Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Present time…?

Sweet mother of God!

My eyes snap open and I’m met with the golden ceiling of my temporary room.

Just a dream, just a dream. Calm down, I tell myself.

I laugh gently and sit up; my hands hold on tightly to the sheets that cover the bed. I slowly let my fingers unravel around the white, crumpled sheets and shake my hand in discomfort.

I inhale deeply through my nose and exhale through my mouth. My hand still trembling slightly, I shake my head and slip my foot out from under the blankets and sit on the edge of the soft bed; the mattress sinks from my weight.

I slip out of my nightgown and let it fall to the floor. I glance at myself in the mirror, my pale skin radiating against the corset’s white complexion. My dark straight hair makes me look even paler—like I’ve never even seen the sun.

How I wish to the universe for me to get a tad bit darker from the sun.

“Morning, Mademoiselle.” My maid Karen comes into my dressing room, radiating her usual cheerful self. “Need some help with that?”

“Please,” I smile.

She comes around me and pulls hard on the corset strings, causing me to gasp. After tying it tightly, she throws a pale greenish-blue, fluffed-up dress over my head. Then, she yanks my hair back into a bun, snapping a few strands at the very least.

When she finishes dressing me up, she turns and lets me look in the mirror. The dress has a small dip, revealing my collarbone, and my brown eyes pop against the gold and slight green Karen added as eye shadow.

“Merci (Thanks), Karen.”

“Of course, Mademoiselle.”

***

The castle today seems like a bright morning, the sunlight trying to push itself through the curtains, the candle lights over my head are still on, the fire melting its way down. As I make my way down the hall, the dream floats back into my thoughts.

“Good morning, Mademoiselle,” someone says while passing by me. Distracted in my own thoughts, I don’t hear it until the footsteps descend. By the time I look up, but she was already gone.

Something isn’t right, I think to myself. That’s right; I feel sick, sick to my stomach. I’m going to flash the hash (vomit).

I rush to the maids’ bathroom nearby. My stomach grumbles and a minor headache wakes. When nothing comes into my mouth, I grab a nearby towel and wet it with water. Squeezing it partially dry, I place it on the back of my neck, cleaning off the cold sweat that was there. I’m careful not to accidentally wipe off the makeup Karen spent so long putting on. I hang the towel back up when something catches my eye.

I ease closer to the mirror. In my reflection, a pair of unfamiliar forest green eyes stare back at me. I blink, it blinks—as if they were mine. It’s just like my sister’s, but greener in a way that doesn’t seem natural in eye colors but instead, to nature.

The door opens with a loud creak, and someone comes into the washroom. I look up. The girl—maid smiles, gives me a quick bow, and walks past me. I look at the mirror again, and my eyes are back to brown…normal. My eyebrows crease, hoping my mind was playing tricks on me and head out.

***

I rub my head again; a numb feeling sits on my chest, weighing myself down—I really needed the fresh scent of early morning outside. Walking into the garden where the somewhat bright sun smiles down, I inhale the sweet scent of spring flowers. Taking a seat on a nearby rock, I look down into the pond of fish. The Koi all rush towards me, wanting food.

“Sorry! I don’t have your meal,” I shrug, talking to myself—as if they could understand me.

They bump into each other as they try to make the way through to the rock I’m sitting on. The lotus flowers sway side to side in the light wind, rippling the water. Something falls, I see it through my peripheral vision; a pretty yellow flower sits on the ground. I pick it up and admire it, smelling it. It’s sweet, although the scent of it causes me to sneeze. I laugh to myself and set it in the water, watching it float away.

Just then, something catches my eye, a shadowy figure.

I turn too quickly, and my hair whips me in the face. While I try to pin my hair back into place, I scan the area; but no one is there.

My mind must be still left in bed.

I use my reflection to redo my messed-up hair when I notice that all the fish has disappeared.

Huh?

The morning breeze slows to a stop, and the water remains unnaturally still. I look around for the Koi that’s always there, but all I see is the same pair of forest green eyes staring straight at me. The wind picks up again, causing the water to ripple. When it settles down for me to see my reflection, my eyes are brown.

It MUST be my imagination; how can my eye color change, especially within such shorts amounts of time?

I frown, pinning the loose strands of hair back into place, using my reflection as a mirror.

Something touches my shoulder and I yelp—losing my seat on the rock, I fall towards the pond.

