Broken Vows

Looking at the small girl sitting in that awful cell, my blood is close to boiling, but I don’t want to scare the poor child. I know she has been through so much already. The ragged blanket is doing little to shield her from the cold of the bleak cell. When She looks up at me, and I see those all too familiar blue eyes, I smile warmly at the sweet child, missing my own even more. But this isn’t where the story begins, not really.

This story starts more than two hounded years ago, in the spring of 1802, if you want to know. I know that would make me far older than you can imagine. Witches long ago learned to fight time, and we only age if we choose to. Typically a witch or wizard would only decide to grow old if they found some mortal creature worth growing old with. But that spring, I was still young in every way, mind, body, and spirit. Still young and yearning for life and living everything to the fullest.

When I wasn’t stuck in training and studies with my mother, as I was training to become the next supreme after her. As soon as I was able, I would flit my way to the next grand party or Ball, anything with music and laughter. Life was just one big party and a game to play; I can’t believe how foolish I was, young and foolish.

“Mother, I have practiced,” I whined as my sat arms crossed, staring me down.

“And just where is this grand event you just have to attend?” She scowled slightly at me.

I brushed the lock of blond hair out of my eyes and gave my best innocent face. Even at twenty-two, my mother treats me like a child, but I guess I don’t help my case.

“Oh well, it’s not too far. The fae king is just throwing his spring ball. You should come too.” I know she won’t. She would rather be home reading. I may look just like her, but we couldn’t be any more different. I hate to be locked away with nothing but studying and reading for company, but not my mother. She lives for learning. I know she wishes that I was more like her. Her gray-blue eyes soften a fraction, and I know I won.

“Well, I guess you should go; the king did invite you. It would be rude not to attend.” She sighs.

I let go of the sapphire pendant around my neck and hop up from my chair.

“Great, I’m going to go find Rana. we need to get ready.” I chirp exactly before rushing over to my mother and kissing her on the cheek.

“Thank you,” I say, but mother takes my hand before I can rush off.

“I do expect you to put in a full day of studies tomorrow, so don’t stay out all night.” She looks me dead in the eyes, and I know this is not up for debit from the look on her face.

“Of cores, mother.” I smile sweetly, and she laughs a little.

“You are as bad as your father was always looking for the next thrill and using that smile to get his way too.

My father died ten years ago in a freak accident. He was a powerful warlock, but he liked to experiment with more powerful magic. One day an experiment got to be more than even he could handle. Half the room was destroyed, and it shook the whole castle when something exploded. the strange thing was we couldn’t even find him. He was just gone. I give Mother one more kiss on the cheek when she starts to look sad thinking about father. She smiles sadly at me.

“Go and find Rana you need to get ready, right?”

I don’t waste much time taking off out of the dining room to go and find my friend. Rana and I have always been best friends from the day we met. Her family came to work in the castle as staff. Still, my mother wanted Rana to have a proper education as well, so she asked Rana’s parents if she could take lessons with me. We were only seven when my mother became our teacher. Rana is a much better student than I am; she is far more devoted to learning than I am.

I hurry down the hallway to my room. I asked Rana to wait for me there while I talked to my mother. My footsteps echo off the stone walls as I rush down the long hall. The frequent windows let in the warm afternoon sun, and the gardens just outside the windows are coming to life. I love the spring and everything coming alive after the dark winter.

I finally reach my door, twist the iron latch, and push the door open. Rana sits on my bed reading, her rich dark brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She looks up, and she has the most dazzling deep blue eyes. She is a beautiful girl, but she hasn’t an ounce of vanity; if anything, she thinks she’s plain. I just laugh at her. She can’t seem to see what everyone else sees.

“What did she say? Yes right? You get to go, don’t you?” Rana rapped fires questions putting the book aside.

“Of course, she said I can go.” I wink; Mother rarely tells me no. “We have a ball to get ready for,” I smile, heading to the wardrobe to see which gown I’ll be wearing tonight and one for Rana as well. I have more dresses than I need, but they are so beautiful I just had to have them, and I have a few more that I would like to make. I love magic; it can make anything a reality. You just have to know the right spells.

“Do you think he’ll be there?” Rana pipes in. I rummage through gowns looking for just the right shade of blue to match her eyes and wondering if I remember the right spell to adjust the shade of the dress I think would look stunning on her.

“Who?” I ask absentmindedly, Trying to recall the spell I need. Rana comes overtaking the dress from me and tilts her head, giving me a half-smile.

