Heir to the Seelie Throne

Bad Dreams

Samia POV*

Those eyes... Hazel Green eyes staring in mine. I felt naked in that stare, like they were searing me straight to my soul.

Alpha Stephan was standing there, by the purple willow tree. The water from the nearby small pond revealing his impressive reflection. He was leaning on the trunk of the tree wearing dark trousers and a white flowing tunic. He was trying to tell me something...

I couldn't make out his words. I came closer... Approaching him with caution. Afraid of my reaction towards how beautifully eerie he looked standing there. But then he changed. His hair became darker, almost as black as mine. No, darker now. Black as night. His eyes... They weren't hazel green anymore. They were black, like a bottomless hole sucking you in... quietly drowning you.

My curiosity kept my feet inching towards him... closer... until I was finally standing before him.

He reached his hand out to caress my cheek. His face, became more sculpted, as if carved by stone. His skin was no longer that golden tan color, but almost alabaster. It was so pale it glowed in the moonlight. He was not Stephan anymore... this was someone else.. something else. He opened his mouth to speak and that's when I caught a glimpse of fangs. .

"You will be mine soon mon amour", he whispered.

"Who are you?", I said under my breath, barely audible.

"Wake-up Princess", was his reply.

His face started to slowly dissolve into a silver mist.

"Wait! Come back to me!", I shouted.

I spun around, I was alone.

"Wake-Up Princess!", I heard again in the darkness.

"Where are you?", I spoke again.

I closed my eyes... When I opened them again Nala's face hovered over mine.

"Wake-up Princess! They are awaiting your arrival downstairs.", she said.

It was just a dream... It felt so real! I shook off the uneasy remnants of the dream and stretched my muscles and yawned.

What a pounding headache! Too many pink lemonade shooters... Never again, I swear. Yeah right, who am I kidding. I whispered a quick spell and dulled the ache in my skull.

I arose from my bed and headed to the bathroom. I showered and scrubbed off the bad vibes I woke up with.

I was now in my closet trying to figure out which gown I should wear today... I promised father I would give these knights a chance so I guess I have to at least try and look presentable huh?

Ah yes, this silver-icy blue dress is perfect. The color went perfectly with my eyes. It had a strapless corset attached to the flowing skirt that reached mid-thigh. It was a bit short but what the hell. I was being courted for my love and hand, might as well tease them a bit in the process. I giggled to myself. I applied some mascara, a light blush and clear lipgloss to accentuate my features rather than cover them up with heavy make-up. I left my hair down and simply combed through the knots made from me tossing and turning in my sleep.

I slipped on my light pink pumps and put on my mother's necklace. Father wasn't aware I found this one day under my pillow. There was a small parchment left with it. It read:

'For dire times, use this to protect you -mom'

I still had no clue how to use it but it was still beautiful. It was a platinum long chain that reached my belly button. The pendant was a clear orb with half a dragons wing attached to it. Engraved behind the wing was 'Damos Helios Koi'..

What that meant I had no idea. Nala placed my tiara on my head and said a quick, "You look beautiful, as always," and walked me out the door.

I climbed down the staircase with Nala trailing behind me. She was very petite and had short blonde pixie hair with shiny blue eyes.

She opened the door to our sitting room and I went inside to find father and uncle engaged in a conversation.

**** 

Illios POV*

I just finished meeting with my courts elected knights chosen to compete for my daughter's hand. The council has chosen Sir Aerys, Sir Micah and my very own Llyr.  

I was a bit surprised Llyr had elected himself to participate. He had never shown any interest in Samia before? Although his gaze does seem to linger on her at times... Then again whenever he notices me watching him he quickly looks away. Hmm... I guess I was always too distracted to realize he had a crush on her.

I chuckled at the thought. All the women at court always threw themselves at his feet and now I know why he never gave them a second glance. He was waiting for Samia this whole time. I wonder why he never told me... maybe he was afraid of what I would say. If the gods were kind then I would happily accept Llyr as my successor and as my only daughter's husband. He was a good man, an honorable knight, and a trusted guard for many years.

I will silently cheer him on... Maybe even help him out here or there in the challenges. I smiled to myself at the thought. Illios... You little cheater my conscience whispered...

"What's so funny?", asked my brother.

I had been staring out the window lost in my own thoughts when he spoke. I looked at him then. He was my identical twin except where I had the palest of white hair, he had the darkest black. He cropped it short since last I saw him. He once had hair as long and as silver as mine. But as the years went by, with each spell he cast, it slowly began to turn his locks darker. I know deep down he was ashamed of his new feature, probably the reason behind his new hair cut.

I still loved him. And being twins, I can feel his sorrow... as I once felt his hate and jealousy. I know he is trying to undo his wrongs but until he proves to me he has turned his back on the darkness for good will I then embrace him as brother again.

"Oh nothing of importance Cai, how have you been all these years? It's been a while since i've laid eyes on you," I said.

He narrowed his eyes at me, surely noting the sarcasm in my empty response. He could tell I did not miss him. "I have been well Illios," he quietly responded.

"That's nice. So whom have you graced us with from your court to vouch for Samia's hand?", I asked.

He said, "Two of my greatest knights no less. Sir Cain and Sir Sebastian. They have both expressed great interest in ruling and have proven their loyalty to me countless times."

"Are you sure their not just after power and the promise of a beautiful queen at their side?", I studied him, awaiting his reply. His jaw was clenched, surely biting back what he truly wanted to tell me.

Just then the door creaked opened and in walked my daughter...

Author's Note: Pic of Sebastian--->