This is my first story... so I hope you guys enjoy it :)
It takes place in a world filled where mythical creatures and humans live together, and where modern culture and past cultures all co-exist.
Chapter 1: Looking Ridiculous
Arnia (Are-Knee-Ah) Lilith POV
I sighed as I looked in the mirror. I looked absolutely hideous; I don’t even know why I let my mother do this to me.
Tonight was the night of the annual ball held at the castle. The Queen and King had ten male children, all born a year after the other, and every year one comes of age to find their mate, everyone from around the country goes to the ball to also find their mates. Girls mostly go in hopes that the prince will choose them to be their mate, and boys go to choose their mate, since they have a better chance at finding them then.
I go because my mother makes me.
Three years ago I became of age (16 years old) to find my mate, and ever since then my mother has been sending me off to the ball in hopes that the prince may be my mate, but so far I haven’t been. Not that I care, I would rather stay home and look after my little sister, Elisa. We are both were foxes, which means we are half human, half fox. I can turn fully into a fox or human, while she stays at a halfway phase between the two. She has a human body with fox ears and tail, but because she can neither be a full fox or a full human she is slowly dying and only has a few more years to live, which is sad because she may never even reach her mating age.
I continued to stare into the mirror, my mother dressed me up into what she said would “attract all the boys” and “that no one would be able to keep their hands off me.” That was bullshit, because my face was covered in pale white thick make-up, red chalk was smeared across my cheek that matched to too red lipstick on my lips.
At least my eyes were okay though. My mother didn’t do anything to them. I outlined them in eyeliner, and put on a little bit of mascara. I looked on my bed at the dress my mother wanted me to wear, it was a cute knee length, no sleeves, cream white dress, it was also tight fitted around my waist and then it flared out under a black bow was also around the waist.
It was cute and simple, but my mother wanted me to wear a giant white fluffy coat over it, black tights under it (I am okay with the tights), and huge fluffy boots to match the giant fluffy coat. My mother also pinned all my hair up so it looked weirdly short and uneven.
I am pretty sure my mother does not want me to find my mate because I am going to look ridiculous.
Just like the last three years.
I got dressed and walked down the stairs into the living room where my sister sat flicking through the cannels on the TV. She glanced up at me and dropped the remote.
“What happened to you?” She said staring wide eyed at my outfit and face.
“Mum.” I mumbled staring out the window hoping that my ride will come soon.
“I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want you to find your mate.” She said putting the remote, “I mean, who else would take care of me if you leave. She wouldn’t.” She mumbled the last part to herself.
“You don’t know that,” I sighed sitting beside her, but we both she wouldn’t. I have been taking care of her since I was 7. I wrapped my arms around her, “Besides even if I found my mate I would take you with me if I moved out.”
“Really?” She asked smiling up at me from the hug,” Thank you.”
“Anything for you, Ely,” I rubbed the top of her head, and kissed her forehead getting some of the gross red lipstick on her.
“EWW!” She giggled jumping back from me while trying to get of the lipstick. I laughed as her as I heard a car horn honk. “You have to leave already?” She pouted.
“Yea, but I will be back tonight, and I will come and say goodnight to you.” I told her while smiling. She smiled back up at me and nodded her small head mumbling a quick okay, bye, and love you. “Bye, love you too.” I left the house remembering to lock it behind me since our mother was out and I didn’t want anyone randomly walking in while my sister. I jumped into the front seat of my friend’s car.
“JESUS!” She exclaimed, “What the fuck happened to you? You look absolutely-“
“My mother.” I replied, she nodded her head in understanding. Mai, my friend, knew what would happen to me if I didn’t listen to my mother. Anything that would range from a slap on the face, to cleaning the entire house, to living without food for a couple days, and even with holding Elisa’s pain medication which was the worse. So I always listened to her just in case my punishment was that.
“You know you’ll never find your mate looking like that.” Mai mumbled after five minutes of silence. God I wish I looked like her, she was absolutely beautiful with her silver blond wavy hair, bright blue eyes that sometime turned green depending on what she was wearing, and full lips. She also had the perfect figure, curves in all the right places and slim where most guys preferred. Where I was pretty much the opposite, my eyes were nearly black, I had smaller lips than her, my hair was wavy also but it was a dark brown, I also did not have big assets like her, where she was a c cup I was a b.
“I know, but you know… my mum.” I mumbled, looking out the window watching the world pass away. The area quickly went from what looked like modern culture suburban homes to rustic brick homes. I looked forward and saw the castle coming into view.
“I know, but no one really wants to be seen with you in public looking like this.” She gestured to my outfit and face and I winced.
“I understand, I wouldn’t either,” I sighed again, god I wish she would drop it.
“Why don’t you take most of that off and I bet you wouldn’t look half bad.” She suggested.
“And then I see my mother when I get home and she punishes me.” I told her, she nodded understanding. “No thank you, I rather live without that.”
“Yea, oh well, hopefully your mate looks past all of your –“
“I get it, please stop.” I said. “I know I look ugly.” She parked her car in the parking lot just outside the moat of the castle, and we got out.
“Yea, but… um… I don’t really want to be… seen… with you.” She said looking at me and then looking around hoping that no one seen us. “I’m sorry, but what if you are what is keeping my mate from me. I want to find him, I understand you don’t really care about finding you… but I want to find mine, and I need the best… advantage… at… um… finding him. I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” I said, although I didn’t. I mean what the fuck, who does that to their friend? Whatever I’ll survive this night without her. “When are you thinking of leaving?”
“Around midnight after the crowning of the Reject Queen, and the King Rejecter,” She said, “It’s so funny watching them dance together.” She giggled. The Reject Queen is the most unattractive girl that gets rejected the most, and the King Rejecter is the handsomest guy who rejects the most girls. They make the two dance to make whoever else got rejected feel better about themselves. It’s a cruel thing to do but everyone else enjoys it. I was the Reject Queen for two years, and I am hoping not to be her again this year.
“It’s not funny when you’re the reject queen,” I mumbled walking away from her towards the castle.
A butler opened the door for me,” Madam?” She said looking at me with a confused face. I nodded, “We’ll then, right this way.” He led me through elaborate hallways filled with paintings of kings and queens, wars, and inventions. Then he opened the door to the ball room.
