Part Twenty-Seven

The girls leaned back in their chairs, hands on their bellies, delirious smiles on their faces. Servants began clearing away dishes as well as coming by with pitchers of water and wine for anyone who wanted more.

The King looked at his girls and laughed. "Are you all right, my angels?" he asked.

"I'm stuffed," said Blue.

"I'm over-stuffed," said Georgeanne.

Then both girls took a deep breath and let out a large sigh of contentment. The King laughed again. "But you've only had one piece of cake," he said. "Surely you have room for one more slice." The girls protested sweetly and shared a smile with their father.

Meanwhile the Queen did not seem amused at all.

"The lamb was tasty," said Blue.

"The cake was yummy," added Georgeanne.

"Then I shall pass the compliments on to the cook," he grinned. He leaned back in his own chair and brought his newly refreshed goblet of wine up to his mouth but paused when he caught sight of his queen. "My dear," he said to her, "what did you think of the meal?"

"Delicious as always," she replied, her mouth small, the corner slightly upturned in some version of a smile. The girls were too stuffed to notice though the King did. Instead of causing a scene, he raised his glass toward her with a nod, and she replied with a nod of her own. Left alone for a second, the Queen found the girls rolling a small orange back and forth across the table. The joy on their faces made her stomach ache. "Shouldn't you girls get ready for bed?"

Their heads swung in her direction, their smiles falling from their faces.  Even though the question was posed to them, it was the King who answered on their behalf. "My dear," he said with a sweet smile, the girls' attention fixated on him now. "They're much to full to sleep just yet. I thought perhaps we could go for a little stroll about the grounds to walk off such a tasty and yummy dinner." That seemed to make the girls happy.

"You go on ahead, my sweet," said the Queen. "I'm feeling a little tired from the day. I think I may enjoy one more glass of wine and head to bed early tonight."

"Very well," he said. He gulped down the remnants of what was left in his goblet and stood from his chair. "Shall we?" he asked his daughters. The girls rose from the table, and with their roses in hand, headed out of the dining room with their father. The Queen watched them go. Once they were gone, she poured herself another glass of wine, and after her first sip, her eyes strayed to the rose before her. With her free hand, she picked it up and held it before her. Glaring at it, she recalled her husband's voice from before.

Aiyana.

Her eyes narrowed and the petal tips began to darken until they were black, the color spreading from petal to bulb to stem. When the flower was completely black, she squeezed it in her fist, but the rose had become nothing but dust. Her tiny smirk spread into an evil grin as she drank her wine.

Part Twenty-Six

The first thing the girls noticed were the flowers on the table.  They left their father's side and ran to examine the flowers more closely.  As they marveled at them, the Queen entered and stood frozen in the entryway behind the King.

"What is all this?" she exclaimed.

"The gardener outdid himself," commented the King.

"You're responsible for this?" she asked of her husband.

He nodded, turning to his wife.  "I saw them earlier today and instantly became smitten.  I told him I wanted some for the dinnertable, but this is above and beyond."  His grin made her teeth ache, but she was obviously outnumbered in the flowers' adoration.

"They're lovely," said Blue.

"Simply breathtaking," added Georgeanne.

"Aren't they though," he said stepping up to the table.  There was a large vase in the center of the table with a dozen decoratively arranged within.  Along the table, there were smaller bundles and at each of the four table settings was a single rose wrapped in a white silk ribbon for each member of the family.  "Aiyana," said the King.  "That's what the gardener called them."

"Gardener," mumbled Blue and shot her sister a look who returned it in kind.  Then they both remembered the Queen was in the dining hall and changed their faces.  They, however, in focusing on their own appearances, did not notice the Queen's displeasure at not only the flowers but of their name.

"I love them," said Georgeanne.

"Well then, after dinner, why don't you and your sister take the smaller arrangements back to your rooms."  The girls hugged their father thanking him for his generosity, and then they sat down for supper.  Several servants came in to tend to their needs and Georgeanne noticed Aggie was one of them.  She was in disguise again, but it was the eyes... always the eyes.  The Queen and King carried on some small talk as they were being served, the girls being ignored by her as usual.  Aggie came by and placed a platter before Georgeanne.  Blue recognized her as well, but her sister gave her a warning look, and she started to fiddle with the rose by her plate.  Aggie then served Blue, and Georgeanne couldn't help but peek up from her plate to look at the woman again.

And then she curtsied and was gone.

The girls stared at each other while their father said Grace... and then they began to cut apart their meat and concentrate on having a pleasant meal.

*******

The woman paced in the dark.  She wanted to scream, rip her hair out, but that would achieve nothing. 

She wanted out. 

She'd wanted out for a while, but her sister's last visit sparked something inside her that fueled a fire in her that had been simmering for a while. 

The need to be free was driving her mad, even more than she had become being locked away in some netherworld prison.  She needed out.  Now more than ever.  But what could she do?  All that was at her disposal was weak magic and despair which clouded her mind and her abilities.  But she couldn't give in.  She had to do something.  The need for escape was making her skin itch with anxiety.

