“Go Derrick!” Solaris hissed as she pushed him away.
The heavy footsteps in the hall were getting closer.
“But,”
“Go!” she said hurriedly.
“I,”
With a snap of her fingers, Solaris transported Derrick back to the mortal realm. “Solaris!” cried Citrus bursting through Solaris’ bedroom door.
“I didn’t do it!”
“Oh shut up. I know you didn’t. There is someone here for you!” Citrus said excitedly. “Who?”
“It’s Demitri!”
“Ugg! Why won’t he just go away?”
“Isn't it obvious?” Citrus said as she sat on the floor. “He’s in love with you.”
“Oh please.” Solaris replied rolling her eyes.
“I wish he had a brother.”Citrus said absent mindedly.
Solaris just shook her head and thought, “Typical Citrus.”
“Go talk to him Solaris.”
“No.” Citrus stood up and grabbed Solaris by the arm. “You are going to see him and that is final!” Solaris was unwillingly drug down stairs and pushed out the front door.
There he stood. His jet black hair falling gently into his ice blue eyes, his black clothes stood out against the colorful background that was Carmela. Solaris wanted to run her fingers through his hair, kiss his lips, and see what great expanse of marble white skin his dark clothes covered. But at the same time she hated every inch of him.
“Hello Solaris.” He said gently.
“Demitri.” She replied coldly, folding her arms across her chest.
“How are you?” he asked.
“What do you want?”
Holding his hands out, palms up, he replied, “May I not come to visit you simply because I want to?” Solaris fixed him with a cold stare.
“I know you Demitri. You never do anything just because; you always have an ulterior motive.”
And indeed he did.
From the moment they met, some seven years prior, he had been enraptured with her. He stood there, leaning against the porch, drinking her in. Her long sun colored hair just catching the light, the spark in her vibrant yellow green eyes daring him to come closer. He longed to take her in his arms, to feel the fine roughness of her jade sundress and the softness of her skin beneath his fingers. She hated him and he knew that, so he would settle with just looking at her, for now.
“You are right.” He said. “I have come to ask you if you would do me the honor of dining with me this evening?”
Solaris flushed. Struggling to regain her composure she played with the sea glass pendant she wore around her neck. “Why should I?” she asked.
Moving from where he leaned against the porch, Demitri walked toward her. “What does the sun have to lose from lending its light to the moon?”
“What does the moon stand to gain from the light it receives?”She retorted.
Demitri now stood barely inches from her, his nearness making it hard to think. Leaning toward her, he whispered in her ear, “The closeness of the sun makes the moon shine all the brighter. Meet me at the south end of the beach at dusk.” Without another word, Demitri pulled away and left.
Solaris stood there for a moment, dazed, shivers still running down her spine. “What just happened?” she thought. “Did I just flirt with Demitri?” as she turned and entered the house, Citrus came running down the stairs.
“So what happened?” she asked excitedly.
Citrus was Solaris’ best friend and the biggest busy body in all of Carmela.
Heading for the kitchen, Solaris turned and said, “That is none of your concern.
”Citrus followed Solaris into the kitchen and fluttered over to her favorite orange bar stool, being careful not to crush her monarch like wings. Her big black eyes contrasted nicely with her mocha colored skin and the earthy brown dress she was wearing. Her hair was cut short and spiky and changed color according to what she was wearing or what mood she was in. Today it was black with orangey-yellow highlights.
“Oh come on.” She pleaded “At least give me a hint.”
“Not a chance.” Solaris replied “Everyone knows that you are the biggest gossip in Carmela.” Citrus opened her mouth to reply but she was cut off by Solaris “Don’t answer that.” Then walking over to the cupboard, she pulled out her water bottle and filled it from the central living spring in the house. Before heading back upstairs she said with a wink, “Don’t wait up.”
Solaris shut her bedroom door behind her and had only one thing on her mind. “If he wanted to play a game of cat and mouse, well, he picked the wrong kitty to play with.” She thought. “Now what to wear?” she said to herself.
An hour later, Solaris was walking on the beach, her forest green dress just hitting her knees and her hair blowing slightly around her face. “Maybe I should just take a chance with him and see what happens.” she thought. The waves were barely coming over her feet as she walked to where Demitri stood. He was beautiful. He had on dark slacks, rolled up to his knees and an unbuttoned, white linen shirt. She loved the way the moon shone on his body, making her breath catch in her chest. She walked out into the waves where he stood.
“Your dress,” he said turning to face her. “It’s getting wet.”
“It’ll dry.” Solaris replied with a shrug.
Holding out his hand he asked, “Are you hungry?”
