Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Page 23
“This is my mother, Queen Dianastace.” Sara introduced. “Mom, this is my new lady-in-waiting, Faryn Mint.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The queen stood and went to them.
“The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty.” Faryn curtsied. She was surprised. The queen looked to be in her early to mid-thirties. Her daughter was sixteen…
“Please don’t.” Just like her daughter had requested. “And please call me Diane.”
“I shall try to remember.” Faryn blushed. She hated looking so repulsive in front of anyone, especially royalty.
“You must have had a long journey.” Diane continued. “Sara and Nabil, why don’t you show your new friend to the dining hall and get her something to eat. Faryn will probably want to retire after that, so please show her to her room.”
“Of course.” Sara linked her arm through Faryn’s. “Come on.”
Sara and Nabil told Faryn the story of how Nabil found out the truth about Sara’s parentage as they led the way to the dining hall. The room was large with windows lining the upper half of the walls. Three long wooden tables stretched the length of the room. Others sat, talking and eating. Servants rushed around, took orders, brought food, and cleared dishes.
“Where is your father?” Faryn looked at Sara, suddenly realizing Sara had never mentioned him.
“He’s dead.”
“Oh, I am sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Sara replied. “He was a horrible man. He was never a father to me, since he raped my mother when she turned fifteen.”
“Oh, I am so sorry.” Faryn couldn’t believe it. How much had mother and daughter gone through?
“Thanks.” Sara took a seat. Nabil and Faryn sat on either side of her. Sara looked at Nabil. “Do you mind leaving us girls alone for a while?”
“Sure.” He stood. “I wanted to find Dave anyway.”
She nodded, and he left.
“You did not have to send him away.” Faryn felt her face flush again.
“He won’t mind.” Sara promised. “Besides, I want to get to know you better. Fergus hasn’t said much about you, other than about your wounds.”
Faryn nodded. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t going to tell the princess the truth. Everything was too painful to speak aloud. “My story is nowhere near as interesting as yours.” She was saved from saying more when a servant came by to take their order. Faryn ordered the same as the princess. “Why does Nabil seem so excited to be around his uncle?”
“He just recently reunited with him.” Sara explained. “Nabil and Dave didn’t know about the other. Dave was depressed to hear that his sister and brother-in-law were dead, but he was overjoyed when he found out he had a nephew who was alive. Nabil lives in the cottage with Dave. After Dave and Aunt Elaine get married, Nabil’s going to move back into the palace.”
“Hey kiddo.” A man with brown hair clapped Sara’s shoulder. “This must be your new friend. I’m sure glad you finally have a girlfriend.”
“Thanks Frank.” Sara chuckled.
As he walked off, Faryn looked at her.
“That’s my mother’s third commander.” Sara explained. “He’s a former rebel.”
“Ah.”
Their food was served, and Faryn had the best spiced chicken and beef soup she’d ever tasted. Sara continued telling Faryn about growing up in a castle for her mother’s nine-year Vigil, and then traveling with her grandfather to the rebels. Sara believed her grandfather had been killed during that time, but he’d been saved by a man named Oliver. Both of them were in the palace now. Faryn enjoyed hearing about Craig the most. He sounded like Creedon and Viktor put together. An ache set in Faryn’s side, and she knew it wasn’t from the food.
After dinner, Sara showed Faryn down the hall. “This is my room.” She gestured to a door as they passed. “And this is your room.” She opened the next door.
Faryn stepped inside, and her mouth dropped. “Thank you.”
The large room contained a tall bookshelf, bright purple canopy bed, and table with four lavender chairs. In the middle of the table was a vase with red and yellow roses. In the corner of the room was a maroon sofa which was in front of a wide balcony. On the other side of the bed was a desk with a mirror tall enough to reach the ceiling. Candle holders were embedded into the walls at numerous parts of the room. Including the one they stood at, there were three doors.
“Is it alright?” Sara asked.
“This is amazing.” Faryn cried.
“Good.” Sara touched Faryn’s right shoulder. “Thank you for being my friend.”
Faryn put a hand on Sara’s shoulder. “I have a feeling we are going to be the best of friends.”
