Adeline could smell her mother's old perfume on the long, blue dress she was twirling in. Its long mesh sleeves flowed behind her as she spun. Its golden decals shimmered in the light from her window. Adeline loved this gown. It was her favorite of her mother's dresses. Her own mother had worn this gown at her coronation and now it was Adeline's. And it would someday be her daughter's.
"You look beautiful, dear," Dreyden said quietly, his hands sliding onto her shoulders.
Adeline grinned at him in the mirror, her arms dropping to her side as her twirling ceased. Her eyes drifted to the window behind the mirror, the sun shining slightly in her view. The point of the other side of her castle was barely seen, clouds drifting just above the top.
Astrean was quite beautiful. Adeline knew that her kingdom was the most beautiful of them all, though she might have some bias.
She was quite proud of the appearance of her castle, for she believed it was the main representation of her kingdom. She felt forever indebted to the magnificent work that her mother had done with this castle. Every small, intricate detail added to the grace and delicacy of the kingdom.
Adeline stood, watching herself in the mirror. She knew her mother would be very proud of her achievements. That made her think about how much her mother dreamed of this day. How much she wished to see Adeline crowned Queen of Astrean. Adeline deeply desired for her mother to brush her hair and apply her makeup, but that day would never come. She quickly blinked the tears that welled in her eyes back, as not to invoke pity from Dreyden.
He sighed as he smiled and stepped away from Adeline. She felt the warmness of his hands leave her shoulders.
"I'll be in the dining hall, Ady."
Adeline offered a tight smile in return and she watched him walk out of the room in the mirror.
Adeline never wanted to marry Dreyden, but it's not like she had a choice. She loved him more than anything, but she wanted to be with him outside of her kingdom. Away from everything. She knew that if she married him for her kingdom that she would lose her love.
Before her father left her mother Isabelle, he arranged a marriage between Adeline and Dreyden, the prince of Enchantra. Dreyden didn't want to marry Adeline for her kingdom or for his, but he knew he had no choice.
They needed to remain married to continue the Astrean heir. Once the marriage is complete and a daughter is born, the Queen may leave the husband. In some cases, the husband would leave the Queen. However, this was not very common because the man would be disgraced for leaving the Queen and banished from the kingdom.
Adeline's father had done it, though. He left her mother and was banished from Astrean. He was taken to Veraxin, the Kingdom of the Banished, and married the queen. He would be lying if he said he had done it for love.
Adeline hated her father for his betrayal and knew she would never speak to him again because of it.
Adeline grabbed the golden brush off her vanity and brushed her long crimson hair. Her eyes drifted to her skin and its paleness, then to her lips and how they seemed drained of color. She huffed before placing her brush down and walking out of her room. She wasn't sure she was ready to be queen just yet.
***
Illia awoke with the sun shining on her face through her window. She groaned and pulled the black sheets over her head. She dreaded the morning, but she dreaded the sun even more.
Just as she began drifting back to sleep, she heard a quiet knock at the door.
"What?!" she shouted from under the covers.
"M-m'lady…" a quiet voice whispered. It was Annie, her maid. She was old and frail and could barely keep up with Illia. But she was the best maid Illia had.
"It's your sisters' coronation day."
Illia's eyes snapped open as she threw the covers off her head. She slid off the bed and stomped her way to the door. Illia swung it open and Annie yelped, jumping back.
She scanned Illia's face for any sign of mercy. There was none.
"Annie, I have told you before, do not call her my sister! She is far from it. She betrayed me and I will have none of this 'she's your sister' business," she bit her words out with an icy harshness.
Annie squirmed as she breathed a shaky breath. "Yes, Your Majesty, my apologies,"
"Leave me. Tell my father I will be down in a moment,"
Annie nodded quickly and scurried off. Illia rolled her eyes and slammed her door. She turned her back to it and watched herself in her mirror. Her shoulder-length black hair was shiny in the sun and her deep blue eyes drifted over her nightgown.
Illia knew she would make an appearance at Adeline's coronation, but she needed a propper gown first. She took a few steps to her closet and sifted through her gowns. Most of them were a gloomy dark purple, red, or black. Illia clicked her tongue in contemplation as she flipped through the dresses when one at the end of the closet caught her eye.