“What do you mean who? Cadmus King of the dragons… “Rana lets out a dramatic sigh and flops back on my bed. I giggle at her; she has been in love with him scene we were children.

Cadmus is older than us at nearly thirty and still hasn’t found his queen. The again dragons live forever, so it could take hundreds of hears before he does find her. He told me once, when we were children, he would wait forever to find her or her to find him. It doesn’t matter to him how long it takes. He can wait. I laughed at him a bit, but he just smiled. I’m glad the witches and wizards don’t have mates like other spaces do. We get to choose who we want to love, but for dragons and wolves, it’s chosen for them by divine fate. Even vampires have ones that they are meant for. I don’t go in for all of that; I want to choose who I fall in love with.

I don’t know why the mate bond sounds like hell to me. To be so in love with someone you don’t know, I don’t even see how that’s possible. Rana sits up and looks at the dress she’s still holding.

“So, do you think he’ll be there?” She prods again, and I laugh again.

“I think he’ll be there. Everyone will be there. I plan on dancing the entire night with a different man for every song. Unless I find the perfect one.” I think for a moment if I will find just the right man. I want to be in love, but I plan on having as much fun as I can finding just the right man; I’m not in a rush.

“Willow, you are too much, you know that? What are you trying to do with this anyway?” Rana quizzes holding up the gown, looking it over critically.

“I think that would suit you best, but I want to change the color to match your eyes,” I reply

“You can’t remember the spell, can you?” Rana is looking at me critically now.

“I have a lot on my mind, okay,” I claim, crossing my arms and scowling at her. That just makes her laugh, and then I start laughing. When she stops laughing, she looks at the gown and mutters a few words, and the color of the dress deepens, and the most perfect blue color spreads over the light gray fabric.

“They’re all done.” She says, holding up the dress. “It’s perfect, thank you, Willow.”

“Don’t thank me; you are the one that remembers the spell.” I shrug, smiling. I continue looking through the dresses and ran comes to the wardrobe.

“This one, but let me...” She tails off, and the dress shifts color to a soft pestle pink,

“Oh, that’s just right. Thank you, Rana.” I beam, pulling the gown out to look it over better. This is going to be a fantastic night; I just know it.

“We should start getting ready. We still have to get there tonight, and you know the fae king won’t keep the portals open all night.” Rana reminds me.

She’s right; the fae king Gavin has a thing for being punctual, and it helps prevent uninvited guests. He’ll have the portals open for about an hour, and then he’ll close them, only opening them again when it’s time for those not staying to depart. Rana and I will have to come home. My mother is expecting me bright and early for lessons. Staying at Gavin’s palace would be more fun than rushing home, and as Rana and I get changed, I start wondering if I can just tell mother we missed the portal and had to stay the night. I know Gavin won’t mind, he’s still looking for a queen as well, and the more women around, the better he likes it. He might be handsome, but I’m not interested in him at all. He’s had more conquests than I can even count. He doesn’t share Cadum’s view on waiting forever for his queen. I don’t even know for sure how old Gavin is. Fae don’t age either unless they want to, and none seem to want to. Most look to be thirty but are far older than that, so it’s hard to guess how old they really are. Gavin has been king and remained unaged for as long as I can remember, and I think the rummer is he’s more than a hundred and fifty.

I’m finally dressed, and Rana helps me tie the lacing in the back of the gown and turns so I can do hers. The spell I do remember very well is easy enough, and I mutter a few quick words, and my long blonde hair in curls and pink flowers weave through my hair, holding it up and back out of my face a little. Rana does something similar with her hair but has it pulled up more with tiny white roses. One last look at each other, and we are both beaming with excitement. I know tonight will be the best night, and I can’t wait to dance the night away. I take Rana’s hand and check the clock on the wall. We need to hurry, or all our getting ready will be for nothing. As we enter the hall, I can see the glowing portal through the larger window in the hall. Rana and I take off as fast as we can in our gowns, giggling our way down the hall. I still have the strongest feeling that tonight is going to be important. I can’t help but wonder what could be happening tonight that could be giving me this feeling. What is going to happen?

Chapter2: Spring Ball

Rana and I rush threw the garden to the shimmering orb of light. The pale silvery light swirled in on itself like oil and water, never mixing. The portal was beginning to close, and I clasp Rana’s hand a little tighter and smiled as we smile at each other, both giddy with anticipation. The rush and the pull of traveling through a portal is not really something you can explain. It feels like warm tingling all over your body and being gently pulled by an invisible rope around your waist. I almost imagen it feels like being in love. I have never been in love, but I imagine that might be what it feels like.

