Chapter 4: Serpent Chain

As we come upon the stall, my father is standing there speaking in hushed whispers with an equally tall man. While he matches my father in height, he does not match him in weight. The skinny man looks as if a breeze could knock him off his feet.

From his high-quality silk clothes and jewels hanging from his wrists and neck, I assume that he is from the Prince’s country. Even his accent is smooth and thick.

“Duke Creed,” the prince calls. The man turns to us, he moves the curtain hanging from the post of the stall.

He looks eerily like the prince with the same straight nose and slender features.

“Prince Cerulean,” The Duke says with a bow. He eyes me for a moment.

“Here to buy goods?” The Prince asks, waltzing straight past him to the necklaces. The serpent chain is still there waiting with its almost glowing sapphire eyes.

“Something to that effect,” the Duke answers. I bow at him as I pass.

The prince gently plucks the chain from the pillow and heads towards our make-shift cash register. I join him.

“Who made this piece?” He inquires as I box and bag it. I glance up at him. He’s a foot taller than me, and his dark hair hangs just below his chin.

“It was the owner’s daughter,” I say. I don’t know why I can’t tell him the whole truth. But, at least, I didn’t lie.

Prince Cerulean looks back to the Duke and my father, who have exchanged contact information and are now saying their goodbyes.

‘I wonder what he talked to the Duke about.’

When the Prince has paid, he takes his time heading towards the crowd of people. “Are you the one?” He finally asks. He holds the bag up a bit.

I nod once and root my gaze to the ground. “You’re good. You should come to Lorelei and show me some pieces when you get a chance. It’ll offer you a change of scenery.” He says.

I’m so curious about his invitation, I almost ask his intentions. Maybe it’s because I’m his Twin Ray. He wants to see me more.

I don’t realize I’m biting my lips until his cool hand gently pulls at my chin until I let it go.

“You’ll bruise,” he says before taking leave into the crowd. Before saying goodbye like this wasn’t the last time I’ll see him. I refrain from frowning or from focusing on my shaky breath and racing heart. In the excitement and trepidation of meeting the Prince, I’ve all but forgotten about feeling ill.

The weakness hits me like a fist to the stomach. I lurch towards the ground. Arms wrap around me and help me stand.

“You okay, sissy?” Asks my sister Bayou.

“Yeah, probably dehydrated,” I say. Her brown eyes are filled with worry.

“Let’s end our night. The festival’s almost over anyway.” She says.

My sister River arrives from the darkness. “I’ll pack everything up, you go.” She says. The two of them share a knowing look. River begins to box and put away all the jewels while Bayou walks me home.

The sand is cold tonight. I can feel it through my thin sandals. The sea mournfully laps at the beach, leaving behind wet streaks.

“Dad says the Prince is your Twin Ray.” Bayou says. She’s the oldest. Her Twin Ray is the Great Priest’s son. She knows the most about being of lower status than her Twin Ray. I look at her. In the moonlight, she looks like our mom. From the little bit that I remember her, they have the same lips and eyes and hair.

Even their singing voices are similar.

I wish I looked more like our mother.

“I’m sure you know it’s not impossible to be with him.” She says softly.

I break from her, swaying on my feet. “What are you talking about? He’s engaged.”

“If you tell them you're his Twin Ray, they're bound to listen. No one can go against the fate set by the Holy One.”

I shake my head and start stumbling until I regain my strength. Bayou trails behind me with her arms outstretched ready to catch me if I fall again.

“Nobody is going to believe that.”

“You think he wants to marry Marilla of all people?” Bayou asks. She knows about what happened with the Princess. Why I hold so much disdain for her. I feel my blood boil and stuff my hands away to keep them from curling into fists.

“He doesn’t know she’s like that. He’s probably just doing what’s good for his kingdom.” I say. I don’t know why I’m defending him when I’m hurting. I feel selfish for wanting to be Marilla right now. To get the freedom to learn all about this man that intrigues me.

“Yeah, well, what’s good for his kingdom isn’t always what’s good for him. He’ll see.”

“What makes you so sure?” I snap. Weak, tired, and hungry is never a good combination to keep my emotions in check.

“Twin Rays aren’t meant to be apart for long. You’ll crave that connection. It might eat you up inside.” She says somberly. I stop glaring at her and pull her into a hug. I’ve been a little crappy, knowing her situation, she’s probably just speaking from experience. I hope her Twin Ray comes around as well. Or maybe I’ll fight him until he accepts her.

Who am I kidding? I’ve never even been in a real fight.

Bayou pulls back and smiles at me. “Let’s eat good tonight. I brought all your favorites. Fried dough, fried chicken, fried squid, french fries.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Let’s eat.” I shout.

We run home. Filled with thoughts of delicious food. I don’t feel tired anymore.

When we arrive, father has already loaded up and laid out our plates. We help him serve the drinks and sort out the table.

River comes in with all the boxes and places them by the door.

“Oh, so you decided to eat instead of coming to help me?” She asks playfully. Her hands rest on her hips and she squints at us.

“We knew you had it,” Bayou says and ushers her to the table. We sit around eating and laughing at River’s feigned anger.

“Girls, I have something to say.”

We all turn to our father, faces stuffed with food.

Father clears his throat and wipes his mouth off. “I’ve secured us an opportunity like no other.” He says. His dark eyes gleam.

We wait casting glances at each other. I bet it has something to do with the Duke.

“We’re expanding the business.”

“Congratulations, Dad,” Bayou says and pats his arm.

“To Loreilei.”

I freeze. My hand poised over my fourth piece of fried dough.

This cannot be happening. Why there? It’s a twelve-day boat ride. Who will run the business here, if we boat to the Kingdom of Loreilei on its big, tucked away island.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” River yells and hugs him.

Bayou seems just as excited. She turns mischievous eyes on me. “I think you should take Islet. River and I can handle things back here.” She says.

I gape at her.

“I think so too,” Father says.

I don’t think I could stare any harder at the three of them. All nodding their heads about this.

“I’m sure the Prince would agree,” Bayou says after a beat.

Are they out of their minds?