Masami bowed elegantly and turned for the door, taking tiny steps. “Your shoes are here,” she said, pointing to the high-backed velvet chair that sat next to the sliding door. She had conjured a pair of heels covered in pearls and studs.
“I don’t think—” I began, but she had already slid the door shut. I took slow strides toward the chair, realizing this was probably the only time in my life I would be able to do this so I should enjoy every moment. In days to come, I would be setting out on a journey. A journey to meet the end of my fate. What if that journey didn’t bring me back to another celebration?
I inhaled deeply, pushing the thought out of my mind. I refused to think like that anymore, not with everyone depending on me.
I picked up the shoes and relaxed into the chair, inhaling the fresh-scented air. The heels rested on the lap of my dress, picking up the bits of light that tapered through the tiny squares of window.
I allowed myself to smile, excited and anxious for the party to start. When I exhaled, I leaned over, carefully sliding the heels on. The outfit was complete. My hair was pinned up with pearled clips into a messy, yet elegant bun. Curling strands of ruby red hair fell freely and framed my face.
I looked like an eloquent version of myself.
When I stepped into the hallway, Masami was waiting patiently, courtly bowing her head at me. She turned to the left and escorted me to the festivities.
“Is there anything I should prepare myself for?” I asked her, trying to adjust to the height and feel of the heels. I stumbled awkwardly behind her, praying I would be used to them by the time I made it to wherever we were going.
“No,” she said simply.
“What’s it like?”
She suddenly stopped. When she turned, her quaint face was puzzled.
“I mean, what is a normal celebration like?”
“Why do you ask so many questions, Progeny? Are you fearful?” She didn’t sound like she was condemning me, more like she was trying to figure me out.
“A little,” I said awkwardly. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I can’t help it. I worry. About everything, really.”
A soft smile spread across her painted lips. “Fear is an emotion—nothing more. Conquer it, and you can do anything you set your mind to. Let this celebration be your rebirth. The old you is back in that fitting room, still undecided on a gown for fear of looking silly. The new you is standing here, in this beautiful gown, breathing confidently and glowing with pride. You will be as my people are—humble and impartial to fear.”
I took a moment to digest her words. She was right. I needed to let go of my fears and face my future with nothing but confidence in myself. I would make my people believe in me again, and I would find a way to defeat Zordon without destroying myself in the process.
I had to.
I straightened my shoulders and smiled. “Tonight is my new beginning,” I said, willing myself to believe my own words. “Thank you, Masami.”
She bowed again and then turned to continue forward. She took me all the way to the corner of the entryway inside the Lyceum. I took in a huge breath.
“This is it,” she said as she turned to face me. “I must leave you now. Your escort will be here any minute.” I smiled and bowed, suppressing the tickling butterflies that pestered me. Eagerly, I peered around the corner, trying to see what was outside and jumped when a hand touched my shoulder.
“Wow,” Fenn said, stunned as I turned around. The fabric effortlessly twirled with my every move. He stared at me in disbelief, words forming and then dissolving before he had a chance to say them.
“You look dapper,” I said quickly, absentmindedly brushing off his cream-colored tuxedo. An emerald colored tulip was tucked neatly into the pocket of his jacket. My favorite flower.
He grabbed the edges of his jacket, pulling them out in a playful demeanor as he straightened himself up. “I do, don’t I?”
I giggled. “You definitely do.” My cheeks burned.
He reached down and brushed his hand across my cheek, letting it rest on the nape of my neck as he pulled me into him. He leaned his head down to my ear, his lips brushing along my neck, and whispered, “And you look absolutely stunning. Who knew that a girl from the diner would grow into such a beautifully tempting woman?”
My breath caught in my throat.
He softly pressed his lips against my neck, trailing kisses up to my lips where he lingered for only a second. “I love you,” he said with a tone like velvet. He extended his elbow out for me to loop my arm through. “Shall we? The clock is ticking, Cinderella.” He pulled me toward the doors that led to the sand gardens.
Amidst the darkened sky, a faint lavender hue ran along the edges of the island. Twinkling stars hugged the floating island.
“It looks as if they pulled out all the stops,” Fenn commented, gazing up at the stars. “We haven’t seen stars since Zordon became a Fate.”
A night sky enchantment wrapped around the island, hiding Zordon’s sunless and moonless sky. The stars were so close, I swore I could touch them. Fenn continued forward, helping me down the steps. I depended on him to not let me fall.
A hardwood floor covered the intricate circles and patterns of the sand garden. Connecting from tree to tree, paper lanterns and sparkling lights hung in a zigzag above the dance floor. The light emanating off of the lanterns seemed to pulse in time with the Orchestra that sat off to the side.
The statues had been enchanted to move. They were still stone-like with water spilling from the objects they held in their hands, but every few minutes, they switched positions while humming a soft melody.
The mingled races were circled around three Geishas who performed with the music, magically flipping and twirling paper and lace fans into the chilled November night air. Sparkling trails of popping light followed in the wake of the fan with every throw.
