Today felt off, everything was a haze. It was my 20th birthday. Walking through the halls of school, the air was ice in my lungs. Everyone seemed to disappear overnight. I climbed the stairs to my room on the top floor.

As I brushed my long blonde hair that looked almost white the weight of the room felt heavy. I tried to walk to my bed but stumbled as though my feet were stuck in cement. The room spun, as I began to fall to the floor a man with black hair caught me, he wore a mask that covered his face all I could see were his enchanting green eyes. I felt his grasp tighten around my waist as everything had gone dark.

Gasping for air I sat up quickly gripping the blanket covering me. I glanced around the unfamiliar room, feeling like a ant in the giant room. In a bed big enough for 10 people filled with the finest white silk and thickest yet cooling sky blue blankets. Sheer white curtains covered the massive windows. A warm breeze flew through the balcony doors as the curtains danced as if I were in a fairytale. As I placed my feet on the warm floor and stood I slowly walked to the open windows. My dress slid around my ankles as I approached. Reaching for the curtains a man started speaking, I quickly turned around tripping over my dress. The man magically appeared behind me a caught me just before I hit the ground.

“Miss Althea are you alright?” It was the man from before. His face was close to mine I felt as though we were being pulled close together. I was drawn to him, as I felt his breath hit my cheek I came back to my senses. I pushed him away distancing myself as I quickly slid myself across the room

“Who are you? How do you know my name? Where am I ?” I started to panic as he stood to his feet and started towards me, flinching I threw up my hands to defend myself “stay away!”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” I opened my eyes he stood in front of me offering me a hand, I ignored his jester and stood on my own pushing my hair out of my face.

“I’m Kai, you’re in my room. And I know who you are because you’re the lost princess.”

“Why’d you bring me here and what do you mean I’m the lost princess.”

“It was my mission to bring you back. You’re the daughter of the king.”

“ I have no parents I’m an orphan you’re mistaken.”

“Take a bath and get some rest I’ll explain more tomorrow.”

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“I… if this is your room where will I stay?”

“Here.”

“And you?” I looked him in the eyes as I asked fidgeting with my dress.

“In the guest room.”

“But shouldn’t you stay in your room?”

“Is that an invitation?” His eyes had a devilish grin, I wished I could see the rest of his face beneath the mask. ”if you feel unsafe just call I’ll come back.” He chuckled and left the room

My face felt hot. I shook my head and began opening doors until I found the bathroom.

After I showered I looked for something to wear but all I could find where men’s clothes. So I put on a button up. I climbed into the bed and drifted into sleep. Until I suddenly awoke to a loud crash I jumped up and yelled for kai as I rushed to the door he left out of when I opened the door Kai was there and I fell into his arms trying to catch my breath to tell him what happened

“Loud.. scared.. over there.” I panted as he continued to hold me. Once I caught my breath he walked to the balcony and closed the doors and locked them.

“The wind only blew them open nothing to be scared of.” He looked my up and down “I’ll have the maid get you proper clothing tomorrow.” I could see his cheeks turn bright pink through the mask. He began to leave the room

“Wait can you stay?” I asked as he reached for the door and I pulled the shirt by the bottom to cover myself.

“Yes.” He started walking to the couch as I got back into the bed ”you don’t have to sleep on the couch and it’s probably uncomfortable you can sleep on the bed it’s awfully big so we wouldn’t even know there was another person in it. “ he laughed at me sputtering nonsense

“Ok.” I turned around to look at him as he laid on his back in the bed

“Kai, do you ever take off your mask?”

“It’s probably best if I don’t take it off.”

“Ok.” I didn’t want to bother him anymore with questions. After some time we both fell asleep.

I felt the sun flow over my cheek in the morning, as I opened my eyes I realized I had managed to move closer to Kai and my head was on his chest I could hear his heart beating. I sat up and looked at him sound asleep, he had taken his mask off in his sleep. His face looked perfect the only flaw was a scar on his cheek. As I went to touch the scar on his cheek his eyes flew open and I got startled and jumped away

“ why are you so scared do I look that bad?” He said as he quickly realized his mask was no longer on and put it back on. “I told you it’s better for me to keep it on.”