I know it’s strange that I have never been in love, but I haven’t; no one has ever given me those feelings of butterflies. Rana has been in love with a few men but never seriously in love. Who knows, maybe this feeling I have, this feeling that something is going to happen, perhaps that’s it, perhaps she or I will fall in love. The idea is thrilling. Books always make it sound so wonderful to be in love and have someone love you as much as you love them. Someone to need you and want you for all time. That sounds wonderful, and while I don’t really like the whole destined mated idea, I do like the idea of being that in love with someone.

Rana and I immerge on the other side of the portal. The slight feeling of having out-breath sucked out of our lungs has us stopping to regain our breath. It only takes a moment for us to recover and can see the soft glow of light coming from the garden down the path. A tall elven figure is waiting next to the portal. His pail skin and large green eyes are nothing short of beautiful. His dark hair is pulled back in a low ponytail revealing his pointed ears. He’s dressed in the most extravagant pail green silk suit with gold thread embroidery.

“Your highness.” I saw bowing in respect.

“Oh, please, none of that, my dear Willow. When I heard that you and Rana would indeed be here. I just had to meet you two myself.” his voice is like sweet music. To look at him and hear him speak, it’s easy to see why he is so popular with all the young ladies.

“How did you know it was very last minute?” I’m puzzled that he knew I would be here. I didn’t even know till a few hours ago.

“Your mother informed me days ago.” He smiles one of his more brilliant smiles, “Let me escort you two beautiful ladies to the Ball. I can’t have the most beautiful woman missing such a party. Unless?” He doesn’t finish the thought, but the look in his eyes and how he’s eyeing Rana like she’s on the menu, I know what unless means. Rana blushes and looks away, only making King Gavin smile darkly at her.

“Yes, let’s head to this Ball of yours, Your highness. This is the spring event, and we don’t want to miss a moment of it.” I remark coyly, taking Rana’s arm.

“Of course.” His smile turns less lust-ridden, and I keep Rana on my other side as he offers his arm to me, and I take it out of politeness. I don’t care how beautiful he is. He’s not putting his hands on either of us. I will not be just another conquest, and all thought of falling in love is gone. I just want to be away from his highness so we can have a good time.

We head down the path and toured the soft glowing light. The path is adorned with little glowing lights. They look like fireflies, but I know they are just magic lights. Any child could make them, but they are lovely as they slowly float in the air. The garden is in full bloom, and that two has been aided with magic. I can feel it humming through everything. The feeling is warm and pleasant; it’s something I have always known. Not all witches can feel magic the way I do. I can also see if I focus on it, but right now, the only thing I want to focus on is the wonders of the flowers and the lights. The roses are giving off the most indicting scent, and the giddiness of the Ball is rushing back as we enter the garden full of people. The band just started to play again, and people began pairing off. Before I can say now, King Gavin sweeps me to the dance floor. I cast a pleading look at Rana, and she just giggles and gives me a small wave. Moments later, his majesty has me spinning around the dance floor, and it is fun. He is a beautiful dancer; I just wish he wasn’t such a womanizer.

When the song ends, and I can get out of his clutches, I curtsy politely but rush off to find Rana before he can stop me. I know he will find another pretty face to amuse himself. Just so long as it isn’t my face or Rana’s, I’m just fine with him leaving us alone. I take in the beauty of the garden and the Ball as I look for Rana. The masses of floating light suspend overhead give everything the most romantic soft lighting. The tables of food line an area of the garden on the other side of the dance floor. The white tablecloths sway gently with the slight spring breeze. I’m lost looking around that I didn’t even see him standing in front of me, and I coiled with his back. I nearly fall back, but his strong arms grab me around the waist, pulling me close to him.

“Hello, my little Entress.” The deep smooth baritone voice of Cadmus is unmistakable. I look up, and his deep brown eyes are dancing with something mischief. I have no drought. He will be finding some form of trouble before the night is through. Cadmus lets me go and smiles at me, “So dancing with king Gavin, I see.” Cadmus teases, knowing just how to irritate me. I playfully shove his shoulder, but the man is built like a wall and doesn’t even move. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, but unlike the fae king, Cadmus doesn’t really seem to notice or care how attractive he is with his dark hair, bronze skin, and angler feathers.

“I didn’t get a choice. He had a hold of me and didn’t even ask. He just started dancing with me. I didn’t even get the chance to decline.” I complain. I know Cadmus is still a king, but we have always been friends, and I feel comfortable with him. He’s a few years older than Rana, and I and I feel like he’s always seen us as little sisters of sorts. Too bad Rana is so in love with him, and he’s completely unaware of it.