"Perfect!" Illia beamed as she pulled the dress off its hanger. She scanned it up and down, taking in every inch of its beauty. She quickly slipped it on and tightened the strings that threaded up the back of the dress.
Illia looked at how the gown perfectly hugged her body. The black fabric torso fit tightly, flowing down into a skirt that spilled onto the floor. The golden decal lining the stomach cutout in the dress also lined the trim. A black cape connected to the shoulders, hidden underneath golden feather shoulder pads.
Illia grinned from ear to ear as she reached for the dark red lipstick on the table beside her. She applied it generously and rubbed her lips together as she closed the lid.
Illia took pride in her appearance because she believed that she was the representation of her kingdom. She was crowned Queen of Veraxin just the day before. She remembered how Selene smiled proudly as she placed the heavy crown upon her hair.
Illia also took pride in knowing that she was crowned a day before her sister. Even in different kingdoms, they were still competing.
Illia hadn't seen Adeline in three years and wanted nothing more than to outdo her on her big day, sullying her name.
Illia brushed her hands over her dress before slipping her black stilettos on her slender feet. She fastened the buckle and stood to walk out of her bedroom door. She closed it behind her and descended the grand staircase.
"Father!" she shouted, swinging herself around the staircase. "I'm ready," she posed in front of her father, who sat at the head of the dining table.
"You look, fabulous sweetheart," he smiled sweetly.
"Thank you," she bowed to him.
"Now," he clapped his hands and directed his attention at the guards posted at the corners of the room.
"Fetch the horses and carriage, Tom," Illia cut her father off, smirking at the guard. She turned her back to walk away from the table.
"I-it's Monty, Your Majesty," the guard spoke quietly.
Illia turned around to look at him. "Oh," she smiled wickedly.
Her father chuckled into his wine glass.
"My my," she crept closer to the guard. "I should have known better,"
She flicked her hand as the guard screamed and flew back into the glass window behind him, shattering it and falling the rest of the way down the castle. Illia sighed and clasped her hands together.
"Anyone else?" she glanced around the room as the guards and maids diverted their gaze to the floor.
"Good, now someone clean this up," she gestured to the shattered glass in front of her. "Oh, and if he is not dead, kill him yourself," she smiled before turning on her heels. Illia walked toward the front door, the sharpness of her shoes almost making holes in the floor.
Just before she could reach the door, Selene stepped in her path and grinned. Her long gray hair was stiff as her white teeth flashed. She examined Illia up and down, inspecting every part of her gown. She lifted her hands and brushed invisible dust off Illia's shoulders.
"Have fun, dear," Selene said, fully knowing Illia's intentions for the night.
Illia smiled and lifted her chin. "Thank you, Selene, I will try," she said sarcastically.
Selene stepped out of her way as Illia walked through the door. The large black carriage was waiting for her right at her feet. The golden embossed frame sparkled in the little sun that peeked through the clouds. The inside held four dark red cushions, two on each side. The horse was midnight black that's silky hair shone in the sunlight.
The coachman hopped off his seat and offered a hand to Illia to help her into the carriage. She lifted her skirt, stepped on the lift, and sat inside.
"Onward, sir," she said playfully, smiling as she twirled her finger dramatically in the air. The coachman smiled and nodded as he sat back in his seat and pressed the spur into the side of the horse.
Illia looked out the window at the snow-covered ground and dead plants. She did love this kingdom for that reason. And it suited her.
Each kingdom has something special about it, Veraxin's being it never stops snowing. Illia loved how the plants would never grow and the sun would rarely show.
As the carriage exited the gates that separated the castle from the rest of the kingdom, Illia took it all in. The sight of her very own castle made her smile.
The long path leading to the front gates overlooked a cliff, looking down on nothing but fog and mist. Even Illia didn't know what was down there. The tall castle was dark and gray with points as sharp as daggers. A gray cloud always hung over the castle, its looming darkness a reminder of who the kingdom was. These were people who had been banished, unwanted people. Illia always felt a depression hanging over her head but replaced the feeling with evil and anger. The mountains behind the castle were deadly. The monsters and creatures that populated them made the people of Veraxin stay very far away from them.
