War of Faeries

Chapter 15

Shannon dressed me in a black top that cut off right underneath my chest, but the lace at the hem made it stick to my skin like glue. The spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back kept the front of the shirt from falling open every time I moved. Standing in front of the mirror with the top on and my black lacy underwear one would assume I was ready for a swim. I quickly pulled on the deep maroon skirt that stopped mid thigh on, and sat in front of my mirror waiting for Shannon to complete the look she had in mind today.

She made sure my hair was perfectly straight, and a hair wasn't out of place. She turned the chair around, and I got the hint. It was time for me to close my eyes, and let her do my makeup. It didn't take long for her to complete her task and when she turned me around so I was facing the mirror again she grabbed the jewelry off the vanity. I sat in silence, watching her every movement as she placed the black rings on my fingers, and changed the industrial earring I had in for a new one.  A black one in the shape of an arrow with diamonds encrusted on the shaft. 

Samantha handed me my black boots and black socks. I let out a sigh as I put them on. Id rather not get ready fro my day because Henry had something planned for me. Id rather get ready so I could find him. So I could go back to those moments when I fall asleep tonight, so I would be wrapped in his arms once more. I knew better than to wish for something like that. 

"I would appreciate it if you didn't wash this." I say picking up the shirt I wore to bed last night. 

"Of course ma'am." Samantha butts in before Shannon could ask any questions. 

I give her a faint smile before making my way towards the door. I place my hand on the handle, and that's all I do. I couldn't find it in myself to open the door. Before any of my maids could say anything I take a deep breath and open the door. 

The only thing heard were my shoes on the tile as I walked towards the dinning room. Everyone was there, they were waiting for me. I took my seat next to Jeremy and John, making me face Henry and Elenore. I could feel the anger and hatred I have for those two people rise up inside me. 

I had almost forgot what Elenore did to Mrs. Cora last night, but seeing her face reminds me why I was even out of the palace in the first place. Jeremy grabs my hand from under the table squeezing it, reminding me that I have to keep my temper under control. Henry misses the action because he is staring at his plate, Elenore on the other hand sends me a wicked smirk. She caught the action, she knew that she had successfully wiggled her way under my skin.

"It is nice to see that you are safe and sound in the palace. We had quite the scare last night when you seemed to disappear on us." Elenore's annoying voice fills my ears. Apparently she had decided now was the perfect time to destroy my day. "You were missing for quite some time, if I might say so myself." 

No one and I mean absolutely no one wanted to know what she thought. I am even willing to bet her parents didn't care. That's why they were so eager to send her to Henry to marry. 

"I wasn't missing." Which is true, you cant be missing when you are right where you intended to be. "Maybe instead of paying so much attention to me, you should be paying attention to yourself. Or your makeup at least." I say snickering. Her makeup was smeared from her eating, which I was surprised that she was even eating. Girls like her would do absolutely anything to be the thinnest one around. Now that she was in the palace, that pressure was even more. 

She gasps at my comment, and throws a hand up to cover her face before fleeing the room. The room is silent besides my snickering.  Henry glares at me, while John and Jeremy fight to keep their laughter under control. 

"We start your training today." Henry states as I stab at my food. 

"I figured. What part of the competition do you want me participating in?" I ask as soon as he shoves his mouth full of food. 

"You can choose. All of my participants can sub in and out if I need them too. I just needed one more person."

"Archery it is." I state, taking a bite of my fruit. 

Henry's jaw clenches at my statement, archery is his playing field. Everyone knows that, and no one would ever dare kick him out. No one but me. Pissing the prince off is one of my favorite past times, and now that Elenore is roaming these halls I can do so easier. 

"Archery it is then." he repeats, I smile at him before taking another bite of food. 

                                                                                    ****

"If you want to compete in the competition you have to be better than that." Henry says as my arrow hits the bullseye again. I have hit the bullseye five times in a row now, but he still finds a way to complain about what I am doing. 

"What exactly is the problem? I have made every shot." I turn to him, laying my bow down on the table separating us. Good thing too, otherwise he would be dead by now.

"You have made every shot with your eyes open, and a perfectly controlled environment. What happens when we get to the tournament and its so cold you can't feel your fingers, and the wind is whipping around.  Or the visibility, did you think about that? I don't think you did. You don't even know where the competition is, so how could you have thought about those things?

"If you have a problem with the environment of the room, maybe you should change that."

"No. You aren't ready for that yet. You take too long to shoot now, what happens when we add a challenge? You'll be too slow. Either fix yourself now- or back out of the competition."