“Well, I hope you have a dance saved for me tonight.” Cadmus muses, tilting his head and smiling at me.

“I don’t know the last time I danced with you; you kept stepping on my feet.” I tease, crossing my arms.

He just laughs, “Well, dancing never was something I was very good at; fighting is easier.” He shrugs.

“You know dancing isn’t that much different than that. You just have to anticipate and move with your partner. Hear, come on.” I hold out my hand and lead him to a less crowded garden area. The music is slow and soft, and I take his hand, put it on my waist, and look him in the eyes. “Now, just follow, feel how I move,” I say, starting to move. Soon he steps on my foot and gives me an embarrassed smile.

“This is still harder than fighting.” He complains.

“No, it isn’t; just feel how I’m moving and anticipate where I will move next soon; you will be leading me.” I step forward, and he steps back on instinct.

“See, just stop thinking so hard about geeing all the steps. Just feel it.”

The dance lessons last for a couple of songs. By the third song, he is leading and seems to have masted the art of not stepping on my toes. When the song ends, I pull out of his hold and huff a little out of breath from dancing. “I really need to find Rana, and I would like something to drink. I don’t have the stamina of a dragon after all.”

Cadmus holds out his arm for me, “Well then, let’s get you your punch and find Rana. Thank you for the dance lesson; I should have had to teach me years ago.”

“You should have; it would have saved my toes sooner.” I giggle.

“Well, I didn’t even have much interest in learning before, but you made the lesson interesting.” He gives me his charming smile, but I just shake my head at him; he’s always teasing me and kidding around. It’s hard to believe that he is a series ruler of an entire species. There aren’t many dragons left. Their numbers have been dwindling over the last several decades. The dragons even try and stay out of most conflicts just because they can’t afford the losses.

We make our way to the food tables, and I see Rana dancing happily with a handsome young man. She sees Cadmus and me, and her smile gets a little brighter. I know it isn’t because of me, and I roll my eyes and smile at her shaking my head as we reach the food tables. A moment later, Rana has joined us and is happily chatting with Cadmus. I’m more interested in the food than their conversation.

As I take a bite of my tart, I see him, the most handsome man I have ever seen. He’s tall and slender but still well built; his blond hair is even lighter than mine, nearly silver in color. The most striking thing about him is his ice-blue eyes. The lightest shade of vivid blue. My heart skips a beat of two just looking at him across the dance floor. I didn’t even notice Rana talking to me as I was locked in staring at this gorgeous man.

“Willow, Are you all right?” Rana is asking me. She steps in front of me and breaks my view of the strange man.

“Who is that?” I mummer, trying to look around her.

“Who?” Rana turns to look, but he isn’t there.

“There was a man. He was the most handsome man I have ever seen with the most striking blue eyes. Didn’t you see him?” I ask, scanning the area and looking for him.

“He was dressed in black silk with white-blonde hair,” I say, still looking for him.

“No, I haven’t seen anyone like that all night,” Rana replies, looking around for him.

“Are you sure you really saw someone?” Cadmus states a little unconvinced sounding.

“I didn’t imagine him.” I retort, annoyed he would think I just imagined the man. “I really saw him.”

“Okay, well, maybe he’ll show back up.” Rana shrugs, grabbing a tart and eating it.

I try to go back to eating my food and turn to pay attention to Cadmus and run, who are chatting again, but I keep looking for that man. I don’t know why but I just want to find him, to see him again. I feel like I’m being pulled to go and find him. I look around again, and when I look back at, my friends Cadmus is watching me closely, the concern evident on his face. Rana doesn’t seem to notice as she chatters happily, putting food on her plate.

I need to know who that man is, and all I can think of are those eyes. I just want to go and find him. I put down my plate and don’t even say anything as I turn to leave. Before I can, Cadmus has my shoulder.

“Where are you going?” He questions, and I don’t know why but it just annoys me that he’s stopping me and challenging me like this.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you.” I snap, storming off. I don’t even know why I feel so mad. I just didn’t want him stopping me, but it isn’t like me to just snap at someone like that. I think a walk in the garden will help me clear my head. Maybe I did just imagine the man. I don’t think I did, but Rana and Cadmus didn’t see him. Was this the reason I felt like something was going to happen? Am I losing my mind and seeing things now? Why do I just want to see that man again so badly?

My thoughts are racing, and a smooth voice floats through the air, “What is a beautiful creature like you doing out here all alone? Pretty girls shouldn’t go walking in the dark alone.”