Crystal Heart

Chapter 2 ~ Savior or Jailer?

Chapter 2

             

        I gazed at the Prince through half open eyes. He could only see my eyes as that was all the mask would allow.  The turquoise eyes that make men fear and that haunted their dreams as burning flames of light. Yet he seems so unperturbed, as if my eyes were a regular occurence. Nothing out of the ordinary. What if he isn't like the others? What if he-NO! I have gone down this road too many times. No one can help me. Once I reach my 18th birthday, it will be hopeless. I am at marrying age but I know that I will never marry because who could want someone like me.

        I used to be beautiful.

        With my ruby red hair and turquoise eyes. My skin used to be smooth and fair but now it is scarred and ugly. I don't know what to do. My eyes suddenly snapped up to meet his and everything seemed to stop. It was as if  there was sparks coming from both of us and clashing. Twisting together to form a ribbon around our hearts.

        I felt something inside of me, a stirring, as if something that had been asleep was finally waking up again. I tore my gaze away from his because my vision had become blurry with tears and my parents had begun to speak to him. 

"Prince William of Osiris, Welcome to Amoriana. I'm sure you remember Aradia. You used to play together as children." 

        He said this all in a warm and easy tone even though I could see through the fascade. His eyes were cold and calculating and the only thing that he truly saw was how much land and resources that Osiris had. Our parent's had planned our marriage since we were born. I suppose they left out the prophecy though. That on the day the world was consumed in fire, I would die. 

        I turned to gaze at William and slightly recoiled when I saw that he was staring straight at me. 

        His voilet eyes burned from a hard face. One born of war and bloodshed. His firm jaw and sharp cheekbones seemed dignified and yet shy somehow. His skin was a bronze and his hair was a deep chocolate with a streak of white. I remembered him. When my scars started to show, he had looked me straight in the eye as he gently kissed each one. I gasped under my breath, I remembered him. My Will, It had been so long since I had seen him.

        That was two years ago, a few days after my 15th birthday, he had found me. My parents didn't know that he had found me. That he had befriended me and kept me posted by letter and sometimes in person on the outside world. I still had his letters. How could someone so beautiful love a beast? I wanted him to love me and not care that I was deformed. I wanted so much but to feel such longing would be to admit that I wanted my parents to love me and to accept me for who I am. And that is not acceptable. I am the Ice Queen. 

        I had recieved the nickname throughout court and even though they whispered, I still heard them. Ever since I had arrived, I made sure to appear distant and disattached becuase if I was destined to die then why even bother trying to get to know people when that means that there are only more people to leave grieving. 

        I was deep in thought I almost missed what my father said next.

"So, Prince William, tomorrow night we are throwing a ball in honor of your arrival. I trust that you both shall open the ball accordingly?"

        William smiled at my father and said, 

"It would be my honor. How could I deny such generosity? That is, if Princess Aradia will have me?"

        Everyone turned expectantly towards me. I felt completely panicked and out of sorts but I managed to say in a calm voice, 

"I would be delighted Prince William. And I am so glad that you have come to Amoriana."

        His eyes seemed to darken as if he could hear my frustration and panic. It was as if he was disappointed that I didn't want to dance with him, to get to know him. Now that I remembered, I understood his disappointment but that didn't calm my panic. I only felt a pang in my chest. Then I completely shut down my emotions and got through the rest of the meeting. 

        Once it was over, I rushed from the room when someone suddenly pulled me behind a curtained alcove. I knew who it was before they spoke and I steeled myself before he spoke.

"Aradia, please, don't run from me. Don't you remember me? Please."

        He was begging me and I could only stare at him. Suddenly, he snatched my mask off my face and I gasped in horror, trying to cover myself. He grabbed my hands and came close to my face. 

"Don't hide from me. Don't you dare hide from me."

        I looked into his eyes and for once in my life, crumbled. All my defenses couldn't hold against the onslaught of my emotions because when I gazed into his eyes, there was something that I couldn't identify. Something I refused to identify. Tears spilled down my face and I didn't say anything as he got closer and closer. His lips gently brushed over my cheek, where the scars were the worst, yet he never faltered. He simply kissed them as they were his most treasured item. I had missed him so much. 

"Will, what are you doing?" 

        I couldn't help but gasp out. He shifted his eyes to meet mine and slowly took in my appearance before he answered. My flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and the tears that streamed down my face. He then leaned closer and brushed his lips over mine and it took everything in me not to pull him closer, instead, I stayed as stiff as a board. He pulled away only to whisper, 

"Why did you run away from me? Do you hate me?"

"I could never hate you."

"Then why?"

"Because I couldn't bear for you to see me like this. Because I hate myself!"

        I cried this out with a desperation born of fear and longing. The fear was too great and tearing myself away from him, I grabbed my mask, slipped it on, and ran away from him. I heard him shout out my name, begging me to come back to him. Begging me to love him.

I'm sorry Will, I'm so sorry. 

Goodbye, Will.

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I KNOW THAT I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN A REEEAAAALLLLYYY LONG TIME AND I'M SORRY! You know how time flies when you're busy with school and all those hideous projects and test they like to give you. But look, I have an update!!! Tell me what you think by COMMENTING!!!! You know how much I love those. Well, have a lovely day and hopefully wonderful time while reading this. Well, it is depressing so maybe not a lovely time but you know what I mean! Love and Dragons!! <3 <3