Lacey was staring out the window in her mother's mansion. She had asked to be left alone with her thoughts. There were so many things running through her mind.
How much she wished everything was simple. And life was back to normal.
When all she had to worry about was her father's medical bills and college. How the dancing used to be a means for her to escape the world and her problems.
She missed dancing. It had been so long since she danced or even held a poll. So, so long.
She missed that life.
The simple life.
Where she really had nothing much to worry about.
Everything about her life was the opposite of that. She had things to worry about now.
And people she loved and worried about.
Her mother was in her living room somewhere.
And Lacey was in the room her sister Lila had been before she died.
Her mother said she had spelled the room to preserve the smell of Lila. So the room smelled exactly like it did when she was around, even years after she died.
The sheets smelled of lavender, just like how Lacey imagined Lila would smell. The bathroom too, it still smelled like someone had just got out of a bath, the steaminess of the hot water and the scents of the soap and shampoo she had used.
They were all in the bathroom.
Even a damp towel hung on the towel rack.
They were all still dry.
Still preserved by magic.
She was still staring out the window when she felt the air change. The light airy breeze suddenly became too stuffy to bear.
Her first thought was her mother must be practising magic or doing a spell of the sort.
So she walked out of the room as fast as she could.
Running straight into the living room.
Her mother was standing, her back faced to her and her fists clenched.
There was a woman in the living room.
Heavily veiled and adorned with dark red robes.
With one swift movement she pulled off her veil.
Beneath the veil was a young and stunning woman.
Eyes like the grey clouds and lips a pale blue.
"Queen Yvaine."
She greeted as she bowed. The gesture should have been one of respect, but from her it almost seemed as if she was mocking Yvaine.
"And what brings you here?"
Lacey's mother's tone was sharp.
Blunt and angry.
She didn't like Ianthe being in her house, so close to her daughter.
"Surely you wouldn't deny me the opportunity of seeing my neice would you?"
Ianthe said with a cruel smile on her beautiful face as her grey eyes turned to Lacey who was on the far end of the room.
Lacey took a few steps back as she became gripped with fear.
Ianthe.
Her mother's sister was looking right at her
"Ohh and Yvaine. Sitting here and pretending your problems don't exist isn't exactly queenly behaviour."
She said as she settled on a couch, Yvaine was still standing and looking at her. There was anger in her eyes.
"Why are you really here?"
Ianthe ignored her question.
"I mean. What would the elders think? You had your time. Don't you think the fae world misses you?"
"I don't think that should be your concern."
Yvaine scoffed as she walked to the sofa in front of Ianthe to sit on.
Lacey watched the two of them from afar, unsure of whether or not to join or butt in.
Her mother would certainly want her to go back in the room.
That she knew, but she couldn't, not with everything happening.
"Oh it is. I am your sister and special advisor to the crown if you have forgotten."
"And I'd advise you to go back home Yvaine."
Yvaine raised her eyebrows. Of all things for them to talk about... Why was Ianthe insistent on her going home.
"My little birdies have whispered in my ears. The fae elders are holding crucial meetings in your absence. They're considering seizing control of your throne."
Yvaine chuckled.
She was not surprised. That was just how much they hated her. But if her sister was concerned, then she had every reason to be.
"They wouldn't dare."
Yvaine said with not one ounce of fear or intimidation. Ianthe smiled.
"Yes. That's the Queen I know."
She examined her long and sharp nails. Lacey marveled at the sight of them. They looked like claws. Long, sharpened claws that could prick blood with just one swoop of her fingers.
They were just as lethal as any weapons. Lacey wondered how she had managed to live with them without cutting herself.
Ianthe and Yvaine were complete opposites. In looks and in their personality.
Lacey found it hard to believe they were sisters. Then again, her own mother abandoned her and Lila shortly after birth so the concept of them being sisters wasn't too far fetched.
"So, when will you leave?"
"Leave?"
Yvaine asked and Ianthe nodded.
"Oh I have my ways of dealing with the fae elders."
"Why are you so keen on me leaving? What are you up to Ianthe?"
Her mother asked with raised eyebrows and Ianthe looked outside. There was a sort of energy around her that felt wrong, unholy and wierd. Lacey couldn't place it, but it was the wrong kind of energy. She remembered her mother mentioning that Ianthe practised dark magic.
Maybe it affected her aura, her magic.
It made her seem impure.
"Oh sister. I think you should spend less time worrying about me and more time worrying about the kingdom you have to rule."
"When your actions directly impact my kingdom, I think that becomes my problem too."
Yvaine said with emphasis on the 'my kingdom'
Ianthe smiled. It was a vague smile, one that didn't reach her eyes.
"Actions have consequences Ianthe. Don't think your actions would go unpunished or you will get away with what you're doing."