“A little.” She said walking off, leaving him among the waves. Demitri just stood there watching her, he was transfixed with her. Coming out of his reverie he followed her to the shore and unrolled his pants. As Solaris began to walk away, Demitri reached out and pulled her to him.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Shhhh.” He said placing a finger on her lips. Standing there with her body crushed against his, staring into her eyes; he wanted nothing more than to kiss her right then and there. Lowering his mouth to hers, he felt her arms wind around his neck. As Demitri kissed her, he was surprised at the ferocity with which she kissed him back. With a sudden roll of thunder and a crash of lightning the skies opened up to a torrential downpour. Breaking apart, they looked at each other for a moment and then began to laugh.
“So what are we going to do now?” Solaris said loudly over the storm.
“Well,” Demitri replied “we could go dry off and have dinner somewhere else, if you want.”
“Where did you have in mind?” She asked.
“My house is not far from here.” he said.
“That's much better.” Solaris said with a sigh as she came out of the restroom. Her dress had dried and she was drying her hair with a towel. She looked around and saw a table set for two. White candles lit the room as music played softly in the background. The fire in the grate made the room cozy, its dancing light inviting her to sit and enjoy its playful warmth.
“Dinner is served.” Said Demitri, making his way over to the table and setting down two plates of what looked like exquisite food.
“You can cook?” Solaris asked astonished.
“Yes.” He replied, blushing slightly. “It’s my hobby. Very seldom am I able to cook extravagant food for others, so please forgive me if this seems a bit much.”
“Oh no not at all.” She said hurriedly. “I'm rather impressed. There aren’t that many men who know how to cook, let alone enjoy it.”
It was a moonless night about a week later, as Citrus made her was over to the flat Demitri stayed in when he was not at the court. Knock, knock, knock.
“Who is it?” Demitri called.
“Citrus Moore.” She replied. “I am a humble servant to the Prince and I have news of a traitor.” There was a brief pause before the door was swiftly opened and she was ushered inside. Shutting the door behind her, Demitri led her to his study. Walking around to the other side of his massive Coa wood desk, he motioned for Citrus to sit.
After making herself comfortable he said, “Speak.”
“My Lord,” she began.
He raised his hand for her to stop, “Please, call me Demitri.” He said.
“Yes my Lord. I mean, Demitri.” Citrus mumbled as she fluttered her monarch like wings.
“Please, continue.”
“I have reason to believe that Solaris is in love with and in constant contact with a mortal called Derrick.”
“How can you prove this?” Demitri asked. “That is a very serious accusation.”
Pulling a wallet and t-shirt from the depths of her cloak, Citrus set them on the desk and said, “I found this in her room.”
Demitri picked up the wallet and pulled out the ID inside, which read;
Derrick John Wiles
Age: 21
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Height: 5’ 10”
Demitri paled as he recognized the person in the picture.
”No,”
“My Lord,” Citrus said in a concerned whisper. “Is something wrong?”
“This can’t be.” He said.
“What is it my Lord?”
“This, this man is my twin brother.” This news was followed with a stunned silence.
Citrus opened her mouth to speak but before she could even utter a sound, Demitri said sternly “Go.” He looked up “Go. Speak to no one of this.”
Standing up and moving toward the door, Citrus bowed her head and whispered, “As you wish my Lord.” This time he did not correct her.
On her walk home, Citrus thought about what had happened at Demitris’. He was in love with Solaris and would never look at her that way, she knew that.
“Well if I can’t have Demitri then I’ll go for the next best thing,” She thought to herself as a truly wicked smile formed on her lips, “His twin.” Citrus had her mind made up and a plan thought out. She would steal Derrick from Solaris. To do this she would first have to find out the next time Solaris and Derrick planned to meet, then she would make sure that Solaris would be unable to attend the rendezvous, after doing that she would need to glamour herself so that she looked like Solaris, and finally she and Derrick would elope to the mortal realm together. If she went through with this plan, Citrus knew that she would be hunted down for breaking the most sacred of all Fae laws. Was it worth it? She wondered as she walked up the path to the front door.
Citrus paused to compose herself before entering the house.
“Solaris! I'm home.” She called.
“Up here.” Citrus followed the sound of Solaris’ voice up to the third floor. That part of the house was exclusively for Solaris. It was her studio. She painted, drew, and photographed like she was mortal; something very strange for a Fae. Solaris had her camera on a tripod, set up in front of the wall of glass that faced the outside of the house. The cameras flash was lost in a flash of lightning that streaked across the sky.
“Got it!” Solaris exclaimed excitedly.
“What are you doing?” Citrus asked, coming closer.
Solaris turned around and said, “I'm taking pictures of the lightening.”
“Why?”
“It’s just so beautiful.” Solaris replied in an enraptured voice.
