Chapter 10: Deterrent

Months passed, and Ember and Jaime really had time to practice and utilize their powers to the fullest extent. While their outward appearances remained unchanged, it was quite evident that they were not the same anymore. They carried themselves differently, with an inner strength emphasized by the supercharged powers that flowed through their veins. Had people been hurt by these powers? Indeed, they had. Some were purposeful, and others accidental, but while Jaime wanted to take accountability for the accidents, Ember urged him to do just the opposite.

"You can't let them know you made a mistake," she'd told him after he'd accidentally scarred a teen boy, who had been playing a sport with his friends, thus rendering him temporarily (but painfully) injured. "We're in charge, Jaime. They have to know we mean business. All actions are intentional."

The prince hadn't necessarily agreed with his sister's words, but he wasn't foolish enough to counter her. Instead, he continued to follow her lead and stay in his own lane.

A more recent routine was the visit from Lord Zephyr every other week. He claimed it was to check in on the twins' power usage, though neither of them was actually sure if that was the real reason. However, he did help them better control their powers, especially since dark magic was far more powerful than regular magic, and thus the users were often injured by their own blasts. During his latest visit, he brought some information that the royal siblings hadn't been expecting to hear.

"Are you aware that there are alternate universes?" the dark magic expert asked as he sat with the twins at their dining table, eating lunch with them. "Some that run parallel, and others that completely veer in a different direction, as a matter of fact."

"That's a thing?" Jaime asked, munching on his piece of toasted bread.

"Mm." Lord Zephyr nodded. "However, even though I've seen many unique alternative universes, none was more powerful than the Ever Realm, and as far as kingdoms go… Enchancia."

"Enchancia?" Ember queried, frowning. "What is that? Our inverse?"

He nodded. "Basically. They have extremely powerful magic wielders who live there, and they also have their own queen: Amber."

"What are the odds, Ember?" Jaime laughed, slowing to a halt when he saw her look of annoyance. He coughed softly, looking down.

Ember glared at Lord Zephyr, who seemed amused by her confusion. "Show me."

After lunch concluded, Ember, Jaime, and Lord Zephyr gathered in the throne room.

The older man cleared his throat, waving his hand, producing a visual midair that showed Queen Amber of Enchancia dancing with her husband Desmond; tackling her own twin brother James into a hug and playfully kissing his cheek, which he wiped away with a grin; and playing with children while sitting with Cedric and Sofia (Seamus's and Sariya's counterparts). "Those two." He pointed at Cedric and Sofia. "They are extremely powerful. Defeated an evil known as the Never Realm with some assistance from their adopted daughters and friends. They've saved their realm countless times from danger. And this one." He gestured toward Amber. "Queen Amber of Enchancia may not have magical powers, but she has the love of her people. She rules with dignity and grace, has helped stabilize her economy, and continues her father's legacy of prosperity and good deeds. She's everything a queen should be." He side-glanced Ember, who seemed to flinch at the very notion. "What do you think, Queen Ember?"

"I think she looks like a weak dreamer," she immediately answered, folding her arms. "Just another goody-goody who had to marry a meek-looking husband and have—ugh—children. I'm guessing those are hers." She narrowed her eyes at Alamea and Dominic, who were giggling and playing together. Her eyes widened as she suddenly whirled toward Lord Zephyr. "How many people know about Enchancia, Zephyr? I can't have my people knowing of this kingdom or this other queen. The only one they should be ruled by is me, and if they see her with her frilly little dresses and precious family life, they'll abandon me for her in a heartbeat."

"And how will they get there, Ember?" Jaime asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He'd gotten a little bolder in dealing with his sister lately, which she actually seemed to appreciate for some reason. He could still be gentle with her, but he didn't hold back anymore if she was out of touch with reality. "This whole kingdom has banned magic except for us. What are they going to do? Hop on a flying unicorn?"

"They're called 'alicorns,' Prince Jaime, and don't joke," Lord Zephyr tutted with a grin. "It does happen."

"Why would you show me this?" Ember snapped, her powers surging through her veins as she scowled at the older man. "All I see is a threat before me. I don't care if she is my 'inverse twin' or whatever you want to call her. She's an imposter. If my people leave me for her, however that could happen, I'd have no one to rule over."

Jaime sighed. "What do you want to do then, Ember? Destroy her and her family and friends?"

"Yes!"

He blinked. "Wait, what?"

Ember pointed toward the image of Amber, who was smiling serenely while staring out at her kingdom. "Look at her, Jaime! With her demeanor, her perfect little family and friends, and everything else about her, of course her people love her. She's the stereotypical image and projection of what someone would want to see in a queen. She caved and had the family and the little brats. She is perfect."

Jaime stepped up to Ember, grasping her arms and settling her down. "Ember, you are perfect!" Seeing her surprised expression, he blushed, releasing her. "I mean… You're not perfectly…perfect, but… You're unique and beautiful, and you're powerful and…you're you. No one else can replace you, if that's what you're worried about."

"Damn it, Jaime, you're not listening!" She pushed him against a marble pillar, pinning him there and staring him down. "This Amber is the better version of me, and we both know it. She's everything I'm not, and our people would want to follow her. Two of us can't exist at the same time. Now, let's revisit what we've discussed before." She released him, gesturing toward herself. "You care about me, right? You want me to be happy?"

He blinked, nodding, still a little shaken from being forced onto a hard surface like that. "I-I do… You know that, Ember."

"Then help me. You and I both know I'm superior in every way, and I deserve a chance to prove it. But as long as she's here, that won't happen. And Jaime, if they—if the people find out she exists, what will happen to me? What if they kill me?"

Jaime faltered a bit before reaching out to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "That won't happen, Ember, I promise. I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you. You know that…"

Lord Zephyr quietly slipped from the room, his part done for the time being.

Ember sighed as she looked up at her twin. "Then… Let's make a plan. There's got to be a way to take her down. We just need to figure out how. She doesn't have powers, Zephyr said, so we already have one advantage…"

Jaime nodded. "Yeah. We'll figure it out."

The queen finally smiled, kissing the prince on the cheek, catching him off guard as he blinked at her. "Thanks, Jaime. Now come on." She stepped back from his embrace and grabbed his hand, leading him away. "We have a lot of work to do."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Boxed In