Muffin1: It took me a while to update. :/ I'm not Bloom's biggest fan, but I don't hate her either. She was overreacting, but Bloom does that sometimes. LOL
WinxFan: Thank you for the review and birthday wishes!
Guest: Sorry it took so long. That's for the review and birthday wishes!
Anonymus 2/28: Thank you! I'm glad you're loving it.
Anonymus 3/1: One of my friends from WWA brought up thing with Valtor. I'm glad she did. It was too personal not to add it.
Jayboogie1604: Thanks for the birthday wishes. I am wrong for the Flora/Bloom/Sky thing, but it does make nice drams. I really hope I can repair their friendship.
Winx flora: I hope you enjoy the chapter. Vanity is next to update.
Chapter Seven: The Attack (Part One)
Flora woke up with great enthusiasm. Miele's school was on break and she decided to come visit Flora in Eraklyon. This meant they would have a week together. Flora was elated! Belladonna agreed to cut her lessons short. They would meet for only a couple hours and earlier in the morning. Miele would be asleep when they happened and it wouldn't effect her visit. Flora had so many plans. She'd been doing research and planned on showing Miele around Eraklyon. She'd gone out a few times, but only to eat out or visit historic landmarks with Belladonna. Although Miele was bright, Flora doubted she wanted the tour Belladonna gave. They'd go to a park, play in the capital city's largest arcade and then she'd show Miele the Eraklyonese zoo.
Sky could feel her excitement. He hadn't seen her, but he knew her aura was warm and lively. There was a sweet smell of flowers throughout the castle even though they weren't in bloom. He was doing paperwork until the scent became a distraction; he followed it to Flora's corridor. She was in her boudoir. She wasn't formal today. She chose a spring green halterneck and a medium length pink skirt. She lifted it to her thighs, remembering her college days, but then let it fall to her knees. Flora was so busy in the mirror that she didn't notice his presence. Sky smiled; he loved when that happened. She was so beautiful and soothing. He wondered what Stella would say if she saw Flora fussing over her outfit. Flora usually didn't care about such things; it just proved how special Miele was to her.
Flora jumped when she saw Sky. "You caught me off guard."
"I certainly did. ...you're going to need to name a knight soon."
Flora nodded in agreement. She couldn't afford to be vulnerable. She was now an important Eraklyonese figure, but didn't see urgency at the moment. She hadn't done anything nor was she formally announced to the public. She was glad she got to choose her knight. She wanted the person to have more than power and academics; she needed to trust them.
"Thanks for letting Miele stay over. She's really excited about coming to the castle."
"No problem. She's family." Sky gave her a smile that made her melt. She walked into his arms and looked into his eyes. She felt warm, safe and happy. He pulled her closer to him and gave her a soft kiss. "Have fun." Flora returned the kiss and let it deepen. Sky tasted her and allowed her to lead. She still seemed unsure, it took all Sky had not to take control. Flora got on the tips of her toes to get more leverage. Sky was surprised; that was new. He appreciated her intimate curiosity. Most of all, he liked it. Sky lifted her up by her waist and started dominating the kiss with her above him. Flora wrapped her arms around his neck and regained control. They stopped to breathe. Sky smiled, his lips still touching hers. He could feel the fast pace of her heart and her breath on his face. They finally pulled away. Her lipstick was smudged. He found it matched the cute blush on her face.
Flora changed the subject. "I don't think you should attend Tressa's wedding. Aisha let me know that isolationist groups in the sea portion of Andros has increased dramatically since more fairies are gaining Harmonix and Sirenix."
"Merman hate groups?"
"Yes."
"What should we do instead?"
"We don't have to do much to keep ties with Andros. She's also not the crowned heir of the throne. Just send Tressa a nice gift."
Sky gave her another kiss. "I see you're in current events now."
"Yes, I-I can finally help you."
"Just seeing you is enough."
Flora turned to hide her blush. "I have to get going."
Sky let her down and eventually let go of her waist. "Yeah, you don't want to keep Miele waiting."
"See you later."