I wait for the cold water to come, but somehow, it never does. I open my eyes to see my face is inches away from the water. I could feel a hand on my waist, firm and tight. Someone pulls me up and steadies me as I stand.

“Are you alright, Mademoiselle?” Someone asks, his velvet voice is deep but gentle at the same time.

Slowly, I nod, gaining back my composure. I turn just as his hands leave my shoulders, patting away air—nervousness, my brain tells me. I look up to meet his eyes. His clothes clearly from the stables, and there is a leaf in his messy, blonde hair.

“Oui—I must thank you for your help, Monsieur…?” I smile wearily.

“Perhaps not here, I’m hiding from someone you see,” he flashes me a naughty smile, then shakes his head quickly.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been improper.” He looks at me, hazel eyes gazing into mine before he lifts and kisses my left hand. He looks up from my hand and I could see the amber circles around his pupils.

“I’m sorry if I frightened you, Mademoiselle,” his gaze travels up from my hand to my eyes.

“I tripped over an overgrown root. I’m delighted that I did not fall on you, only to brush over your shoulder. I apologize again.”

I chuckle at his clumsiness of an excuse and behavior, quite like my own. “It’s quite alright. Now we’re even. You saved me from a change of clothes, and I’ll show you a place to be invisible.”

He raises one eyebrow, “Oh?”

I stand, motioning for him to come. I pick up my pace; he leaps a step and stands by my side, careful to keep his arm away from mine. I feel my cheeks heat, just a little.

“May I ask your name, Mademoiselle?”

“You not tell me yours yet you ask for mine?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. He ruffles his hair,

“I…You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” His hazel-amber eyes dart around, missing mine on purpose.

“I apologize,” I begin. “I have a hard time…euh, never mind; it’s Mila,” I finish. I’d rather not get into anything personal at the moment. “Mila Hayes, House Blagrove.”

“Mademoiselle Hayes,” he smiles, my name rolls smoothly off his tongue.

Mila!

“I hope this place you speak of isn’t far.”

“It’s not,” I keep my eyes forward, turning away from him, avoiding his gaze. I smile at the guards at an entrance as I approach.

“Bonjour, Votre Al—” he cuts himself off, and I hear weird noises behind me. It sounds like someone is chewing loudly with their mouths open. I turn to see that the stableman straightens himself nervously.

I narrow my eyes.

“Are we there?” He interrupts my thoughts.

I glance wearily back at him once more before entering. I light a candle and reveal a clavi cembalo col piano e forte (harpsichord). He laughs at the sight.

“This is the secret spot where I’m going to be invisible?”

Ugh! That unlicked cub (rude person).

“This is a great spot, even if I say so myself, Monsieur.”

I spin around, looking through the room.

“I assume you came from the stables?” I scan him up and down at his beau nasty (dirty) clothing; he nods. “Well, no one would assume anyone from the stables would have access to this room. Besides, whoever’s looking for you will not come here unless you are musical.” I stand up a little taller.

“What if I know how to play?” I gape at him. His grin only grows wider, “Perhaps another time then. I’d look forward to meeting you again, Mademoiselle Hayes.”

“Are you going to tell me your name now?” I ask, tilting my head, motioning to the room.

He thinks about it, making it overdramatic. I try my best to hide my smile; I cross my arms, not showing him my amusement. His hand traces his smooth jawline.

“No,” his voice startles me. I realize that I had gotten closer to him in the dim light.

“Pourquoi pas (why not)?” I back away, embarrassed. The stableman almost seems entertained,

“You seem intelligent. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out.” I raise one eyebrow.

“Mysterious.”

“Mademoiselle!” A voice I know too well calls outside.

“I apologize, I must leave. I hope—no,” I clear my throat and cross my arms. “This is a great location to stay invisible, Monsieur Mystery.”

Before he can respond, I dart out of the room, shutting the doors with a click.

***

Half walking, half running, I turn the corner and almost crash into someone. She shrieks and I yelp. Jumping back on reflex, I almost trip over my long dress in the process.

“I’m so sorry, Mademoiselle!” The maid bows deeply.

“It’s alright!” I pant and clear my throat, “It’s quite alright. I’m the one who should apologize. Please, carry on, I was not paying attention.” Before I could leave, she tugs on my sleeve,

“Mademoiselle, Karen was calling you earlier. I don’t understand why, she is not allowed to call out in the middle of the halls,” she looks down but composes herself. “I thought to let you know.”

“Alright, merci (Thanks),” I give her a warm smile before departing, looking for Karen.

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Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