Phoenix

[Phoenixica24]

Phoenix

 

[Phoenixica24]

Prologue:

A sharp scream echoed down the crystal hallway, then dead silence. The entire Palace held its breath, waiting. Moments later, the soft cry of a baby could be heard. Smiles broke out on the faces of some, while others muttered darkly that this child would be cursed, that her mother was the blessed one, lucky to have this life.

For the little family, however, the moment consisted of pure joy.

“She's beautiful.” the King commented, leaning over his wife's arms with wide eyes. The Queen laughed lightly.

“That she isn't, not yet. But she will be. She is my daughter, after all.” Her husband's head lifted, and he huffed indignantly before turning and stalking out the door.

“You do realize I need a male heir, don't you?” He called before slamming the door. “Make sure neither of them leaves.” he ordered the guards.

The Queen's face had gone pale. She shook herself, steeling her nerves. Whatever I must do. It is my duty to my people.

She turned to the child in her arms. In her opinion, it really was ugly, all wrinkled like an old lady, and bright pink instead of a healthy dark skin tone. Are all babies like this? How could anyone think them cute?

“Guard!” she called, sighing in relief when a warrior actually responded. So that privilege hadn't been stripped from her yet. She was still Queen not only by title, but with authority as well. But for how much longer?

“Have my nurse fetch a care-giver for the child. I wish to have time to recover.”

“Yes, My Lady.” The warrior saluted and left.

Now........for my plan.

'The Plan' was simple. But that didn't mean she had time for a child.
A knock at the door startled the brooding Queen out of her thoughts. “Come in!” she called.

“You requested a care-giver?”

“Yes. That I did. Did my nurse select you?” The Queen looked the woman over. Long white hair, typical of all fully-grown Stars, bright blue eyes, again, typical of all Stars, slender, pale skin, dressed in typical clothing befitting a common care-giver.

“Yes My Lady.”

“Very well then. Come here.” the Queen beckoned the woman closer, smirking to herself as the care-giver quavered. Being a Daemon, she looked nothing like Stars. She had dark skin and bright, vivid hair, and her eyes held a demonic red glow. “This is your charge. You may take whatever funds you require from the royal treasury, and I will personally handle your payment. I will be recovering for a while, and will send for her when I can. I expect my daughter to be given the best of care. Am I understood?”

“Yes My Lady.” The care-giver bowed, then held out her arms. The Queen placed her daughter in the other woman's hold and waved her out. “You may take rooms in the Palace. Have a guard send for someone to show you to her wing. Your rooms will be inside.”

“Yes My Lady.” The care-giver responded. She didn't dare think about her life that she would be leaving behind. Or the child she herself carried now. It was said that Daemons read minds without indiscretion.

The care-giver was led along corridors of various precious material, stone, metals, and crystal twining together to give the highest impression of grandeur. Bright colors caught and reflected the light given by the Krystal and the rising sun. Kamakrya looked at the child in her arms. She could tell without being a Seer that this child would never know the love of her parents. But perhaps......she won't have to be alone.

A missive was sent to her later that day detailing further her duties, payment, and of course the rules. Visits to her family and husband would be rare, and her own children could be raised alongside the Princess given that they knew their place. They were not to leave the Princess' wing otherwise, and the Princess herself could not leave her wing until she physically came of age.

Kamakrya sighed and looked around. The room carried the subtle hues of blue, as all Star buildings tended to, and there were only a few Daemon influences. The child herself had slept since her birth, and just now stirred in the large bed, crying out as she felt herself alone.

The care-giver hastened to her charge's side, soothing her with soft words and a gentle touch. The infant opened her eyes for the first time, and Kamakrya gasped. Her eyes were a deep amber, with only a blue flower around the iris to show her Star heritage. She blinked sleepily, reaching out towards Kamakrya, who sat frozen in fear.

She must never know. Maybe I can raise her to be above Daemon influences. Maybe......But she had little faith in this belief.  

[Phoenixica24]

Chapter One: Meeting the Queen:

“Princess!” Kamakrya called desperately. “Princess! Daughter!” Twitching her ears, she caught the sound of stifled giggles coming from the huge wardrobe. Sighing, she chased after her charge and daughter.

