered the words Rey tempted me with then. Royalty would have quite the library for me to read through. There would be plenty of whispered rumors to hear as well. The thought of discovering more about my missing mother urged me to keep following them. Elisif had already given me more information about her than Rey had in years. One night gave me so much, imagine what months in the palace would offer. I bit my lip, my mind rolling over my options. This is exactly what Rey wanted. She had always given me small pieces of information I couldn’t resist. I couldn’t decide if I was finding my own path or if she was playing me like a chess piece.

Once we got into town, I saw the carriage they had taken. It was painted black, the only splash of color the Bloodtide family crest. A crescent moon above the red sea. It was ominous looking, an ocean running crimson with blood. The horses that pulled the carriage were just as dark. Tall muscular beasts that almost blended in with the night.

My decision came now or never. “May I write a note to my friend?” I asked Elisif. I couldn’t stop myself from leaving tonight. I still cared for Telvin though. I would give him at least a goodbye.

She nodded. “Just don’t take too long. We have a long road ahead.”

I rummaged through my bag and got one of my notebooks out. I scrawled out a message to him, trying not to think too hard about it. If I put too much thought into it I would be here all night. My hands shook as I rushed to get the words on the paper.

Vi, I regret to inform you I can’t marry you after all. A lot has come up tonight and I will not be able to stay. My travels must start this very night. I will always care for you though. Never forget that. Yours, Iara.

Very short, but he didn’t need to know more than that. It would crush him even more to know about everything. He probably wouldn’t even believe it. Guilt filled my every fiber. He was supposed to be my closest friend, but I couldn’t even bring myself to tell the full truth to him.

I folded the note up and left my bracelet. It rested right in the crease of the paper. Hopefully he could give it to someone more deserving of his love. I set the paper on the doorstep of the blacksmiths. I knew Telvin was the only one who could read so I knew the note would get to him even if he wasn’t the first to find it. I turned back to the carriage, willing myself not to cry again. The thought of Telvin marrying someone else filled me with an overwhelming sadness.

“You can always come back to visit,” Elisif told me. Her voice held nothing but concern. The accent reminded me of rolling hills. It was calming. I wondered if everyone had that accent in Bloodtide.

We climbed into the carriage and sat across each other. The interior was comfortable. The colors matched the crest on the outside. Deep red cushions accented with silver threads. If this was a taste of what was to come, at least I would be cozy. I looked out the small window as the carriage lurched forward. I watched the small village houses fall out of view. My whole life was being left behind.