“No! No you don’t look bad quite the opposite actually. I’m sorry I didn’t mean, you’re very handsome is all. Wait I don’t mean.” I shut myself up and looked down at my lap and he started to laugh. I jumped up and ran to the bathroom to splash my face with water. When I walked back out he was changing

“Oh I’m sorry.” I said as he turned around and I saw his perfectly sculpted body. I quickly turned around my face was burning. I slipped as I turned. And just like before he caught me before I had hit the floor. I threw my hands over my face to hide how run my face had gotten.

“You’re very clumsy.” He said as he held my off the ground

“Yes well um I’m sorry.” I peaked my through my fingers to look at him

“Don’t be sorry.”

“You have your mask on again.”

“Yes it’s better to hide how I look.” I started at his eyes for a moment then moved my hand towards his face and begun to take off his mask. I looked at his scar and then my eyes wandered to his lips as we got closer to each other. With very little space between us about to kiss I closed my eyes only to be startled by a knock at the door. I jumped back amd almost hit my head on the dresser but Kai had grabbed my head before it could hit. I smiled at him and my cheeks grew pink and we both stood he put his mask back on and stood in front of me so whoever was at the door couldn’t see me.

“Yes? Come in.”

“Young master I brought the clothes.”

“Ah thank you, just sit them on the bed please.” I went to look around Kai but he had grabbed my waist and pulled me back behind him.

“Of course young master.” The maid sat a few bags on the bed and left the room. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding as Kai looked over his shoulder at me standing behind him, I looked up at him as he towered over me. He took his hand off my waist

“I’ll let you get ready. There’s and empty dresser over there.” And he walked out of the room.

I sat on the perfectly made bed amd started to look through the clothes. There was so many dresses made with very expensive lightweight fabrics. They were beautiful. I put on a dress and hung up the rest. I began to brush my hair and put it up and there was another knock on the door.

“ come in.” I said as I struggled with my hair. Kai came in and took my hair from my hands and did it for me

“You don’t have to do that.” I said as he finished my hair leaving it beautifully styled.

“It’s no problem I use to do my sisters hair for her all the time.”

“Thank you.” I said as he offered me a hand and helped me up from the chair. As he pushed the chair back in he sighed in relief

“So the dresses fit?” He asked

“Yes they fit perfectly. Thank you. “

“Good I didn’t know what size you were but you looked quite small so I took a guess.” He seemed nervous

“Well your guess was correct.” I smiled at him

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes, very.”

“Come with me.” He took my hand and led me down the stairs to the kitchen. “Is it ready?” He asked one of the kitchens staff who grabbed a basket and handed it to him

“Yes young master.”

“Thank you.” He nodded his head and took the basket. He continued leading me outside to a beautiful garden where we sat in the grass and ate the freshest food I’ve ever ate.

“The food is delicious.” I was too busy eating to realize he had taken his mask back off to enjoy the food with me. His eyes were mesmerizing in the sunlight. The most beautiful emerald green.

“What?” The sound of his voice took me out of the trance

“Oh uh nothing. You have something right.. here.” I took a napkin and started to wipe the crumbs from the corner of his mouth. I slowly moved closer to him and kissed him. I quickly realized what I was doing and pulled away.

“I’m sorry.” I said looking down at the grass. I felt his hand grab my waist and pull me back as he started kissing me I moved my hand to his face. It was the most magical kiss I’d ever have.

After some time we’d stop kissing and smiled at each other.

“Let’s take a walk.” He said standing up

“Ok.”I agreed as he helped me off the grass.

We begun walking through the garden. There were so many beautiful flowers and trees and animals.

“Althea.”

“Yes Kai?”

He took a deep breath

“You’re the daughter of the beloved king who is the god of all races but you’re also the daughter of the dark princess who is hated by most. Your mother and father fell in love very young before your mother was cursed into the darkness. When your grandfather found out your father was in love with your mother who had been raised in the dark sea with the evil queen he put a curse on your mother not knowing she was pregnant with you. Once she found out she was going to have you she found your father. But your grandfather caught them and imprisoned her. When your father told your grandfather they decided to break the curse but they didn’t fully break it. Towards the end of your mother’s pregnancy she went crazy and fell into very bad health leading the curse to fall into you. So when you were born the only solution they had was to send you into the normal realm until your 20th birthday.”