“Well have fun and don’t stay up too late.” Citrus said with a yawn. “As for me, I'm going to bed.”
“Yeah, ok.” Solaris replied absentmindedly.
Solaris didn’t actually love Derrick. She cared about him yes, but love? No. Love was completely out of the question. Solaris never allowed herself to really and truly care for someone to the point of love. The last person she had allowed into her heart had broken it. She loved him so deeply that when the relationship ended, it tore her apart. From that day on she vowed to never let anyone get to close, for fear of being hurt again. She sometimes wondered if she would ever love again.
Solaris and Derrick were supposed to meet at a record store in the mortal realm called The Dust Box.
As she was getting ready, she began to feel sleepy. “I probably stayed up too late.” She thought to herself. Solaris went and sat on her bed to finish getting ready and promptly fell asleep. A moment later, someone identical to the sleeping Solaris walked through the bedroom door.
“Sorry Solaris.” Said Citrus, coming toward the bed. “But you have something I want.” And with that she went to go meet up with Derrick.
“Ow. My head.” Solaris sat up and put her head in her hands. “What happened? Oh my gosh! Derrick!” she groaned. “Oh well. I’ll get in touch with him later.”
Getting up as she rubbed her temples, Solaris went in search of Nectar; the Fae equivalent to Tylenol. She was on her way back up stairs when there was a sharp knock on the front door. “What now?” she grumbled as she walked. Solaris opened the door to find Demitri standing there looking very serious and somber. “Demitri!” she said with a gasp. Then noticing the look on his face she said, “What happened?”
“May I come in?” he asked.
“Yes, of course.” She said, motioning him inside.
Demitri paced back and forth in the common room as Solaris sat on an oversized sapphire blue pillow on the floor.
Looking up from his pacing he said, “I am not sure how to say this but I will try.” Solaris nodded. “Your friend Citrus, she has run off to the mortal realm with my twin brother, Nikkoli.”
“Ok, but what does this have to do with me?” she asked.
Demitri took a deep breath before saying, “I believe you know Nikkoli as Derrick.” Solaris was stunned. “Let me explain.” He said as he sat down next to her. “My brother and I were separated at birth. He was taken to the mortal realm and raised as a mortal child. He knows nothing of me or his royal heritage. I don’t doubt that it was only when you started bring him to our realm did he know about its existence. Citrus came to me the other night and told me she suspected something between you and Derrick, but she did not know he was my twin brother until I foolishly said something.” By this time Solaris was fuming with anger. How could Citrus do this to her? Weren’t they supposed to be best friends? Suddenly a thought struck her.
“Citrus has been in love with you for as long as I can remember, but she knew you would never look at her that way. So when she found you had a twin brother she jumped at the chance to go for the next best thing.”
“Did you love Nikkoli?” Demitri asked.
“No.” she replied simply.
“You know what we have to do, don’t you?” Solaris looked down at the floor and said, “Yes I do.”
“I am very sorry that we have to do this.” Said Demitri.
“No don’t be!” she replied angrily. “Just promise me that I will get to be the one to slit Citrus’ throat!”
“Done.” He said with a smile.
Demitri and Solaris spent the next day preparing for their “hunting trip” in the mortal realm which was to begin early the next morning. They sought the assistance of renowned seers and sprites; whose silence could be bought for a price, to help them locate Citrus and “Derrick” in the vast expanse of the other realm. Material weapons would not be needed, magick would suffice. But on the off chance that magick was not enough, Solaris had a supply of both Human and Fae weapons at the ready. Demitri lay on an oversized midnight blue pillow on the floor of the lounge room in Solaris’ house. He had decided to stay the night at Solaris’ house so that departure would be easier. Solaris was going over everything they had packed for the eighth time. Seeing her so determined and focused made him love her even more.
“I have to wait until we have accomplished our goal.” He thought to himself “I need to keep my mind focused on what we have to do and off of Solaris, difficult though it may be.”
“Alright,” said Solaris “I think we have everything.”
“Then I suggest we get some sleep.” Demitri replied.
“Good idea.” Solaris said with a yawn.
“Goodnight Solaris.”
“Goodnight Demitri.”
Solaris and Demitri rose before dawn and headed for the closest portal that led to the mortal realm. The only thing they knew was that Citrus and Nikkoli were somewhere in a city called Miami and oddly enough the portal they were headed for, led directly there. The moment Solaris stepped through the portal; which had been camouflaged to look like a waterfall; she was met with a truly jaw dropping sight. The sun was just setting and it made the water and the beach look heavenly.
Demitri appeared beside her and said, “Come on, we have to go.” Tearing her eyes away from the sight before her, Solaris and Demitri hurried to see if they could find a room at one of the hotels for the night.
