A True Soul

Faux stepped back in disbelief. The twins both let out a little gasp. Freddie smirked, as if this was the best surprise he’d had in a while.

My jaw dropped, and I covered my mouth with my hands. I tried to speak, but all the came out was a squeal of awe. She just smiled and waited for me to continue. “Are you really Eve’s daughter? Is it really you?”

Blair nodded. “Yes, I really am her daughter, and your cousin. Welcome home.” But this strange kingdom hadn’t felt like home. My home was in New York, with my father and Green Acers. I had no recollection of this place.

“Thank you for bringing her back, even though it was not your task to carry out.” Blair said.

Faux seemed to have gained control over her shock. “I would have never thought… I knew that you stayed at the palace, but I had no idea you were Queen.”

“After the death of my mother and Ember, Chloe took me in as her own. She raised me as any mother would their daughter. When Chloe resigned, Naeem was first in line… he declined the thrown. Chloe persuaded me to take it.” She was shortest out of all of us. I was a good two inches taller than her. But the way she carried herself made her seem larger than anyone in the room. “Come with me, we have a lot to discuss.”

I had so many questions running around my brain. I didn’t know where to start, or what would over step my manors. Reluctantly, I kept my mouth shut and followed her into an enormous dining hall.

This room felt more modern than other parts of the palace I’d seen so far. There was cool air blowing from vents located somewhere in the ceiling. The walls were golden with layer of different draperies and cloth materials. The dining table itself was large, and could easily fit fifty people, if not more. Off to the side were multiple smaller tables with ivory and gold table clothes to match. The windows were huge with rounded arch tops. In the back of the room sat a harp and piano waiting from their owners to claim them again.

On either sides of the instruments were several arched doorways that had been closed off. Their secrets remind hidden for the time being. The Queen led us through the dining hall and into a large corridor filled with doors on either side. “These are the student chambers, whose families don’t reside at the palace.” We passed by a room with heavy metal music blaring through the walls. “Some of the castle has obviously been update from the time it was first built, but of course you three would remember these halls fairly well.” Blair turned to smile at Sadie, Spencer, and Faux.

“How could we forget?” Sadie said.

Faux gently touched the walls as we passed by. “Even after all this time, it still feels like home.”

“I haven’t seen you or your brother in a long time.” The Queen turned to Faux. “I talked to your mother recently, and she informed me that she hadn’t heard from him in a while either.”

This didn’t seem to faze her, and if it did she didn’t show it. “Dominique is just that way you know.”

Blair nodded. “Yes, that’s true. Freddie, how does it feel to be back?”

If anyone looked nervous or uncomfortable, it was Freddie. Even though I believed that Blair was doing her best to ease his troubles, it hadn’t worked, something very deep was troubling him. “It’s been awhile. I’ll have to get used to everything again.”

We turned left at the end of the hall, when a door swung open. Blair and I quickly sprung out of the way to avoid getting hit by two preteen girls. They weren’t wearing robes like the ladies in waiting, just regular t-shirts and shorts. “Girls!” She barely raised her voice, but the girl jump back, their eyes huge. “Girls,” Blair said again calmly, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

They nodded looking sheepish and unsure of themselves.

“Well, run along.” Her voice was kind, but instructive.

After turning to our right, there were two large double doors in front of us. Two men wearing a modern looking tonic shirts and plain pants were guarding the doors. One was tall with long lean muscles, dark tan and had long dreadlocks; the other was short with large muscles. They each reached for a knob and pull open a door. The guard with dreadlocks nodded at the Queen. “Good evening, Rhett,” Blair said before entering.

The room was covered in gold, reds, and browns, all the colors of autumn blended together in this forever summer. There was the balcony in the back of the room, with the windows close, their long curtains dragged on the floor. We were in what appeared to be a sitting room. To our right was an open archway, which I’d assumed led to where she slept.

I turned my head to look behind me. “Um, where’s Chloe?”

“She left shortly after I introduce myself. She had classes to attend.” Blair answered as she sat on a large cushion. “Now, that we can finally talk openly, tell me what’s been going on?” She turned to me. “I felt you as soon as your first change occurred. It was extremely discomforting.” Her brows creased in the middle, she starred at me with concern.

I twitched a little where I sat and turned over my arm, which revealed the faded scar. “I made my first change on the night Cain attacked me.”

“We would have brought her here sooner; I just wanted her to spend as much time with Julian as possible. I should have done it sooner.” Faux tried to explain to Blair.

Blair shook her head. “No. No, I believe you did the right thing. You aren’t her guardian you made sure she’s here now. That’s what’s important. I can protect you now, Angie.” I’d heard that before, I’d just hoped that this time it was true. Was she referring to my father as my guardian? Or had I completely missed something? “But you were attacked a second time weren’t you?”

