The wind knocked against Zailah’s stone still figure sending blond ringlets of hair flying, mixing with the fluttering of her robes.

You could almost convince someone she was a wrathful goddess.

Amidst the dark rolling clouds stood a large mass of marble pillars in front of her.

The temple of stars.

The place where people willingly fell to their knees, worshipping stars and handing away their entire futures to the glittering beings.

Just like her mother had when she had seeked out Zailah’s prophecy at her birth.

An absurdly damning desperation that her mother harboured….seeking out what she hoped would be a rich and luxurious prophecy for her daughter.

Only to be given the exact opposite.

The large double doors of the temple open to reveal an old man, Thaios, the keeper of the temple. This harmless man with humble clothing and mismatched eyes was the one who’d read her prophecy at birth.

“How may I help, Your Majesty?” He asked, mismatched eyes, one brown and one ghostly white locking with hers.

“Undo the prophecy” She snapped.

A stifling silence filled the atmosphere around them as Thaios’ eyes narrowed slightly.

“I cannot, Highness” He murmured, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair.

“Don’t do this to me Thaios” She whispered, her voice almost lost somewhere in the wind.

Thaios shook his head regretfully “I can only read your prophecy, Highness. I cannot undo what the stars have decided”

Zailah’s eyes flashed and lightning struck somewhere behind the temple, an inhuman and godly echo of her fury as her face contorted into a nasty shade of rage, so at odds with the gorgeous woman she was used to seeing in her enchanted mirror.

“Damn you and your stars!” she bellowed before turning on her feet as the doors of fate closed behind her.

“When glass turns gold and truth turns vain,

The fairest face shall fall in flame.”

Callista heard the words of the Queen’s cursed prophecy being told like a fairytale by one of the younger maids as she weaved through the gilded corridors of the palace.

The queen was at the temple of stars. This was Callista’s moment and she had to make it count.

“Do you think her majesty will entertain the proposal of the Valleran lord?” One of the maids asked her as Callista continued to move through the west wing into the east.

“I do not think so Mira, but our queen is wise, whatever decision she makes, it must be for the greater good” A genuine smile split Callista’s face as she said the words to the younger maid who just raised her eyebrows at Callista’s blind trust in the queen and left.

Callista sighed heavily. Was it a breath of relief or anticipation, she had not decided yet.

Her hand found the cold gold knob of the queen’s chamber doors and she gripped it tight to smother the light tremors in her hand.

“You ought not to make any mistakes” Theron’s voice echoed in her head like warning bells.

This was it.

If she did this, Theron would see how truly exceptional she can be and finally provide her the attention she has been yearning for from him.

She slipped inside the chambers that smelled like lavender and nightmares, gliding elegantly towards the large four poster bed where the queen sleeps.

And as she picked up the wrinkled pillows to make a show of fluffing them up and set them for the queen her hand brushed a cool handle of something underneath the pillow.

Goosebumps overtook her body and she could almost feel the gods watching her with fury and disappointment as she gripped the handle of what she hoped was the mirror, reminded herself why she was doing this and dashed out of the room.

“You are an amazingly talented woman my love” Theron chuckled in awe as he held up the enchanted mirror towards the sun, sending sharp rays of light piercing around.

Callista smiled in triumph though the frantic beat of her heart was anything but satisfied.

“I betrayed the queen” she whispered, eyes searching Theron’s for some kind of comfort to make her believe she didn’t do anything wrong but his eyes were locked on the mirror.

He looked distant, as if instead of her, that mirror was his whole world. Callista glimpsed in the mirror and fell in love with him all over again when she saw Theron but so much more perfect. No exhaustion marring his face or bags under his eyes and every strand of hair is perfectly in place.

“You did. But you were loyal to your love darling. Loyal to your future.” His words struck a cord so deep it felt as if someone had pierced Callista with a knife and twisted it into her liver.

If she was loyal to the queen she’d betray her love.

But if she was loyal to her love she’d betray the queen.

And despite the monster of terror rearing its ugly head in her direction, she knew what she valued most, and it was in front of her.

Her savior.

Her lover.

Her future.

And that mirror, her payment to freedom.

Author’s note: Hi there lovely person!! :DThank you so much if you made thought to continue my story after reading the first part. I knwo it’s not super duper interesting yet for some people but any support is much, much appreciated!! Make sure to leave your thoughts!! <333