Stolen Sky

Chapter 1

"No no no, too dark. Makes her look too closed off don't you think Elle?". 

"Certainly darling, she needs more sparkle too". 

I stood there on the platform, sleepy and starving. I had tried on 36 dresses, none of which pleased mother. I had been spinning for hours. Mother must inspect the dress down to the exact flow when dancing. It is beyond dreadful. 

I've sat here many mornings in Ms. Elle's boutique, trying on dresses for parties, school, business affairs, you name it. As long as I can remember, i've been in this boutique at least twice a week. Being a noble family means looking like one, and that is what Ms.Elle does best. 

This however, will be one of the most important fittings i've ever had. I am soon to marry the newest King of Aura, Aldous Ahmet. Although we are not the highest noble family, I am the only daughter of age that Aura's nobility has to offer. And let me tell you, I am not happy about it.

"Aldous would love a bit of sparkle on her." mother smirked. 

Aldous is quite possibly the rudest person i've ever met. I've known him as a child, and in his early teen years. The boy has always been dull. Most air born children were pleasantly creative. Imagination runs deep within our kingdom. Aldous never played like a child. He was practically a man at age 5. 

It's not like i'd ever choose to marry someone so grey and boring, but here I am. Mira, my childhood best friend, tells me it might not be the worst thing. She's known me forever, so it's not crazy to trust her. I suppose i'll succumb to it. After all, i'll be with Aldous for the rest of my life. Might as well get used to it. 

Ms. Elle hands me one last dress to try on. It's a champagne color, quite beautiful I must say. The diamonds and lace adorn the gown like snowflakes on a winter's day. Aldous was sure to love this. All he'd ever wanted was shiny things. 

I began to slip into the dress. It was scratchy and stiff, yet the shape was comfortable. The dress maids at Ms.Elle's boutique tightened my corset and ribbons. I slipped into the golden shoes that were laid out for me, and stepped into the gallery. 

"Oh my she looks marvelous!" cheered Ms. Elle

I spun around for them, like usual so that mother could see the full effect.

They both gasped in unison. "This is the one Nesta!" 

I sighed in relief. Finally. It had been long enough. 

"I'll have my ladies deliver it to the castle. It will be ready for your dinner party when you return from the wedding tomorrow."

Ugh. Wedding. 

"Thank you Elle, as always."

"Of course dear" 

Evening had approached fast, and I was expected at the castle to have dinner with Aldous. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I'm sure Aldous felt the same. We sat down at the table in the courtyard. Aldous loved to come here to see the sunsets. I remember that from our childhood days. It seems as though no matter your age, the sunset is always fascinating. 

"How are you this evening" he spoke in a soft voice. Yet his eyes were still glued to the sunset.

"It was alright. Those fittings are always brutal in the mornings. How are-"

"i'm fine" 

His words cut through my sentence like a cold knife. What was I to anticipate he would open up to me? Aldous was an Aquarius man, and a rather stubborn one to get through. He was cold and guarded. Never once have I seen him shed a tear, except for when his mother died years ago. And never once after that. I was almost convinced he was emotionless. His face was always straight and chiseled. Like a paper mask without a single crack. But i've known Aldous long enough to understand the complexity of his manner. He is intelligent and heartfelt, but he was always missing something. Most definitely a grey soul. 

His father had shaped him into a statue, a perfect replica of him. Tall, dark skin, iced eyes, polished face. He was beautiful in fact. A brutal, stern Prince. And now, a ruthless King. 

We sat in silence for awhile until the servants brought out our supper. 

No matter how hard I try, I never break through to him. I was meant to be the luckiest girl in the kingdom to be betrothed to him. Turns out it's more of a curse. But it's what our families have wanted forever to produce strong heirs, especially our fathers. Both had passed in battle months ago. They had expected us together since we were children. And even more after Lady Avalynn vanished from the kingdom a few weeks ago. She was meant to marry Aldous. Although i'm sure that wouldn't change his mood about a wedding. 

"I decided on a beautiful gown for the after party tomorrow,"

"Wonderful." Still the same monotone voice. His eyes darted across the kingdom. From here you can see almost everything in Aura. 

I played with my food to avoid eye contact. scooting my potatoes back and forth on the plate. I wish Avalynn was still here to marry this fool. 

The sun set rather quickly, and our dinner had ended. I was escorted to my guest room in the palace where I would be bathed and dressed for the wedding tomorrow. My dress and jewelry were neatly placed in the chair by my bedside. The room was exotically beautiful, but unwelcoming and vacant. A forecast of my future. This life will surely be lonely, and there's no escaping it. If it's what the stars hold for me, then so be it. I'll live in the world of one-sided marriage and tea parties with christenings of my spoiled children who compete over their father's throne. I'll do it for my father if for nothing else. 

I change into my nightgown and begin to button it up as my servants wrap my hair to insure my curls for the wedding. I say goodnight to them as I curl up under my covers, staring at the night sky outside of the large window in my room. "Please tell me there's more to my life than this Father" I whisper. Hoping somewhere, somehow, he can hear me out there.