Aurora

6

Arrabella

nine

“I don't want to wear a dress, Arra!” Acira whined and I sighed as she pushed me away for the third time.

“Alright, just put on some shorts and a shirt.” I waved her off before calling to her. “Nice ones!”

“Arra, make sure that you don't take any weapons. We don't need you two to make a bad impression.” Slone gave me a look and I rolled me eyes.

“I don't have a choice in this anyhow.” I snapped before I called Acira to hurry up, as it was time for us to head to the throne room. We were to wait there until our guests arrived.

Acira caught up to me just as I reached the doors into the throne room. I looked down at her wild, untamed hair and sighed, shaking my head, before pushing the doors open. She rushed in ahead of me, bouncing excitedly while I trailed behind, wary about the events that were about to unfold.

“Arra, hurry your ass up, they're arriving!” My mother screamed and I closed the door behind me hurriedly, rushing to stand beside Acira. I pulled her a bit more to the side, out of the way.

I watched with wide eyes as I looked at the bright golden portal open in the middle of the room.

“Arra, it needs a bit of a power boost to reach the other side. Help me out, little bell?” Naomi smiled at me and I smiled softly. I stuck out my hand, willing some of my energy to surface from deep within me. I surged it forward and felt it connect with the portal. I gasped as I felt the portal pull on my energy, sapping me dry. I quickly stopped the flow, exhausted.

“Good?” I panted and Naomi nodded, smiling apologetically.

Soon enough, a woman with a curly blond mohawk stepped through the portal, looking alert and suspicious. Next came a pale, white-haired man with a smaller, pretty looking girl with auburn hair and striking yellow eyes, who most likely a year older than I. Lastly came a tall man and woman, with a blond-haired boy and a brown-haired baby.

They studied us and our surroundings for a few moments before my father stepped forward, greeting the last two adults that came through the portal, identifying them as Gomer and Darmarie, the parents of the prince one of us were going to marry… so that made the baby the prince.

Acira and I weren't close enough to hear what they were saying to each other, but I knew they were speaking. Considering the way Darmarie dripped venom from her demeanour, my father probably just insulted us. Typical.

Growing frustrated, I attempt to use my own powers to heighten my hearing. I… somewhat succeeded.

I tried to hear as best I could but I didn't catch the first of what Gomer said. “… Clarion. He is here to… help, his brother choose the right mate.” He was speaking about the boy that had come through with him.

Makes sense, I guess. I thought. My father showed an unnerving interest in him and Clarion greeted him politely. Gomer then went on to introduce Sabine, the woman who had first came through, and Dima and Tessa, the pair that had come through second.

My mother, Acira, and I walked forward when my father beckoned us.“This is her majesty the Queen and my wife, Aegirine. These two are my daughters, Arrabella and Aciraprabha.”

“But everyone just calls me Acira.” Acira shot in quickly.

“Acira, hush!” I snapped quietly and she looked up at me with wide eyes, but she obliged all the same. I held my breath as I watched Darmarie laugh before leaning over to Gomer and whispering to him. My heart immediately stopped. No, no, no! They're not supposed to like her!