7.

Chapter 7

 

RUBIN

 

"Rubin, I know. I'm sorry, if I say that but we love you so much and we don't want you to end up with the same fate as your father. And if I might add," Uncle Cedric sigh, his hands still on my face. "Well, we do not know... we have not confirm it but," Uncle George’s voice trembled as he continued "we–I mean, I–think that your mother is still alive."

That made me stare at my uncle, examining his eyes of any trace of tricks or maliciousness but I saw nothing. With a watery smile, I captured the both of them in my arms and cried.  After a few moments, Aunt Lilia told my Uncle to go off since she is going to prepare me for the ceremony.

I had my bath, consisting of precious oils and scents from the tree blossoms, allurements essential for my mission. After I had finished my bath, I help myself on some plain white cotton dress, the sleeves shrug down on my shoulder like wings as she hang the nets on my back.

Oh wings! I'm going to have my wings today.

I wiggled my shoulders, exercising them and blush as Aunt Lilia watch me across the room. She offered to braid my hair and place the crown of golden laurels on my red hair–I smiled at my reflection as she finished. I feel beautiful, for once. She captured me on her arms and I can't help but shed a tear. She pulls away, “Oh don’t yeh cry, my dear, everything will be alrigh’.” I nod my head, following her as she led me out of my room.

What if I fail them? What if I end up like my father? What if I become obsessed of living with the humans that I refuse to go back?  And what about my mother?

These thoughts occupied half of my attention as my Aunt lead me to the back of the grand hall, “ Wait for me here, I would have ter take some golden petals before yeh enter. I forgot ter prepare that…” I nodded, watching Aunt Lilia as she ran back to my room.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the odd chick in the brood.” I turn around, recognizing the taunting voice of my dear Uncle Cedric–the one who made sure that I suffer terribly in the hands of his daughter. “How does it feel to be selected?” He sneered and I glare back at him. “I feel better than Isabelle, of course.”

“Your cheek!” He spat, his bright blue eyes like icicles on his sockets, “You’re just like him you know: arrogant know-it-all who thought that the world revolves around him, well, you might not be aware but that is not the case,” He snapped, his voice cutting through the air. I straightened up as stiff as I could so as to not show him how nervous I felt, “I will make sure that you will fail like your father had, after all, your eyes isn’t the only thing you inherited from him considering that you are ruled by your emotions and not your mind.” Uncle Cedric smirked, heading at the end of the hall to enter the door.

I can feel the heat rushing up my cheeks and was glad that Aunt Lilia have arrived a minute later holding a basket of golden petals. “What’s with the long face, aye? Wha’ happened to yeh? Cheer up!” Aunt Lilia held my arm and guided me down the hall, pushing open the door with a bright smile on her face.

Grandma Aphrodite is seated on the front with my Uncle Cedric on her left and Uncle George on her right. Uncle Cedric was looking at me intently, his cold blue eyes filled with hatred as usual, lips thin. I stared back at him, holding his gaze. Uncle Cedric averted his eyes, focusing them at his daughter who is also glaring at me from her seat. I look around trying to find Aunt Lilia only to notice that she was crying, her fluffy blue towel covering half of her face, the now empty basket on her hand–I haven’t notice her showering me with it.

The arrow from yesterday stayed afloat in the middle of the room, jusg in front of my grandma, gleaming as it now appears solid gold. It started buzzing once I took a step inside which made all the Erosians look at me.  Grandma Aphrodite reckon me and I hastily walk, nervously fiddling with my skirt as I bowed my head. The looks coming from everyone inside the room felt so hot against my skin that I feel flushed.

Grandma began the ceremony by speaking in the Old Tongue, thanking the gods and goddesses and honoring them with a magpie killed beneath the laurel tree and burnt on the fire made from cedar twigs.

After a moment it was finally time for me to recite my vows. I bit my lip and stood in front of the other Erosians, " I, Francesca Rubin Hearthrowe, receive thy power, passed by Marcus Valentin Hearthrowe, my deceased father– to fall down to earth, to give love and not receive any at all, and to not fall in love to any man or feel love for any human to my extent."

I crossed my index finger over my middle as I took the pledge, silently praying that no one will ever witness this play. I cannot afford to be caught now. My decision is final and I have to prove that I choose the right path.

I watch as my grandmother wave her hands; two wings sprout on my back, pure white and golden on the tips. Two bangles enclosed my ankles, signifying the sacred vow I have taken, following after the golden bow and arrow which settled themselves on my hands, fitting them perfectly.

"You've got one hundred forty three days to complete your task" I wanted to roll my eyes at the cliché occurrence but I shouldn’t, the council is looking at me like I am going to be convicted of murder–I have no choice but to maintain a straight face.

"For at least fifty arrows results to a hundred hearts–couple these, there and that–everywhere you'll walk around in this city of love, of course, with grace and utmost care. The cities on which our great power prevail, shoot their hearts with nothing to spare. Don't fall to fail me my child, to you I send my greatest love. Now, Go..." Grandma Aphrodite raised her right hand and pointed up, clouds opening as some kind of stairs began to solidify, ascending towards a door.

I didn't know that earth was up and not down.

I climbed each step, my feet cold  against the smooth floor. I can feel the temperature goes hotter as I climb higher. As I stood at the top of the stairs, take a gulp and grab the knob.

Well, here goes everything...