Dusk at Midnight

{ 3 } A Princess in Mourning

Astra

I stared mournfully at my reflection in the mirror.

My black attire matched the dark circles under my eyes I had gained from crying all night. I half expected my mother to come into my room with another one of her outfits, but the door stayed shut and so did my heart.

A knock on the door startled me and for a foolish second, I thought it was my mother. Instead, one of her maids appeared at the door, holding a small box tied with an ivory ribbon.

"Your Highness? The guards found something in the late Queen's room... it's addressed to you."

I sucked in a sharp breath at the mention of my mother and bit back hot, angry tears.

Why did I hesitate at that moment? If only-

No, even if I had not hesitated, I wouldn't have been able to do anything. All the Xealite Crystals were in the Training Hall, so there was no way I could have used my magic.

My eyes widened as realisation struck. They had been planning it from the start. The twenty years of peace had meant nothing. They had plotted their revenge--at the cost of the Queen's life.

My mother's life-

"Your Highness? Are you feeling ill?"

The soft, gentle tone of the servant startled me out of my thoughts and I felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me.

"Everything is fine, thank you." I tried to speak with my usual eloquence, but the lump in my throat made me croak out my words. "You can leave it over there."

The servant nodded, sending a concerned look my way before bowing and hurrying out of my chambers.

Darkness settled around me again and suddenly the feeling of loneliness permeated the air. Shivering slightly, I pulled the heavy wool of my ebony shawl tighter around my body and closed my eyes.

Maybe this was all a bad dream, and I would wake up to see the kind face of my mother. Maybe...

A pure white light shone through my eyelids and my eyes snapped open. I glanced towards the source and saw that it came from the small box the servant had placed on my table. Slowly rising from my bed, I stepped closer and reached out to place a hand on the box.

It was... warm.

I lifted it and brought it back to my bed, untying the ribbon. A small slip of paper fluttered to the ground and squinting slightly, I lifted it to the light.

To my dearest daughter, Astra,

The time has come to give you what I had waited so long to do. This was gifted to me by my dearest friend and now, it is time for you to have it. I hope that it will aid in times of need as it has for me. Thank you for being such a strong and beautiful daughter and I am so grateful for you.

I wish you the most wonderful twentieth birthday, my sweet.

Love, your proud mother

I closed my eyes as a tear slipped down my cheek. Clutching the letter to my chest, I bit my lip as I held in another hot rush of tears.

Glancing down at the box, I saw that the soft glow was slowly ebbing away and I lit a lamp. I tucked the letter into my pocket, heart clenching with pain as my mother's crystal blue eyes flashed through my mind. Those eyes that were so like mine...

I shook my head, bringing my attention back to the small white box. Carefully lifting the lid, I wondered what my mother had given me.

Inside the box was a brilliant white crystal framed by small diamonds. Light danced off it, casting its multi-coloured reflections onto the dull walls of the room.