Elemental

Chapter 5- Lyla

A/N-

Helloooo! Thank you all so much for over 100 reads! We've only been writing for a week and it feels like such an achievement, even if there are stories out there with thousands of reads, every single read is important to us. If you like this story and want us to keep updating, don't forget to hit that little star button that gives us a vote, and comment what you think! Don't be a ghostie, it takes just two seconds and we'd appreciate it so much! (Also chuck us a follow if you could, we'll be following back the next 10 followers!) We'll post the next chapter when we get to 20 votes or 200 reads (or maybe before that if Kaela gets impatient c:)

Thanks again guys, love you all.

Lou x

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I sat in front of my large dressing table, the backlit mirror tilted up a little so I could see my face. My blonde hair was softly curled and my light makeup was finished. For the last touch, I unlocked a drawer and pulled it out. On a velvet cushion there lay my mother's necklace. It had been passed down from generation to generation on every daughter's sixteenth birthday since the first settlement on Cosmyd. I'd never worn these beautiful jewels until now.

Gingerly, I placed my hand underneath and lifted it up. It was surprisingly light, with four stones in it, two of which were dug up from earth, centuries and centuries ago. Most of it was made up of diamonds, which were fairly rare on this rich planet, but the four gemstones were set in teardrop shapes, dangling down from the fancy diamond design. I still remember what my grandmother told me they were.

"The earth stone, opal, so you will always stay grounded. The fire stone, ruby, to give you passion and purpose. The water stone, sapphire, keeping your emotions safe. And finally, the air stone, quartz. This is the most rare crystal in this universe, and it binds all the other elements together. Lyla Parc, treasure this necklace. It was your mother's, as it was mine, and my mother's, and all the way back until the beginning. It will guide you, give you untold power, and keep you safe,"

I sighed at the memory. It was just after my mother and father had died, and I really needed something to hold on to. As I lay the necklace on my collarbones and clipped the catch at the back of my neck, I closed my eyes and whispered.

"Please Mother, be with me tonight." With that I adjusted my hair once more and stood up, my silvery gold ballgown swishing as I left my room and walked down to the banquet.

I could hear the loud chattering as I approached the doors of the dining hall. Mr. Pretchett was standing with his chest puffed out, ready to let people in. He nodded to me stonily and pushed the doors open at the same time grandly. I stood in the doorway for a moment as a hush fell across the room and everyone turned to look at me. I felt my face heat up and I looked around awkwardly for my grandmother, who floated over.

"Lyla! So glad you could join us. Everyone, this is my granddaughter, Lyla Parc." As everyone realised who I was, they smiled at me and gradually began to start talking again. Grandmother led me around the room, greeting the more important people. None of their names really stuck in my head, until we came to a stout pig-like boy, who looked about my age.

"Lyla dear, this is Duston. He's the grandson of the Duke of Gelgorberge. And," she whispered in my ear, "he's rich, influential, and your age." I rolled my eyes at this then plastered on the most fake smile I could muster.

"Hello Duston, so nice to meet you!" I said, overenthusiastically, and hoped he'd take the hint.

Duston's second chin bobbed up and down as he put on a grimace that seemed to be his attempt at a smile. He must have been thicker than I thought!

"My Lady." He took my hand in his sweaty palm and kissed the back of it. He grimaced again, showing a row of wonky greenish teeth, and internally I screamed. This was the guy my grandmother wanted to marry? I controlled a shudder and gave him a small curtsey, my hand still wrapped in his tight, fat fist. 

Thankfully, at that moment the dinner gong sounded and he dropped my hand and waddled toward the long table. Grandmother nudged me forwards, indicating the spare seat next to him. I looked at her with wide, alarmed eyes but she just winked and went off to talk to some Lord or other.

I steeled myself and made sure my smile was concrete, before making my way to the chair next to Duston. As I rearranged my skirts and took a seat, he smirked at me delightedly, an even more gross sight than his grimace.

The butlers brought the first course out, delicious little pigmalion steaks. Once grandmother had given the cue to eat, I picked up the outside set of cutlery and delicately started to eat. Next to me, I noticed Duston had picked up the inner set of cutlery and was chewing maniacally on a giant piece of his steak. I had to turn away to hide my look of disgust. How vulgar.

When I had finished eating and could manage to look at Duston again, his eyes were bulging at my emty plate. He himself had taken three rolls of bread from the basket, although it was etiquette to only take one, and he'd stolen some of my potato when he thought I wasn't looking.

"What is it, Duston?" I asked innocently, playing the young Lady.

"It's not polite for a girl to eat so much. I shall certainly not have that when you are my wife."

I blanched. Me, married to Duston? I thought this was just my gradmother's crazy plan, but it seemed as if everyone was in on it. Everyone except me, that is.

I cleared my throat. "W-wife?" I stuttered slightly.

Duston smirked again. "Of course, my lady. But I'll only ask you to marry me if you dance with me." I raised an eyebrow. He thought I wanted to marry him?

I sighed. "Fine, I'll dance with you." He nodded, as if it was obvious what I would say. 

The next two courses passed in a blur. I made an unexpected friend in the old man sitting on my other side, Colonel Forest, who seemed to think he was in the first fleet that discovered Cosmyd. I laughed, and listened to his stories, all the while feeling Duston's eyes boring into the back of my head.

When the very last plates were cleared, the quartet began playing and Duston led me to the middle of the ballroom for the first dance. He put his hand lower than my waist, and uncomfortably I ignored this, putting my hand in his and the other on his shoulder, keeping a safe distance between us. As the quartet started the first notes of the waltz, he pulled me in so close that I could smell his rancid breath.

We danced slowly, and I tried to ignore his smirk as his chubby cheek rested on my shoulder, and the fact that he kept stepping on my toes. We neared the end of the dance, and I breathed a sigh of relief. He brought his head up so it was right in front of mine, although he was a little shorter, so I bent down a little to be polite.

Duston's grey eyes looked into mine, and I fazed out a little, glancing just behind him where I could see a gorgeous brown-haired boy standing in the midst of the dancing couples, staring at me. I watched him for a moment, then the moment was broken as Duston kissed me.

It was horrible. Nothing like Liam, who I knew would be waiting up for me to go and see him tonight. Duston kissed me like he was trying to suck my face off, and then he broke away panting, He raised an eyebrow.

"So, my dear, I shall see you soon." He winked and bared his teeth in a mean looking smile, and disappeared into the crowd. I wiped my mouth, disgusted, and looked around for the brown-haired boy.

But he had disappeared.