Next morning, Solaris woke up to find Demitri sitting in a chair watching her sleep. “What are doing?” she asked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
“Watching you sleep.” He replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Why?”
“I wanted to.”
Solaris got out of bed, stretched, and said “Come on, let’s see if we can scope things out.”
An hour later they were walking around downtown Miami trying to act as mortal as possible. Easier said than done, for Demitri anyway. Solaris was perfectly comfortable in the mortal realm. Yes people stopped to stare every now and then but it never seemed to phase her.
“Solaris.” Demitri hissed.
“What?” she replied. Demitri grabbed her arm and pulled her into an alley. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Shhhh,” he said, pressing a finger to her lips. “They are here.”
Solaris stopped struggling. “Where?”
“Across the busy path, near the man selling those colorful glass spheres.” Looking across the street Solaris spotted them immediately. At once she was filled with blinding rage.
“Solaris?” It was Demitri.
“Sorry.” She said.
“Come,” said Demitri. “We will follow them.”
As Demitri took her hand Solaris was struck with an idea.
“Demitri? You wanna have a little fun before we kill them?”
He stopped walking. “Fun? What kind of fun?”
“You’ll see.” She replied mischievously.
Citrus and Derrick seemed to be heading for a bench on the board walk that over looked the beach. Demitri and Solaris would be on the beach below, in plain view of the traitors. Demitri and Solaris would kiss, Derrick would recognize Solaris, and Demitri would take away the glamour Citrus had put on thus showing her real self. Not only was this plan genius, it delivered the crushing blow that was needed.
“Look, there they are.” Solaris said as they walked out onto the beach. She ran ahead to where the water met the shore.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Demitri.
“They deserve to feel the pain and betrayal that I felt.” She replied.
“You know,” Demitri said as he pulled her into his arms “You don’t have to be so tough all the time.”
“I don’t know how not to be.” She mumbled. Demitri turned her head so that she was looking up at him.
“If you will let me, I can teach you.”
“How?” she whispered.
“Let yourself feel.” He said before bringing his lips to hers. Solaris did just that; she allowed all the emotion bottled up inside to come out. Tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her face as she kissed Demitri. She no longer hated him, in fact she loved him.
The moment they broke apart Demitri snapped his fingers, making Citrus’ glamour disappear. They looked up to where Derrick and Citrus were standing to see the look of horror on their faces.
“So what now?” asked Demitri.
“I'm not sure,” Solaris replied “But we really should get this over with.”
“As you wish.”
"Citrus Moore and Nikkoli Hector Von Devinich, Prince of Fae.” Shouted Solaris. “I challenge you to a battle, as punishment for your traitorous deeds.” The air in front of Solaris and Demitri shimmered as Citrus and Derrick appeared.
“What is to be taken as payment?” Citrus asked.
“Your lives will me payment enough.” Solaris replied coldly.
“Solaris, what's going on?” asked Derrick.
Citrus began chanting a spell in the old Fae tongue, Larcin, while Derrick stood next to her looking absolutely terrified.
“Enough of this.” Solaris said as she pulled out a throwing knife and launched it at Citrus. It struck Citrus square in the stomach, bringing her to her knees.
“No!”Derrick cried.
“Demitri, please take care of your brother.” Solaris said.
As Demitri walked toward Derrick, Solaris knelt by Citrus. “I will force you to watch him die. Then I will kill you.” She turned Citrus’ head so she could see Derrick just as Demitri shoved a knife in his naval and pulled it up to his throat. A sob escaped Citrus as Derricks’ body fell to ground. “How does it feel Citrus?”
“You’re a monster.”
“Goodbye Citrus.” And with that Solaris cut Citrus’ throat.
“You did well.” She said to Demitri as he walked over to where she stood.
“Thank you.” He replied.
There was a small pause before Solaris said, “We should probably clean up our mess.”
“That would be a good idea.” He said with a chuckle. With a wave of his hand, Demitri erased any evidence that a battle had taken place.
Looking over at Solaris he said, “Let’s go back home to Carmela.”
“Yeah, let’s.” she said.
Once they were back home things were a little different. Solaris now lived alone and she had finally embraced her feelings and emotions. Demitri moved in with her, immediately becoming her newest subject and model for her photography. No one asked about what had happened to Citrus simply because no one missed her or they never noticed she was gone. People did notice however, the romance that had sparked between Solaris and Demitri. They were like the sun and the moon, as different as night and day. But at the same time they were perfect for each other, like it was meant to be. Anyone who looked at them knew instantly that they had something special, something normally only dreamed or read about. But that was just it, they were not your typical couple. They were a match made in heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment