I said it, not just to them but to me. I needed to hear my answer, my voice in order to make myself believe that everything I have ever known about me might not be all it seems. The sooner I come to terms with this, the better. Yet it scares me so much.
The Queen held her chin, her eyes unreadable. "How old are you?"
"I just turned eighteen a few days ago."
The Queen tapped her finger against the polished table. "Has Mariam ever taught you spells?"
"Spells," I echoed, the words strange in my mouth. "I never knew spells existed apart from the make believe I saw on TVs, and people who believe they could."
The Queen's brows drew tightly together."I don't understand what you mean by TVs or whatnot that you said, so I presume she didn't."
I almost laughed at how awkwardly she said TVs.
I swallowed. "Yes."
The Queen leaned forward, folding her hands on the polished table and tilted her head. "Which means Mariam told you nothing about being a witch…or the blood that flows like a river inside you."
I said nothing, staring at nothing in particular. My hands clasped tightly to the fabric of my gown as I listened to my Aunt's words. I have been called many things back in my world–no, I mean the world I thought I belonged to. Weirdo, strange, freak…However, this is the first time that I have been called a witch. It's the first time yet it stirs something within me, something deep, raw and quiet. The word echoed in my mind like a pebble thrown in still waters making it ripple.
Elrian tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear, her brown eyes locked onto mine. "Enough with the silence already, mother." she said, her eyes not leaving mine.
The Queen stayed still for a moment, letting me settle into what she said, to make sure I fully understood her. "Since the beginning of time, the daughters born in our family have been witches. The sons…some become wizards while others do not. It depends on luck really. We are not just witches or wizards–"
"We are powerful ones" Elrian cut in proudly.
The Queen gave Elrian a measured look before continuing. "Pure breeds" she corrected. "Until three generations ago,'' she paused. "The daughters born into our family, few of them became witches…at times weak ones or none at all."
So in other words, a few of them now.
I waited for all of this to feel funny, ridiculous, and it didn't.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my racing heart at bay. "I just want to get home," I muttered.
I know saying that out of nowhere was stupid, but the only thing I want to do is to go back to the world I knew, to my mother.
The Queen's brow knitted together as she sighed. Her gaze lowered, not to me, but to my hands under the table.
"I can't help you get home." she said, her eyes now meeting mine. Measuring.
I felt my breath cut, the room getting smaller. The corset felt tighter around my torso and I tugged at my gown helplessly. "Why can't you?"
Eugene's brown eyes looked at me with pity and something apologetic. "There's no way we can send you back without finding the exact spell your mother used, and that is near impossible."
The Queen rose up from her seat, walked towards me, hesitated for half a second before she held my trembling cold hands in hers. "And we still don't know what happened to my sister." she said softly, patting my hands. "The best I can do now is to keep you safe and help you learn how to use your powers."
"My powers?"
"Yes." she said. "You will be attending the royal magic academy with my twins."
I glanced at Elrian who sat perfectly straight, her green gown complementing her fair skin, one side of her black hair was beautifully braided. Across from her, Eugene, in tunics trimmed with gold flicks, watched me with gentleness. They were twins, yet so different, just like my mom and her sister.
Is this hereditary?
And to think I will be going to school in this strange place with them. For how long?
"Academy?" I mumbled.
The Queen leaned forward, resting her bottom on the table. "Yes. There's nothing you could wish to learn that isn't taught there. Nobles from every kingdom come to feast on the vast knowledge it has to offer."
Not me! The last thing I wanted is to go to school in a place I knew nothing about.
The Queen gently brushed my cheek. Her fingers were soft, and surprisingly warm, unlike her expression. "Maybe you'll find some information there. Something that could help us get you back."
I swallowed hard, then forced a wobbly smile. "Then…I would like to go."
ಠಗಠ
Don't judge me. I know what I said. But this is a better option than staying in one place, not knowing what to do.
The Queen let go of my hand, a smile curled up her lips. "That's settled then." she straightened herself up. "In a few days, we will be holding a ball to formally introduce you to society."
"Mother isn't that too soon," Elrian quickly cut in. " And the harvest ball is coming in three days."
"I know."
"Then—"
"She will be introduced at the Harvest Ball" the Queen said firmly, leaving no room for otherwise. "Eugene, you know what to do."
"Yes, Mother."
The Queen's eyes twinkled with unexpected warmth. "And we need to find you an etiquette teacher to prepare for the ball. Your room will be changed, of course. You're not a guest here. Not in your own home."
What is happening? Is this the same woman I met last night, or an entirely different person? Or has she always been like this? I really don't know anything about this family. That I only knew it existed a few days ago.
"Ahh" the Queen said, as if suddenly recalling something that she had unintentionally missed. "And your friends."
I nodded. "Yes, Kathy and I were teleported together."
"The Elf"
"Eve saved us from being eaten by a monster. It's only thanks to her that I'm sitting here." I explained calmly. Without Eve I wouldn't be here right now, I'd either be digesting in its stomach or rotting away in the middle of nowhere. I owe her my life.
I shuffled my feet against the marble floor. "Aunt Mariah…can Kathy and Eve also attend the academy with me?"
The air stiffened, Aunt Mariah's face went blank, I couldn't tell what she was thinking. The twins stayed silent. The fingers clenching my gown tightened, until my knuckles turned red.
"There's no reason to say no."
My tensed shoulders sagged in relief immediately those two words left her lips. The thought of knowing Kathy and…Eve whom I have grown to trust are coming with me, made breathing feel easier again.
"I understand why you would want them there with you." Aunt Mariah said gently. "It's better you go with the company you are already familiar with. I will make the request to the academy. However getting admitted and staying enough to graduate is a different matter. The three of you must prove that you're worthy to be there or you will be expelled. The Elf may manage. Your other friend, I'm not sure. And for you…I can't say."
I haven't even stepped foot into the school, and I'm already dreading it. The way she was speaking made my heart sink into the depths of my stomach. I have never in my life thought I would ever wish to be back to my old school. This world keeps handling me many first. Terrible ones.
Aunt Mariam gracefully sat back at her seat, something about the room seems to have shifted as her gaze met mine.
"Selene," she paused. "Who is your father?"
That question dropped like a bomb, blowing down an entire kingdom which is my mind. I wasn't expecting it because I have never seen or met my father before. Not that I was never curious, but every time I asked Mom's face would grow pale and she would avoid the topic. Then as I grew older I stopped. My mom had always been there for me, although there was always an empty void inside me…but you can never miss something you never had.
My throat felt dry. "I have never had a father." I said, the word father tasted like lemon in my mouth.
"So you don't know who your father is?" Elrian asked again as if confirming an absurd rumor.
"No I don't." The chair felt hot and uncomfortable on my bottom.
Aunt Mariah's expression didn't change. But something flickered in her black eyes.
Doubt? Recognition? Whatever it was. I couldn't tell.