As the child grew, Kamakrya had been thinking less of the Princess as her charge, and more as her daughter. Her mother had never sent for her, and in the past twenty-five years her father had only come to visit her twice. Her tenth and twentieth birthdays.

They grow so fast......Twenty-five years until she Reveals herself and finds her name. So short a time.....

“Mother!” Her daughter cried. “Look!” Kamakrya sighed as she saw the mischief the two had gotten themselves into.

“Yes, I see. You're beautiful.” she told them. “But I must get Princess dressed for her ceremony.”

“Why can't I go?” her daughter whined. “She's my sister!”

Kamakrya's eyes opened wide in shock. The Princess came and hugged her daughter tightly.

“Yes, why can't my own sister come?” She pouted.

“Sweethearts, no. You're not sisters.” Kamakrya's heart broke to tell them this, but she had to. They had to understand. Or they would get themselves killed.

“What?” Her daughter asked. She was only a few months younger than the Princess, but wouldn't understand the difference between nobility and commoners as well.

“The Princess is a Princess. She is noble, heiress to two thrones. We are commoners. Her mother hired me to look after her, and I wanted you to be with me. That is why we live here.” Kamakrya explained.

“I don't care!” The Princess cried suddenly. “She's my sister!”

“Sweetie, you can't just decide that.....”

“I just did.” That defiant look came back into her eyes, making them look like smoldering embers. With her tan skin and tinted eyes, not to mention her fiery hair, she didn't look much like a typical Star, something that upset her father greatly every time he saw her.

Kamakrya sighed. “Come now. We can't have you be late.” The Princess gave her a Look. The one that meant she would fight for it if she had to. The older Star sighed again, and brought both girls close, hugging them tightly. “I love both of you as my daughters.” she told them quietly. “But the Princess is special and important to very powerful people. We can't upset them or we'll lose each other. All right?”

The two girls agreed quickly, worried at seeing their mother look so upset. Kamakrya took the Princess's hand. “Come now, we must get you prettied up.”

A guard knocked at the door. “Hurry up!”

“We are!” Kamakrya called hurriedly. She placed the last feather in her charge's hair and led her outside. The two girls exchanged quick hugs and farewells before the Princess left with Kamakrya.

“Where are we going?” the Princess whispered, hovering alongside Kamakrya.

“To see your mother.”

“Oh. Kama?” the look on the child's face nearly broke the care-giver's heart. “Why do neither of my parents love me?”

“Oh sweetie, they both love you very much. They're just busy.”

Kamakrya replied, feeling the guilt of a lie stir in her heart. She knew neither of the little girl's parents truly loved her, but she couldn't tell her that, it would break her.

“Come now, your mother's waiting.” She told her charge, trying to appear cheerful, like she was friends with the Queen, like this child's mother was a good person.

They were led into a darkened room full of bright vivid colors that contrasted heavily with a black background. Kamakrya cringed at the obviously Daemon taste in décor, but her charge looked around curiously, intrigued by the new style. Of course, she's half Daemon herself. Kamakrya instantly felt guilty, as she did after thinking any such thoughts. The Princess had never once shown any inclination towards Daemonry, or devilry, as some of the humans called it. Her heritage did not give anyone good enough reason to think less of her for it.

The Princess hesitantly edged away from her guardian and began to explore. Her mother stood silently in the doorway, watching with a calculating expression. “My Lady....” Kamakrya began, pulling the Princess against her side.

“She is well. Dressed appropriately. Take her.” the Queen stated coldly. “I will be unable to attend.” The Queen hadn't attended any of her daughter's birthdays or ceremonies! Did she even care?

“Yes, My Lady.” Kamakrya replied, dipping her head. “Come along, Princess.” the child looked up at her, terrified, scared witless by her own mother! The care-giver took the young girl's hand and led her out, no longer caring that the Queen could have her thrown in prison for such a familiar gesture towards one of the royal family. To her, this girl's happiness and comfort came first.