The Crown's Reflection

Chapter Eighteen: In Another Life

"In some other life we are standing side by side and laughing that, in some other life we are apart."

"What?" Everett slashed through the silence, incredulous. The nervousness that had plagued him the second he entered the room heightened. Ever couldn't imagine the things going thorough Elsea's mind. She had wanted to become queen for so long, but would this genuinely give her what she wanted? Ruling next to her sister? Confusion swirled through him and he wondered if she still wanted to be queen, after everything. Maybe he was a fool for thinking she would prefer a life in Raveene...with him. Why would she, when she could live a life of luxury? 

"Um. I mean-" Elsea stumbled over her words, before saying softly, "No."

"What was that?" 

"If what you say is true, that you would actually want me to rule next to you, then...no. I-I don't want to become queen anymore." 

Saphira smiled, and Everett couldn't see a bit of Elsea in her. "Little Sea Sea. Do you understand? I am saying that you could be queen. We could be so powerful together.  You don't know what its like to feel the surge of power. It doesn't corrupt. It creates."

Elsea backed away, as if scared of what was being offered. "You don't understand. I have a life. In Raveene." A rush of relief and pride shot through Ever. He didn't admit it out loud, but a hidden part of Everett was scared of what would happen if Elsea ever became queen. Of how it would change her. 

"With him?" Saphira gestured to him without taking her eyes off of her twin. She was so twisted, so focused on entertaining herself. She made beautiful look ugly. "A commoner. Elsea!" She threw her hands up, and her lover stepped aside, as if wary that she would start going crazy. Not that she wasn't already. "You have potential. And I happen to be just the person who can exploit it." 

"Why would you give up half of your power?" Elsea challenged, refusing to look at Everett. 

"Sometimes the most complicated choices have the most simple answers. I think it would be interesting to see what you do. But the thing is," Saphira leaned in like she was telling a secret. "You won't just be ruling Asteria." 

"What do you mean?" Everett spoke up, sick of being excluded. 

"Quiet." Saphira tossed aside his words and continued. "I am building an army. Isn't that something! You see, I'm so incredibly bored. Nothing's ever enough for me. And then I had a thought. What if I could expand my power? I know what your thinking Sea Sea, how am I going to conquer multiple kingdoms by myself? Which is where you come in." 

"What is wrong with you?" Everett started, before a casual flick of Saphira's finger had a nearby guard punch him in the stomach, sending him reeling with agony to his knees. 

"Stop it!" Elsea screamed. "I don't want to become queen and take over the world with you. How could you think me so callous?" 

"I always thought that if you were in a book, you'd be the villian, Sea Sea. I don't make sense on the throne. You do. We balance each other out. Your ambition. My beauty. Your logic. My boldness." She said the last few sentences in a bubbly yet vicious way that made shivers run down Everett's neck.

"I have my own life now, Saph. You need to let go. You're not being yourself." Elsea appeared to try and gently reason with her deranged sister.

"So you'd rather go back to Raveene." She spat the word out like dirt. Ever had a bad feeling as a deadly calm surrounded her. 

"Yes." Elsea said, and even through Ever was still in pain, a smile broke across his lips.

"I was afraid of that. Luckily, my lovely guards can be quite persuasive." She nodded to them. "Kill him." Everett barely had time to process as a spear headed for his throat.

"Wait!" Elsea said quickly before they could lope off his neck. 

The queen halted them with a hand. 

Ever opened his eyes cautiously when he realised that he was not, in fact, dead. The blade moved to lay on top of his adam's apple, moving with each swallow.

A red haired guard shifted nervously, taking two steps towards Elsea before stopping. 

"How could you kill an innocent person?" Elsea looked at the man holding the spear to his neck in betrayal.

"I would kill to protect my family." He responded.

"Time is ticking." Saphira  tapped her wrist impatiently. She glanced meaningfully at Ever.

"Don't hurt him." She whispered, and the queen lifted her eyebrows expectantly. "Just- I'll do it. Whatever you do, don't hurt him."

"How touching." Saphira clapped slowly. "Let's get this started now, shall we?"

"Els!" Everett lost it, jamming his elbow into the guard's gut and running towards her. He was quickly restrained and held back. "Elsea! Don't do this. I don't want you to change. I don't want you to give up everything for me." 

A sad smile grazed her lips, her mind lost in a web of thoughts. 

A couple minutes later, an identical crown to Saphira was brought out. Everett was a tangle of confusion and horror as Saphira took it and held it above Elsea's head. 

"I pronounce Sea Sea-oops I mean Elsea Gryphon-" Saphira paused to giggle hysterically. "Queen of Asteria!" Everett was in shock as the crown descended. How could one person have so much power? Saphira could do anything she wanted, and there would be no one to stop her. The flaws in Asterion society astounded him. No one with that much power could remain the same. 

Elsea shakily raised her head, the weight of the crown settling with finality atop her fading dyed hair.  Her eyes flashed, an eagerness creeping in. 

"I-I'm queen?" The breath left her lips like a question. Ever sensed that all thoughts of Raveene were gone, replaced by the slowly stoked fire that had fueled her her whole life. Everything was happening too fast. Elsea shuddered with feeling and brought her hands up to where the crown rested. The inner turmoil rocked through her body, old desire thrown back in her face. No one could save her from herself. 

It was then that Everett knew that everything was about to change. 

___

That's the end! I don't think I developed Saphira well at all, so the ending feels quite cheap...but I hope you enjoyed nevertheless. Don't forget to vote and comment! Thank you so much for joining me on my writing journey! 

Listen to The Crown's Reflection playlist on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2JWNiOYk28olVEQBI633tU?si=1dabf04066d5429b