~ Chapter 52 ~
Faryn woke feeling rested and at peace for the first time since Ovepo.
She let out a slow breath as she wondered how much her life would continue to change. She was only twenty, and it seemed like she’d lived several lifetimes. Her destiny was fulfilled, so perhaps she’d cheated the outcome. Maybe King Navion was supposed to have killed her? Maybe this was her punishment for killing the king? Did destiny have a wicked sense of humor?
A soft knock turned her attention to the door.
“Come in.” She sat up, wondering if it was Sara.
Melanie Kender walked in. She looked at Faryn with kind light brown eyes. “I came to treat your burns.”
Faryn stared. “Sara said you have magic.” Rosewyn was the only person she’d met with magic. She still didn’t like those who were linked to it.
“I do.” Melanie gestured to the desk and mirror. “Why don’t you sit, and I’ll check your wounds myself.”
Faryn stayed where she was. “What can you do?”
“I’ll see if I can heal them.”
Faryn flew to the seat and twirled so her back was to the mirror. Melanie didn’t say a word as she gently began to unwrap the wounds. “How long ago were you burned?”
“I was burned on the first day of Ovepo.”
Melanie nodded. “What burned you? Was it magic related?”
“No.” Faryn bit her lip. “It was a torch.”
“I’m so sorry.” Melanie finished unwrapping the final bandage. She placed a cool hand on Faryn’s arm. Faryn watched her face, but Melanie soon sighed. “I’m afraid it’s been too long. I cannot heal your flesh, but it looks like it’s as healed as it’s going to be. You don’t need to keep bandaging yourself.”
“What?”
“Your skin is as new as it will ever be.” Melanie paused. “Have you even seen yourself yet?”
“I will not look at myself.”
“Why not?”
“I used to be beautiful.” Faryn whispered. “I cannot bear witnessing myself anything but.”
“True beauty lies within.” Melanie looked at her. “I thought I lost my brother when I was little, but I found out he was alive. He died a few months ago in the battle. You still have your brother. He told us that the rest of your family, besides your mother, rejected you. You went from being the most desirable woman in court to being excluded by everyone you love.”
Tears welled in Faryn’s right eye.
“I’m here to tell you to forget those who want to hurt you.” Melanie stated. “You are still a beautiful young woman. You need to ignore those voices in your head who always told you your beauty was something outward. You need to grasp the truth that you are beautiful in here.” Melanie held her hand to her heart. “Sara’s already calling you her best friend. She’s so thrilled to have you here.”
“I will try.” Faryn whispered.
“It will take time to love yourself once more.” Melanie smiled. “The first step is to look at yourself. You need to let go of the past and move into the brighter future.” She took a step toward the door. “When you’re ready, turn and look at yourself. Really take everything in, and don’t berate yourself. Embrace the new you if you ever want to be happy.”
“Do I look that bad?”
Melanie paused at the door. “Only you can tell yourself how you look.”
She left, closing the door behind her.
Faryn remained in the chair. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She thought back to the first time Ederra had laid eyes on her, telling her she was so beautiful she would win the heart of the prince. Prince Navion, the fake one, had loved her since the moment he laid eyes on her. He used to always tell her that. It was Kurtis, the real prince, who had waited to love her in the small moments. Of course he’d discarded her in the end. Viveca had initially befriended her because she was the beautiful high noble daughter.
But it was Jerrika’s rejection which hurt Faryn the most. After all those years of being teased, bullied, and beaten, Jerrika had finally gained an attractive appearance. She understood how people treated those who were ugly. That only meant that Faryn was more repulsive than Jerrika ever was.
Faryn used her legs to spin the chair around before she could stop herself. There she sat for several moments, eyes closed as she faced the mirror.
Her right eye finally opened, and Faryn’s mouth dropped.
Her left arm and hand were red from healed burns. The red burn mark seemed to travel up her arm for the left side of her clavicle and neck was also red. She touched the skin, and it still felt hot. But the worse damage had been to her face. Faryn’s right fingers made their way up to the bumpy red marks patch-worked with ridged dead skin. The marks were on her left cheek, jaw, ear, and around her, now, useless eye. Her hair hadn’t grown back on the left side, leaving part of her head bald with more of the red from healed burns.