Her fists pounded the sides of her head for clarity, and in one brief moment, she thought of a single word.

Door. 

Part Twenty-Five

The princesses walked with their ladies behind them, but halfway to the dining room, they crossed paths with the King.  "Well, isn't this a lovely sight," he said, staring at both of his girls.  Arms outstretched, he approached the girls who went to his side as they always did.  Any suspicions or doubts floated away as they embraced.  "What have my beautiful ones been doing all day?"

"Oh," said Blue, trying to sound casual, "you know us, Father.  A little of this.  A little of that."

"We fenced a little," offered Georgeanne which normally they would be in trouble for if the Queen had heard since fencing wasn't for ladies - especially Princesses.  But their father didn't mind and encouraged pursuit of all their interests and hobbies.

"Who won?" he asked.

Both girls answered, "I did," and the King laughed.

He looked up at their ladies and said with a pleasant smile, "You can all go," and they curtsied.  "I shall have the honor of escorting my daughters to dinner tonight."  The ladies waited until he had turned, placing one arm around each girl before scurrying quietly away.

"Father," said Georgeanne.  "Why don't you have anyone with you?"

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"We always have our ladies with us," she said.

"A king doesn't have ladies-in-waiting," he pointed out.

She poked him in his side and said, "You know what I mean."

He laughed and said, "Well, your ladies are there to tend to you and help take care of you when your mother or I are not around."  Blue's face flinched at the mention of the Queen, but she regained her composure instantly. 

"You don't need anyone's help?" asked Blue.

"A king rules alone," he said.  "I have advisors, but in the end, I make the final decision."

"Advisors," repeated Blue.  "What about guards?"

"I have guards, yes."

"But they don't follow you around the castle," said Georgeanne.

"No," he said.

"Why?" asked Blue.

"Because this is my home," he said.  "They only need to be around if I leave the castle or if we have guests."

"Like the party?" asked Georgeanne.

"Yes," he answered.

"Will you have many guards with you at the party?" asked Blue.

The King stopped and stared at both his girls.  "Why the sudden interest in my entourage?" he asked.  The girls were quiet, looking at each other from the corners of their eyes.  "Girls?" said the King, his tone slightly serious.  They looked at each other again trying to speak without speaking, but they were both at a loss.  Just as Blue opened her mouth to speak, her sister cut her off.

"We had bad dreams," she said, and Blue stared at her sister.

His focus on Georgeanne, the King said, "Bad dreams?"

"Yes," agreed Blue trusting in her sister to guide her wherever she was going with this story.

"Yes," said Georgeanne, "and ever since, we've been a little... worried."

"About me?"  The King took the girls' awkward expressions as yes.  "Oh my precious little angels," he said kneeling before them.  "They were just dreams."  He reached up and touched their cheeks in the caring way he did since they were little.  Then he took one of their hands in each of his.  "I'm sorry that you both had bad dreams, but rest-assured that I will be fine.  My guards protect not only me but my family as well as all those that live within the castle walls."  He grinned slyly and said, "I also know a thing or two myself."  Both the girls smiled at him, feeling somewhat better themselves.  He leaned in close and said, "But do me a favor angels and say none of this to your mother for she believes dreams are portents, and I will never hear the end of it.  Agreed?"  The girls agreed, and they hugged once more before the King stood and still holding their hands, continued their walk to the dining room.

Part Twenty-Four

There was a knock on the door before it opened and one of Georgeanne's ladies informed her it was dinner time.  Blue told the lady that they'd be out in a minute, and without question, she closed the door.  Blue then turned back to her sister.  "Are you all right?" she asked.

Georgeanne in her fit of tears had slid from the bed to the floor.  It had taken a while, but her sobs eventually subsided leaving the her remaining tears to leak from her eyes as she sat on her knees not speaking.  Her sister just sat with her, keeping her company in her moment of need.

Her breathing slow and steady, she said, "I'm fine," her voice quiet but unshaken.

Blue reached out, her index finger curled, and wiped a fallen tear away.  The gesture caught Georgeanne's attention, and she turned her head toward her sibling.  "We should get you cleaned up for dinner then."  Georgeanne simply nodded and let her sister pull her to her feet.  She sat before her vanity, and stared at her reflection as she blotted her face with her handkerchief.  Then she powdered her face to cover up any evidence she had been crying. 

Standing behind her, Blue fidgeted with her hair to make it look a little more presentable.  Moderately happy with how it looked, she asked her sister for her opinion.  When she didn't answer, she caught her sister staring at the mirror.  "Georgie?"  She continued to stare as if her sister had said nothing.  Blue bent forward, placing her head just above her sister's left shoulder.  She looked from Georgeanne to the mirror and back again.  "Were you thinking of doing something with your hair?" she asked.  "I think it looks fine the way it is, but we could try something else."  Another knock on the door and both girls turned to see Georgeanne's lady, an apologetic look on her face, standing in the doorway.  "We need to go," said Blue.  "You know how M-."  She paused then said, "We shouldn't keep Father waiting."  Georgeanne laid the puff on the table and stood, smoothing her hands over her dress.  Blue left to talk with the lady at the door, and while alone, Georgeanne's mind began to wander again.  With her right hand, she reached out toward the mirror and tapped it with her knuckle as if rapping on a door. 

