The Halves of Us Read online

  “Aura.” Her eyes bounced to Aura as her white whiskers twitched. “Did you not leave for midday break?” she asked as she turned her eyes back toward the Town Square.

  “I just couldn’t wait to get back,” Aura lied.

  She followed Ms. Nevolie’s gaze out the window, to the bakery where Mr. Jacobs, the baker’s son, called out today’s specials. His fur was a shade darker than Ms. Nevolie’s, and his short pointy ears stuck out from the top of his head. Aura recognized him from the deliveries the Dome got on weekend mornings.

  “You should tell him, you know,” Aura said, sitting in front of Ms. Nevolie.

  “Tell who what?” she asked nervously.

  “Ms. Nevolie.” Aura smiled. “It’s obvious.” She pointed out the window. “He asks me about you when he delivers.”

  “He does?” Ms. Nevolie beamed. She fiddled with her slender hands. Her smile faded, and her whiskers twitched again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She cleared her throat.

  “I’m up pretty early on most days, and the kitchen staff allows me in there to help with the morning preparations. When he makes his deliveries, he always asks about you. I tell him you’re well.”

  Ms. Nevolie blinked rapidly. Her vertical eyelids opened and closed as she stood. “I do appreciate that Aura, but you know very well I can’t tell—”

  Aura interrupted. “Who’s stopping you?”

  Her head fell. “So young, you are.” A soft, sad expression appeared on her face as she reached for Aura’s hand.

  Aura placed her hand on her mentor’s.

  “We all have a Fate, a destiny. A predetermined factor of what our life is to be. And mine is to be here for the future Ruler, the Council members, and the creatures of Thindoral. To make sure each Season, they receive their Teachings.”

  Ms. Nevolie looked out toward the bakery. Mr. Jacobs was setting out the sign for the weekly delivery schedule.

  “He’s not my Fate, but my dream. There’s a difference. You should understand now, after visiting the Room of Papers, how important our Fates are.” She turned toward Aura, and their eyes met. “You can’t fight Fate, my dear.” Her gaze returned to the Town Square below.

  A twinge came from Aura’s stomach, and she ached for Ms. Nevolie. Her life was devoted to the Teachings of the Dome. That was her purpose, and there could be no other.

  Aura stood and started to walk away, but turned back toward Ms. Nevolie. “If Fate is always right, why do we struggle with these strong feelings that go against everything we’re taught?”

  Ms. Nevolie placed her hand on Aura’s shoulder and smiled. Aura brought her hand up to meet hers and tried to smile back. She knew there was no answer.

  8

  Adie

  I am the future Ruler. Thoughts rolled through Adie’s mind as she made her way toward the garden. Uni rose high in the sky, signaling mid-afternoon. While others prepared for lunch, Adie escaped deeper into the garden. Thick trees grew around her, their bark stripped with a multitude of greens, oranges, and crimson. Their long leaves draped from their branches billowing in the wind. White and bright pink florals with crisply pointed petals lined a path forward. She welcomed the warm air on her skin. From a distance, she could hear the sound of hustle and bustle from the Dome and Town Square.

  She turned back and looked at the Dome. Half of the structure jutted out from the mountain it was built into. The dark gray stone building cast a shadow far into the garden. Windows were spread evenly throughout the chamber floors, and balconies extended out from every other window. Her eyes fell to the stained glass windows of the Holding Room. Triangular formations formed the shape of Rokis out of emerald, ruby, and navy hues.

  I am the future Ruler. She remembered her mother’s words. It attached itself to you. That’s the proof she needed. The Rokis recognized me. I am the future Ruler. She repeated the thought again, hoping she would eventually believe it.

  So what about when I touched it before? She shook her head, trying to dismiss the memory of touching the Rokis with Aura many years ago. And the nightmares that’ve haunted me since. She shivered despite the warmth and headed deeper into the garden. The sound of wings fluttered softly behind her.

  “Hello, Thora,” she said without turning around. A smile stretched across her face. She sat in the soft, dark green grass of the meadow, beyond the shadow created from the Dome.