With a few spins and swirls, the music died off and the Geishas bowed, taking constrained, quick steps to get across the floor to the Pavilion that was opposite the Lyceum. Sheer yellow fabric draped the open archways of the Pavilion, swaying in and out with the cool breeze.
Another act ran down the graveled path from the Pavilion, passing burning torches. They somersaulted onto the floor in green body suits. Four raven-haired Mages demonstrated the four elements in an artful dance of battle. After a few minutes of sparring, the music quieted as the heavy cadence of drums began, filling the air with electric suspense.
The crowd erupted in applause when the earth Mage formed a dragon out of sand, swirling and molding with only the motions of his hands. The water Mage compacted the sand dragon, and the spirit Mage filled the dragon with life. The best part was when the air Mage lifted the dragon into the air. Together they had formed a flying dragon that swooped in and over the crowd.
I was tempted to send fire to the dragon but was stopped by Kaede clearing his throat. I turned away from the performance and greeted him with a bow.
“There you two are. And here I was beginning to think that maybe you had decided not to come.” Kaede threw his cream-robed arm around me, a joyous smile spreading across his angled face. What little bit of hair he had in the back was neatly combed. He removed his arm from my shoulders and looped it through mine.
I hid my blush.
He walked us to the edge of the top of the stairs where he stopped and introduced us to his wife. “This is my wife, Akari,” he said, running his hand lovingly down her arm. She reminded me of Masami, only older. Her Kimono was the color of a lavender sunset with intricate flowering details. Ebony hair was pinned back with two small hairpins, and heavy golden eye shadow painted her eyes with tiny jewels pressed into her skin.
“It is a pleasure,” she said with a heavy accent. We bowed to each other.
“Everything is so beautiful,” I said, l
ooking out into the sea of people.
She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“She is brilliant, isn’t she?” Kaede added, pulling her into his side. He kissed the top of her head. “I must make a speech now.” She smiled at me when he let go of her, and then followed behind him, staying just a step away.
The crowd quieted when Kaede raised his hands for their attention. “My people,” he said with a grand air, “the Progeny has returned!” His arms rose up into the air to form a perfect V, and the crowd erupted with cheers, hands raised and pumping into the air as the ground shook below them with each joyful stomp.
Kaede lowered his raised hands, quieting those who had come to celebrate. “We are here to celebrate, but we are also here to reunite. Soon we will begin our task of ending Zordon’s reign of terror.” He turned and extended his arm out to me. “And she will lead us there!”
I felt the loud cheers and applause vibrate throughout my being.
“I have a gift for you,” Kaede added in a hushed tone.
Fenn nudged me forward, quirking his eyebrows at me in excitement. I smiled hesitantly, not knowing what to say. Luckily, words were unnecessary because what came next stole the center of attention.
Massive silhouettes glided over the island in a circular motion, dipping and careening with every crevice of the earth. I looked up, my heart pounding and robbing me of breath. Dragons circled above us, weaving in and around each other. Every color of the rainbow sparkled in the sky, illuminated by the beams of colorful light that came from the ponds.
Just as the weaving of the dragons became dizzying, four of them swooped down toward us. The crowd parted all the way to other side of the Pavilion, giving sufficient space for them to land. They popped through the enchantments used to protect the island from outside invaders and landed heavily, immediately stepping aside. They were Imperials. We all watched with bright eyes, unsure of what the remaining six dragons circling above were doing.
When they stopped circling and simply hovered, the Orchestra stopped with them. My grandparents, their scales reflecting the romantic light of the paper lanterns, gently glided down to us, their wings hovering on the rifts of the crisp air.
Adrenaline unleashed inside of me with an irregular fervor and I gasped, stumbling down the steps in a hurry. Kicking my heels off, I took off in their direction, wanting to be right there when they landed. The rumbling of my grandfather’s chuckling resounded above us. I neared them mid-landing. The moment their feet touched the ground, I threw both of my arms around their legs.
Naveena leaned down, gently nudging me with her snout. Darian continued chuckling. “You’re alive,” I said more to myself than to them. To say it felt good.
“And so are you, thank heaven. What were you thinking, Aurora?” my grandmother scolded in a loving manner. The worry in her voice sent a pang of guilt through my heart.
“I’m sorry. I did what I thought was right. And in the end, my mother…she…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I couldn’t say the words out loud. I wasn’t ready to come to terms with it.
“It wasn’t your fault,” said a sad, familiar voice. I spun around and there stood my father, his silver hair dull and lifeless. Dark circles rested under his faded lavender eyes framed with lines of sorrow. Seeing him like this thickened the lump in my throat.
I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed, gathering as much inner strength as I could. I couldn’t break when he had already broke. I cleared my throat, blinking a few times to clear the water in my eyes. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered into his ear. I kept my gaze on the stars, afraid that if I looked at him, my strength would crumble.
