A Game of Crowns

“Don’t just follow your heart because your heart can be deceived but lead your heart.”-Fireproof (The movie)

The Hidden Realm? Now I knew I was dreaming. The Hidden Realm wasn’t real. My imagination had to be in overdrive.

The woman smiled at me knowingly. My skepticism must have been written all over my face. She stepped off the altar and gracefully glided towards us. My body was rooted to its place. My brain screamed at my limbs to move, but they would not respond. I glanced at Tobias using my peripheral vision to see if he was experiencing the same thing. He seemed to be locked into place as well but he wasn’t fighting against it. He was steadily watching the woman’s slow approach.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, his eyes were glued to her scantily dressed body.

“Tobias,” I said urgently. “Snap out of it, will you?”

His gaze faltered slightly but he was still entrapped in her spell. I looked back at her, not expecting to find her less than two feet away. She watched me intently and I watched her back. Her sun-kissed hair radiated the sun’s warmth, her cocoa-colored lips looked as soft as a feather, and her honey brown eyes were unending pools of wisdom and knowledge. She was beautiful and I felt like I could trust her, but why was she holding us still?

She inched closer at a slow rate as she gauged my facial expression. She reached out with a slim tanned finger and touched my lips. What was she doing?

She looked down at me with curious eyes. A second later her lips were pushed up against mine. She didn’t move her lips in a kissing fashion but held them still. Her eyes were firmly shut. I looked at Tobias again and his mouth was hanging open in shock.

She abruptly pulled back and smiled.

“I have peered into your heart and find you worthy.”

Okay...Was kissing me necessary to do that?

My body hunched over in relief as the pressure of her releasing me abated. She then walked over the Tobias and closely watched him as she did with me.

The anticipation in Tobias’ eyes was disgusting, to say the least. He expected a kiss. That pervert.

I hugged my body in hopes to warm myself. The coolness of the dew was beginning to have its effect on my body temperature.

The woman moved her face closer to him but she did not kiss him. Instead, she ducked even lower and placed her right ear against his chest. She shut her eyes and seemed to be listening. She stood there with him for minutes longer than she had with me. Then she quickly removed herself from him and glided back to the altar.

“You are a worthy candidate, but you hold contempt in your heart. You need to rid yourself of this darkness if you are to be a shining beacon of hope.”

She had released her hold over him. He ran a hand through his hair contemplating her words.

“Who are you?” I asked even though I already knew the answer. I hadn’t wanted to believe it but what choice did I have when proof stood literally in front of me.

She smiled. “You know who I am, Penelope. I am Xandra; one of the Priestesses of your world.”

Tobias spoke next. “What are we doing here?”

“I needed to read your innermost thoughts and see if you were worthy of leading. I have chosen you both to be the successors of Iron Forge.”

I scoffed. “Well, that was easy.”

She shook her head. “If only that were true.”

“Meaning what?” Tobias asked.

She paced around the altar and wrapped her golden locks around her forearm as if it were a pet snake. Her hair was long enough to still have length spilling from her palm. She swished it around in a circle as she arranged her thoughts.

“My chosen have been very wicked. They have been corrupted by the ways of man. Greed and power run rampant through their hearts. You need to find a way to get them to pair you. Be smart about it. They are bound to be wary. They only carry true power in the game until the pairing. Once pairings are done the winners will be chosen by Iron Forge itself.”

My mouth fell agape. No one had mentioned this to us. How would that even be possible?

“So, you’re not really choosing us then? You have no say in the matter.” I said.

“You have my blessing and you will have my backing when the time comes.”

“Yes Priestess, thank you,” voiced Tobias.

She smiled at him and he melted like an ice cream cone on a sunny day.

The idiot.

“Now, wake up.”

It was as if she snapped her fingers. My eyes flew open and scanned my room. The fire was softly crackling it its hearth. The three-pane window was firmly shut. Everything was as it was before I went to bed. Nothing was amiss. I was alone. A part of me expected to find Tobias here. I really wanted to believe it was all a dream, but I knew better. The Priestess had bestowed her blessing on me to be the next queen of Iron Forge. It was a daunting task, but I would push on.

Somehow over the last two weeks, I began to want it. I wanted to be queen. Not for the frilly gowns, the crown, or the money. I wanted it to help. An even scarier thought entered my mind through these last two weeks. I wanted it for me.

***

The next morning Georgiana was quiet. Truth be told she’d been quiet for most of this past week. I hadn’t mentioned her behavior, but it was getting to be ridiculous. She was my only friend here and she was being distant. It didn’t sit right with me. She rummaged through my closet trying to find the perfect outfit for the trial. The first real trial had finally arrived. I needed her support today. I had to find out what was wrong.