Blue called to her sister.  "Coming," she replied, taking her hand back from her reflection and turned toward the door.  Once there, her sister did not move.  "I'm ready.  Let's go."  Something had caught her sister's attention, but when she followed her line of sight, saw that she was staring at the mirror.  "What is it?" asked Georgeanne.

"Nothing," said Blue.  "I just thought..."  She shook her head and smiled at her sister.  "Never mind.  Must have been a trick of the light."  She stood beside her sister, offering her arm to her.  "Off to dinner?"

Georgeanne smiled back, looped her arm through her sister's and headed out the door.

Moments after the door closed, what Blue thought she had seen happened again as the mirror's surface began to ripple like water and after a few minutes smoothed again into flat glass.

Part Twenty-Three

The King stood outside his castle looking out over the gardens.  His hands firmly placed on the stone railing, he took in the loveliness of the sky and trees, the flowers and topiaries, but as beautiful as it was, it did nothing to brighten his mood.

He had been sombre as of late, and he wasn't sure why.  He had everything a man could ask for, and as king he was wont for nothing, but still... an emptiness dwelled within him that he could not pinpoint or comprehend.  The feeling within troubled him, and he sought out his physician in secret so as not to alert anyone in case it was simply all in his mind.  After every check-up, the physician assured him he was fine, and the King believed him.

Then what was this internal ache that troubled him so?

A gardener tending to roses near him caught the King's attention.  "You there," he called to the man who looked up at hearing the King speak.

"Yes, Your Highness," he said abandoning his tools and standing at his address, not forgetting to bow before royalty.

"The grounds are beautiful," said the King. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty," said the gardener with a slight bow of the head.  "I shall pass your kind words on to the others that help maintain the grounds."

The King nodded.  "Carry on," he said, and the gardener, after a small bow and polite thank you, fell to his knees again.  Noticing the flowers he was tending to, the King said, "Those roses are remarkable."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The roses were a swirl of blue and a deep reddish pink with green mixed in from the base of the bud to the tips of the petals.  "They were originally all green but over time, the red and tones emerged."  The gardener continued pulling weeds and pruning the bushes.

"Fascinating," said the King.  "Praytell, what is the name of their species?"

"Aiyana," said the gardener.

"They are exquisite," said the King.  "I would like to have some on the table during dinner with my family, please."

"Yes, Your Highness," said the gardener with a bow and by the time he raised his head, the King was gone.

*******

Both women stared at each other, neither of them smiling.  If it was possible, the temperature grew colder in their presence. 

It was the Queen who spoke first.

"It seems you have lost your manners, dear sister."

"The time for pleasantries is over," said the woman.  "What do you want, Belinda?"

"What makes you think I want something?"

"You never come to me unless there is something that you want, and seeing as how you are ever my only guest, I know that I am not mistaking you with some other creature."

"Creature?"  The Queen's eyes turned dark.  "How dare you take that tone with me?"

"I shall take any tone with you I wish," said the woman.  "Look around you, dear sister.  In what way can my means get any worse."

"Do not test me," said the Queen through clenched teeth, "else you may find out."  The woman held her ground, and the tension in the Queen's shoulders eased slightly.  "And I assure you that I want nothing from you.  I merely came by to see you because what kind of queen would I be if I did not care for the well-being of my subjects?"

"I am blinded by your graciousness," said the woman, her sarcastic tone not lost on either one of them.

Trying to remain calm, the Queen said, "Is there anything you need or want?"

"Why bother asking since we both know I'll receive nothing I either need or want?"

"I can only do what is within my power."

"Power," the woman huffed and looked away which sent the Queen into a rage.

"Do not turn away from me!" she screamed grabbing the woman's face and turned it to face her. 

Their faces inches apart, the woman didn't flinch or bat an eye.  "Or else what?"

"You know what I am capable of," said the Queen, the threat lingering between them.

"But do you know what I am capable of?" asked the woman.  The Queen released her, shoving her aside and walked away.  "Your threats mean nothing to me, Belinda.  I literally have nothing to lose.  You saw to that."

She walked to the outer rim of light and before stepping into the shadows, she stopped.  "What about the girls?" she said without turning around.

The woman stared at the Queen.  "You wouldn't hurt them," she said.  "You need them.  Like you need me."

The Queen turned then and stared long and hard at her sister.  "Perhaps," she conceded.  "But there will come a time where I won't need any of you, and mark my words, Aiyana.  When that day comes, I'll be sure to let you know."  Then the Queen disappeared into the darkness, and the woman listened to her fading ascending footsteps... then a click... and she was once again alone.