Faryn closed her eyes once more and cried until no more tears would come.
~ Epilogue ~
Jipso 24, 541
King Kurtis Perso sat alone at the table, watching the bride and groom dance. It had been three months, but everything was still painful and fresh.
Sage and Aileen joined him.
“Congratulations.” Kurtis looked at them. “Now you two are not the only high noble and common marriage.”
“And ironically it’s our siblings who are married as well.” Aileen stated. “So strange.”
“How are you holding up?” Sage asked.
Kurtis closed his eyes.
“I love you.” Rayna kissed him again.
“I love you too.” Kurtis brushed her blonde hair. “No matter what happens, know I will always love you.”
“I cannot get her out of my head.” Kurtis admitted.
“It’s only been three months.” Aileen touched his arm. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but it will get easier.”
“You two have each other.” Kurtis stated. “Jerrika and Barrett are now married too. Aileen, your sister was the only member of your family who was killed. Even your parents have each other. Peyton and Valerie are joining Hadrien, Wilma, and Radley as ambassadors, and Delisa is joining Krijar Castle to train as a Soldata.”
“I lost my father.” Sage stated. “I do not know where Fergus is, but he murdered our father. Creedon is going mad with guilt since he never told Viktor he forgave him. And I lost Garrik as well.”
“We all lost Rayna.” Aileen added. “I know you feel like you lost everything, but you still have friends Kurtis. We’re all here to help you through your grief.”
Kurtis closed his eyes. “My father took Rayna from me.”
Viveca’s glass clinked against Ederra’s.
Ederra smiled. “No. Thanks to Brad, we did.”
Glossary
Adlig: a derogatory name for someone of noble birth.
Atz: Fourth Month of the Year
Cusca: a derogatory name for someone of common birth.
Dintz: Eighth Month of the Year
Fobst: Second Month of the Year
Jipso: First Month of the Year
Mooch: Third Month of the Year
Neek: Seventh Month of the Year
Ovepo: Sixth Month of the Year
Sake: Fifth Month of the Year
Soldat: an elite male warrior who is trained from six years of age until nineteen, high noble of birth or noble.
Soldata: an elite female warrior who is trained from six years of age until nineteen, high noble of birth or noble.
Tatuar: a magical devise which can put a magical tattoo on people’s skin.
Wopler: a magical metal weapon which can be used as a belt, weapon (sword, axe, staff, spear, etc), or blow-dart with darts that kill anyone without the magic of nobility in their blood.
Acknowledgements
Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with inspiration, encouragement, support, and critique through the writing process!
My husband: Adam Hanson.
My family: Anthony Hayden, Pamela Hayden, Raj Gandre, Rachel Gandre, Sophie Gandre, and Daniel Hayden.
My best friend: Janelle Leslie.
My editor: Daniel Hayden.
My cover artist: Juan Guiterrez
My friends: Emily Georgeson, Savanah Gustafson, Vance King, Mekayla Korpinen, Michael Leslie, and Molly Lisowsky.
My writing pals: Jill Amos and Marisa Lowe.
And everyone in my writing classes, critique groups, and who have asked about my writing throughout the whole process.
Thank you!
About the Author
T. N. Hayden and her husband live in San Diego. She has dreamed of being a published author since she was nine.
She is writing two series: The Prophecy Series and Mysterious Warriors Quartet.
She is a member of the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Prophecy Series:
Child of Prophecy
Child of Beauty
Child of Destiny (coming May 26, 2015)
Mysterious Warriors Quartet:
Unity
Broken (coming November 27, 2014)
Alone (coming November 24, 2015)
Short Stories
www.tnhayden.com
www.facebook.com/ChildOfProphecySeries
www.amazon.com/author/tnhayden
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[1] Cusca: A derogatory name for someone of common birth
[2] Adlig: a derogatory name for someone of noble birth
[3] Laise: A beautiful figure with wings who protects children and is usually invisible