The Jem

~28~

Jermine, Darya and Deeja filed out of the fancy, luminescent carriage that they had rented. Even though the hotel was close to the extravagant palace, Deeja didn't want to get her dress dirty. They walked towards the main gates where a long line of people were waiting to enter.

After a few minutes they had finally reached the front and Jermine stared at one of the guards who had cat ears like Deeja's.

His whiskers twitched as he looked at the 3 leaflets, that they had quickly swiped off one of the hotel lobby's coffee tables, that now looked like the beautiful golden invitations that Jermine had thoroughly studied whilst they waited in the cue.

The guard almost looked like he was sniffing the entry passes, or was he sniffing them?

Not a moment longer, the guard smiled, his fangs flashing but it was a kind smile, he then gestured towards the palace, "Enjoy your time." Jermine could feel Darya and Deeja jump as they heard the cat-man's voice. It was rough and dark. Maybe that was the point, so that people won't think twice about doing anything stupid...doing anything like what the 3 of them were about to do.

                                         ~

The sky had not even a little shred of sun left in it but the gleaming stars made up for it. Brice stood near his father and mother's thrones as he watched all the glamorously dressed people waltz and mingle with each other. A few pretty girls had asked if the emperor's son wanted to dance but he had refused multiple times and every time he would look back at his father and shake his head.

His father gave him a piercing stare but Brice brushed that off too. He tapped his foot to the melody and hummed a little too when suddenly a girl came running straight into him. He opened his eyes and saw a silky cream gown was now covering him too from the waist down.

The girls chest was pressed against his and he still hadn't seen her face. She whispered delicately, "Your the element wielder?" Her question echoed in his head and then his eyes widened. Brice jumped up and helped the girl up too. The guards were there in a snap but the emperor's son gave a dismissive hand.

The girl was now dusting off her dress when suddenly he grabbed her hand and ran. After finding a quiet but incredibly dark room, Brice lit some candles then slammed the door shut.

It was still a little dark but he could see her perfectly fine. She was magnificent! Her silver plated eyes glistened like the stars above Galleyana. Her hair blue at the top then it descended to a pure turquoise that looked like it was endlessly flowing. She had tan skin that resembled melting caramel and her rosebud lips were glossy and full. He gawked at her beauty and her gorgeous cream, ruffled gown that didn't attempt to hide her breasts fully. Brice tried extremely hard not to look at them, he didn't even know this girl. But at least her perfect, symmetrical face helped distract him from her chest.

"Hello, your majesty?" Her voice softer than candy floss but just as sweet. He shook his head rapidly, "Sorry, Did you say something?"

"Actually yes, you're the element wielder?" She shrieked.

"Shhh, someone might hear you." Brice put finger to his lips.

"This is bad! Now we can't take you with us." She panicked but had now gone to a quiet whisper too.

"Take me where?"

"To fight the war with me and the other element wielders."

"I'll do it."

"What? No! Your dad will slaughter me and all of my friends, this has to be a mistake." She shook her head then took out a pendant from under her clothes and opened it with such gentleness. She placed a little purple stone in her hand, shortly it began to glow. It spun around the mysterious girl then it came towards him. He examined it with amazement.

"Oh my God! You are one!" She breathed angrily.

"Well sorry to disappoint you."

"Sorry for speaking in such a horrid tone, prince, but I can't take you with me- we can't take you with us. You will jeopardize our mission." She bowed her head but he only cringed at the tile-prince.

"I'm sorry to be such a burden, but I can't tell anyone who I am." He explained with an apologetic tone.

"Why not?" She asked with a now weary voice, she met his gaze.

"Because when I was a young boy, about 10, my father sent me to train and learn how to fight just incase of an emergency. The mage he sent me to, told me that I was an element holder. She trained me well but warned me if I told my father, bad things will occur."

"What kind of bad things?"

"Rosalind didn't say."

"Who's Rosalind?"

"My mage."

"Right, well this was a waste of time, but don't worry I won't tell anyone your little, oh sorry, HUGE secret." She winked at him with her thick, long eyelashes but he grabbed her arm that was covered with a silk, glove that had beautiful embroidery on it.

"I want to help."

"I'm sorry but I can't let you come, people will send a search party to find us!" She removed his hand from her arm.

"At least tell me your name."

"I'm Darya." A beautiful name only seemed fit for such a beautiful girl.

And he was definitely going with her, what was he going to change by sitting here? If he wanted to stand for his kingdom and protect it, he was going to help this girl and her friends fight the war.