Ianthe shrugged.
"Why do you care? This is Aron City. It's not under your reign."
Yvaine nodded.
"Yes, you're right. It's not. But there are rules and you're breaking all of them. You're not as invincible as you think you are."
Ianthe shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"You know what I was taught while I was queen? About dark magic?"
Ianthe rolled her eyes.
"No. I don't particularly care to know either."
"We're faes. There's a reason our magic is limited. There's a reason we live in a location unknown to anyone else."
"There's also reason we forbid any practice of dark magic."
"I suppose you'll get to find our very soon, judging by your new aura."
Ianthe frowned.
Lacey knew what her mother was talking about.
It was true.
Ianthe's whole aura was different. Smelled unclean.
"I can smell it all over you! It's almost impossible to hide now..."
Yvaine whispered as she shook her head lightly.
"Your end is inevitable Ianthe."
She whispered in a chilling voice that sent shivers down Lacey's spine.
Ianthe gathered herself quickly and managed a smile.
"And you. Heard you passed your settling. Impressive."
She said to Lacey.
"So sad you couldn't meet your sister. She was so pretty."
"You actually look like her... Except there was something about her... She was almost regal."
"And yet you killed her."
Lacey replied and Ianthe paused.
"Why would I kill my neice?"
She asked and Lacey shrugged.
"To get back at your sister? For revenge? I have no idea why you would do something like that."
"Oh you're certainly your mother's daughter."
Ianthe sounded impressed and this only made Lacey more angry.
"You're going to pay for what you did to her. Sooner or later.... I know you will."
Yvaine looked at Lacey. There was a silent warning on her face. She was begging her to stop. But Lacey was already pissed off.
The fact that her mother was going to sit there and casually talk to a murderer who had killed her own daughter and act like nothing happened pissed her off.
"I don't appreciate threats, young girl."
Ianthe said in a lowly voice.
Lacey walked closer, leaving the comfort of the hallway and she walked straight into the living room and stood in front of Ianthe.
Ianthe was still surprised she dared to even come near her.
"It's not a threat. It's my promise to you."
"Lacey."
Her mother warned quietly but Lacey ignored her.
Ianthe stood up. She was several inches taller than Lacey but that didn't bother Lacey one bit.
"I suppose now I'd have to give you a lesson about learning your place."
She sighed.
She raised her hand, her sharp nails gleamed in the sunlight and Lacey knew what was she was about to do.
And the thought alone infuriated her.
Her reflexes were quick.
She didn't even have to move a muscle.
Ianthe's hand was transfixed in the air by one of Lacey's phantom hands.
Ianthe's eyes widened.
At first she looked impressed.
Then her face slowly turned angry as she tried and failed to pull her hand away.
"Let go of me."
She said in a low and deadly voice.
Lacey ignored her.
She wasn't done with her.
Not yet.
A gentle breeze blew past them and Lacey turned it into ice against Ianthe's neck.
A circlet of cold flames around her neck that burned just like a fire would.
"Lacey please!!!"
Her mother pleased as she tried to reach her.
Lacey raised her hand and a wall of wind blocked her mother from getting through.
Meanwhile, Ianthe was furious.
The ice was cold against her skin. So cold it burned. She started gasping for air.
Her hand was still in Lacey's phantom grip.
"Lacey! Please stop!!!"
Her mother screamed.
That seemed to do the trick.
Lacey released her grip and flung Ianthe to the far end of the room.
Ianthe hit the wall with a sickening crack and fell to the floor with a loud thud, her face covered by the dark robes she adorned.
She blinked twice and it was over.
The rush she had felt, the adrenaline.
It was all gone.
Yvaine grabbed Lacey's arm and started running across the room and towards the hallway
They had a few seconds before Ianthe got on her feet and went after Lacey.
She outstretched her other hand and created a barrier. It would keep Ianthe busy for a while.
"What the hell were you thinking?!!"
She screamed at Lacey as they got into the hallway.
"I... I don't know! I was just so angry at her!"
"Well... She's not going to be too happy with what you've done."
"You have to leave. Now!"
Lacey looked around, confusion etched in her features.
They could hear Ianthe's frustrated scream reverberate through the house.
Yvaine looked around and sighed.
"She's pissed."
"I'll deal with her. You, leave."
She said as she outstretched her hand.
"What are you doing?"
Lacey panicked as a black hole emerged out of nowhere and started growing bigger.
"I don't have time to explain."
Her mother said as she glanced at her briefly. Concentration was etched all over her features.
"It's a portal. It'll take you far enough. She won't be able to find you that way."
Lacey looked at the portal with uncertainty.
The swirling black hole looked dangerous.
"I can't hold it for much longer!!! Please go! Go now!"
Yvaine pleaded and Lacey jumped right into it.