Illia needed little protection from anything outside of her walls. Once a girl is crowned Queen of her Kingdom, she is gifted with a power suited to rule her kingdom. Given the environment of the kingdom and the things that Illia would have to face, she was gifted with the ability to control things with her mind, the ability to control the creatures of Veraxin, and was the only human with the ability to wield the Sword of Damnation. Anyone killed with the sword was promised eternity in their most recurring nightmare. The sword was locked away, deep in Illia's castle. Where nobody but her could access it.
The path away from the castle was quite bumpy so Illia had to hang on to her seat to keep herself from falling off. She scoffed a frustrated breath before banging on the back of the seat in front of her.
"Try to keep her steady, would you?!" she shouted as she slumped back into her seat.
"Of course, Your Majesty!" the coachman shouted back from outside.
Illia could hear the faint noise of snowfall above her head. She looked out her window and noticed that the snow had started falling once again.
She chuckled. Once one crosses over the line that divides kingdoms, the environment changes to suit the kingdoms. If it was snowing after they had crossed over the line, it must mean that Illia takes the weather from Veraxin with her to wherever she goes.
Yet another perk of being Queen.
She looked out the window and noticed the cobblestone path beneath them that led directly to the gates of the castle. The path was shaded by wispy trees that caved in, creating a sort of tunnel. Illia grinned maniacally and pounded on the door.
"Alright, you may stop here,"
The coachman halted the horse and hopped off to assist Illia out of the carriage.
As she stepped out she breathed in the fresh, warm air. She scrunched her nose as if smelling something sour.
"Oh, what a foul stench this Kingdom carries," she said, walking away from the carriage.
"Thank you, Ben, you may wait here for me. I shall not be too long,"
Ben nodded and tipped his hat as he sat in his seat on the carriage.
Illia reached the golden gates that wrapped around the entire castle. She approached the two guards on either side.
"Halt! This coronation is limited to Queen Adeline's requested guests and family!"
The other guard looked at him with wide eyes.
"Oh, how rude of me," Illia snickered, pulling her satin glove off to offer a hand to the guard.
"Queen Illia of Veraxin," she smiled as she held her hand in front of the guard. "The princess's sister,"
"Oh, I-" the guards shared exchanged glances.
"Oh fine, I will take care of this myself,"
Illia's hand flew up to face the first guard and he levitated before her. He began screaming as Illia cackled. The wind howled and screeched around them, becoming louder and colder with each gust.
The other guard drew his sword and before he could strike Illia, she threw the first guard over the edge of the waterfall. She used her gloved hand and lifted it to the sword. It flew out of the guard's hand and she flipped it toward him. His eyes widened as she smiled viciously before sending the point of the blade directly into his chest. He flew back and landed on the gate with the sword in his heart pinning him to it.
Illia smiled as she returned her glove to her hand. She swung her arms toward the gates and they flew open, revealing the long white marble walkway that had beautiful bouquets and candles for Adeline's coronation lining the walls.
The wind around Illia resumed its terror and speed as she progressed down the line of endless flowers and candles. As she passed each candle, every light blew out, and each flower died with a slow, agonizing fall.
Once she reached the end of the path she turned around to see the lights out, the flowers dead, and fog rising from the overlook. She smiled at her work and the doors swung open by her command.
She breathed in the air of the foyer, gazing at the decoration that was not much different than the ones she had grown up with in this very castle. The dozens of chandeliers lighting the hall, the pearly white floors reflecting their light, and the grand staircases leading up to the royal bedrooms. Illia walked slowly through the foyer, taking in all of the beauty and elegance, remembering how she and Adeline used to chase each other in this very hall. As she moved leisurely through, she could hear music along with chattering guests and laughing children.
The moment she reached the overlook railing that looked down at the guests below, hushes began echoing throughout the dance floor. She cracked a small smile as more people whispered and turned around.
She spread her arms across the railing and looked directly at Adeline who was sitting on a throne across from the dancing guests. She had two guards behind the throne and Dreyden was standing next to her, holding her hand. She was smiling as she was speaking with guests that wished to meet their new Queen.
