The Enchantress' Family

Chapter 1

"My queen, I found these two at the gates," Jackson, her most trusted subject and the girl she considers a daughter stated, "they seem to be alone; shall I take them to the dungeons or do you have other plans?" she continued, a false air of coldness surrounding her.

"Untie them." A calm and cool command came from the queen on her throne, her face scarred right in the centre yet enchantingly beautiful.

"Yes, my queen" Jackson answered just as calm as Eliza, she cut the rope binding their guest's arms. The two had the same face so maybe they were sisters. The elder looked as though she was eight and the younger looked five. They both had eyes of snakes the left an ice blue and the right a pale yellow; their skin like ghosts, completely lifeless and a body of bones garnished with rags. The younger had beautiful long locks of white and the elder sported rather short hair.

"What are your names?" Eliza's booming voice questioned, it wasn't meant to be so deep and harsh but living as a man for so long made it a habit for her. It was the only way she could step out of the palace without being hunted like a rabbit.

"my name is M... Me... Melody and th-this is my little sister, Sienna," the elder boyish girl answered, "we ran away from home and accidentally found this place." She looked like a young brave boy but she spoke like a frightened mouse, Eliza let out a small chuckle at her guest's nervousness.

"I apologise for frightening you little one but I am required to stay cautious; usually my visitors aren't so friendly..." Eliza seemed to lose the coldness in her still harsh voice almost sounding like a caring mother but the iciness was back as she trailed off, mumbling something about traitors and enchantresses. The tone seemed to make the two children feel perplexed almost as though they hadn't ever heard such a caring sound from someone's mouth.

"What's wrong? You two seem a bit confused. Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" The sudden questioning from Jackson laced with so much concern seemed to leave them even more bewildered, almost scared.

The queen noticed how similar this was to when she met Jackson's parents. She was just as confused back then. She'd never heard someone so concerned, not for her at least. She remembered how her 'family' tried to destroy her. She remembered the drops of ruby running down her skin. She remembered Jackson's mother and father, Remona and Kairo. Their names alone made her heart beat. They were so kind and gentle. Jackson was only an infant but even her little laugh made the lonely, lifeless queen's heart come to life. She made a deal to protect their daughter for eternity, they accepted but said only if she let them be her new family. Astounded and confused she accepted thinking they would just torture her like those before them.

"My queen... I mean Eliza, are you okay?" Jackson's voice chimed in breaking the queen out of her trance of memories. Eliza apologised and looked back to the children. Jackson knew the queen was too caring to make them leave so she left to prepare two rooms for their guests.

Cautiously, like she was handling glass she put her hands out to them. The younger looked up at her with large crystal orbs and a tiny hand reaching out. This seemed to urge the elder to grab a hand as well. Eliza guided them to their respective rooms. Not a word was exchanged but a bond was forming between the two children and the misunderstood queen. The silence only seemed to make the moment even calmer, even more perfect.