Illusion and Reality

Can't wait for tomorrow

Dark grey clouds covered the once bright blue sky in front of my eyes. The cold harsh wind was like hundreds of ants biting through my skin, as I felt the cold lifeless ground underneath my bare feet. 

There was no sign of life, as long as my eyes could roam. Just a huge tree whose leafless branches resembled bony fingers trying to grasp something.

Looking more carefully I saw something on one of the branches, a raven. I thought about getting close to the tree that was standing alone just a few meters away, but as soon as I took a step I was standing in a circle of fire. 

With a gasp, I took a step back, the angry red flames hungry for my flesh kept getting higher. Cloud of smoke filled the whole area, making it almost impossible to breathe. I opened my mouth to call for help, but no sound came from my mouth. Tears started flowing down as I felt a burning sensation in my lungs. 

I tried to move but my feet were frozen on the ground, just when I thought it was the end, I saw someone standing underneath that tree. I couldn’t see her face, but I could clearly see those bright purple eyes staring at me with sadness.

“Samara?”

I woke up a gasp, only to see Lucius sitting in front of me with a worried look on his face.

“What…” my voice came out raspy.

He quickly got up and filled the glass of water, “It’s okay, you are fine. It was just a nightmare.”

I took the glass of water, and let the cool liquid calm my nerves. Mumbling thanks I gave the empty glass to Lucius.

He sat in front of me without asking anything, just staring at me, “You were screaming and crying in your sleep. When I heard your voice I came running to your room. You were having a nightmare, I tried to wake you up.”

Biting my lip,  looked at my hands in the lap, “I am sorry for waking you up.”

“You do not have to apologize. When I heard your scream, I thought you were hurt,” he cleared his throat, “do you want to talk about it?”

I was not sure how to explain my nightmares to anyone. I finally looked at Lucius who was already looking at me with a different look in his eyes, it was the look that made me feel as though I was a weak girl who always needed someone. 

“It was just a dream, I am fine. You should go to sleep”

With a nod, he got up, “If you need anything just tell me, I am always here.”

“Thank you,” I said with a smile.

He closed the door gently and left.

I sat on my bed, staring at the blue hydrangeas in the vase next to the window. 

I had no one to share my nightmares with, Lucius probably thought I was some weak human, and Lily didn’t need anything else to worry about. She was not showing this but I knew she missed home. It was written on her face and I didn’t want her to babysit me. Home seemed farther and farther away every day.

.

.

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We all were sitting in our usual seats for breakfast. I was feeling nauseous just by looking at the food because of my lack of sleep. Instead of eating anything, I was drinking some coffee, Lucius raised an eyebrow at this but I shook my head with a smile.

He didn’t look convinced but before he could say something a familiar scroll with wings came flying from the window. He caught the scroll with one hand and started reading it. His eyebrow twisted into a slight frown while reading it that didn’t go unnoticed by Astrid, “What is written on it?”

“Royal masquerade ball and everyone’s presence is mandatory,” his jaw clenched with the last words.

“What will we do now?” asked Astrid.

Lucius looked at everyone, “WE will have to attend this ball without creating suspicions.”

Astrid went back to eating her food.

“Lily, do you remember everything you are supposed to say?”

“Yup.”

"Samara will be your friend, you both are here to visit Astrid and see this place. Make sure you both are with me or Astrid all the time and do not talk to someone unless it is absolutely necessary. Is that clear?” Lucius looked at both of us.

“Aye aye captain,” Lily gave a salute.

“I will get the clothes ready for tomorrow,” Astrid said and left.

“I have some work as well.”

Lily started saying something about the palace but I couldn’t pay any attention to her. What if I said something wrong? This is something I could not afford to mess up, Lucius, Astrid and Lily would get in serious trouble because of me.

“You okay Sam?”

“I am just thinking about tomorrow, that’s all,” she most likely understood what I was talking about.

“Lily, can you help me with the dresses?” came Astrid’s voice, who was standing near a room with a box in her hands.

“Sure,” Lily replied and looked at me with hesitation. I gave her a reassuring nod.

“Everything will be fine Sammy, we all will be there with you. Don’t think too much about it,” she said before going to Astrid.

I stayed in my room, reading a book about the kingdoms, apart from the Slouteron Dynasty, there were two neighboring Kingdoms. Itulix Empire and Gemethia Dynasty. 

Elves lived in the Gemethia Dynasty, they were known to be wise creatures, who maintained a good relationship with every kingdom.

The Itulix Empire belonged to the creatures who liked to call themselves, superior shifters. No one who loved their life would dare to cross the gate of that kingdom.

“Sam!” I heard Lily’s voice. 

I closed the book and looked at the sky that was colored in shades of blue and orange from my window, I was too engrossed in the book that I failed to see the time.

Making my way downstairs, I looked at Lily and Astrid talking to each other, instead of trying to bite each other’s head off.

Lily was the first one to notice my presence, “Hey Sammy!”

I noticed the different boxes on the table, along with the colorful masks scattered almost everywhere, “What are you guys doing?”

A huge grin made its way on Lily’s lips as she picked up a box and put a mask inside it, “Here, this is your gown for tomorrow, don’t worry fitting is fine,” then she put another box above the first one. 

“Thank you for letting us use your dresses,” I said to Astrid who just waved her hand casually.

“She has the prettiest collection of clothes,” Lily’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“It must be like Christmas for you,” I gave her a teasing smile but her grin just got bigger somehow.

Astrid chuckled looking at Lily, “Most of them belong to my mother, I never got the chance to wear almost half of those dresses.”

We didn’t say anything about the topic, “I should keep this in my room.”

Carrying the heavy boxes in both of my hands, I came back to my room. I opened the first box carefully, inside it was a beautiful wine red ball gown, with a sweetheart neckline and sequin embroidery on it. I gently placed it back and picked the red mask with black intricate designs on it and a tiny black feather on one end. 

The next box was smaller as compared to the first one, it had black stilettos inside.

Placing it next to the first box, I went back downstairs.

Astrid was not there and Lily was placing a mask on the table, “The gown is amazing, I love it.”

“Duh, I chose it for you,” replied Lily as she held a coral pink gown. It was an off-shoulder gown with a rhinestone belt, a coral pink mask with similar intricate silver designs was on the table.

“Your gown looks awesome.”

She put her gown aside and picked another gown, “This is Astrid’s gown,” it was an emerald gown with a deep v neck and long sleeves, which had lace till the waist.

“Wow.”

“I know right,” she placed it back.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow." "I  can't wait for this to be over." Lily and I said simultaneously.