CHAPTER 19 - LETTING GO AND LOOKING FORWARD
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Avery stared at Alex long and hard as his words had hit her like a tonne of bricks. She was still digesting his words as they still lingered in front of her, having just escaped his mouth.
"What?" Avery eventually said. Alex let out a deep breath to speak again but Avery placed a hand on his mouth to stop him. Duke Destrey was Argon? How did he know this?
"Alex, I have no time for your jokes! How do you know this?" Avery said as she slowly let her hand drop. Alex looked at her, deep in the eyes before he spoke again.
"Not here, somewhere more private or quiet..." Alex whispered as his voice trailed off when Avery nodded with agreement. Avery turned around to face Olivia who stood behind them, perplexed.
"Olivia, I promise I will come and see you tomorrow but there is something I must do," Avery assured as she held her friend's hand. Olivia looked over at Alex and nodded her head, looking back at Avery. The two friends hugged and Olivia walked back to her bedroom. Avery faced Alex again and took the lead to her bedroom.
Upon arriving, Avery quickly closed and locked the door and leaned against it closing her eyes. She opened them and looked at Alex, and slowly walked over to him.
"Alex, how do you know Duke Destrey is Argon?" Avery said calmly despite all of the anger building and boiling within her.
"I just worked it out now but I could be wrong..." Alex said as she rubbed his chin. Avery put a finger to his mouth and shook her head.
"Just tell me!" Avery demanded and Alex let out a deep breath.
"Okay, well I've worked for Argon and he doesn't like when his people turn against him, to work for someone else but in my case, I was told to go to land and work for Duke Destrey. I knew I should've seen it before but they both looked so similar. I thought it was because I spent a lot of time with Argon but I was wrong. Duke Destrey and Argon are working on the same side, both want to destroy you and Enchanted but the thing is, only one of them will reign supreme. They had everyone in Enchanted convinced on that fact but the truth is Argon is Destrey. Argon banished me when I failed to kill you, so he let me get caught but Destrey didn't actually come for me or defend me. This obviously pointed out that either he wasn't bothered or they're both the same person..." Alex was interrupted by Avery's sudden out-burst,
"But why on Earth would Argon need to be in disguise on Earth? No-one has seen him before!"
"I know, but believe it or not, fairies are alive in the real world. Who do you think changes thye seasons? And the weather? Or when you find something you thought you had lost?" Alex said. The whole time Alex spoke, he noticed Avery's expression drop lower and lower.
"But Dylan said there wasn't any! Fairies cannot be in my world!"
"I know but they don't live here, they just do their jobs and then leave again, but even then, they would know what Argon looks like."
"Alex, this is bad! If Destrey is Argon, I'll never survive! I cannot return to Enchanted to hide-out and Destrey will attack soon. This is a disaster!" Avery felt tears coming but she bit her lip to prevent them from falling. The princess walked over to her bed and fell onto it, face first. She groaned really loudly into the pillow as her head started to hurt with all of her thoughts.
'So, if Argon is Destrey, then that means Marigold and Troy are somewhere in my world. But I cannot return so how will I send them back without the Enchanted box? Why didn't I see this before?'
Avery groaned even louder and this time she heard Alex walk over to where she lay. She felt him sit down on the bed and rub her back for comfort. Avery sat up and looked at Alex longingly. He looked so much like Dylan, that Avery kept her passion under control in case she did something she might regret. Alex smiled at her and she moved over to him and leaned on his shoulder.
"Look how much has happened in such a short amount of time! So much deceiving, and hurting and murder and altogether disappointment. Why me? Why did I have to carry this burden of getting involved with a mythical world? Sometimes, I still think I'll wake up and this would all be a dream, but it never is. Tell me Alex, why me?" Avery pleaded to Alex he sighed and saw her desperate expression.
"Clarissa believes in you as do all of Enchanted! I believe in you just as much, your kingdom believes in you because they know you can do this..." Alex's voice trailed off as Avery let out a laugh.
