Cursed Blood

Rebecca was quick to help me get dressed and presentable for the dinner party. While she wore a one piece, black, silky jumpsuit, I donned a black dress with a slit going up my left leg and showing a scandalous amount of skin. The black dipped low as well, allowing me to release my wings if I wished without tearing holes into delicate fabric. She did my hair, tying half of it back while leaving the rest in curls, and I touched up her blonde braid. We then both fixed our faces with makeup after the harsh winds of flying and high-fived for extra confidence before an escort came to my room to fetch us. After I tidied and cleaned up the explosive mess that had become my room, the werewolf and I linked arm in arm and followed the guards to the throne room. Rebecca was on edge, her eyes darting around the room. She was absorbing information and collecting data, I was just praying I could trust her. The escort of five royal Lightblood guards ushered us into the throne room where three went to patrol the area and two continued to follow us. People turned as we arrived last, the guards closing the doors behind us with a soft thud. The Queen and Prince were near their thrones, speaking with a servant, while everyone else littered the room with wine glasses in their hands. They all stopped dead and the room went silent as they spotted the guards looming behind us and the ink on Rebecca's scars. Her golden eyes sparkled brighter as she stared back at them, her chin tilted up. Their eyes sized her up, looking intimidated as they felt her Darkblood power waft off of her. They then stared at me, and many of them judged the slit in my skirt until their eyes found the tattoo in my skin, wings etched permanently into my body. Whispers travelled through the crowd as people remembered the supposed sightings of a winged demon flying through the skies with black wings.

Queen Amara broke the silence and she led the Prince toward us, her subjects staring at her in worry. Many of them looked like they were ready to kill both of us, seeing me as just another Darkblood.

The crowd gasped as the royals bowed to us, which we returned with genuine respect. Rebecca gritted her teeth together, taking my hand in hers as she met the stares of the Lightbloods. To comfort her, I forced myself to find my voice, and stepped forward to address the Queen.

"Your Majesty," I smiled, "I hope we're not late. We came from the camp as quickly as possible."

Elijah and his mother smiled at me, and I felt a genuine happiness replenish my confidence.

"Thank you for coming, Storm-Cloud Rose," the Queen responded, some of the other Lightbloods recognizing the name. They began to see who I was, and several of them were shocked that it was me who was the infamous Gray One. "Who is your friend?"

Rebecca tensed, and I laid a hand on her shoulder.

"This is Rebecca. She is a Darkblood, and her powers are that of a werewolf's. She lives in a settlement of them with her younger sister Daisy, and is a strong fighter. But she is also a loyal friend, and will not hurt any of you."

The werewolf's confidence seemed sucked away as she gulped, eyes falling to the ground. I began to grow worried until the Prince stepped forward, walking until he was directly in front of the werewolf.

The crowd held their breath as their cherished Prince reached his hand out to Rebecca. Her eyes were wet with hidden tears as her hand met his and they briefly shook.

"Welcome, Rebecca."

She nodded, looking away as the Prince returned to the Lightblood crowd. Their tension melted away, and gradually they began to talk amongst themselves again, sipping wine and having the time of their lives. Rebecca exhaled softly, her chest decompressing as she breathed heavily for a moment. I glared at the guard looming behind her for a second before patting her back.

"Are you okay?"

The werewolf nodded. "Their energy is... a lot. I can sense it all at once. It feels like I'm surrounded by pure danger."

"They won't touch you," I hissed, the conviction in my voice causing her to stare up at me with wide eyes. I smiled for a second before turning to find the drink table, leading Rebecca by her hand.

Ignoring it when I heard her whisper an apology under her breath.

~○•○~

In the morning, I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. My energy had been zapped after the night before. I had mostly spent time with Rebecca and Elijah, but the Darkblood couldn't stand being around Lightbloods for long and we stuck to the edges of the room. I'd seen glimpses of other people I knew, but was too busy laughing with the Queen to pay attention. I appreciated the royal family for treating Rebecca like any normal Lightblood, though I knew we would have many debates about Darkbloods after the ball tonight. A game plan would be created, and the actions of Rebecca had a lot to do with how the plan would go. I prayed it went well and that we could work toward peace.

That would mean that I would be free from any mysterious job that I was meant to see through, and Rebecca and I would have a chance to be good friends.

The thought kept me smiling through the day. Around every corner was another bunch whispering about the ball of the century -- the ball of demons is what they called it. Every time my heightened hearing picked up on their whispers, I made sure to put on my best bitch face and walk by, sometimes even glaring. Janora popped her head into my room often, just to check on me, and the Queen actually invited me to have tea with her. We didn't speak much, but the mutual appreciate for the companionship gave me lasting courage. After that, I spent time looking through the castle library, documenting books for later. There was no sign of the Prince, the three warriors, Dmitri or anyone else I recognized for most of the day.

But the second Janora came to find me in the library, my nerves broke through my layers of confidence and twisted my stomach into knots.

"Time to get ready, Cloud."

Quick reminder (shameless self promo actually) to check out my other book; the Shifters: Katrina! It's one of many to come set in a world where shapeshifters exist and Katrina just discovers she's one of them, but still with her own difference that sets her apart :) thank you for reading, and as always, I'll see you in the next chapter!