“What. What curse? What normal realm?”

“We live in a magical realm with a million different races. The curse was to expose all evil and lock her away in the darkness until her death but because they tried to break the curse and she died before she could be sent back. You could possibly become evil.”

“I’m not evil.” I felt my eyes fill with tears

“Once you turned 20 it was my job to bring you back to this realm. Once you’re back your powers will slowly start to come.”

“What powers.” Tears fell down my cheeks

“Because you’re the creation between light and dark no one knows which one you’ll have.”

“How do I know this is true how can I believe you?”

“Because I can’t lie. My father is the kings most trusted friend he’s the leader of the saints and they can’t tell lies my mother is the leader of the messengers they are fast, have excellent hearing and are truthful. I am their creation therefore I can’t lie and I’m extremely fast.”

“So that’s why they call you young master and that’s how you showed up so quickly and you’re always able to catch me before I fall and how you heard me call for you.” He wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“Yes.”

“If you’re so truthful tell me why you wear a mask.”

“I wore a mask to keep you from being drawn to me. During a war I was cursed to draw everyone to me romantically. The mask stops that from happening. “

“Is that how you got your scar? And if it’s supposed to stop people from being drawn to you how come I felt drawn to you even with the mask on?”

“Yes I got my scar during the war. I’m not sure why the mask didn’t work on you we’d have to ask your father.”

“My father ?”

“Yes we are heading there now.”

“Wait what if he doesn’t like me? What if he thinks I’m evil? What if he wants to kill me?” I buried my head into his chest as I cried “I don’t want to die.”

He lifted my chin and looked me in the eyes wiping my tears

“I won’t let him kill you I promise.” He kissed me and held me tight “do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

After walking for a while we were back at the castle. I walked closely behind Kai scared of what may happen. Lost in thought I didn’t realize when he had stopped walking and ran into him

“I’m sorry.” I said and he just smiled at me

“Althea this is James he’s a good friend of mine. He’s a messenger as well.”

“Nice to meet you.” I bowed while still standing mostly behind Kai

“Seems this one has taken quite the liking towards you.” He laughed talking to Kai

“Althea is there anything the maid forgot to bring you?” Kai had asked me

“Oh um yes I need some clothes to sleep in.” He put his arm around me and I instantly started to feel more relaxed

“James would you mind fetching Althea some clothes for sleep?”

“Not at all.” He said winking and disappeared as if he was never there. I grabbed Kai’s arm shocked

“Where? How?” I was looking around frantically

“He’s a messenger we are fast.” He laughed “come on.” I continued following him. He knocked on these massive doors with the prettiest engravings of trees and flowers. A deep wise voice called from the other side

“Come in.” Kai pushed open the doors and the warmest sunlight filled the room it was beautiful. It was an indoor garden with so many water falls and The most beautiful nature I’d ever seen. Millions of butterflies flew around me, I spun around with them amazed by their beauty reaching up for them. They landed on my fingers and in my hair and on my dress and I was so happy and in awe of their beauty. I didn’t realize that Kai had been speaking with a man while I was dancing with the butterflies. Kai and the man couldn’t take their eyes off of me I probably looked like a little kid to them.

“Kai who is your guest?” The old man said as I stopped dancing

“This is Althea.” Kai said gesturing towards me I bowed to the man. As I started to stand up straight I felt hands on my shoulders I tensed up in fear and the butterflies landed on me as if they were protecting me.

“My darling daughter, you’re so beautiful.” The old man looked at me with teary eyes. I felt at peace we embraced each other in a hug. When we separated he wiped the tears from my eyes a butterfly landed on his finger and moved to my nose.

“The butterflies like you my dear.” He said smiling “that’s a very good sign.” I looked at him confused. He lead me and Kai over to a table where we sat. Kai took my hand beneath the table as the man stared at me.

“Your eyes and hair are as bright as the sun and your cheeks and lips as pink as a rose. Although you’re very tiny are you eating well? Are you hungry. Kai did you feed her?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good good. My dear I have no doubt that you are the light. “

We talked for a while about a lot of things father had told me the story of him and my mother. And how he hated that he was forced to send me away. But he didn’t know how everyone would treat me.

