My Blushing Muse

Always with her head in the clouds, an accusation that was always cast in Margot’s direction. Barely a woman, yet her entire village had expected her to find a mate and carry on traditional life. As they all whispered and planned her future without her, she dreamt of the world, and all it had to offer. Many would have killed for the attention she received, but not Margot. She didn’t mind for riches or politics. Being queen hadn’t been a desire, not was being some accessory on a man’s arm. She was ahead of her time, and though her sister was both a confidant and a friend, even she suggested for her sister to accept the offer and marry the young prince that had demanded her hand. Evelyn had been excited, she herself having been courted by a member of the court, not so high in profile, but Margot could see the flush in her cheeks when she spoke of the Vizier.

Margot had been by the water, planning her life’s adventures when Evelyn had come excitedly to her side. She had taken her hands.

“He’s kidnapping me tonight,” she smiled. “We’re eloping,” she added with a chuckle. It wasn’t uncommon for a woman to be adbucted by her future husband. One might have even called it tradition.

Margot thought it was disgusting, but she said nothing to ruin her sister’s apparent pleasure at the thought. “I’m happy you found your path,” she had said gently. “Hopefully I’ll get to see you again.”

Evelyn had wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulder, pressing the young woman to her chest. “Of course you will,” she promised. “You know, if you accept the prince’s offer, I could probably be your hand maid,” she reminded pulling away to cup her sister’s cheeks. “We could be together every day,” she whispered.

“But I don’t love him,” she admitted. “He’s a horrible prince.” The very words could have cost her her life in the city, but they were away.

“You could bring change to this land,” she reminded her sister.

“I want to see the world, Evelyn. I want to be my own Djinn…” Even her sister couldn’t understand it. They both shook their heads at the lack of comprehension they both had for each other. “Be safe, sis.”

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Sunlight struck Evelyn’s face as she work up on a foreign bed. It wasn’t a surprise, though the night before had been a blur. In that moment, she could only focus on the soft sheets, the tightness of the corset around her chest, plumping what little she had in terms of breasts. It wasn’t comfortable, but from what she could see, it was worthy of a wedding night.

She remembered her lover throwing her over his shoulder and taking her away as per their village’s tradition. A ribbon had been tied around her head to shield her gaze from where she was being taken, and when they had arrived, she had expected his parents to convince her that she should marry their son but there was no such thing waiting for her. Cuffs had been  placed on her wrists and chains had tied her to the floor. Words were being chanted. Pain had shot through her body and everything had gone black.

“Rise and shine, Evelyn,” a familiar voice chanted.

Head rolling to the side she smiled as she watched him. “Where are we?” she murmured.

“Safe.”

His voice was different, and the look on his features was darker. She couldn’t quite figure out what had changed from the previous day to now. Dread started to slither through her, body taking a moment to raise but the room was still turning. A hand clumsily went to her forehead, as though it would help anchor her.

“Don’t fight it, it’ll only make it worse,” he told her, drawing closer, brushing that orange hair away from her face. “Now, let’s see if this worked…” he drawled, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “I wish for your sister to be bound to a bottle, for her to never be able to deny her masters wishes if they’re made clear, and for you to bring it here. Oh and limit her wishes to three,” he told her. Even he knew giving the crown prince too much  power was a mistake.

“Yes, master,” the words escaped her lips though she had wanted to tell him to go fuck himself. To fuck off. That she would never do such thing. Hands reaching to her mouth she covered her lips as though it would stop anything. “Wh-what did you do?” she squeaked, tears stinging her eyes.

“Don’t make me wait. Go fetch your sister. The Prince wants her, you would have been easier to land,” he rolled his eyes.  

Throat feeling full, she held back the tears and slowly got up. As she stood her attire changed and her hair grew brighter. The few things she still had control over as she moved to accomplish the wish she had been sent to fulfill with a heavy heart.

Blackness surrounded Margot, but she swore her eyes were open. Her hands stretched out, feeling her surroundings, the unfamiliarity of it felt under the pads of her fingers. Cushions and furniture she would come to learn by heart in time. It felt like hours of stumbling over cushions and pillows, a jingle echoing from her hips with every motion. Her midriff was exposed but she didn’t feel cold. She felt nothing, just a harrowing emptiness that consumed her every breath.

Suddenly, a bright light shone down from the top, illuminating the circular chamber she was in, soft pinks and purples mixed with silver and gold accents. It would have been beautiful if she didn’t feel her body forced upward, twisting and conforming to fit through the small entrance and out into the world. The air was cooler here, her hands clutching her head as she screamed from the sensation that had overcome her.

As she was faced with the crown prince she scowled. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, let alone comprehend what was happening.

“You should have accepted my offer,” he told her with that  pedantic look on his face. The one she had abhorred to look at, though she  doubted there would ever be a word to describe the anger his arrogance caused to stir within herself. "I could have shared my kingdom with you. But this <i>this</i> is much better." The smile on his face made her sick. Even more so when he demanded she strip.

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Evelyn looked at herself in the mirror, touching up the ruby on her lips. Soteria was different than she had envisioned, but she was fitting in quite well. She'd met a few people, but  they had just been means to an end. Finding her sister had been her life mission. Though the  prince had long since been dealt with, her sister was still captive. It was when she'd encountered a silver haired banshee that things started falling into place. After following the hunt for so long, it was just a matter of time before they had found her, or rather this unit had been quite gifted, even with her subterfuges.