Sunset Legend

• 8 •

An hour later, after the shock wore off that my home was here and a promise was made I would ask no more questions about the situation tonight, the five of us were riding a train that would lead us to the city.
I sat by the window, watching the glowing grass whip by. We were coming up to a tunnel in a larger hill.
"Get ready for this," Summer whispered from the seat in front of me. She was dressed simply in a pair of black shorts and an orange off the shoulder top that matched her hair.
I stared at the darkness inside the hill, waiting for the view that was awaiting at the end. A flash of light blinded me for a second before my breath caught in my throat as promised.
The city was filled with buildings of multiple shapes, sizes, and colors. There was red skyscrapers, orange houses, and golden buildings with windows as walls. The sun was setting here now, kissing the entire city with a soft, yellow glow. The sky was filled with puffy clouds that looked orange. There was so many people walking and skipping through the streets of the the city. Everyone looked so simply happy. As the trained slowed in its station, I noticed how beautiful and alive the people looked here. Tan skin with glowing eyes and bright teeth as they smiled without a care in the world.
"Wow," I whispered, letting Summer grab my hand and help me up. She looked out the window with me as the boys started off the train.
"The best thing about it, is that this feeling never goes away. Tomorrow we could come and the skies could be filled with purples and pinks and the city looks completely new." All I could do in response was smile. It was too perfect. She smiled with me as we got off the train holding hands.
I followed behind the group as they lead the way to wherever they had in mind. I enjoyed the warmth of the lasting sun that hugged my body as I observed all the beautiful scenery and people. After a few steps, Ray fell back next to me.
"Listen. I want to apologize about the uh, incident. I didn't think you would remember and I don't want you to hate me," I looked at his yellow hair that softened under the sun here.
"I don't hate you," I said.
He grinned. "Really?"
"Yes. I'm a little skeptical of you, but I don't hate you." I watched as his smile fell short. I chuckled at his reaction that made his face twist with confusion. "I'm just messing with you. You did what you had to do."
Ray laughed next to me, holding his chest as he did so. He threw his arm over my shoulder and pointed at me. "I like her!" He announced for the group to hear. They turned to look back at us, his hand over my shoulder like we had been best buds for years.
Summer frowned, crossing her arms over her chest and saying, "I was supposed to be her friend first."
Sol, being the huge monster he was, came back and easily removed Ray from my side with a shove. Jaxon leaned his head back to laugh as Sol waved at the empty space for Summer to fill. With a dramatic curtsey, she entered the blank space and looped her arm through mine as Ray got off the ground brushing the dirt off his pants. I felt weird inside, like I had been missing out on this for so many years. This is what it would feel like to have friends, people who cared about you. Jaxon stood up straight again, a lazy smile on his lips as he looked at me. For the first time, I smiled back just at him. His eyes began glowing that soft orange again as he spun on his heel and started walking once more.
I was only half listening as they discussed what I should see first. With Summer's arm through mine, I used her as a guide as I continued to take in every inch of this city. People were strolling to dinner or relaxing on the benches before going to dance the night away. A few people waved and greeted the group as we walked through the city. They were just the same normal people.
Except me.
I felt the stare burning my back as we began to walk up a few stone steps. Turning around, I found an older couple eating outside at a restaurant. The older lady was watching me. I could see the disgust in her eyes as she looked at me white hair that stood out against all the colors. Summer stumbled, not knowing that I stopped as she kept her arm looped through mine. I watched in horror as the woman spat at my feet like I was a disgrace. Summer mumbled some unpleasant words as she tugged on my arm so we would begin walking again. With a soft sigh and discouraged heart, I let her lead me.
Once we were at the top of the steps I noticed it was a restaurant. I didn't realize how hungry I was until my stomach growled with excitement. The building was a mix of maroons and grays with golden accents. It was nothing short of beautiful like the rest of the city.
The young waiter lead us through the building and onto the patio in the back. The sun was nearly gone, most of the light coming from the lights that were strung throughout the pergola that lit the tables out here. My feet guided me to the stone wall that looped around the outside area. Over the wall that ended at my waist, was an ocean. Looking so far down I could see the waves crashing against the side of the mountain.
An ocean. I have never seen one in person before. Any lakes we had back home were frozen. Home... only the Winter lands now. I began to wonder how far away were really were from it.
I turned to find where everyone had sat when I stopped mid turn. Overlooking over the side of the wall you could see the entire city now beginning to glow in the dark. Lights and laugher were everywhere. It hit me, standing high above the world, how I never got to experience this until now. I was forbidden to leave the castle in the North. I didn't even know if the Winter lands had any city like this that was so alive.
"Beautiful isn't it?" I jumped at the rough voice that stood next to me, leaning on his arms against the wall looking over it. I had been in such a trance I didn't even hear him join me.
"It is. You are very lucky to have this." Sol turned to look at me from his position. Being so close I noticed his eyes that were a soft violet. I almost wanted to chuckle. Here stood a monstrous, built man with dangerous black hair and beard with breath taking violet eyes.