  “There’s no sneaking up on you anymore, is there?” Thora laughed. Her translucent wings created shimmers of light as they fluttered behind her. She flew next to Adie and landed by her side. Her head barely reached Adie’s shoulder.

  “I’ve grown accustomed to the sound of your wings,” she said, smiling at Thora.

  Thora had been their lady in waiting since their birth and was the only person, second to Aura, who could find her when she hid.

  Her wings slowed, and she landed softly on the ground. Smoothing out her long white apron that covered a sky blue dress, she smiled at Adie. “No, just not too many Fae sneak up on you in your hiding place.” Thora teasingly nudged her. “Why are you hiding away? I heard about what happened with Aura. Did something happen during your lesson with the . . .” Thora’s voice trailed off, and she primped her short gray curly hair.

  Adie’s gaze fell back to the Dome and the multicolored design of the Rokis. It displayed images of my nightmares. The image of the portal surfaced in her mind. Her mother’s screams, the stillness of her father’s body, and his blank eyes staring at hers.

  “How do we know what the Rokis shows us is . . .” Adie paused, searching for the right words.

  “I see your doubt, my dear.” She rubbed Adie’s furrowed brow. “That doubt will give you wrinkles!” She smirked and playfully pulled at one of Adie’s loose curls. She ran her hand under her eyes, and golden Fae dust covered up the dark circles that had returned. “Adie, it’s predestined that you’re the one to receive the Rokis after your mother has retired. You have nothing to fear.”

  My nightmares. I have those to fear. Her shoulders slumped as it dawned on her. If the Rokis showed the portal, and the portal is from my nightmares . . . does that mean they’re going to happen?

  No. Her father was alive. Her mother survived their birth. They were nothing but nightmares. That’s all.

  Thora’s wings fluttered as she rose near Adie’s face. Adie noticed her gray hair becoming whiter around her temples.

  “Come now, it’s lunch, and you must eat.”

  “I have some bread and cheese,” she said, pointing to the basket by her side. “And I’d like to clear my head. It’s much quieter over here.”

  Thora nodded, smiling at her. She gently tucked a stray hair behind Adie’s ear and gracefully flew away.

  Around her, trees rolled in the breeze, flowers were in high bloom, and the air smelled of vanilla. She lay on her back with her hands beneath her head. The sky appeared to stretch forever, uninterrupted by a single cloud. She watched the tree limbs dancing in the wind above her. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath and drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  Adie gazed out from the Dome, on the High Perch. The Announcer stood on his alter, blowing his trumpet frantically. His long white ears stood straight up, swaying ever so slightly as he hopped around, trying to keep his balance as the ground trembled. A loud crash came from off in the distance, and Adie turned her back toward the Announcer to investigate.

  The sky looked as though it had been painted red with thick strokes of terror. Further in the distance, dark clouds inched toward them. The wind rushed past her face as an overwhelming heat caused her breath to catch. Adie tried to steady herself with the rocking of the ground beneath her. As the Announcer turned to run back into the Dome, the stone of the High Perch cracked beneath their feet.

  People scrambled in the Town Square below her, shouting and screaming. When her hand touched something cold, she looked at her chest and saw the Rokis. Its bright light vibrated against her chest. The wind pulled at her
skin as it rushed around her.

  The Rokis transported her. Adie flung her hands to her face to brace for impact, when only silence followed.

  She opened her eyes, letting her hands fall. The Rokis pulsated, its ice-blue light fixed on the center. A high-ceilinged dark room surrounded her. A crackling spark brought her attention forward as a burst of red light shot throughout the room, blinding her momentarily. As her eyes adjusted, she focused on the red spark now moving in a circular motion, sending out bolts of light.

  “Just like from the other dream,” she whispered.

  Its red color reminded her of the sky she’d seen moments before. She walked toward the crimson bolts of light as they stretched outward, creating a hollow gray center, and reached out her hand to touch it, but the noise of footsteps behind her stopped her. Adie turned and saw Aura. The frightened look on her face startled Adie.