A large ship pulled into the harbor. Flora stood with a group of people, anxious with excitement. Now that it had arrived, time seemed slower. It intensified once people departed the boat. It wasn't long until she saw Miele. Flora wasted no time getting to her sister. "Miele! How are you little sister?"
"I'm great! My room was so big! I could get used to first class."
Flora chuckled. "How's momma?"
"Oh you know, the same..." Miele answered wistfully, "Oh! Some lady gave me string on the boat, so I made you this." Miele handed Flora a necklace made of small colorful flowers around a silver string.
"Thank you." She put it on and gave Miele a smile. "How does it look?"
"You probably have prettier stuff at your castle...," she said sadly.
"Don't be silly."
Miele took Flora's hand. "Are we going to the castle now?"
"There will be time for that later. I have a fun day planned for us. We could go to a park, stores, an arcade... It's completely up to you."
"Let's go to an amusement park!"
Flora smiled, "alright."
The day was tiring, but far from over. Flora was still being pulled around by her energetic sibling. Miele had gotten over a lot of her timidness. They rode every ride, some more than once. Miele also wouldn't rest until she'd won the most exorbitant prize. Even though she was able to pay for their outing, she wasn't a fan on the amount they'd spent. She was also exhausted. They moved around so much! Every ride and game drained her. She wasn't going to let it on to Miele though. It'd been so long since they'd seen each other. This day would be perfect.
"I have to use the bathroom," Miele announced taking Flora from her thoughts.
Flora nodded. She could freshen up as well. She'd throw water on her face in hopes to gain energy. "Let's go find one." The twosome found a bathroom next to the arcade. Flora held on to Miele's things. She didn't even have enough energy to hold them in stasis while she washed her face. A woman entered the restroom with them. She looked at the stalls before staring at Flora. She stood there, not saying anything. Her gaze was starting to unnerve Flora. She wasn't sure why she was looking at her, "Umm, I'm not in line if you want to..."
The raven haired woman looked surprised, "Who are you talking to?"
Flora returned her perplexed gaze. "You, I thought you were waiting on a stall."
She laughed. "Royalty... Talking to me... Would you be so friendly if you knew who I was?"
Flora looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean?" Before she could even blink, a dozen figures surrounded her. She looked at their features and garb and took a defensive stance. "Techno ninjas..."
"Are you scared, Whore of Eraklyon?"
Flora smirked. "Should I be?"
"You're surprisingly feisty. It matters not; we've already won." A techno ninja with purple hair and red eyes approached Flora with Miele in his arms. She was unconscious. Flora's eyes widened and she lunged for them. Flora then felt her neck stinging. The necklace Miele gave her vaporized its flowers and extended and tied her up. Flora fell hard before the raven haired woman's feet.
"You tricked her! If you hurt her-" The necklace gagged her.
"The girl will not die. I cannot say the same for you." The woman closed her eyes; after a magical stream of data, her appearance morphed and she looked like Flora. Flora didn't understand why she would do that. She tried to escape the binding, but they got tighter the more she struggled. "I don't think the secret service King Schuyler put on you will be able to tell the difference. Neither will Miele. Take her away."
Flora tried to transform, but the more energy she tried to siphon her winx, the stronger the hold. She realized it was powered through her magic. It was brilliant. She was in trouble. The light began to disappear. Her stomach twisted and she felt light-headed. It didn't last long. They shifted to what looked like a cave. The ninjas began talking in a language foreign to her. She struggled again, purposely. Eventually the binding caccooned her entire body. It was harder to breathe, but she was sure it would protect her from torture. One of the ninjas shifted to her. He had wild blue hair and dark eyes. He stared at her. She tried to be tough, but her eyes betrayed her. She was scared. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't know if they were going to hurt or kill her. She didn't know what that woman would do masquerading as her. And Flora had no idea if Miele was alright; that's what she feared most.
The blue-haired ninja pulled her up by her bindings. "My, my, my, you're certainly a looker... Guess I can't blame him for wanting you. You probably thought you'd get the world being with him. All that money and privilege. You're going to pay for your greed."
