AURORA

Chapter 7: Part I

            "Take me to my mother's room." My guards and I walk to my mother's chambers. They took me to a large off to the side room. A bulky door, similar to that of mine sands out. It's missing something; a rose. I grow large black roses though the door. The flowers vines split through the wood of the door, clutching its edges. I then proceed to open it. "Leave us." "Why mother, you look astonishing as usual." I place my cold, lifeless hands on her cheeks. She cringes. "Her hands are so cold, I feel their lack of warmth under my finger nails." She accepts my hands, but her eyes reveal rejection and distress. "Aurora. What brings you to my room?"

                "Can't a daughter visit her mother ? After all, you're free. Free to do as you please. Free to come and go as your heart desires. I only wanted to check on you. Tell me, how are you feeling?" A smirk flows over my face. "How am I feeling Aurora? I feel lost. I feel unwelcome. I feel as if I'm alone in this God forsaken world. But. I do admit, this beats sitting in that lonely dungeon. I sat there day and night wondering what the streets looked like. Wondering what would happen next. Living like a pig raised for slaughter. Wondering what on earth you were up to." My mother's voice was different from back home. It was more mature and less light. Expected of someone much larger than she is. I embrace it. It helped shine the light on the seriousness of her speech.

                I stand near her window and talk to it rather than looking at her. "Well, you're free now. Do not dwell on the past. I would like to propose an offer to end the night. I want you to become my second in command. If anyone wishes to do something or has a question and I'm not present, they will answer to you." I walk away from the window and towards her. As I speak, I begin to circle around her very slow and steady. I speak in a slowed down voice so she would understand exactly what I'm proposing.

             "You will have power. People will look up to you. They will not fear you, but they will know of your status. I will create you a throne of your own. Right next to me. You are not a prisoner here. This is your home. I do not ask you to rule by my side. No. I ask that you aid me in any way that you can. This offer will only be given once. Don't ponder on this. You know the answer." I head towards the door to leave her to her thoughts. I speak with my body facing towards the door and my eyes looking in her direction. I say my last thought and speak in a whisper. "I will throw a large feast at midday tomorrow in your honor. Come with your mind made or don't come at all." The door closes with a large thump and I head to my chambers.

              "Second in command? I don't think I can do this." I begin to steadily pace back and forth. Going wall to wall and thought to thought. "I'm not cut out to be anyone's second. Let alone the mother of an evil, atrocious daughter. Seeing her with her dark black dresses and gowns that resemble ravens is appalling. Every time she enters the room, any form of life is sucked right out.

              I try not to say anything out of the way. She has not forgotten the mother she once knew. The mother who changed her diapers. The one who called her sweetheart and protected her from her little brother Barbados, even though I didn't have to. Barbados. My sweet little boy. My young, innocent son. Knowing that I won't see him again, I flip the thought out of my mind.

            The only good thing I've seen her do is send them back home. At least I know they're safe there. Aurora the once sweet young lady. Turned dark and emotionless by the first man to love her. Love can be a risky thing. I remember having my heart broken many times. Only difference is, she has powers that allow her to physically express her pain. I only get to cry to ease my hurt. I can't even imagine how she took their lives." I pull myself together. I breathe in. I place my hand over my abdomen and exhale. I release the stress of tonight. I turn my fear into determination. I forgive her for throwing me into the dungeon. But I will never forget. I love her. She's my daughter. My child. My seed."

            I lazily head to my bed, kicking off my dusty shoes. My body falls back without resistance. Every part of me aching from the hard beds in the dungeon. My eyes look to the ceiling. The candles that light my room wither in the wind. They flicker in the reflection of my eyes. I can still smell Aurora. The smell of red, sweet wine. The image of her long black robe leaving the room sticks to the back of my head. She could just take off if she had wings. Although, she's a cold woman. She's still my beautiful spawn. My creation. My doing. My untested love for her, far greater than that of any corruption. "I've made my decision."

             I pull the covers over my body and then close my eyes and steer into the blankness of my mind. No thought or care in the world.