“Georgiana, what is it? You’ve been aloof all week.”

She stopped her perusing of the lipstick selection and turned to face me.

“It’s not my place to have an opinion, my lady.”

“Georgiana, please tell me what’s on your mind.”

She fiddled with her fingers briefly before deciding to speak. “When I said for you to form an alliance I didn’t expect you to form one with Master Carter.”

She blushed heavily. What?

“Georgiana, do you like Tobias?”

She blushed harder.

“Oh Priestess, you do!”

“No! My lady,” she said quickly.

“Then?”

“I think he’s very attractive, but no, I do not have feelings for him. I worry that he is messing with you, my lady. He has a certain reputation among the participants.”

Did he? How had I not heard any of this? I guess it wasn’t a surprise I hadn’t. I had basically alienated myself from the other girls.

“I know he’s a flirt, Georgiana. That is not a surprise. I made an alliance with him, but we haven’t discussed the matter of being faithful to one another.”

“If I may be so bold to say...” She hesitated as she waited for my approval.

“Speak freely, Georgiana.”

“If I may be so bold as to say that this sort of alliance demands respect. You should discuss it with him. It would not look well to others if you have an open relationship.”

She had a point. I guess I could speak with Tobias about it.

“I will. Thank you, Georgiana.” I smiled. “Is this the reason you have been so quiet? Were you afraid to discuss this with me?”

“It was. I did not know how to go about letting you know about his reputation. He’s kissed almost every female participant here.”

He what? He sure got around. I had just been another notch in his belt. I blushed at how shamelessly I thought he wanted me exclusively.

I sighed. I would not hold it against him. Who knows what happened and when. We’d talk about it and then go from there.

“Again, thank you, Georgiana.”

She smiled. “Alright, let’s get you ready. You have a crown to win.”

I grinned. “I sure do.”

***

I scanned the Throne room searching for Tobias. He was nowhere to be seen. The Trinity stood at the front of the room ready to begin seeing the first of us. It was going to be a long day. There were twenty of us to be seen. Everyone was busy setting up their displays at their station.

Thankfully, I showed up early to do mine.

“Looking for me?” Tobias whispered into my ear.

I turned to face him. He was stunning in a silver-gray suit. His hair was combed stylishly.

“Enjoying the view?” He grinned.

“You look great,” I said truthfully.

His grin turned into a genuine smile. “You look pretty good yourself.”

I tried hard to control my body to keep it from giving away how pleased I was with his compliment. I would not blush. Georgiana had picked out a white pantsuit and pulled my hair into a tight bun. She kept my makeup light. I was starting to appreciate the beauty of clothes. My mother would be ecstatic.

“So, about last night...” I waited for his reaction.

He seemed curious. “What about last night?”

Had it truly been a dream?

“I’m kidding, Penelope. I remember everything.”

I sighed, “Good. Me too. Even your incessant drooling over Xandra.”

“Jealous, Miss Tate?”

I rolled my eyes. I guess now was a good a time as ever. I hesitated.

“Tobias, I know we haven’t discussed our relationship or if we even have one, but I’d like to get something straight.”

He raised an eyebrow. I pulled him away from hearing ears.

I continued, “Are we faithful to each other or are we allowed to see others in secret?”

“What do you want us to be, Penelope?” I shivered at the way he said my name.

His eyes found my mouth.

I bit my lip. He placed a hand casually on my arm. To the outside world, we could have been discussing the recent shortage of seafood or the rumblings of a war brewing between Terra and Clear Water. No one would guess at the charged state between us.

I already had said we’d keep it political. Anything else would make me seem indecisive.

“I don’t know, but I’d like for you to keep your hands to yourself until we figure it out.”

“Does that mean I need to keep my hands from you?” He said roughly.

I ignored the question. “I’m not involved with anyone.”

He replied, “Nor I.”

“So, we’re agreed? We’re friends. We’re loyal to each other?”

An emotion ran across his face. I tried to decipher it, but he quickly regained his composure.

He leaned in and whispered, “You have my loyalty, my Queen.”

A shiver ran down my body and nestled deep within me.

If we weren’t in public I might have crossed the invisible line separating us and kissed him.

He gave my cheek a playful pinch and headed towards his table.

Madame Lorrelle called for our attention. “We need a participant to be the mouthpiece for the Trinity.”

Several hands flew up to willingly be their puppet. No thanks. Not me. I scoffed loudly.

Too loudly.

One of the twins narrowed her eyes in my direction. The other sister grinned. Their brother smirked as he called me forth with his index finger.

He couldn’t mean me.

“Miss Tate, Please come forward.”