The Arrow of Midnight

Chapter 1

Those violet eyes have been staring back at me for the last 30 minutes, judging me. My eyes. Mother always said that no one can judge you more harshly than yourself. They now lingered on my round face, my small sharp nose, pointed ears, and full lips. I remember how I used to be teased for my appearance when I was younger. My skin had a more ashen color compared to my friends, almost grey in comparison to the people of this court. Not to mention my weight; I've always been heavier than my sisters and peers. I never pictured myself as overweight, but judging by my fuller chest, wide hips, and fairly sized thighs, I completely understand why I was seen as different.

"I told you not to pull so hard." My eldest sister's angry tone snapped me out of my trance, and I finally pulled my gaze to where my sister sat behind me in the mirror. Her face contorted with annoyance, her lips slightly parted in a silent snarl as she watched the handmaiden busy with her hair. My sister's golden blond hair was partially done up into a beautiful braid that coiled on the crown of her head. The smaller, tanned fae uttered a quiet apology as she continued curling the loose strands cascading down my sister's back.

"You asked her to hurry up. You can't expect her to work carefully when you're rushing her," Jane remarked to my right. She lazily smiled at our older sister through the mirror in front of her and received an equally annoyed look from Morrigan.

"That doesn't mean she has to do a bad job at it," Morrigan's voice was like acid in comparison to Jane's singsong voice. I've always loved Jane a little more, even as kids. She has a heart of gold, always smiling no matter how bad things get, but Morrigan, "heart" isn't the right word; perhaps a shard of ice is more fitting for what she has.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it, Mor," I mumbled just loud enough for my sister to hear, but an exasperated sigh was all I got as an answer. My own handmaid's hands were slightly cold as she brushed my scalp, attempting to fluff out my curls and pin half of them up. A small hint of frustration appeared on the poor girl's face as some strands refused to cooperate with her. I gently touched her hand closest to my ear and gave her a reassuring smile through the mirror when she looked at me. "It's alright, you'll get it." She replied with a smile of her own and tried a new tactic. Instead of using bobby pins, she placed them back on the armoire and opted for a large black claw clip. My dark onyx-colored hair hides the clip perfectly. I've always had unruly curls, so different from my sister's. They had the perfect straight and wavy curls.

"I can't wait for the coronation!" Jane exclaimed with a loud clap of her hands, causing her handmaid to jump a bit behind her. She had just finished my sister's up-do. "Do you guys think the princes will have to pick a lady this weekend as well?" My sister queried as she shifted sideways on her chair, resting one arm over the backrest. Her brown eyes were filled with excitement as she used her other hand to pull a few golden-brown strands loose by her ears to frame her face, causing her handmaid to sigh in defeat. Jane always loved her little face-framing pieces, regardless of the hairstyle. It always seemed to frustrate her handmaid, who once mentioned that they made her look unruly and unkempt, but Jane never listened.

"Of course they will," Morrigan huffed, waving her hand to dismiss her handmaid. The girl curtsied and hurried to the door, waiting for her companions to join her. "They are of age to marry and take over their court. I doubt their father will be alive much longer with that dreadful illness that has been haunting him for the past few years. A king is crowned shortly after his 130th birthday, while the princes are already 142; it's their time to take over the obligations." My sister inspected herself in the mirror as she spoke, the light dancing on her sun-kissed skin through the open window. The king has been sick for as long as I can remember, with the illness progressing over the years, becoming more life-threating. From what I understand, the king is now bedridden and frail. The princes have already been doing most of the king's duties. "But don't get your hopes up, J." There will be many other esteemed ladies there. They've invited all the courts from the continent, all the lords and ladies, and their families."