Illia never looked away from Adeline. As soon as Adeline was finished speaking with the guests they bowed and she waved. It wasn't long after when she saw Illia standing there, smirking down at her and her guests.
Adeline's expression changed from joyful to fearful. Her face was somewhat unreadable to Illia. She looked sad, angry, scared, or just confused.
Adeline stood and held and hand up to signal to the band to cease their playing. The music slowly faded and guests stopped dancing. Women gathered their children and husbands held their wives close.
"Please, do not stop on my account," Illia's voice sent a wave of chills through guests. The fear on everyone's faces made Illia smile.
She slowly began walking down the stairs to her right, dragging her arm across the golden railings. Her heels on the cold marble echoed through the ballroom with slow evilness.
"Why are you here, Illia?" Adeline whispered as Illia crept closer. Dreyden placed an arm in front of Adeline. Illia chuckled.
"Oh," Illia said, with a pouting, pitying lip. "He can not save you or your people, Adeline. You and I both know that,"
"I asked you a question," Adeline's tone held a harshness that her people feared. Illia held an offended hand to her chest sarcastically.
"Well, I had not received an invitation but I assumed I was invited anyways, I am your sister you know,"
The sisters were closer now, having a conversation as if Adeline's entire Kingdom was not listening. Adeline knew that even the people of her Kingdom not at this dance would still hear of this and she wanted to keep it as tame as possible.
"You are no sister of mine," Adeline said quietly to not attract the attention of her subjects.
Illia's expression faded from smiling to frowning angrily.
"They will hear of this even if you whisper dear. Ghosts speak. Halls echo. There is no escaping the truth. You are no queen of this kingdom,"
Adeline scoffed. "You're still not in your right mind because mother chose me over you aren't you?" she almost laughed.
Illia snarled as her lip curled into an angry sneer.
"Just because mother thought you were prettier means nothing to the ability of your rule! You are only an ignorant child that never and will never deserve that throne!" Illia shouted. Her face was very close to Adeline's now.
Adeline drew her hand and struck Illia across the face. Illia stumbled back only by a few steps and held her burning cheek with her gloved hand.
Adeline was panting as she stepped back a few feet as well. Illia, still holding her face, stood straight up and huffed a sigh as she smiled.
"This is your queen?" she spun around the ballroom, facing the guests.
"This is who you wish to watch your children, your wives?" Illia gestured to the children and women around the room.
People glanced at their spouses and children. Adeline tilted her head as her eyebrows pulled down, her nose wrinkling.
"You really think you would be a better Queen? Your own mother banished you to the wickedest of kingdoms. You are disgraced and more ignorant than I ever will be. You are no more a Queen than I!" Adeline shouted.
People gasped and whispers fluttered around the room yet again.
"You loathed mother so you were so miserable because she did not choose you! You have never done anything for anyone but yourself, Illia. I am the rightful heir to this throne, and you will have to kill me before I step down,"
"Enough!" Illia snapped, her arms flying forward as Adeline flew back and landed violently on her throne. Illia used her magic to keep Adeline's arms from moving.
"You will bite your tongue before I send my entire army of creatures after you and your kingdom!" she screamed, her voice filled with anger with the slightest hint of pain and sorrow.
Adeline said nothing as she breathed heavily. Once Illia used her magic, guests started hurrying out of the ballroom, screaming and yelling. Illia cackled wickedly as they exited the castle, knowing what they would find waiting for them outside.
"Now you," she turned back to her sister. "You have something I want," she talked slowly as she circled Adeline's throne.
"You have a creature in your underground cellar, no?"
Adeline nodded slowly.
"Wonderful. Now, I need this creature. I cannot tell you why,"
"Why would I ever give you something you want?" Adeline squinted her eyes at her sister.
Illia walked closer and placed her arms on both arms of the throne.
"Because if you do not give this creature to me in seven days time, I will send a curse upon you and your…family, that will keep you from bearing a child. Ending your kingdom forever, allowing me my chance to take over Astrean and rule Veraxin and Astrean as one,"
Adeline's eyes widened. Dreyden looked from Illia to Adeline, his eyes full of worry. Illia glanced at him and giggled.
