Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

157 - A Toast To Zephyr

Her expression was somewhere between a warm and genuine smile but it bled nefarious intent.

"But don't be afraid of me, I'm a really nice person! Don't get the wrong idea 'kay? I just get a bit protective of Aqua. She's like a sister to me!" Isla assured.

Something deep in my heart warned me that no good would come from gettimg myself involved with this girl.

"Ah, Xy! Are you ready?!" Evie squealed as she burst out of the room, "Come on out you two!"

Two girls stepped out of the dark room gingerly. If I had to be totally honest, my heart skipped a beat seeing them. Satella boasted a well fitted, scarlet gown emboldened by a flaming pattern. She looked to her left with flushed cheeks and her right hand on her left arm nervously. Cheryl meanwhile was clad in a beautiful pink gown sporting a butterfly motif. Her head faced forward, however her eyes quivered along with her clenched fists and her deep red face openly displayed her embarrassment.

"Soooooooo? Don't keep us waiting! What do you think?!" Evie pressed me eagerly.

"Huh? Oh! Well... um..." I tried to form my thoughts into words however the chilling feeling emanating from Isla who glared at me as she too awaited my response was too much. It was as if I knew that if she didn't like my answer, Isla would smite me where I stood.

"Well, would you look at that! It's almost time! We have to hurry!" I blurted out as I made my way down the hall rapidly.

"Wha- hey!" Evie complained, folding her arms and watching me angrily as I departed. Satella and Cheryl both grew visibly saddened by my refusal to respond. I felt bad about it too but Isla's pressure wasn't something I felt I could handle.

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Indira Astra - POV;

"Indira? Are you ready? Indira?" Emilia called out as she knocked on my door. I sat at the corner of my room, curled up on a chair and deep in thought as I ignored her.

"I'm coming in," she announced as she slowly peeked inside. She glanced across the interior before her irises landed on me.

"Indira? What's wrong? Your father is waiting to take us to meet with Zephyr and Neptulus," she told me.

"I can't," I muttered.

"Can't? What can't you do?"

"Face them. I can't face Xyder and the rest of Zephyr... not after what I did. I hurt them. I almost killed them. I saw it that day, after the fight. They hate me. Xyder couldn't even look at me. I heard it in his voice too. Xyder tried to hide it but it was crystal clear. He didnt want to have anyhting to do with me again. It's for the best if I just stay here," I mumbled sadly.

"Indira..." she whispered my name as she sat beside me and placed a calming hand on my head, "I wasn't a part of this family at the time but the bond between Astra and Zephyr is a strong one that has lasted for the past decade. Though the formal relations between the two clans as a whole have always been shaky, the bond between the Regulus families forged by Kristæl Zephyr and your father was truly special. But you know, it wasn't just those two that were close. You've begun to remember haven't you? You've begun to regain some of those memories we suppressed from your childhood. Think back Indira. Recall the relationship once shared between Grisha and Kristæl and you will remember something more."

"Think back? Remember?" I repeated.

"Yes. Some time ago, I was going through some of your father's oldest belongings back home in Astra City. That's when I happened upon this. Take it. It will help you remember and it certainly belongs to you," Emilia said as she removed a beautifully framed image from her purse that had been kept in pristine condition and handed it to me. I stared at it, a bit shocked, as the familiar scene greeted my eyes.