  Aura pointed at her as tears streamed down her face. Adie looked down at a red stain seeping through her plum-colored dress. She tried to catch her breath, but the hot sting of the wound radiated throughout her body. She fell toward the ground . . .

  * * *

  Adie awoke, gasping for air. Her hands immediately searched her stomach. She glanced down, certain she would see the red stain blossoming outward.

  There was nothing.

  Using her dress, she wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks as she cradled herself.

  “Am I interrupting?” A voice came from behind her.

  Adie stood abruptly, flattening her dress. Samuel was before her. His kind eyes looked intensely into hers.

  “No, no . . . sorry. I fell asleep and had a . . . is lunch over?” she asked, trying to catch her breath.

  “Everyone is returning to Teachings. My father’s looking for you. Aura told me you like to eat in the garden area.”

  “I’m sorry. I told him it was fine. I needed some alone time after the lesson with the Rokis. No need to follow me. But Michael . . . your father, he always insists. So I had to, sort of, escape.”

  “I understand. May I walk you back?” he asked. His hand reached out toward her.

  She glanced at his hand and back into his eyes.

  “Here, your basket, let me carry it.”

  Of course he didn’t want to hold your hand. What were you thinking! With a nervous smile, she picked up her basket and handed it to him while grabbing a piece of the loaf of bread.

  “I truly didn’t mean to startle you,” Samuel said.

  Adie looked over at him and caught him staring back at her. She quickly turned her attention to the pathway and started walking back to the Dome.

  “It’s just, now you know my secret spot. I’ll have to find another.” She smiled.

  “I won’t tell anyone, Adie.”

  She stole another glance his way. His gaze hadn’t left her. His gray eyes grew bright, and he looked as though he wanted to tell her something. For a moment, she found herself noticing his features. He was quite handsome. That’s why Aura likes him. His sandy blond hair was pulled back behind him. When down, it fell past his shoulders. Her gaze followed the strong line of his jaw. His eyes were reading her expression.

  Guilt stopped her from staring any longer. Aura has had her eye on him for a while, and it’s not my place to create feelings for him now. She quickened her pace, shaking her head. He followed, matching her speed.

  “Were you dreaming?” he asked as they entered through the wooden doors of the Dome. Guards, clad in their blue uniforms with a large stitched symbol of the Rokis on their backs, stood at attention on either side of the door, eyeing them as they entered.

  “I was.” She stopped to face him, keeping her focus on the ground.

  He handed her the basket and their fingers gently brushed over one another. He grinned. Hoping to hide her flushed cheeks, she turned away.

  “Adie,” he said.

  She stopped. There was a softness in his voice she couldn’t place. Turning to face him, she tried to steady her beating heart. Why am I feeling this way? She gripped the basket and met his eyes. He stepped closer, leaving the basket the only thing between them.

  “Perhaps tomorrow I could escort you to lunch in the garden?”

  “Umm . . .” Adie exhaled as she searched for the right words. Say something. Anything. “I—”

  “I’ll bring food. We can both try and escape my father.” He smirked.

  A giddiness curled her lips again as she looked at the ground. “Samuel, I . . .” Words, you know them! Say something.

  He leaned in toward her. Butterflies swarmed her heart, their wings creating a heavy beating that built in her chest as his lips grazed her cheek. He slowly pulled away, and her breath caught in her throat. Adie’s gaze shifted to the stairs behind them. There stood Aura, her eyes glistening as her mouth fell open.

  Adie dropped the basket. “Aura.” She rushed past Samuel and tried to follow Aura up the stairs. “Aura, please. It’s not what you think.”

  Aura halted and turned to face her. She came down a few steps but still kept herself higher than Adie. Betrayal flooded her eyes, and she clenched her jaw.

  Adie swallowed hard, ignoring the guilt weighing her down. She waited for her sister to speak the words she deserved.

  “Don’t follow me,” Aura whispered, and took off up the stairs.

  Adie’s shoulders slumped, and she bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. What have I done? She heard Samuel’s footsteps come up the stairs, but she dared not look back at him.