"You can stop pretending now, Dreyden," she said, saying his name like a curse itself. "We both know that you really don't care about this. Or this family. The minute Adeline is unable to bear children you will leave her just like every other man married to a queen,"
Dreyden rolled his eyes. "Illia, just because you have a tragic life does not mean that our life is destined to be the same,"
Illia stopped smiling and glared at him with evil intent. She noticed a sheath on Dreyden with his sword in it. She raised her hand to the sword and lifted it. The sword drifted out of the sheath and Dreyden stumbled back as he watched.
Adeline straightened in her seat as she began to rise. Illia used her other hand to drop Adeline back into her seat.
"Illia don't!" she shouted, watching as the sword lifted and pointed toward Dreyden. His eyes widened as he watched the point get closer.
"Illia please," Adeline said, quietly, tears welling in her eyes and her voice cracking with every word.
Illia snapped her wrist and the sword flew at Dreyden's shoulder. He screamed and his hand rushed to the sword but he did not pull it out. He hissed in a sharp breath as the searing pain traveled through his body.
"No!" Adeline screamed, getting out of her seat and kneeling next to Dreyden. He breathed heavily and his hand hovered over the sword.
"This is your warning, sister, seven days!" Illia shouted. She turned her back to her sister and Dreyden. She walked up the stairs hurriedly and out of the front door. The lights extinguished as she continued to walk past the chandeliers in the grand hallway. She flung open the gates with her arms and saw her carriage awaiting her in the snow.
The guard was still pinned to the wall with the sword and she figured she would leave him there to send a message. She walked her way to her carriage and knocked on the door to signal the coachman she was ready to leave.
He exited the carriage and sat on the seat, preparing the horse.
"Did everything go well today, Your Majesty?"
"It did, Ben, thank you," she smiled as she hopped in the carriage.
The ride back to Veraxin was quiet. Illia sat with her thoughts, thinking about Dreyden, her sister, her father, and what her future would be. She refused to marry and have children simply to continue her kingdom. She thought it was idiotic how much every Queen cared about the lineage of their kingdom.
When they arrived back at the castle, Illia could not wait to tell her father about how the ball went and all she said.
Ben halted the carriage at the entrance of the castle. Illia exited her seat and stepped down the stairs. She picked up her dress and began walking up the grand staircase that led to the front doors of the castle.
She nodded to Ben, signaling to him that he could leave. He tipped his hat and hopped back onto the carriage and left.
Illia grinned as she stepped up the stairs and into the castle.
"Father!" she shouted as she stood in the foyer, looking around for him.
"I'm in the dining hall, dear!" he shouted back from down the hall.
Illia skipped her way down the hall and into the dining hall. She entered and twirled before plopping down in the seat adjacent to her father.
"Oh father, you should have seen it! It was magnificent! The fear on Adeline's face," she sighed happily, sinking into her seat.
Her father chuckled. "I'm happy for you dear,"
"Thank you, father. If Adeline does not comply and give me this creature, I will have no choice but to take away her kingdom," Illia smiled, thinking about taking away Adeline's happiness.
"Why is all of this necessary?" Selene stepped into the dining hall and questioned Illia's plan.
"You know not of the full story, Selene. She ruined my life. She told my mother that if I were Queen that my powers and magic were destined for evil and that my only purpose on this planet was to destroy Astrean. And my mother believed every word. I want to make her pay for what she did, Selene. If I cannot be happy, neither can she,"
Selene's face held a pitiful expression. "Why do you need this beast?"
Illia was annoyed with the endless questions. She rolled her eyes before answering, "Because this beast is rumored to be the only creature that can end my life. And I must have possession of it before Adeline finds out,"
Selene nodded slowly.
"My sister would take any chance she could get to kill me, I must not give it to her,"
"Don't you think that they will figure out why you want this beast and use it against you?"
"They might, although I'm not sure any of Adeline's court could have the wits about them to figure such a thing. But if they do, I will breach their walls and raid their castle with an army of my own filled with men that have trained since the dawn of time and monsters from the depths of Hell that follow my every command,"
Selene nodded slowly, taking in her plan.
"That is not bad child," she smiled proudly.
"Well, I learned from you," Illia smiled back and glanced at her father. "This time, I will win."