“Yes, but so was Faux. The second time Cain sent three of his lackeys after us. Shawnda, poisoned me with something. She also stabbed Faux… And Dax… He…” Mentioning Dax was still hard, but reliving that night was like pouring salt on an open wound. I had to take a deep breath. “Dax snapped one of men’s necks and the other the one flew off. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.”

Blair nodded and looked at us with intensity. “How have the two of you been healing?”

“Fine, I’m as good as new,” Faux stated, though I knew better. Sometimes she seemed ok, but other times I’d catch a look of pain in her eyes when she thought I wasn’t looking. However, Blair didn’t question her.

I mumbled that I was okay too, if it hadn’t been for Dax though I wouldn’t have been.

“Do any of you know where Cain is now?”

“No, but he isn’t the only person out there that she needs protection from. There are others that pose just as much of a threat,” Sadie said.

“There have always been others that pose threats to True Souls. Cain is the one I’m concern with now. He’s a high profile killer, and we need to take into account his past. We all realize that he knows the rules regarding our kingdom. He also knows this place well. I will not allow him back here,” Blair specified her voice strong and orderly.

“How will you stop him from being able to find me here?” I asked.

“You’re father stayed behind to try to hide the fact that we left, so Cain wouldn’t be able to follow us. Victor might be able to capture him that way.” Spencer said.

My father had made so many sacrifices for me throughout my life. Including putting his life on the line. My gaze floated around the room, too tried to focus on anything clearly. Soon my dad would be safe too, hopefully. “I’m worried about my dad.”

Blair gave me a comforting look. “As soon as I can I’ll make sure he can come here. I know this place has a lot of memories for him. Some may still be hard to face, but I’m positive he’d come back for you.”

“Thank you, you don’t know how much it means to me,” I said.

She held the same tranquil appearance. “I might have an idea.” She paused, “So I noticed that there’s a member of this party missing, anyone care to explain?”

I attempted to pinch my mouth together, but instead blurted, “You’re talking about Dax right?”

“Angie, you can’t batter yourself over that. It happened, but now it’s over.” Faux place her hand on my shoulder, but I let it slip off.

“Let her finish,” Blair said patiently.

I sighed. “I got upset over something minor, and yelled at my father and Dax. Dax got the brunt of my anger and left. I said I didn’t need him anymore, but I hadn’t meant it.” That much was true, yet I still said it anyways.

“That explains it.” She looked off towards to closed windows. But I had no idea what she meant by her words. She turned to Freddie. “You’re more than welcome to spend some time with the medical team here. I’m sure they could learn a lot from your expertise and experience.”

“Thank you, my queen, I’ll see… I’ll see what I can do.” I could tell he wasn’t excited about medicine, but he didn’t want to deny the Queen.

She seemed to sense this. “Or we can discuss something else, in the mean time you can get reacquainted with the area.” I’d have to find out what really happened here with Freddie. “Sadie and Spencer, you’ll have some down time on your hands as well. If you felt like it, you could give some pointers to the new students.”

“Back to the old stomping grounds uh?” Spencer smirked, he’d taken his glasses off to clean them with his shirt.

“You three are some of the best to graduate from our student body,” Blair said.

Sadie tossed her golden hair. “Well, we try.” She could go from serious to light hearted and friendly in two point five seconds.

“Faux, take it easy for a few more days. And thank you again for taking care of my cousin and brining her home to me.”

Before anyone could continue, there was a knock on the door.

“Yes?” Blair said.

One side of the door swung open and the tall guard took one step into the room, “Dinner is ready my Queen.”

“Thank you, Rhett, can you have Kline and Gabriella make sure the guest rooms are ready?” She turned to the twins. “There should be a cabin ready for the two of you close to the training grounds. But, if you prefer, we have rooms available for you here.”

“No, the cabins are great. It’ll be a change from the student dormitories. I’m always pumped for a new adventure,” Sadie answered. Spencer smiled in agreement as he placed his glasses back on his face.

“I have a suite available close to my room for you, if that’s ok, Freddie and Faux will be across the hall if you need anything,” Blair addressed me as she stood.

“Yeah, um, it sounds great.” I was a little nervous sleeping in the palace. They told me over and over that it was my home, but I didn’t remember it. I felt out of place and I’d just gotten here. And, the pulled to the Queen was a welcoming feeling.

“If you’d like, Rhett or I, can take you to your rooms before dinner to get settled. No one will care if you’re late.” She turned to me, “ But if you want you can stay with me while I get ready for dinner?”

“Sure, that actually sounds nice.” I smiled. Maybe she was just as curious about me as I was about her.

Faux, Freddie, and the twins followed Rhett out of site. Four women wearing vibrantly colored tunics entered the room.

“These are some of my ladies in waiting, Claire, Natasha, Gina, and Anne,” Blair said. They smiled at me, but otherwise just chatted amongst themselves quietly as they floated around the room, fixing items they thought were out of place and picking out clothing. They seemed almost nervous around me, but Blair waved it off when she saw the look on my face.