"..."
"Once you accepted him, you accepted this and became our enemy. We feel no pity for you and no have remorse for what we're going to do to you." Flora tried to speak, but was muzzled. He deactivated her binding. It still bound her magic, but she was free to move and speak. Flora wasn't sure she was okay with the change. She had no way to protect herself. She didn't even have enough magic to use the Spell of Drapudi to keep her from the worst type of violation. As he grew closer she felt like she'd need it. "You were saying?"
"...I understand all of this. I knew this could happen, I just... ...just don't hurt Miele." Flora said sincerely.
"We already told you the girl is fine." He waved behind him and a screen appeared. The faux Flora tucked Miele into bed. Now she was making her way to Flora's bathroom for a shower. "Disgusting... Your bathroom is bigger than this space. You didn't deserve it. Schuyler doesn't deserve it either. Look how we live! Do you know the injustices my people have suffered?!"
"..."
"Answer me!"
"I do."
He scoffed. "You know?"
"I learned about the history of your people a while back and I was learning about minority groups from Lady Belladonna..."
"Another Whore of Eraklyon. To think she lowered herself to Erendor..."
"She loved him." Flora said without thinking.
"Loved him? Loved him?!" Her loquacious captor became enraged. He started ranting on every evil Erendor's Administration committed: heavy taxations, drafts to wars, the wars themselves. He especially had a lot to say about the discrimination against ethnic techno ninjas. "She should be ashamed that she gave herself to such a man. You too. Kiri's sick that she has to." Flora perked up and turned to him.
"That's enough Tal. You've taunted her enough." A ninja with dark hair and eyes approached them. At first Flora was confused; he bore a strong resemblance to Helia. She was about to reach for him until she realized her mistake. He sensed her disappointment, but kept his face neutral. "Contrary to the impression my brother must have left, we are not barbarians. We will neither beat nor violate you." Flora breathed in relief. "There are worse things. You will watch as the man you love makes love and impregnates another woman. You will watch that child grow and you'll see the demise of the other. Our kin will be Eraklyon's heir and you'll watch it until the end of your days."
They weren't planning on killing her. She was hoping that she could convince them to let her go. "Sky means nothing to me. I love another."
The blue-hair ninja spoke again. "I can sense your deception! You love him."
Flora sighed. There was no use denying it. "You want to hurt Sky... There are other ways. You have me. You can do what you want with me. Sky will get the message. Elliott's just a baby; he's innocent in this. You can't hurt him."
"We will!"
"You can't." Flora looked him in the eyes. "You won't. Bloom is his mother. She has part of the dragonflame. Elliott has the other. You won't be able to."
"It's why we'll kill him as a baby!"
"Bloom can have other children." Flora countered.
"Kiri will have hers first. Children of the king, whether by the queen or a concubine, are in line to the throne according to age." He smirked. "Since you know so much." Flora did know that. It was her first lesson. That's why they wouldn't kill her. If she turned up dead, Sky would know the woman in his castle wasn't Flora and the child would be illegitimate. It wasn't for mercy.
Later...
Flora sat in the corner with her eyes on the screen. She was freezing; her powers used to shield her from the elements. She regretted not wearing jeans. The techno ninjas acted as if she didn't exist. She was growing apprehensive. She wished she didn't know their plan. Flora waited each moment in panic. Would this be the moment they killed Elliott? Would Kiri seek Sky? She closed her eyes and tried to think of other things. 'At least they aren't planning on killing Sky either.' She thought of her blonde lover. She thought of his smile, his kiss, his touch. She sacrifice herself in a heartbeat if it meant he and the kingdom would be alright. Flora wondered when she started to feel so strongly for Sky. It was her love for him that kept her courageous against the techno ninjas, but also fearful at the thought of them harming her family.
'It would have been nice to have been with him longer. I wish I could have helped him with the kingdom. I wish we could have helped Andros. ...I wish we had a baby.' She let her mind wander. She imagined their child would have been a lot like Miele in both looks and spirit. She thought about the time she spent with Sky. Flora thought about the nights he'd visit her, the conversations they had; she thought about their dance and even her fight with Bloom. "I have no regrets."