“Sir I wanted to ask you something.” Kai had said as we started to stand

“Yes my boy what is it.”

“Althea was drawn to me even when I had the mask on do you know why that happened?” As he asked my fathers face lit up with happiness

“Fate has decided that you’re meant to be together. Are you drawn to her my boy?”

“We’ll uh yes.” His face turned red as he answered nervously

“Don’t be nervous I’m more than thrilled. You’ll be perfect together.” He said with the biggest grin. Kai and I smiled at my father. We walked to the doors I said goodbye to the butterflies and gave my father a hug.

“My daughter if you ever need me Kai will take you to me he’s great at finding people. Keep him close he’s good at protecting people too. Now go back and get some rest we have a big day tomorrow. And remember true loves kiss breaks the curse.”

Kai and I walked back to his room in silence neither of us said anything about what my father said.

Once we got back to his room Kai noticed the bag of clothes for me on the bed and handed it to me

“James brought you the clothes why don’t you wash up and change and I’ll go get you some more fruit.”

“Ok.”

I took a bath then grabbed the bag of clothes I looked through them and they were all lingerie. I put on the one that seemed the least revealing as I got it on Kai knocked on the door

“Um yea.” I said quickly trying to cover myself with the towel as Kai walked in

“Are you ok?” He asked me

“Yea I’m uh fine.” I said fumbling with the towel

“Here I’ll take care of the towel for you and you can eat.” He went to grab the towel as he sat the food on the table

“Wait.” I tried to back away and tripped dropping the towel and Kai caught me. When he saw what I was wearing his face turned red and he looked away.

“I think James got the wrong impression when you asked for clothes.” I said covering my face in embarrassment

“His mother is a member of the romantic family.” He laughed and looked back at me moving my hands off my face. “You look beautiful.” He smiled as he looked at me. I sat on the couch and he put a blanket around me. I started eating while he took care of the towel. Then he joined me. He poured two glasses of wine and handed me one I took a sip even though I’d never drank before.

“So what’s tomorrow?” I asked drinking more. The wine was sweet and tasted like juice

“Your party.” He said refilling my glass

“My party?”

“Your coming home party.”

We ate, drank and talked for a long time. My face felt hot and as though I wasn’t in control. I leaned towards Kai to kiss him. We kissed for a while then he carried me to the bed, we continued kissing and I climbed on top of him. He pulled away

“You’re drunk. “ he said pushing my hair out of my face

“So.”

“So this isn’t a good idea. “

“Mmm okay.” I gave him a sad face. He smiled and kissed my forehead. I got off of him and started to crawl to my side of the bed when he grabbed my waist and pulled me back. I laid my head on his chest and traced his abs with my finger as he held me close and played with my hair.

He turned to his side and I looked up at him

“Do you think I’m evil?”

“No.” He kissed my head and smiled the warmth of his body made me fall into a deep sleep.

I woke up alone. I thought I had scared him away or something I don’t remember everything from last night. There was a note and water on the nightstand. I drank the water and read the note

“Good morning beautiful, I had to do some things this morning. I’ll see you later today, if you need me call for me.” I smiled reading the note Kai had left. After I showered and got ready I stood on the balcony for a little while enjoying the fresh air some butterflies were fluttering in the flowers. There was a knock on the door

“Come in.”

“Good afternoon miss Althea. The young master sent you these and I brought you some food.” The maid put a bag on the table along with some food ”would you like me to tidy up?”

“No that’s alright. Thank you madam.” I smiled at her and she bowed and left the room. I made the bed and looked in the bag Kai sent there was another note

“Hopefully you won’t feel embarrassed in these. Although you were beautiful in the others.” In the bag were normal clothes to sleep in. I put them away and began eating what the maid had brought me. Once I finished I gathered all the dishes and trash and left the room and headed for the kitchen.

“Hello sir where is the trash ?”

“Ma’am let me take care of this for you .” The man was shocked and tried to take them from me

“That’s all right I can take care of it.” He nodded and pointed to the trash I threw the trash away and began to wash the dishes. As I was drying them I heard someone laughing I looked up and saw Kai smiling at me.

“You know you don’t have to do that the maids will gladly do that for you.” He said as he leaned against the counter

“Yes but I don’t mind cleaning.” I put the last dish away “how’d you know I was here?”