  She made her way up the staircase, heading in the opposite direction of Aura. Her walking turned into running, ignoring those around her. She begged the tears not to fall until she got to her room. As soon as she closed the door, a sob escaped her. She fell into bed, letting her tears put her to sleep.

  * * *

  She awoke to find herself in the garden. The warmth of Uni fell upon her, and she heard a stream nearby. Adie sat up, not remembering how she got to the garden, but welcomed the safe feeling. Heading toward the stream, she watched the clear water rush over the rocks below. The colors of the flowers moved around her, painting themselves into the world. She removed her dress and stepped into the stream. The coolness of the water refreshed her, and the rainbow-colored water creatures moved around to create space for her. She floated on her back, listening to the muted sounds of the world around her.

  A new sound permeated the water and woke her from her trance. She lifted her head, looking around. Music filtered through the air. Recognizing the tune, she hummed along. Its melody swayed with the wind. She returned to the bank where she’d laid her dress.

  Wringing the water from her long red hair and braiding it down her side, she dressed and followed the music leading her to a pathway she didn’t recognize. Tall trees with long limbs swayed above her, letting the light filter through them, creating shapes on the ground. Numerous footprints marked the pathway before her.

  “This is new.” She continued as the music grew louder.

  When the path reached a clearing, she found herself at the edge of a cliff. Below her, a green valley teeming with life went on as far as her eyes could see. Uni set in the distance, painting the sky with swirls of yellows and hues of orange with pink radiating in between. Adie held her breath as joy filled her.

  She felt a presence behind her. Hands touched her shoulders and slid down her arms, to her waist. Turning around, she saw Samuel. His presence comforted her, and she didn’t move away. He smiled at her and moved his hand toward her face.

  She moved forward, feeling his breath near her lips. He was still looking at her as she closed her eyes and moved in closer.

  * * *

  “Samuel,” she said aloud, sitting up straight in bed. A dream. All a dream.

  She brought her hands to her face, removing the matted hair that clung to her tear stained cheeks. Her heart thundered remembering the feeling of Samuel’s breath near her lips. Just a dream. Just a dream . . .

  A familiar voice came t
hrough the slightly open door that joined her room to Aura’s. She quietly got out of bed and walked toward it.

  “She’s sleeping.” Aura’s voice filtered through the open space.

  Adie peeked through the crack. Aura stood in front of Samuel. She moved back behind the door and continued to listen.

  “I just wanted to say—” Samuel stopped as Aura shut the door in his face.

  Adie looked toward the window at the sapphire sky. She must have slept through class and dinner. She ran, careful to not make a sound, and slipped back into bed as Aura opened the door to her room.

  “Adie?” Aura whispered, walking toward her sister’s bed.

  Adie tried to remain still until she felt her sister’s hand on hers. She sluggishly opened her eyes. “Hey.” She yawned. “How–how long have I been asleep?” She gazed outside, acting surprised Uni had set.

  “You slept through dinner. I came up here to look for you.” She sighed and glanced back toward her bedroom. “I think Samuel had the same idea.”

  Adie tried not to show any interest, though the images from her dream and the comfort she felt from having Samuel by her side remained in the forefront of her mind. “Aura, I—”

  “No, Adie, don’t.” She swallowed and started tracing the pattern on Adie’s sheets. “I think I should apologize.

  “No.” She leaned toward Aura, taking both her hands. “I know you’ve had feelings for him for a while. I would never try and take something away from you.”

  “I do . . . I did . . . I have feelings for him. But if he cares for you, it would be foolish of me to try and convince you not to like him—if you wanted to like him.” Aura looked at her.

  Sadness rushed over Adie, seeing the redness in her sister’s eyes. She’s been crying.

  “It’s just I . . . I don’t know,” Aura said, standing. “We’re the same. We look the same. So it’s not looks that matter in this situation. You’re a reflection of me, and I of you.” She stopped abruptly, and their gaze met. “But he’s only interested in you. The future Ruler. You. My sister. My twin. And if that’s what’s meant to be, then who am I to fight it?” Her eyes had grown hollow and sad. They looked sincerely at Adie.