"Is your love for him that strong?" Flora looked up to see the ninja she confused with Helia. He had food and a cup in his hand. He looked at her perplexed. "Here."
"No, thank you." She didn't trust the food. Despite her acceptance to her fate, she wasn't suicidal.
"Fine." He put the food and drink away. He was about to leave, but he asked her again. "Is your love for him that strong?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "Sky is... far from perfect, but he makes up for it in emotion and valor. Sky tries his hardest to be the best he can for his country. He doesn't send his people out without getting into the fray himself. He would die for Eraklyon. He would die for his family."
"But would he die for you?"
Flora wasn't sure. "...I'd die for him."
There was a silence between them. He analyzed her. He found her very perplexing. In theory, she should be a conceited tart. He never thought she would be learned, emotional, nor self-sacrificing. He definitely didn't expect her love to be anything beyond the superficial. "I misjudged you." He thought about their plans and her fate. "I'm sorry."
Flora hugged her knees. "What is your name?"
"Himaru."
"Himaru... Himaru, you know this is wrong."
He didn't display any emotion. "Our people have faced many injustices. We are branded as criminals and trash. We have no social mobility. Nothing has changed for us and nothing will. We need someone in charge looking out for us. This was really the only way. It's not just vengeance. It's about progression."
Flora understood what he was saying. She never liked their history nor their mistreatment. Maybe she could have done something about it. Her eyes widened. Maybe she still could. "I could help you, all of you."
"What are you talking about?"
"My title also makes me an ambassador of sorts. I'm an extension of Sky. It give him advice and guidance on issues. I could help you all. I can bring attention to the issue you all face."
"You're lying..."
Flora shook her head. "You can sense lies."
Himaru looked at her and started to walking away. "You're a good woman. I can tell why Sky chose you to be his. ...I can pass your approach to the others, but don't get your hopes up."
"Hey!" The loud ninja called. "Sky's come to the bedroom!" The ninjas and Flora looked at the projection. Flora's heart leaped into her throat. She wasn't ready.
"Miele is sleep. You two must have had fun," Sky said with the smile that never failed to make her melt. Now his smile broke it.
The disguised ninja giggled. It sounded just like Flora. "She had to ride every ride. We had the best day." Flora was both impressed and distressed. Kiri was doing a decent job imitating her. Kiri looked toward the ground. "I wish you were there..."
Sky embraced her. "Next time." Sky kissed her forehead. He looked into her eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Kiri kissed him back. Flora's eyes were glossy with tears. Seeing that hurt more than she thought it would. The techno ninjas' plan was working. Sky ended the kiss and held Kiri. He rubbed her arms and gave her a small smile. Flora was about to turn away when suddenly Sky grabbed Kiri's jaw with enough force to break it. His face dropped into seriousness. "Who are you?" Kiri's eyes widened, coincidentally Flora's eyes did the same thing. "I said, who are you?" Kiri didn't break character. She willed tears. She gave him a look with a mixture of hurt and fear. She was about to speak when Sky slammed her against a wall. "Don't you dare say you're Flora. I know you're not. Flora is a nature fairy; she doesn't always smell of flowers and she wouldn't smell of the same flower with a mood change." His blue eyes burned into her imitation greens. "Most of all, I can read my Flora's eyes. She bears her soul to me every night. Your eyes give me nothing." Kiri glared in hatred; Sky ignored it. "Where is Flora? Tell me now!"
Flora choked on tears! She rejoiced inside; he knew it wasn't her. Tears of happiness rolled down her face. Adrenaline ran through her body. They would be safe. Sky saw through her disguise so the kingdom and Elliott were out of danger.
Unfortunately, she still was.
(A/N) A dose of drama for you! BTW, Drapudi is a character in my favorite story The Mahabharata. If you look her up you'll know what "the spell of Drapudi" would do.
Next Chapter:The search for Flora