"I really wish everyone would stop believing in me! I'm hopeless! I was almost killed by someone who is now my best friend, I fell in love with a betrothed prince of a mythical world, I made so many enemies in this short amount of time and learnt nothing from my mistakes, and I committed treason!" Avery was smiling through her whole speech and Alex smiled too. He shrugged his shoulders and Avery's head slid off his shoulder on to his lap but she jumped up quickly. He smiled at her, knowing her self- confidence was down.
"You're not hopeless! You've helped so many people and it is not your fault you got caught up in all of this, so don't blame yourself. I don't think you're hopeless, and I'm the most honest man out there so please don't insult yourself like this and expect me to just sit there and let you continue, as you're perfect in my eyes..." His voice trailed off again, knowing he was lying and Avery gasped. Those were the exact words Dylan said to her when he met her in her room that night. And Alex looked just like Dylan. But the truth is, Alex was a much better 'Dylan' then the real one. He didn't lie to her, he always looked her in the eye, he cared for and always put her first. Avery smiled at Alex's sweet words and noticed his eyes flash blue. Avery frowned making Alex also frown and the two of them laughed. The sparks between them were igniting like never before and Avery couldn't control herself anymore. Her body needed Dylan and Alex looked like him. Avery leaned in, as did Alex and they were only a millimetre from each other's lips, until a knock at the door made them jump apart. Alex cleared his throat as Avery ran to the door, cheeks burning,
Opening the door, King Anton stood there with Queen Arielle. Avery gasped and said their names quietly but loud enough for Alex to know that he should hide. Avery heard Alex curse under his breath as he dived under her bed. Anton and Arielle walked in and Avery held her breath until she saw that Alex was gone and that her bed blanket was half on the floor, covering the open space between her bed and the floor, where Avery guessed, Alex was hiding.
Avery closed the door and her parents smiled at her. They took a seat on the edge of her bed and Avery pulled a chair from the corner, and placed it in front of her parents. They smiled at her before they spoke.
"Avery, darling, we must speak with you on a matter of urgency," Arielle started and Avery looked from both parents and nodded for them to continue. Her father let out a deep, shaky, breath before he spoke.
"Avery, Olivia is getting married in two days. Her scandal has scarred this entire kingdom so the quicker she gets married, the quicker we can get back to other problems such as Duke Destrey's attack. But that's not why we've come here today. We have more important things to talk about and they involve you..." Anton let his voice stray as Avery's expression was changing and he knew his daughter knew what was coming. Her mother turned to her husband who had seemed to have frozen so Arielle continued.
"Darling, rumours have been spread around the kingdom that you, well, are practising witch-craft. The Viscount and the pope were very shocked to hear this and they were going to put you on a witch trail but we told them to hold it off and that you always tell us the truth. So are you practising witch-craft of any kind? Have you seen anybody practising witch-craft or have you accidentally participated in a witch ceremony unaware that it was one?" Arielle's words made Avery frown. Who was spreading these rumours about her?
Avery started to shake her head, "Why do people say this stuff about me? I've never done anything wrong to anyone and I've always been a good princess to our people so why do people not like me? Mother, Father, if you do not believe me, you can check my room for anything suspicious but I promise you, I've never had any contact with the supernatural or witches!" Avery felt tears coming to her eyes, not for what her parents thought, but more of the fact that she was looking her parents, especially her mother, in the eye and lying to them. She couldn't tell them the truth as she'd be burnt at the stake which was one of many horrible ways to die.
Arielle saw the hurt the in her daughter's eyes and hugged her tight. "I'm truly sorry, my dear. We just had to be sure. But to be on the safe side we'll send someone in here to check your room out unexpectedly, so we know you are not lying to us, but we know you never would."
Avery felt her heart break more and her tears come out quicker when her mother's last words ringed in her head. How could she live with herself when she was looking her mother in the eye and lying to her? Their embrace was cut short when her father cleared his throat and Avery looked at her father, he had more to say.