“The maids were worried they were going to get into trouble letting the princess clean up after herself.”

“I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

“Don’t worry they won’t get into trouble. Come on.” He held out his hand and we went back to the room. A gorgeous dress hung from the closet door

“What’s this?” I examined the softness of the fabric

“It’s your dress for your party.”

“Thank you. “ I kissed him on the cheek

“Star will be in shortly to help you get ready.”

“Who’s star?” The sound of jealousy lingered in my question

“She’s your personal maid she’ll help you with dresses and hair and makeup.” He laughed at me being jealous. There was knocking on the door

“Come in star.” He kissed me and left as she came in. She was absolutely stunning, her hair was dark and shiny her skin was perfect her eyes were mysterious.

“Miss Althea are you ready to start ?”

“Yes.” I sighed thinking there’s no way I’ll even be close to her beauty.

She helped me tighten the dress and pinned up my hair and did my makeup.

“A golden goddess.”she smiled as she examined her work

“I’m not pretty enough to be a goddess.”

“Nonsense you’re beautiful. Come on it’s time to head down.”

“Wait, where’s Kai?” My nerves began to grow

“Don’t worry he’ll greet you at the stairs.” She chuckled and we headed out the door.

We got to the top of the stairs as I started down there was a loud voice

“Ladies and gentlemen the princess, Althea.” My cheeks flushed as I descended the stairs everyone’s eyes where on me. I saw Kai at the bottom of the stairs when our eyes met I instantly felt calm. He took my hand and kissed it.

“You’re a goddess my butterfly. “ he whispered to me as I blushed uncontrollably. He looked very nice in his suit and his tie matched my dress.

“My daughter you look stunning.” My father hugged me

I was introduced to a lot of people. It’ll take me forever to remember everyone.

“Would you like to dance?” Kai asked holding out his hand

“I’d love to .”

We danced for hours

“I’ll grab us some drinks why don’t you have a seat.”

“Ok.” I sat down near the window to cool off with the breeze when a bunch of little kids came over

“Will you dance with us princess? “

“Of course.” We all joined hands and danced around like no one was watching giggling and having fun.

one of the little girls fell down and started to tear up I stopped dancing and crouched down beside her

“Are you alright?”

“I’m too clumsy.” She said as a tear fell down her cheek

“You’re not clumsy. Trust me I fall all the time sometimes our feet don’t like each other and trip the other causing us to fall.”

“Really?” She smiled as I wiped the tear from her cheek

“Really. You’re a beautiful dancer.” I helped her up

“Thank you princess.”

“You’re welcome.” We went back to dancing with the others like nothing had happened

“She’ll make an incredible mother one day.” The king said approaching Kai as he smiled watching Althea dance with the children and help the little girl

“Sir, the party is beautiful.” Kai tried to avoid what the king had said knowing it was very soon to think of such things.

“A beautiful party for my beautiful daughter.” He laughed and headed off to speak to the other guests

I saw Kai coming over in the distance

“Do you mind if I borrow the princess for a while?” He asked the kids as they all sighed with sadness then shook their heads and danced away

“The children like you.” He laughed handing me a drink.

“They are very sweet kids.” I smiled. We walked outside, Kai put his jacket around me to keep me warm

“So tell me how many of those beautiful women asked you to dance?”

“Don’t worry none did.”

“But you’re not wearing your mask how is that possible?” I looked at him confused

“Well you seem to have broke my curse.”

“Maybe it was some other girl you’ve kissed.” I turned away and looked at the sky. Kai stopped walking and grabbed my hands and pulled me close and kissed me gently

“Since you there’s been no one else.” He held my face and kissed me again. It felt like there was a million butterflies in my stomach.

We spent the night chatting with guests and drinking and dancing.

“Kai could you help me?” Yelled a man from across the room. He left me to help and I wandered into the garden. The breeze was chilly as I stopped to pick a flower.

“Hello princess.” A man startled me from behind

“Hello?”

“I’m Julius it’s nice to meet you.” He handed me a glass of wine.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” I sipped on the wine. After a few minutes of chatting my body felt unusual, I was hot and everything started to spin

“Everything ok?” Julius asked as I grabbed onto him collapsing into darkness.