Crowns of Flame and Ice - Book One

(7) Petty Pottery

Grey stone walls and darkness surrounded me so strong and unyielding that I couldn't see too far in front of me. This was not the soft grey and cream of my bedroom, there were no pretty houseplants or bookshelves. Panic hit me as I realised that there was nothing but the walls of whatever place I was in, was this a place? It felt distant... like it wasn't actually here. When I began panting and tried to sit up to cool my breathing I abruptly holt from the force of the chains around my arms and legs stopping me from moving. When I couldn't feel the metal biting into my skin I knew it was a dream. I still felt panic rattling my senses. The darkness lifted slightly just as I heard a familiar dark laugh and saw four familiar faces grinning and smirking at me. "You're trapped forever Anala" my family sneered with their voices both one and many. "We let the darkness take over Crevah and now we're going to let it take you" They added taking a few steps forward. There was nothing to escape to, I was trapped inside a place that didn't even exist. I scream which causes my family to start laughing hysterically and begin to walk away, towards whatever pain they'd caused to the land and there was no way I could help their people.

Gasping I throw myself awake trying to re-order my thoughts and decipher what is real. Plants, bookshelves and most importantly my ring. There was no one here to hurt me, there was no one close enough to me or my heart. the silver was cool as I slipped it onto my pale finger. My breaths had slowed enough to allow me to focus, with shaking hands I reach over to a neatly folded piece of paper that had been placed on my bedside table. I smile more than I care to admit when I see James's bouncy handwriting that read 'Fancy joining Rosie and me in the studio this morning? I believe you have a story to tell - J'. So Rosie had told him then, that little snitch. Chuckling softly I roll out of bed, bathe and dress in a simple pair of loose trousers and a tight top.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The hallways were a flurry of gossiping girls in cream, pale blue and grey dresses which made me want to strangle some sense into every one of these idiotic girls I walked past. Various conversations from girls with dreamy expressions regarding Quilo's presence had me rolling my eyes and quickening my steps. "I heard he has a secret tattoo, although I don't think anyone's ever seen it" a blonde-haired girl giggled with pink cheeks, I snort at the idea of Quilo ruining his perfect reputation to his father. "Have you seen Quilo's muscles through his shirt?" another murmurs to her friends who are all practically drooling. Hurrying down the hall I pray to whatever Gods are still lurking around that perhaps a pair of earmuffs would magically from the sky when I run directly into two miserable piles of pale blue cotton and lace. Clearly, the gods were not on my side at all today. "What's that look on your face Anala? Happy, angry, half-dead or sad? I can't tell" Vivian says with a smirk. Not in the mood for her general existence today I look my sister up and down and with an innocent smile I knew would make her see red and sneer "is there a costume party I'm unaware of today?".

Her smirk drops to a hideous frown and she demands "what?" taking a step forward. "There's a rumour that Quilo likes it when girls match him" Grace sighs dreamily looking down at her dress. "So we wanted to get his attention by doing just that" Vivian adds with a grin. I laugh, even though they're older than me they seriously like acting like children. "You and half the castle" I reply. Vivian looks poised to spit on me as she glances around, eyes widening when she notices that all the girls were indeed wearing similar gowns to them. "What would you know? I am a princess not just some commoner" Grace grumbles snapping out of her dazed expression.              "Of course! you're totally right! although you two are both princesses, which one of you gets to take his heart?" I ask with a knowing smile.                                                                                                            "Me!" they both shout in unison and I laugh at the sound of their bickering as I walk away.