"That was one thing we had to tell you. The second thing is, after Olivia's wedding your wedding is taking place with the Viscount's son. As soon as you are married, Duke Destrey will eventually give up his demand to become your husband and when you are married, you will become queen..." Her father continued to talk but Avery's ears had stopped working. She couldn't hear him and she didn't want to. Her marriage had been arranged to the viscount's son? The viscount was on old man and his son had already been married twice before, both of his wives had unfortunately died during child-birth. Sir Damon was 50 years old, with six kids, two of which were older than her! Avery shook her head quickly and realized her father had stopped talking.
"Darling, I know you are upset and it is unexpected, but by marrying Sir Damon, you'll be a wife and, eventually queen which means Duke Destrey would have to be insane to attack the kingdom again! I know it seems like a shock now but, you must understand that this is for your sake, we promise!" Anton said as he stroked his daughter's hair. A knock at the door interrupted their family talk and it was a guard.
"Your Majesties, The Viscount wishes to see you," The guard said after he had saluted the royals. The king nodded at the guard and got up with Arielle. Both smiled at their daughter and kissed her gently before saying their good-byes and disappearing.
The door finally closed and Avery stood up. She kicked the chair she was sitting on and heard Alex crawl out from under the bed. She was so angry and she just wanted to rip her hair out. How could parents arrange her marriage with a man almost two times her age? Alex noticed the princess's agitation. He came to her and reached out for her shoulder but she shrugged him off.
"You know, keeping me out of this, is not going to make it any better. I did hear everything, I know so stop pretending it's nothing, this is something and if you want to talk, I'm right here," Alex sighed as he headed for the door, shrugging his shoulders, when he realizing Avery wasn't listening. Avery grabbed his arm and pulled him back. She nodded her head and they spent the rest of the evening and night talking about how they felt about everything. Avery saw a side of Alex that she'd never seen before and Alex was learning to love Avery more and more. Eventually they fell asleep and Avery, for the first time slept peacefully, not thinking about Dylan at all but more of the fact that Alex was her new Dylan in her eyes.
But Alex woke up, and nudged the princess, to make sure she was asleep. She shuffled in her sleep, but didn't respond. Alex sighed and got up, slowly and tiptoed to the door. He knew it was pretty late and no-one would be out, but he unlocked the door slowly, keeping his eye on Avery the whole time, before he opened the big door and popped his head out.
The hall-way was eerily quite and there was no-one around, so with one final look at the princess, who was still sleeping soundly, Alex left the room and paced himself quickly towards the storage room. It was happening again and he had to let it all out, before it killed him.
Alex started to run as the creature inside of him, started to get agitated. It wanted to be freed and he didn't like it, taking over his body, but he had no choice. It was his punishment for not killing Avery when he had the chance.
Arriving at the storage room, Alex locked the door and then let out a scream, as the creature's soul escaped through his mouth, nose, fingertips, ears and eyes. Alex fell to the floor, breathing heavily, before looking up at the ball of light before him.
"You're doing a good job..." The familiar voice said and Alex shook his head.
"I hate myself for it..." Alex mumbled.
"Only for a little while longer, Marco, and then everything can go back to normal," The voice said and Alex shook his head.
"I told you before, don't call me Marco."
"Alex then. Don't blow our cover. This will only take a few more days. I was thinking of exposing the princess in front of everyone. So maybe, Olivia's wedding day?"
"I'm not happy with this."
"I know you're not, but this is your punishment remember?"
"Avery's going to hate me and I'm falling in love with her..."
"Well, Alex. What about Selenita? She's still there. I should've chosen her instead, because she seems to hate Avery as much as me, although I don't really hate the princess. Dylan is her mate and they are both battle-strategy fairies. That means, they are powerful. but Avery is stronger. I felt everything, all those times she fought with her energy. She's too powerful and by taking her as my own, I'll be even more powerful and no-one can stop me."
