Collision 8
Ella shrieked with delight, as her twin chased her down the sandy beach.
She felt exhilarated. It was crazy. At times like these, she knew she wasn't really being chased. That it was only her sister attempting to catch her.
But for one moment, she would experience this feeling of terror.
Like she was being pursued.
It sounded strange for a girl her age. That a feeling of terror would excite her so.
But these were the moments when her powers would make it's appearance. As if her fear alone, could summon them.
Ella was not like Chloe. She was not born with the power to communicate with her parents.
Even now, she struggled to make the connection.
She began to imagine Chloe flying. Her small feet losing its perch on the white sand.
Chloe-Beth laughed with merriment as she felt her feet being lifted from the ground.
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"In my kingdom," Ava began hesitantly.
"Your Kingdom?" Michael challenged. "Were you not just the bride?"
"Ava was the princess of Adelaide," she explained. "She took on the title of Queen, as was her birthright. Zan was the heir to the throne of Antar."
"Ava was betrothed to someone else. He was born of royal blood, but there were other heirs with a stronger claim to the throne than he. So she set her sights on Antar. If she and Zan were to be wed, she could rule both."
"The queen mother was always pushing Zan to find a bride. Someone to secure his royal line," Xan added.
"Ava was good at deception," Ava clarified. "When she came along, the queen fell in love. She was like the daughter she never had."
"But Zan and Vilondra were siblings," Isabel insisted. She was sure of it. She had heard the message.
"Mother and Vilondra were never very close," Xan said. "Vilondra did not show her mother love. With Ava- it was different."
"She encouraged Zan to marry Ava. She was gorgeous, clever, and charming. She would captivate him. But she would be his downfall." Ava eyed them warily. All her life she struggled with her former self. With the choices she'd made.
"So they were married?" Max confirmed.
"Yes," Ava said carefully. "But Ava's intentions were not pure."
Liz stood abruptly. She hadn't wanted their conversation to take that turn.
She nibbled on her bottom lip, as she regarded the other girl.
She meant to say something, when she noticed her daughter rising in the air.
Her gaze flew to Ella. It was amazing how little effort she used when the need arose.
No matter how many times a day she made her daddy teach her, her powers would not reveal themselves. They remained hidden, unless her mind deemed her in trouble. She could not even fool herself at this point.
Max tried to convince her it would come to her in time. That she needed to be patient.
Ella tried to understand. She really did. She just could not comprehend why the same wasn't true for her twin.
Chloe-Beth had been able to communicate with her mother from the womb
With Ella, it was different. She'd been as normal as babies come. ======================================================
"Ava wanted to rule both Antar and Adelaide. Simply becoming the wife of the reigning king would not insure that. A queens consort had no true power," Xan said for his Ava. He worried for her. He knew how hard she fought to separate the two.
"Ava persuaded Zan to have a Crown Matrimonial. She was not a commoner. Zan saw no reason for her to lie. When she declared her love for him, he accepted it," Ava relayed.
"Becoming his wife wouldn't allow them to co-rule?" Isabel asked.
"She would have been Queen in name only. It would've given her no claim to the throne," Ava informed her. "That is why she wanted the Crown Matrimonial. Not only would it make it possible for her to co-rule, it would allow her to keep the Antarian throne if she were to outlive him."
"She could pass the Antarian throne to her heirs by a spouse other than him. Assuming he left her none."
"That was stupid of him," Michael could not help but say.
"There is nothing wrong with a man ensuring his wife is taken care of," Max found himself defending his former self.
"I'm assuming that means you haven't learned your lesson," Michael chuckled. "That King Max, is why you perished."
Isabel giggled. "Max, Ava had a whole other kingdom that was rightfully hers. She didn't need Antar."
"He wanted them to be equal," Ava defended Max's words. "He couldn't have known she would commit treason."
"Say's the girl who double-crossed him," Micheal mumbled.