He squeezed me once and then stepped back sucking in a composed breath. “It is all right, Little Flame. The important thing is that you are here. You came back.” He forced out a smile and squeezed my shoulders reassuringly. “Let’s meet later where we can talk in private. I want to give you my congratulations.” He turned and looked back at the crowd of Mages who were still watching us, and then stepped around me to head toward the Pavilion.
Congratulations?
He walked away before the word could leave my mouth. I wanted to go after him, to try and cheer him up, but how could I? My mother was gone. Everything had fallen apart. What could I possibly have to say to put the light back into his eyes?
“Greetings, King Darien and Queen Naveena,” Kaede called from his golden throne atop the stairs. “You are most welcome and admired here.”
My grandparents knelt down with a regal air, their jeweled crowns catching the lights from above us. “We are so pleased to finally meet in person, Kaede. And even more pleased to have our granddaughter back,” Darien called out, chuckling again.
Kaede stood from his seat, gesturing for one of his guards to move his throne. He walked down the stairs, heading in our direction. “Let me move to the best seat in the house where we can enjoy the festivities and talk nonsense.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Naveena agreed as the guard set Kaede’s throne down next to them.
“Please, resume,” Kaede instructed the Orchestra. The four Imperials took flight, posting as four solid points around the island. No one was going to interrupt this night.
I rested my clasped hands over my heart. “This is absolutely perfect. More than I could have ever imagined,” I said, smiling as I reached out to Kaede and his wife. They took my hands and squeezed them.
“Thank you for all of your sacrifices,” Kaede replied. A serious look smoothed over his features. “You are our last hope and deserve more than I could ever give.”
My grandparents looked so happy. Their long, gleaming necks leaned into each other as they swayed back and forth to the music. It made me happy to see them relaxed. It almost didn’t feel real.
“Now go! Dance. Have fun. Enjoy yourself,” Kaede said. His laughter was persuasive.
I looked to my grandparents. Darian pointed his snout in Fenn’s direction, giving me the approval I needed to leave them.
I found Fenn sitting at the bottom of the steps, twirling a Lotus flower he must have plucked from the pond between his fingers. He was bent over, staring at its beautiful light pink color, and then a huge smile stretched across his perfectly square face. He held it out to me without looking up.
“For you, my love,” he said sweetly. He picked his head up, his charming blue eyes piercing through my soul. He stood up and pressed his lips to my cheek, sliding the flower neatly into the side of my bun. Like magic, he spun me around, hiding us behind a tall bush near the stairs.
“You’re so thoughtful,” I said, running my fingers along the edges of his clean-shaven face.
His face turned serious, smoldering. “Only because I am so madly in love and glad to have my girl back.” He played with a strand of my curled hair, eyes intently on mine.
“Oh,” I murmured heavily through thick lashes.
He lowered his lips to mine, his hand pressing tightly into the small of my back, twisting the fabric of my dress. My heart skipped a beat as the world disappeared around us. The lullaby I hadn’t heard in so long hushed the Orchestra and consumed my thoughts. I ached for him in a way I had never felt before.
I guess death had a way of making me realize that no moment should ever be wasted on nerves and fear. I was going to take this second chance and make every second of it count. Especially with knowing that every second may be counting down quicker than I wanted.
His other hand slid around my neck, his thumb caressing underneath my chin in smooth circles. A pleasured tingle spread throughout my limbs, turning my ache into lust.
And then, without warning, he pulled back, his breathing heavy and matching mine. He pressed his forehead to mine. “We’d better stop,” he said through a wicked grin. “I find it hard not to steal you away from this party. Actually, I find it hard
not to steal you away for good.”
“I know what you mean. It would be so easy to walk away from it all and lose myself with you, but it wouldn’t be right.” I closed my eyes, wishing things were different for us.
He cupped my face in his hands, gazing deep into my eyes. “I thought you were gone, forever. I thought you had left me.” He blinked back the glaze in his eyes.
I caressed his back with my fingers. “But I came back for you. I love you,” I whispered, kissing his cheek and then his nose, and then his mouth.
He smiled. “Come on,” he said, “let’s go enjoy the celebration.” He took my hand and tugged me away from the privacy of the bush. My heart raced with wonder.
Rich laughter pleasantly mingled with the music. The majestic sound of harps filled the air with magical splendor. Bodies spun and twirled to the sounds, the sounds of merriment echoing through the air.
He pulled me into the crowd and spun me around, then pushed me out only to pull me back into him, swaying us in a circle around the dance floor.
“Did I mention how stunning you look?” He leaned his face down into my hair.
“A few times,” I laughed, resting my head on his shoulder. I hardly had time to worry about what everyone else was thinking.
I mindlessly scanned the crowd, enjoying the many unfamiliar smiles, when my gaze found Zane’s. He was sitting on the other side of the dance floor, drinking in every detail of me. He held my gaze for so long, I squirmed and tucked my head into Fenn’s shoulder, trying to erase the wistful burn that had filled his eyes.