"Sapphire fix your dress. You look like you don't want to be here!" Candice said while she pulled at my clothes. I swatted her hand away. "Stop fussing Candice. Nothing's gonna change. Also, flash news, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!" I snapped and stomped away, holding my dress up so that I don't step on it. I always hated going to balls. Especially when I'm forced to wear clothes that belong to a different era. 'But,' I thought, 'I do love this dress.' I dropped the part I was holding up and leaned on the banister. I gotta admit though, this place was magical. The moon was bright and full and the stars twinkling merrily. The whole picture looked like it came out of a story book. I stared at the golden cage that was hanging near the edge. Inside it was a pretty green bird. I moved closer and the bird twittered. "Hello little one. You seem happy." I sighed and started to sing softly.
"Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate?
Sitting in cages,
Never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits,
Beckoning, beckoning,
Just beyond the bars.
How can you remain?
Staring at the rain,
Maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing?
Anything?
How is it you sing?"
I felt a warm hand rest on my shoulder and I turn around startled. It was a man with garnet eyes and black hair. "Why would such a fair lady such as you be outside? If I may be so bold to ask." His voice was silky and it found its way beneath my skin. I blush and move back a bit. "I was just out for some fresh air." I whispered. He moved closer. "Might I join you?" I nodded shyly. I mentally slapped myself. Why was I acting so out of character? For freaks sake! I'm Sapphire Nightfall, strong and brave. How dare this man reduce me to a meek, shy girl? I shook my head and faced the sky once more. After several silent moments, I felt as if someone was watching me. I turned my head towards the man and saw him looking at me. I tilted my head slightly and asked, "Is there something wrong?" He smiled slightly and shook his head. "No, there is nothing wrong. I am merely curious." He answered. "Oh what?" I pressed on. "I am used to people gawking at me everywhere I go. This is the first time I've spent some quiet time with a beautiful girl such as you and not want to kill myself." I giggled. "Glad to be of service then." I sighed once more as I remembered Candice. "But I'm afraid I must go back. After all, my friend will worry. It was nice spending time with you." I curtsied and went back inside only to find Candice's disapproving glare. I raised my eyebrow at her and she huffed in frustration. After several more moments, I started to leave. "SAPPHIRE!" I heard Candice call out. I looked back at her only to see her running towards me. "Calm down Candice. What is it?" I held her still. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked. "Home. I grow weary of this place. Plus I am tired." I answered. She shook her head. "You can't leave yet." I crossed my arms. "Why not?" I challenged. "Because, the main event is about to start." She gushed and grabbed my arm. She then proceeded to drag towards the center of the floor where Richmond Bonaffeu was waiting. She pushed me slightly and the music stopped. Everyone turned around to look at us. "You look lovely tonight, Miss Nightfall." Richmond kissed my hand. "And as do you, Sir Bonaffeu." I was confused. Even more so when Richmond kneeled down. And then it hit me. Dread filled me to the brim. This was so not happening. Richmond took both of my hands and started to speak words that I never wanted to hear from him. "Sapphire Nightfall will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" My eyes grew wide. No! My head screamed. Why was this happening?! I scanned the crowd only to see Candice's grinning face. I wanted to kill her. "Sapphire?" Richmond asked. I pulled my hands back slowly. "I...I... I need a moment." I ran outside and into the forest. I ran and ran and ran till I reached a crystal lake. I sat down on a nearby rock and pondered my options. I am growing old, as loathe as I am to admit it, but I'm still young. I don't want to be married yet! Especially to someone I don't love! I heard something splash and saw a beautiful fish dive up and then back down. It moved closer but not close enough for me. I stood up and went near it. I reached my hand out to touch it but I accidentally fell down into the water. I held my breath as I fell deeper and deeper. When I couldn't take it anymore, I screamed and then everything went black.
When I woke up, I was lying on a soft surface. I could feel the sun on my face and the breeze flow around me. Wait, sun? Breeze? I sat up quickly with a gasp. I was lying in the grass. Last I remember was water. How did I get on grass? I looked around and saw a castle nearby. 'Maybe somebody saved me. But why would they leave me here?' I thought as I stood up. I brushed the dirt off of my dress and started to walk towards the castle. Once there, I tried knocking but no one answered so I pushed on the door. It opened just enough for me to enter. I walked in. "Hello?" I tried. No one answered. But I could hear voices near the giant golden doors. I walked towards it and knocked. The voice continued to speak. I opened it and gasped. It was beautiful. The ceiling looked like it opened up towards the skies. I dropped my gaze towards the people inside. My eyes went wide with the sheer amount of people inside. There were 5 tables in total. 1 at the very edge and the four others facing it. It was silent before a red spark came towards me. I shrieked and moved towards the side. The red spark flew past me. I walked in further and raised my hands slightly. "Wait! I mean no harm." But three more red sparks came towards me. I dodged all three of them. A boy with glasses and black hair from the table with a red and gold banner stood up and moved towards me. "Who are you?" He asked. "My name is Sapphire." I answered. His brows furrowed and he moved his glasses a bit. "Who sent you?" He continued to ask. "No one." I answered. "I got lost." His expression changed and he grabbed my arm roughly. "Hey!" I said in indignation. He carelessly ripped my black gloves off and studied my arm. "How dare you man-handle me! Unhand this instant!" I demanded. He merely took out a wand and pointed it on my arm. "Revealo." He said and a gray light zoomed towards my arm. It stung a bit. "Ouch! What are you doing?!" I was getting angry. "Where is your mark, Traitor?" He sneered at me. I pulled my arm back roughly and pushed him. "How dare you sneer at me? How dare you roughly grab my arm and demand to see a mark that I don't even know what. And how dare you call me names!" I glared at him. The man wearing a black and red robe stood up. The boy was about to answer but the man held his hand up. "Back to your place McNair." the man said. Something snapped in my mind. The voice was familiar. The man started walking towards me and as soon as he was near me, I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. It was the man from the balcony! He smiled at me. "Hello Miss Nightfall." He said and all I could say was..."You?" before my vision went blank once more.
