The Enchanted Queen

The Queen's Dance

Vera's POV
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"I want to go to the Ancient City." I spoke to Ren softly. The meeting was finally over, and the veil was broken. All of Dominick's spells shattered with his life. It was time to find my family. I longed to meet them ever since my adopted parents were slaughtered by wolves. There had to be some kind of reason for it. There had to be some kind of meaning in me coming here to eradicate the veil and set all of the magical creatures free. "I wonder if they suffered. I wonder if they are alright."

"We have to be careful, Vera. Dominick said something to while I was fighting him off. He said if we didn't like him, we wouldn't like your parents very much either." Ren replied. "It worries me."

"I have to know them, Ren. Whoever they are, I have to meet them."

"I'm going with you then. I can't let you do this alone. If anything were to happen to you, I don't know if I could live with myself."

"Take me to them. My magic will be enough to fight off the trouble, if any." I said. Ren took my hand and I placed my palm against the castle wall. The colors spread from my fingertips, creating a passageway to the ancient city. "This is faster than walking." I smiled.

We plunged through the painting, the events of the previous night rushed through my brain like a terrible nightmare. When I opened my eyes, I didn't see a city of ruins and distorted creatures. Instead, I saw a city filled with light and color. The people laughed and rejoiced as they had finally been given back their normal forms. The plague that was placed upon them had finally vanished. The trees that were once withered and dead breathed a new life.

"It's beautiful." Ren whispered. "You did this Vera. You saved these people and this land."

"Let's find my parents." She smiled. I pulled her along through the city. The children played in the streets and the city was bustling with merchants and magic shops. I stopped to admire the paintings of an adorable young Fey. She smiled as I touched one of her works.

"Would you like this one?" She asked softly. I smiled at her.

"It's very beautiful. I'd love to have it. Did you paint this yourself?" I asked her. She was half my height. Probably not older than ten years old.

"Mhmm!" She nodded. "I painted the forest coming back to life! Everything was really dark for a while, it was like I was stuck in a really bad dream. I woke up in my room, and I watched the forest begin to change. I grabbed my paints and sat outside to capture the moment before it was too late."

"Do you remember anything before the bad dream?" I asked her softly.

"I just remember my mommy and daddy telling me not to go outside. There was a bad man out there who was turning people into monsters. Do you think I was a monster?" She asked. Her eyes widened in fear.

"I don't think anyone who could create something this wonderful could ever be a monster." I told her. "What happened to the King and Queen of this land?"

"The bad man turned them into monsters first. We tried to stop him, but he was too strong. Does this mean that he's dead now?" She wondered.

I nodded. "My name is Vera. Do you know where the queen and king are now?" I asked her.

"I'm Heidi! I can take you to them if you'd like." She replied sweetly.

"That would be lovely. When I return, I'd like to buy your forest painting Heidi." I said.

I looked up at Ren, who was peering around at the people. "Vera, something seems off about this place." He whispered in my ear.

"What do you mean? It's lovely here. Everyone is kind and happy to be back to normal. I can't imagine that my parents are worse than Dominick."