Beyond The Veil

Chapter 2

When I woke up the next morning, I felt something burning on my leg. "Ouch!" I rolled and fell out of bed. Something clanked on the floor. The Dagger was glowing red, then words started to appear on it. 

"Come closer..." 

I gasped. Could it be the Demon who saw me when I ran away? I was not supposed to even have this. If the Elders found it, they would accuse me of siding with them. I should return it after my session with Odessa today. I got dressed and ran downstairs. Mother and Father were not awake yet but that was good. I could go out without them questioning me about. I slipped on my green silk dress with a slit that went up to my thigh. I always liked to dress to impress. 

I made my way to the Lagoon to see Scully when I heard the pulsated boom from the Veil again. I thought of Dagger in my pocket... 

"I have to give it back." I thought myself then I ran towards the Veil again. If they found the Dagger on me who knows what they would do. As I crept up to the Veil, I could see the hole was still there. I could just slip it through. I rushed up to the Veil and looked around me to make sure no one saw me. Then I pulled the Dagger from my pocket and investigated the hole. Then the same piercing blue eye stared back at me. My heart jumped into my throat. 

"Boo." 

I screamed and fell backwards. 

He laughed maliciously. "Wow, you fairies scare so easily." 

My heart was pounding hard. I quickly got up then shoved the dagger back into the Veil. "H-Here, I didn't mean to take it..." The demon grabbed the Dagger back, then looked back at me. 

"You were lucky it didn't cut you. I'm actually surprised it went through." He said as he analyzed his Dagger. I stood back a bit and I was about to see his whole face. He had almond shaped eyes, long pitch-black hair and pale skin and pointed ears like mine. 

"Whoa..." I uttered under my breath, then put my hand over my mouth. Did I just say that aloud? I had never seen a Demon before but for a Demon he was...Beautiful. His skin glistened like shimmering opal. 

He raised a thin sharp eyebrow at me. "What did you say fairy girl?"  

I gasped. "Nothing." I swallowed, then he smirked at me. His smile made my stomach flutter.  

"Hm, be careful where you chose to roam. You actually might get cut next time." He said as place he slides the Dagger in his black boot and started to walk away.  

"Wait!" I yelled, then covered my mouth. He turned to look at me. "What's your name?" I asked quietly. 

"My name?" He asked then started to laugh.  

I do not know why I wanted to know his name. I should not have any interest in Demons at all but, he was not mean to me. Were they all like this?  

"My name is Emery." 

The Demon stopped in his tracks then slightly looked over his shoulder as his long black hair blew in the wind. "You shouldn't tell stranger you name...Emery." 

The way he said my name was so delicate, then he vanished into thin air. I stepped back wondering if this was all a dream. I was smiling stupid all because I had met an actual Demon. What was wrong with me? 

I looked towards the sky and realized I was late for my session. I ran back as fast as I could and headed into town. Our town was in the forest, the Lamps that lite the way in the dark were made of glowing algae and the stone pathways were made with it as well. The houses were built into large trees and at the very end of town was where the Elders training classes were held. One for every element, Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Odessa was the Elder of Water. She was older than everyone here, but you would not know it if you saw here. She was graceful and her skin was youthful.  

"Emery. Your late." Odessa's calm yet stern tone let me know she was in no mood to play around. I slightly bowed to her. "I apologize, it won't happen again." She gestured with her head to go inside. As I walked in, I saw a group of Fae surrounding a man I had never seen before. He was dressed in colorful greens and browns. He wore a crown of golden leaves. His blonde hair shimmered like gold. 

"That is the Prince of the Forest, Airell." Odessa whispered in my ear. I suddenly felt all my insecurities flash before my eyes. I crossed my arms over my chest, defending my not so ample chest...not like Colleen's. 

"So, uh why is he here?" I asked.  

"He is looking for a bride." She said as she pushed me forward. My eyes widened as I got closer to him. His eyes were cool light blue. As I got closer, Odessa stopped pushing and backed away. 

"Is it true? Do you slay Demons on top of a Stag?" Colleen gushed, twirling her hair. Airell scratched his neck.  

"Actually, his name is Clidus and yes I ride him occasionally." The girls started to swoon over him but what girl would not? He was Gorgeous, but seeing his perfection made me feel intimidated. Then he saw me, and I felt like a deer looking into the point of an arrow... 

"Excuse me ladies." He said as he slightly bowed his head, then effortlessly glided over to me. My cheeks heated up, I turned to make it look like I was not looking at him. 

"You must be Emery, are you not?" My ears melted, the guys voice was like honey...so smooth and rich. I turned around and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.  

I bowed to him. "Yes, your highness." His finger lifts my chin to meet his gaze. My chest started to flutter. 

"Please, call me Airell." He said and I felt so stupid because I could not stop gazing at him. 

"O-Okay..." I stuttered. I felt someone's hands on my shoulders. 

"Oh good, you've met my prodigious student." Odessa said from behind me. Airell looked to her than me. 

"She's quite the beauty as well." Airell said as he smiled warmly. Then a drift suddenly flings up my dress. I stumbled backwards and fell into a pond near the front door. An outburst of laughter came from my peers and I could feel a lily pad on my head. I choked down the lump in my throat, this was not how I wanted to start the day... 

I lifted the lily pad slightly and saw Colleen laughing with her friends and I could not hold back the burning sensation in my eyes... 

"You all should be ashamed." I looked up to see Airell holding out his hand to me. I did not want to take it...I did not want his help; it would just make it worse. I got up myself and let the lily pad fall back into the water. Airell turned a cold eye to the others. They all stopped laughing. 

"I would have expected more out of your students Odessa." Airell said his face had turned to stone. Odessa bowed to him. 

"I deeply apologize your highness. This will not happen again." Odessa glared at Colleen but Colleen just rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip. I slowly walked backwards and ran out of the classroom. A hot flash of tears flooded my cheeks as I ran. I had been embarrassed before but never in front of the Forest Prince. God this was a nightmare...