"Don't hurt her!"
"She's mine, Alex. Not yours or Dylan's. Avery will be mine, even if it means killing everyone that gets in my way..."
***
Dylan heard shouting from outside his room. Slowly he stretched himself and rubbed his eyes. Looking around he realized his room was still the same, a mess but he wasn't bothered to clean it up. He had to tell his mother his decision and hoped nothing and no-one would make him change his mind now.
Dylan quickly got dressed and rushed out of the room. He smiled at the maid and couldn't help but laugh as she entered his room and she let out a scream of horror. He knew that was coming. He flew to the dining room where, thankfully he thought, his mother sat alone eating breakfast. She noticed his entrance and smiled at him. She ushered for him to take a seat and he did, right next to his mother. They smiled at each other as his breakfast was served. Clarissa started the conversation.
"So, my dear, did you sleep well?"
"Yes, mother I did. I've been doing a lot of thinking recently but it's been hard to stay focused as Avery was a distraction..." Dylan said with a smile and his mother smiled too. Clarissa sighed at the girl that reminded her of the daughter she never had.
"So what have you been thinking of?" Clarissa said as she sliced up the fruit in her plate to eat.
"Some serious thinking. I've come to a decision and I hope you'll be happy for me. I really don't want to do this but if it will keep the kingdom together and forever united, and of course mother, you happy, then I'll marry Selenita tomorrow," Dylan said casually and Clarissa almost chocked on her piece of fruit. She stared at her son, long and hard and she smiled at him. She threw her self at him and kissed him all over, thanking him and blessing him.
"Oh, sweetie, good decision! And I know it couldn't have been an easy one with Avery still in your head but I hate to say this to you, but she is never coming back. I'm happy you chose this decision! Now there is so much to do and so much to prepare! Selenita must be informed for a dress fitting and the whole kingdom should be decorated with flowers of all sorts! The suits and dresses must be made quickly and the banquet must be organized..." Dylan smiled as his mother went on about all of the arrangements that were required for the big day. Eventually, his mother stopped and she looked at him with concerned eyes.
"You want Avery to be the one that you marry, don't you?" Clarissa placing a hand on her son's knee. Dylan slowly nodded his head and Clarissa leaned over and kissed his forehead.
"It hurts now, I know. I was reluctant to marry Raphael after your father died, but I had to due to the law that a woman cannot rule alone. I still long for your father to hold me like he did and I know Raphael can never be him but life has to go on. She will forever be in your heart, I know that, and Selenita will never be her, I know that, but Dylan believe when I say it will get better. I speak from experience so don't feel it's all over now, it never is when you've found your mate..." Clarissa said as she slowly rose from her chair. She kissed his head and smiled before leaving the room, ordering a maid to follow her. Dylan smiled at his mother concern and maybe she was right. What he was doing was the right thing for everyone, Avery would never come back and Selenita would never be her. He will always have a special place in his heart for his mate but he had to move on with his life. Yes, he was still hurt from her betrayal but he couldn't continue mopping about it. He had to move on, and he would. He had to find Selenita and tell her about the wedding. Who knows how she'll react but she had to know. Dylan quickly drank his water and ate his breakfast before he flew off to find his wife-to-be.
She was in the palace court-yards, playing with the horses. Dylan was curious as to why she all of sudden had a passion for horses but he shrugged it off. He slowly approached her but she knew someone was there. She grabbed a broom that was leaning on the court-yard walls and spun around, hitting Dylan in the arm. He winced out in pain and Selenita held her mouth open in surprise.
"Dylan! I'm so sorry! I though you were one of those fairies that keep on pestering me. Its getting, quite frankly, very annoying," Selenita said as she helped Dylan up. He was smiling through the throbbing pain on his arm. She smiled with him and the two of them laughed, like they were old friends, which they were but over the years, they had slowly drifted apart. Her, Troy and Dylan would play together in the underwater kingdom, playing pranks and just being children. But when the King died, Dylan drifted away from them and then eventually Selenita and Troy as well until they were mere strangers. Dylan smiled at all of their good times. He offered her his arm and they walked around the court-yard recalling all of their child-hood memories. As they smiled and laughed he thought now would be a good time to tell her the news.
