𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 - 𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙧.

༄ؘ 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦.

"I painted stars and the moon and clouds and just endless, dark"

    War shaped us all. War builds us up, only for us to crumble back down.  It shatters our hearts.

    There was blood everywhere. It coated the room, my dress, and I could taste the coppery tang on my tongue. The High Lord of Autumn's body was twisted and contorted unnaturally. How did no one hear his screams?

    Or maybe everyone just ignored it.

    There were persists and physicians scattered around the lifeless body, frantic whispers exchanged throughout the circle. Only ten minutes ago, Eris found the crippled body of his father. His shout of fury burst through every hall. Fear drenched my scent, my teeth clenching in anticipation as the shit-eating grin on Beron's eldest's son's face grew. 

   As the next few years flew by, females began disappearing from the court one by one. Whether they were sold, assassinated, or fled, we never knew.  Blood rained upon us all as Eris and his siblings battled for the throne. I heard whispers of the Night Court vouching for that bastard, making my blood run cold. And so there I sat, in the front row of the court, watching the males battle to victory. Fae prodded and jabbed me, some cheering, others recoiling. But none of that could compare to the horror of watching Eris drive his blade through his brother's chest.

   This happened twice. 

    On the night of March fifth, a noble ball was thrown. Frilly ribbons and lace were sewed together, my dress being no exception. I threw pretty smiles and waves to the noblemen. My cheeks hurt. But my mask broke as I finally turned to face my best friend; Lizzie Bizeveron. For two-hundred ninety-seven years, the two of us were inseparable. 

    "Finally done?" The female chucked, holding out an arm to me. I reluctantly took it, a sigh escaping my lips. "This shit sucks. I mean, you'd think we'd be used to it by now."

    Lizzie grimaced in agreement. "hmm. On the bright side, being noble means we have full support and adoration of the court," her spring-green eyes scanned the room. I only nodded.

    My voice came out in a rasp as I breathed, "Lucien would've detested this place."

    "It's a pity he was too much of a coward to stick around," my friend tensed at the mention of our once-close friend. A murderer.

    "I don't blame them. Try having the whole of the Autumn Court chasing after you for revenge."

    "Well, I most certainly do," Liz laughed, her tone sorrowful and bitter. I breathed in the night-chilled air to soothe the nausea coiling in the pit of my stomach. It all happened years ago- years. And yet the memories felt fresh and new, like a re-opened wound. Maybe the incident didn't matter much to me, but to Lizzie...

    "JESMINDA," the sobbing Female roared. Her gaze could cut steel. There were such sorrow and panic lurking beneath the surface. 

    I tightened my grip on her thin arms. I didn't recognize my voice as I croaked, "she's dead."

    There, sprawled in the middle of the throne room, was Jesminda's half-burned body. Her limbs were mauled, twisted, and black. 

    "I'll kill you I'll kill you I'll kill you," raw emotion ripped through Liz's voice as she surged from my grip, darting for Lucien's golden-brown throat. I had known the risk. The risk of allowing the two to be together. But this.. this was far beyond what I thought may happen. I felt, more than saw, my limbs acting upon their own accord as I shielded the two from each other. The room smelled of blood and salt. The female was clawing at my barriers, too weak to access her own power. Her anguish was tearing her apart as the seems.

    "You're why my sister is dead. YOU'RE THE REASON SHE'S LIKE THIS," Lizzie shot at Lucien, her own power curling around her slim frame. He choked on a sob, raising a golden-brown hand to his face. 

    "Don't pretend you care," Liz sneered, pointing a now-taloned finger at him. "If you really loved her, you wouldn't have done this."

   The words hit him worse than a blow. A wrecked sob tore from his throat as his boots crunched in the leaves, backing away from the blood and fire reined upon us. My own silky hair was matted with it, and so was Liz's. My honey-brown eyes finally met his. Such sorrow lingered there. I jerked my pale chin to the doors of the blown-open hall. A silent command. Go. Get out of here.  

   Lizzie's screams of anguish echoed the halls as the red-headed male winnowed out of sight. I could feel hot tears sting my own face as I took one last glance at Jesminda's ruined body, and became mist, shadow, and air. 

    I reached up, under my mask, to wipe the last of my tears away. "I'm so-"

    Screamed erupted down the ballroom. That's when it hit me. 

    The coppery tang of blood filled my senses, it masked my mind for all reason as I stumbled over the linens of my dress to the center of the room.

    There. Underneath the ruby-diamonds chandelier, was Siera. With a thin, ash-tipped blade sprouting from his pale chest. The blade was yanked from his heart, revealing a grimacing Eris, taking in the sight of his dying brother. 

    Siera--  Siera was the only reasonable one left of Beron's sons. He told me he didn't want the bloodshed. The throne. And he helped me. I could even consider him a childhood friend.

   Eris's cold gaze fell upon mine as I mustered two words.

    "You swore."

    He rose a copper brow, seating his blade back to his side.

    "You swore you wouldn't touch him," I repeated, my face crumbling from its mask of composure. 

    He merely sniggered. "Did I, now?" paused. "Seria, no matter his claims, is a threat to my power. I couldn't let the bastard live, after all the trouble I already went through." Eris strode to the silvergrass painting on the wall beside me. "I didn't know you were so infiltrated with him. tsk, had I known, I could have shipped you off to marry the prick." I flinched, fingering the pale blue of my skirts. "I don't know what you're talking about." 

   He huffed a laugh, turning to me with a mocking bow. "'Till we meet again, Lady," and disappeared into flame and shadow.  I felt a clammy hand meet mine, and my eyes met a pair of spring-green ones. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her gaze sliding to the now-limp body before us all.

    I shook my head, dark hair swaying. My sharp heels clicked on the marble flooring as I teetered to Seria's body. My throat was as dry as sandpaper as I held out a slender hand, whispering a silent prayer as starlight turned his body to dust and ash.