The Destined

Chapter One - Allisia

Chapter one:

Allisia

When I look up to the mirror, I am gone. There's no trace of the fifteen year old girl I saw this morning. The girl who looks back at me seems older, wiser, and more confident. She's everything I've wanted to be. Her fiery orange dress does exactly what Assder said it would, highlighting the pale of my skin, the light in my hair. The mask I wear over the top half of my face shows only the green of my eyes; the rest is hidden with the stripes of a tiger. Tonight, I am fire. I am a tiger. I am a king.

My hair is down. The curls roll past my shoulders and down my back. I usually pull up every strand into a tight ponytail in an attempt to hide its fiery colour. Lucie once said my hair is so red it looks as if I've been pulled straight from the pits of Hell and ever since then I've tried to hide it. I don't have to tonight. The red glow only makes the dress look more beautiful.

I roll my hands down the waist of my dress, feeling it extend as it grows into a long skirt that trails the ground. Breathing deeply, I find it difficult, a reminder of how tight my corset is. Beauty is pain, Your Highness, Assder had said to me, while tightening the strings, which I don't think is true. Theresa never seems to be in any pain.

I turn towards the grand clock in the corner of my room. The hands moved with a gentle hum as I read the time. 9:15pm. The ball started fifteen minutes ago, which is perfect timing for me. I had decided hours ago to arrive late. Not for the sake of being fashionably late, but to avoid attention. If I'm the first one there, people will notice me more. No, tonight I had to focus on not getting any attention whatsoever.

The floorboards creak as I move towards the door, making me wince. If anyone knew what I was doing... if anyone knew I was sneaking out... I dread to think of my punishment. The door opens with a loud click, and I hold my breath, but nothing happens. No soldiers move up the stairs and tell me to go to bed. Nothing. I breathe out.

The hallway looks darker as I step out. It's still extravagant, but it looks toned down slightly by the dark colours. There are hundreds of frames lining the wall, each showing the past rulers of the old countries, showing respect to them and their sacrifice of power. They're all there; all except one. Johassan. But of course. Why would we pay respect to them?

I move on, not having much time left. I must be there by 9:20pm, which does not give me much time at all. My feet keep moving forward as I trail my hand on the soft wallpaper that layers the walls. I keep my eyes ahead of me, so that if I see a guard coming I can run back. But no one comes, and for that I am grateful.

I stop when I get to the staircase, tall and wide and revealing. Music echoes from the ballroom and I can see the light from the doors. There's no hiding anymore. I must look like I belong. And I try. Keeping my head high, I descend downwards, holding my tiger mask in place, and squeezing the banister tight. I can hear it clearly now; can hear the buzz of conversation and the clink of glasses topped with wine-

"Just where do you think you're going?" Her voice is filled with authority, just like it always is when she talks to me, and I close my eyes, breathing through my nose. Busted.

"Lucie," I say without turning around to meet her gaze. "I was just coming down for... a glass of water." The lie staggers to my lips with some struggle. I hear a laugh, and it doesn't sound like Lucie's.