Mirah heard the whispers before she saw the faces.
The thin red gossamer veil that covered her face didn't do much to hide the raw disgust that marred each face around her. Much to her wild delight, it didn't bother her, because fear was a hearty companion too, and ever since she remembered, she found her home in its gaping void.
She rose her head a bit higher as she took every step. The heavy chains slowly dragged alongside her feet and pulled her arms down. Her wrists were bruised and in pain, but she still used all her strength to keep them up. It was a message. A loud one that said, 'I am bound.'
Strangely, the blind often perceive more truth than those clouded by judgement.
Mirah decided to lay her eyes upon what mattered the most. She silently stood in the middle of the hall and lifted her gaze.
Everyn Galdrion wore a bright smile when his eyes met hers. He was bejeweled in gold and silver and emeralds and rubies, shining like the heavy crown that sat atop his brows. Even with the phantom demand of duty that laid upon his shoulders, his eyes held the same boyish gleam that Mirah so fondly remembered.
Her dearest brother, Everyn. She remembered it all. Out of the entire Galdrion family, Everyn was the only one who bore mercy in his beating heart. The warmth his voice carried when he called her out to play during moonless nights, the love he shared with the fruits he plucked, the treats that he secretly stole for her from the Royal kitchen, Mirah Galdrion remembered it all.
Everyn Galdrion would be a great king, she thought then, as she stared at her dear brother.
The doors slowly closed behind her with a soft thud. To many around, it seemed like the last turn of the key of a golden cage.
Mirah waited as silence ensued. A guard roughly pulled at her chain, hurrying her to move, but she glared at him and the bastard stumbled, eyes wide. Marie softly chided her, eyes scolding.
Then, just like she had predicted, a voice laced with fear and courage, bounced against the pristine walls.
"What is the Beast doing here?"
Mirah sucked in a deep breath.
The Beast.
The infamous title was not of surprise to her. She heard it in the faraway rumours that the wind carried to the quietness of her tower. Nevertheless, it pricked at her heart like a wild thorn, drawing blood before consuming flesh. It reminded her of cruel memories. Of darkness. Of blood.
And of death.
"Yes," another voice joined, "What is the meaning of this, Gavin Galdrion?"
Her father did not bat an eye. His cold, milky eyes remained on her as he stood next to Everyn with his arms tied around his back. Mirah slowly looked to the ground, unable to hold his gaze.
She never has been able to.
"It was my command to have my sister present at my ascension. She is bound and chained, accompanied by the strongest soldiers of the kingdom. She poses no threat!" Everyn said in a calm voice. a righteous king's words that bore nothing but the truth, However, the response was immediate. And one of displease.
Voices spoke, too many at once.
"We thought the Beast was dead! Does this mean we have been lied to?"
"The Galdrion family has been protecting this creature all this while!" The Royal King of the far west cried.
"Are you threatening us, Galdrions? What is the meaning of letting the monster out, at the ascension of all places? It is a secret plan, I'm telling you."
"The Galdrions are not one to be trusted! Eldomor is cursed!"
"The dark times are finally upon us," A woman wailed somewhere far behind her.
Mirah stood still like the dead, wrists bleeding. She felt no pain. She felt no anger. Strangely, she felt nothing. But the voices around her, they were too loud. Too overpowering. She began grinding her teeth, wishing for it to stop.
Marie, noticing her, curled her fingers around her arm. Mirah bit her lip, tasting the blood on her skin.
She needed to get out.
Now.
Her face snapped towards Marie, who was already looking at her. Her crimson eyes and her stained lips.
With a soft, desperate voice, her high lady whispered,
"You cannot let it out, Mirah."
Mirah bit her lip harder in response. A burst of energy warmed her chest and she felt hot. too hot all of a sudden. The tips of her fingers began to pulse and she clenched them tightly, digging her nails in her skin. The scent of blood grew stronger. And stronger.
Reign it in, Mirah. Reign it in.
"Slay me, Marie." Mirah breathed out, "Slay me. Don't be a coward and let me bite your other arm off."
'Marie harshly grabbed her shoulder. "Don't be a coward, Mirah."
If Mirah had her senses together, she would have laughed at the sheer irony of that thought, but she couldn't. Her bones were beginning to break and bend inside her flesh and she groaned at the white hot pain that seemed to sear her very soul.
A rough arm grabbed her hair and roughly pushed her down to her knees. She faintly heard Marie's cry in the distant.
Mirah let out a gentle cry, a prayer settling between her lips. Just like that night, fifteen years ago.
It was never answered.
Just then, before her eyes closed to complete darkness. the sky cracked above the glass dome of the palace.
Before Mirah's long, obsidian claws drew out, the sky fell.
And disaster rained upon the boisterous kingdom of Eldomor.