She took a deep breath, and embraced me in an unexpected hug, then held me at arm’s length. “Asking how have you been wouldn’t quite cover it.”

I laughed. “No, not quite.”

“You’re my cousin, my only cousin, and I don’t even know who you are.” Her brows creased again. I noticed a small line that appeared in between them when she made that expression. I also noticed she had freckles across the bridge of her nose, like I used to, only hers must have stuck. Her face was heart shaped like mine, but her body was smaller, petit. Blair’s skin was a beautiful tan color, that probably came from all the time she spent outside. She looked as if she would have been as pale as I was if not for the constant expose to the sun.

I bit my lip in debate about what to say next. I decided I had to be honest, “You should know until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know you existed.”

She nodded, “I knew of you, but I had no way of communicating until after you made your first change. Your parents didn’t inform Chloe where they were going after they left here. She still had the connection with your mother, but that just gives us the general feeling as to where you were, not a definite answer. And for some reason, when the three of you came back to visit the palace, your parents refused to tell Chloe. How your mother managed that proves how strong of a Natural Born she was. But refusing the Queen is… suspicious and unwise.”

I nodded, even though her words seemed like they had been somewhat of a warning, I didn’t feel threatened. After the way Chloe had stared at me earlier, I didn’t know if I was ready to trust either of them quite yet. “I’m sure she had a reason behind her decisions, but I can’t explain them to you.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to if you could.” She twirled around, and motioned for me to follow. The two of us passed through the archway into her bedroom.

The ladies had a white haltered dress laid out on the large king bed that was covered in maroon and golden quilts. “There you are my Queen,” one of the ladies said.

“Girls, when were in my quarters, calling my Blair is just fine. I know Chloe preferred being formally addressed at all times, but that’s just not necessary anymore.” She sighed. They nodded, she just shook her head and smiled at them. Blair didn’t impose her authority. She seemed to hold them in great respect. But, some of them seemed a little unsure of how openly she addressed them. I wonder what it was like in the past.

The girls pulled out some jewelry, including another silver, but simpler head piece. Blair allowed them to take off her crown and put it back in a case inside of a drawer they locked by entering a code on a key pad. Maybe they’re more modern that I’d thought. “I can manage on my own ladies thank you. You can go to dinner now.” Blair turned back to me. “Would you like to change into something else before we head to dinner? You don’t have to, it’s your decision. Your travel bags are in your room. I can take you there, or you can wear something of mine if you prefer?” She pulled off the robe she was wearing. I tried to close my eyes. Instead I simply shifted my vision and shuffled awkwardly where I stood.

“I… uh… don’t think I’d fit.” And if the rest of her clothes were anything like these, I wouldn’t feel comfortable in them anyways.

“I’ve made you uncomfortable.” She pulled the haltered silk dress over her body; it had a black swirl stitching around the side and ruffled a little at the bottom which stopped at her knees. The dress was cute and not revealing. “I’m sorry. I’ll keep in mind that people from your world aren’t used to seeing a people without their clothes on.”

“Sadie told me I wasn’t comfortable with the human figure. That’s probably true.” I took a seat on her bed.

“I’ll do what I can to make sure you stay comfortable. But, the palace is also a school for Natural Borns, and a True Soul, so bare skin is an accepted part of the school. Of course the students aren’t allowed to run around naked, but phasing back and forth is a part of some of the classes here. It helps students become comfortable with what they are. It is till completely their choice to change in front of other. And, we do have special suits to help.” Blair turned a little and the dressed swirled to the side. Her feet were still bare. She looked at the sandals that the girls had laid out for her, but she left them where they were. “So did you decide what you’d like to do before dinner? I can have something fitted to you; it won’t be an issue or take anytime at all.”

“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to see were my room is.” She held out her hand again. I took it and slide off the bed.

“Of course, I’ll take you there.” Blair smiled at me. “But, before we go, I’d like to show you a picture.” She went to the large wardrobe, the bottom part held several rows of drawers. She opened the top one and pulled out a picture frame. Her face lingered over the picture for a few moments before holding it out towards me. There was a woman sitting in a wooden chair, with long, bright red hair like Blair’s. She was wearing a golden colored robe, and had a baby cradled in her arms. “That picture was taken of my mother and I shortly after I was born.”

I looked at Eve; this was the first picture I’d ever seen of her. Her body was petite like Blair’s. My face was similar to hers, but my cheekbones were more pronounced like my mothers.

I looked at Blair, our eyes met. There was connection of pain that we shared. If nothing else, the two of us would always share the pain of losing our mothers. This was a connection that would never be broken. Maybe it was this unique link, or the fact that I had so little family left, but at that moment I decided to trust her. It seemed my mother never trusted Chloe, but if I had any luck, Blair would be worth it.

I handed the picture back to Blair and she slipped it in the drawer. “I’ll take you to your room now.”