"Selenita, you're a good friend and always will be. I've been doing a lot of thinking, despite everything that has been going on in my...our lives. Everyone would think it would be sensible for us to get married as soon as possible and after considering it, I've agreed to it. Selenita, you and I will be married tomorrow. I know its soon but Raphael did say the sooner the better. So, what do you think?" Dylan said casually. Selenita stopped when he had finished and Dylan stopped a few feet ahead of her and turned to face her.
"Get married? Why so sudden? You were completely against this yesterday so why have you changed your mind so quickly?" Selenita asked, and Dylan heard a hint of sadness in her voice. Dylan frowned at her response.
"You wanted this marriage to take place so why are you now against it?" Dylan said curiously.
Selenita shook her head, "I'm not against it, it's just so...sudden and I'm...surprised," She stuttered.
"So? Will you marry me?" Dylan said in his most passionate voice. He felt he should get down on one knee and propose properly but they already knew they were going to marry so it didn't make sense. Dylan instead put out his hand and waited for Selenita to take it. She stared at him long and hard, tears slightly coming to eyes and Dylan waited for her reply. Selenita nodded and took hold of his hand, smiling. They hugged and smiled at each other before heading back to the palace to make arrangements for their big day tomorrow.
***
Avery stared out of her window for what seemed like ages. Olivia's big day was tomorrow and Carcassone was getting back on its feet. Olivia might be a traitor in the eyes of everyone but she was still one of them and Avery had insisted that her father threw her a wedding like it was her own wedding day.
Reluctantly her father agreed and now all around, floral arrangements and silk streamers and decorations were being hung up. Avery sighed as she turned away from the window. The seamstresses had just left her room, preparing her maid of honour dress. It was a silk purple dress with a empire line skirt. Avery walked over to where the dress hung over her door. She felt the fabric between her fingers. It reminded her of Enchanted, and her fairy and mermaid form. She smiled and then shook her head, she couldn't think of that right now. It was in the past and she had to look forward. She let the fabric drop from her fingers and opened the door but banged right into Alex. He smiled at her with his dreamy eyes and continued to walk down the hallway. Avery felt her heart break. She had almost kissed him yesterday and now he was ignoring her. She felt bad and had to make things right with him, make him her best friend again, not her romantic interest. It would mean going through another heart-break, as it would be like she was rejecting Dylan again. She shook her head and thought it would have to be later as she had to go see the bride-to-be.
Walking through the hallways to Olivia's room was eerily quiet and Avery felt really scared. She eventually arrived and knocked on the door before entering. Olivia was seated on a table writing a letter of some sort. The seam-stresses were tidying there stuff up and getting ready to leave, and Avery noticed the wedding gown hanging on the wardrobe door. Avery smiled at it, it looked lovely even though it wasn't on Olivia. The seamstresses quickly bobbed curtsies to Avery and Avery smiled at them as they left in a hurry. She walked over to the dress and noticed the lace on the skirt and the corset detailing at the back of it, also covered in a layer of lace. She reached her hand up to feel the fabric.
"Touching it is not going to make a difference..." Olivia said suddenly making Avery jump. Avery moved her hand quickly and placed them firmly together in front of her.
"I know. I just wanted to feel it and see if you'd be comfortable in it," Avery said as she walked over to Olivia. Olivia turned around in her chair and faced Avery.
"What difference would it make? I'm marrying someone I don't even know and this all wedding is a facade, just to make me leave this kingdom! I wouldn't feel comfortable in it at all!" Olivia said as she returned to her letter. Avery sat next to her and placed a hand on her knee.
