Once Upon a Child of the Stars

Twenty- Table Manners

As the food was brought into the room, the smell wafted around and filled my nostrils with strange smells. Some were foreign, other's were familiar from Dyspheria. The food was all in silver bowls or on silver plates, looking like a grand feast. As soon as the food was set down, everyone served themselves and I fallowed suit. I only took a small amount as the day had taken a toll on my appetite. 

Once my plate was set, I took my fork and began to test the food. As soon as the first bite reached my mouth, I let out a moan of satisfaction. I finish the first bite and begin to speak. 

"I don't know what the hell this is but-" I look up to see everyone staring at me, nobody holding forks. I feel my cheeks warm and a strong glare on me. I look up and shrink my head down into my shoulders as I look over to Xavian, who's eyes are pitch black.

"She doesn't know, Xavian. Chill the fuck out," Raegar speaks up. 

"Know what?" I ask, confused as to what I apparently lacked the knowledge of. 

"The king takes the first bite at any dinner," Xiomara says, a smirk on her face. 

"Oh. Did you take a bite before me?" I ask, looking up at Xavian. 

"I did not," he growls down at me. 

"Oh. Well I suppose that makes me king today, right?" I say with a smirk. Xiomara and Raegar burst out in laughter while their parents hold smiles back and Kaedian looks like he has seen a murder. Last but not least, Xavian is fuming. His eyes swirl black, and he growls loudly. 

"Get out of my sight," he growls. 

"That is 'get out out of my sight my king' to you!" I say, causing the former king and queen to finally snicker and their other two children to howl with laughter louder. 

"Out!" Xavian roars, as if that is to intimidate me. 

"Fine, fine," I sigh, grabbing my plate and fork and turning to walk away. Suddenly, the plate is smashed out of my hand and food and broken glass shatter along the floor. 

"Now you've gone too far!" I yell at the king. 

"You are to go without food! Do not even fucking think about showing your face outside your room tonight! I am sick of your pathetic antics! Now get the fuck out of my sight!" he yells at me, now standing up to his full height. 

"You're a real dick," I say with a shrug before I walk away towards where my room is. I hear a growl and snickers behind me, but I turn the corner and drown it out. I guess I am going to bed hungry. 

I make it back to my room and let a laugh out. Yes, I am being punished, but I also got a rise out of Xavian. This is only the beginning too. I will make sure his life on Hellian is Hell while I am here. When I leave, he will be thankful I did. 

I decide instead of eating, I will sleep any hunger and stress off. I strip out of my day outfit and find a baggy shirt and fresh underwear to put on. Once I am changed, I turn off the room light and make my way to the bed. I lay down and somehow quickly find myself in a deep sleep. 

In my sleep, I find myself at home on Dyspheria. My father stands in front of me, a sad but relieved look on his face. 

"I did not think I could reach you like this because you are so far away," he says as he walks towards me. 

"Must be because you're old and we are related," I say with a smirk. 

"You're terribly amusing," my father says with an eye roll as he reaches me and pulls me into a hug. 

"How is Mom and everyone else?" I ask, nervous about the response. 

"We are trying to find a way to get you back without breaking any laws. Everyone is worried about you, Princess," my father says with a saddened look. 

"I will get home, Dad. I promise. There are people here who care about me too," I say, confident in Raegar and whatever plan we make to get me off of Hellian. 

"I love you, Lumi," my father says, squeezing me in our hug before letting go. 

"I love you too," I say, a tear rolling down my cheek. 

"You're about to wake up. Stay strong. I will talk to you this way tomorrow," my dad says before he is sucked into darkness. 

I am being shaken awake by Kaedian, his purple eyes glowing like black lights above me. 

"Luminara, I brought you some food," he whispers. "The King does not know. I sneaked it out of the kitchen," he says with a smile. I sit up in the bed and smile back. 

"You are too kind, Kaedian," I say with a genuine smile.

"I try. You need energy for when we escape. I had an idea too," he says with whispered excitement. 

"What is it?" I ask, taking the sandwich like food he brought me. 

"Do not eat anything at meals. Protest his help in any way. I will sneak you food and he will think you are getting weak and then he will not suspect you are strong enough to escape Hellian," he whispers to me. 

"That a genius idea! I will tell Raegar tomorrow morning," I say in a hushed voice. "Thank you once more for the food. We will get to Dyspheria, I promise. My father will know of our plans as well," I state. 

"How? The communications will most likely be bugged in case of you planning to escape," Kaedian asks. 

"My father has a gift. He can talk to me through my dreams by projecting himself into my dreams while I am in rem sleep," I explain. "Can't bug a dream," I say with a smirk. Kaedian nods before looking to the door. 

"I must go. I will get you for breakfast tomorrow morning," he says. "Goodnight, Luminara," he says softly. 

"Goodnight, Kaedian," I say back in a whisper. He slowly creeps out of my bedroom and closes the door softly behind him. 

I lay in bed, thinking over the plan. It is not only a good plan to aid my escape, but it would probably anger Xavian to no end. Not having a certain piece of control seems to cause his anger, as it did today at dinner. He could not control me, and that is what set him off. Me refusing to eat will also take the control away from him, and I am certain he will be very angry. 

I can not help but smile to myself at the new piece of the plan. Now we only have to create a physical escape plan. A strange excitement comes from angering Xavian as well as the anxiety of getting home. I will win this war against the Hellian king and he will be wiped from my memory as soon as I arrive back to Dyspheria. Hopefully, I have a second mate on Dyspheria who would love me and keep me safe in the case I make it home and Xavian comes after me.

 My heart sinks at the thought of him chasing me down or doing harm to my family, but at the moment it is worth it. They want me home and I want to be where I belong; Dyspheria.