"You didn't have anything like this?" He asked. I shook my head no, looking back over at the city. It almost looked like a painting the colors that mixed were just so perfect together.
"If we did, I never saw it. The only laughter I ever heard was from my staff." I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "And now they're all dead." It was like the wind hit me hard as the realization sunk in. I could go back, but there was nothing. The castle was destroyed, nothing still standing but a few walls. My only friend was dead. She was a snow angel that deserved so much more than what she had and now she'll never get it.
I didn't feel the tears as they fell down my face until Sol stood, wrapping his arm over my shoulders and bringing me into his body. He was warm and smelled of smoke. I was thankful for the lush tree that was sprouting that hid my meltdown from anyone enjoying their night. With my head buried in my hands that was buried in Sol's chest, I cried. He let me. He just stood, arms around me in protection as the last few days hit me until I couldn't cry anymore.
I don't know how long we stood there until Jaxon appeared. His face took in the scene of my wet face in Sol's arms. His face twisted as he thought about what to say.
Are you okay?
What happened?
You look like absolute shit.
He wouldn't say the latter, he was too nice but I knew my eyes were puffy and my nose red. Instead he came over and put a hand on Sol's shoulder, looked at me and said, "Maybe we should just skip to dessert."
I couldn't help the unclassy snort that I made as I finally removed myself from Sol. I wiped at my face one more, trying to remove any sign of a mess.
"I'm actually starving," I said.
With a nod like this was the easiest solution, Jaxon said, "dessert later then." I chuckled, which came out more as a shaky breath of air.
I let the two men leave first so I could turn back to the sky above the city. I stared into the dark sky that was filling with bright stars.
"Bells, be the snow angel you sent to watch over me. I need you." I chewed on my lip for a minute, steadying myself against the wall. "They will die too. I promise you, I will kill them both." With a straight back and a new anger giving me the strength, I joined the crew at the table.
After eating the best chicken salad I have ever had in my entire life, I was looking over the dessert menu that Jaxon threw into my hands.
"They have the best cheesecake here," Summer said, looking over the menu too.
"No. Get the chocolate mountain," Ray said. I chuckled as Summer kicked him under the table and he glared at her.
I looked over the menu again, almost drooling at the pictures of extravagant ice cream bowls and large mountains made of chocolate with mousse drizzled over it.
"Did you decide yet?" Jaxon asked, sitting across the table directly from me. I nodded.
A minute passed before the waiter came and everyone ordered dessert besides Sol. When I gave him a weird look, he flexed his arm and patted his, most likely, rock hard abs. "Dessert doesn't give you these."
Summer snorted so hard water sprayed across the table from her nose. Jaxon howled of laughter, his head leaning back as his face looked at the night sky. I looked over as Ray slowly and dramatically wiped the water off his face. Summer and Sol joined in with laughter as Ray glared at everyone.
I wanted to laugh too. I wanted to laugh with them. However, I still felt like I didn't belong. They were so at ease with one another, trusted each other. I was just the weird girl with the white hair. Summer picked up on my hesitance, her brows pulling together with a question forming behind those dark eyes. Before she could ask anything, the dessert began to fall in front of us. So I ate my ice cream with four flavored syrups on it and two different types of sprinkles. I ate away the guilt of those I couldn't save and the feeling of not fitting in. I am only human after all.
The ride home on the train was quiet as I sat in the same seat looking out the same window with a different view. The sky was dark, a few stars glowing against the blackness, and the moon was lighting the way to the castle. Somewhere my mother could be looking at the same moon or maybe she was looking at the sun that set so many hours ago. Whatever she was looking at, I hope the guilt was eating her alive.
The castle came into view, looking like a flame in the light of the moon. The dark maroon outside glowed against the blackness around it. The train stops at the small station built here just for the royals. A black car sat waiting to drive us the last few miles to the house. Summer once again helped me up and escorted me to the car.
It was nearly two in the morning by the time we all stood in the foyer with an extravagant chandelier above us that reminded me too much of what I once called home.
It looked Ray was already falling asleep as he stretched his arms high over his head. "What a night. I shall see you all in the morning." Sol mumbled something along the same lines as his feet dragged on the floor as he followed Ray.
I was in shock for a second as Summer's arms wrapped around me. She was a few inches taller than me as she squeezed my body. She didn't even give me time to return it before she pulled away, shoes padding against the steps.
I saw Jaxon's shoulders rise as he sucked a breath in, getting ready to say something. I was exhausted, I felt slow and sluggish. I whispered a quick good night and ran up the steps before he could add anything.
I sat on the bathroom floor, staring into the gold eyes that watched me back. My face looked like it stole the yellow glow of the sunset. My white hair was obnoxious against the gray tiles. It needed to change. I belonged to the Sunsets. The Winter lands my personal enemy. A war would start soon enough.