"Olivia, your wedding day is supposed to be the biggest day of your life. You don't know this person but for all we know, he could be the love of your life in the future..." Olivia stopped what she was doing and let Avery's words soak through her. "...You'll be happily married for years and years and you'll have lovely children, two girls and a boy, like you've always wanted." Olivia smiled at Avery's words and hugged her best friend.
"Thank you. For being a great friend even when I haven't been one," Olivia said holding back tears. Avery smiled and broke off the hug. Olivia held her hands and squeezed them. "You'll find your knight-in-shining-armour too. I promise," Olivia said and Avery continued to smile despite her heart aching from inside her.
"Thank you. And I promise I will come visit you as often as possible when you marry. And you must promise me that I will be your children's godmother," Avery said pointing a finger at her friend. Olivia smiled and the two talked about the day ahead of them. It was going to be happy yet sad. Romantic yet upsetting. Avery had been despising this day, all her life but she knew her friend would be better off somewhere safe, with people that don't know of her treachery. Here her life was hell and Avery couldn't bear it. She would be happy away from here, even if she was leaving her mother and best friend behind but she would be at peace.
***
It was now dark outside and, after borrowing a candelabra from Olivia, Avery left her room. She made her way back to her own and upon arriving, jumped at the sight of Alex looking out of her bedroom window. Avery closed the door behind her and placed the candelabra on the closest table. Alex saw her and motioned his head towards the window.
"There almost done out there," He said breaking the eerie silence between them. Avery walked to the window and hadn't realized that even at night, Carcassone still looked as beautiful. She could just make out a few of the decorations for the wedding and even then she was surprised how beautiful everything was turning out.
"It looks so lovely," Avery said, almost whispering. "Olivia will love it!"
Alex turned his attention away from the window and faced the beauty before him. Avery noticed his stare and faced him too. They stared at each other for a long time and Avery felt Alex's hand on her face. He stroked her cheek and she closed her eyes as his touch sent sparks through her. She opened them again and noticed he was smiling. He leaned in and Avery followed his lips with her eyes, caught in the moment. He was millimeters away from her again, but he moved back suddenly, realizing his mistake.
"Avery, please, I'm so sorry, but we can't..." Alex mumbled and Avery frowned at him.
"Why not? I thought you liked me and yesterday you wanted to kiss me, so why not know? Have I done something?" Avery asked as she walked towards Alex.
"No, it's not you, it's your feelings. Avery, I love you more than anything right now, but I cannot do this. I cannot be your second choice, just because you cannot have your first," Alex said sternly and Avery seemed offended.
"I love Dylan and always will, but we have to move on with our lives. We are never going back to Enchanted, and I want to be with someone who I can love just as much as they can love me..." Avery said sweetly as she took Alex's hand.
"See, that's the thing. I can't love you like Dylan did because I am not him. And besides, you're getting married soon," Alex replied.
"But Alex, I do love you and I know you love me. We can be together and just move on with our lives. All you have to do is say yes, and I can try to get on with my life..."
"I don't want to be yours or anyone's second choice. I want to be the only choice. I'm sorry for misjudging you but I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that," Alex mumbled but Avery stopped him and placed a hand on his shoulder as he had his back towards her.
"You didn't take advantage of me at all! Oh, Alex, please don't leave me. I need you here because I have no-one! I cannot be alone again," Avery whispered, close to tears. Alex shrugged her off, and headed for the door.
Before opening it he turned to face the princess, "If you wish for me to stop playing with your feelings, then please do the same for me. I will not stay here with you when you need me, after rejecting me. I have feelings too, Princess Avery, not just you. And you're not the only one who lost her soul-mate..." Alex's last words lingered in the space between them. He opened the door and walked out, slamming the door behind him. Avery just stood there, gobsmacked. She'd lost him now and she couldn't get him back.
Avery slowly undressed and headed for her bed after blowing out the candles. She hugged herself as she cried herself to sleep. Yesterday, she'd lost her one true love, tomorrow she'd lose her best friend and today she lost her other best friend. Her life was over...