Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Without answering me, she walks over to her bookshelf and grabs a huge book of some kind. Before I can ask what it is, she slams it down in front of me, and it automatically opens to a page in the middle. “Do you know the story of how we were once under British rule?” Nodding my head, I take the offered tissue and blow my nose.
“Yes. Hundreds of years ago our ancestors fought a war to gain independence from Britain. It was a long-fought war, and we lost a lot of lives but in the end we won.”
“Yes, that is correct. That was in 1820.” I begin to nod, and then I stop, realizing she has the wrong date.
“No, I think you mean 1823. Well for Evergreen anyway.” Rolling her eyes at me, she turns another page and mumbles under her breath.
“The future is certainly bleak.” Taken aback by her utterance, I am unsure what to say when she ignores my obvious offense and continues on. “1820 is when we separated from Britain, but before that were two kingdoms: the one that ruled Western Siberia and the other Eastern Siberia, until Russia began to expand into our region. The truth is Britain saved us from Russian dictatorship, but they too became dictators.” She can’t be right. I mean, surely they would have told us this, no? “The war to no longer belong to anyone but ourselves was long fought but worth it.” What is she saying? She nods towards the book, and I begin to look over the pages as she continues to speak.
“Once we were no longer under the British flag, two prominent families who were each royal in their own right, the Aren’s and the Jackson’s, decided to rule as one kingdom, splitting duties.” My hand flies to my mouth when I realize what she is saying. She is talking about me and Frost's ancestors. “It was alright for a time as most things are when they are new, but then greed took over and there was a civil war. Rather than either side concede,Fa they allowed their people to suffer while they fought over wealth and power.”
“Surely you are mistaken.” I rush to ask her, hoping this is some sort of joke. I mean, I know it has to have worked out in some way since I am here, but just thinking about what was is making me nauseous. And what does any of this have to do with my problem?
“They decided to divide the kingdoms up eventually into what you now know as Evergreen and Wintergreen, but not before many died from starvation and poor healthcare during their cold war. A witch, one much like me but more powerful, cursed the future rulers of both kingdoms. She said that just when that kingdom is going to be at its best, born to the royal family will be a child, an heir with the power to destroy all they have built. This was to be their punishment for their selfishness.” Hearing her say the words out loud, makes my body revolt. Before I can stop myself, I am over her garbage can, releasing the last hope I had that I was not meant to be the destruction of my people.
“Oh God, so it's true,” I say out loud, even though I am talking to myself. I was born to destroy everything I love.
“Young people are so dramatic nowadays.” She dismisses my words and hands me a cold cloth. “Drink this. It will cleanse your breath and soothe your belly.” Once I have gotten myself somewhat together, I sit back down.
“There has to be a way to change it, right? I mean a cure…some sort of..”
“Yes, there is. According to the prophecy, only their mirror image can reverse the curse in a blaze of passion.” Immediately, an image of Frost and my hands on him enters my mind. Surely that cannot be what they are saying?
“When you say a blaze of passion, are you talking figuratively or literally?” She looks at me like I am nuts, and you know what? I feel like it. This whole conversation feels nuts.
“I believe you know the answer to the rest of your question, no?” Of course, I don't. Hasn’t she figured out I know nothing? I am a mess.
“My mirror image? I mean that could mean anything.”
“Could it, though?” Her sarcastic voice tells me I have worn out my welcome, and to be honest, I am more confused than when I came here. I thought I knew a lot of things, but it turns out I know nothing.
With nothing left to say I grab my bags and walk out of her door. “That was all bullshit,” I say to myself, walking back through the clearing towards town. “It has to be, right? Yeah, none of it makes sense.” Even though I know I am trying to talk myself out of it.