City of Starlight

Chapter 4 - Lies and truths

(Aurelie's POV)

I looked at mum with tears but hers weren't glistening at all. In fact, she had a deadpanned kind of expression. "Mum?" I breathed shakily. Her gaze finally snapped to me, yet there was nothing but defeat etched in her irises. Before she could say anything, I stammered in disbelief, "You hid all of this!"

"It was for your own good. Besides, look what danger you've put yourself in! You should have never touched-"

I argued back immediately, "Well I have a right to know what's going on! I heard you and dad argue yesterday, something about the fact that somebody might be out there to kill me! Why did you hide all of this?! Don't you think I should know if my life is in danger?"

"Aurelie!" mum yelled. I swallowed as she continued, "Please, sweetie, calm down for a moment. We were trying to protect you!"

"By not telling me that my parents are actually from fairytale land? What else have you hidden from me? The fact that my grandfather is Santa?"

"Aurelie, your father and I both decided that it was best if you didn't know about this. In fact, it's extremely upsetting that you've also been caught in this mess now."

I crossed my arms and spat, "I'd rather find out the truth and be caught up in whatever's happening than never know where I was from." Then, after a moment of hesitation, I stammered, "Is she...is she really my sister?"

Mum glanced at Dad as he slept on the bed before standing up and grabbing my arm roughly. Then, she pulled me into the conjoining room and said in a hushed voice, "You are not to use that word when addressing her. In fact, you may as well forget that you both share the same blood." 

"What?!" I nearly shouted, as I felt my heart drop. "What the hell do you mean?"

"She's NOT who you think she is. In fact, neither is her mother."

I shook my head in defiance and replied, "No. I met them both and they were kind to me! Daniella and Henry found me when I appeared in the forest. Actually, Regina agreed to help me find my way home-"

Mum placed her hands on my shoulders and squeezed them tightly. Then, she spoke sternly, "You will listen to me very carefully ok? You cannot trust them. They both possess dangerous magic which can seriously injure you. Whilst Daniella shares your father's blood, she will do whatever her mother tells her to. She'll kill you, if that's what Regina wanted."

My heart thumped, "Kill?! You can't be serious!"

"You don't know them like I do. Trust your mum, please. I've had more experience than you when it comes to seeing what they're capable of. Once your father is well enough again, we have to find a way back to New York. It is unsafe for us to linger for longer than we already have."

"Not until I understand everything," I replied defiantly. Then, I asked her back harshly, "If Regina and Daniella really wanted to kill me, why wouldn't they have done so earlier? Ok, I know you might have a grudge against them, but they don't seem like the people who would kill."

"Aurelie, how would you know in the few hours you've spent with them. Please listen to me. The more you get involved with them, the more likely you'll end up dead the next minute!"

I was starting to get annoyed at the strong words mum was using so I screamed, "Well at least tell me who they are! Are they a fairytale character I'd know?"

A silence fell between us. Then, she glanced behind her as if she was paranoid that somebody would be watching or listening to our conversation. Then, she said, "I thought you'd work that out by now."

My brain was in such a state of shock that I couldn't process what mum was hinting at. She crossed her arms and scoffed as she said, "She killed her husband, the King, and tried to frame her stepdaughter for the murder. Then, she had the whole kingdom hunt that poor girl down. They say that she's jealous of her stepdaughter's youth, beauty and popularity- something that the Queen will never have."