I got home just in time before Mom got home. And guess what, news spread fast in Sightless because the first thing Trevelyan did when he opened the door was to bow and say, ‘Greeting your highness!’

I felt like shoving him back into the garden. Instead I banged the door close. The fairies were waiting, so were the troll and Grandpa Ginger. Like as if I was supposed to give them an order or something.

They will listen to anything you say and do whatever you want. You have perfect control over them.

Enof’s words rang in my head like a bell. I didn’t want to rule over them. They were kind enough to me. But, were they kind to me because I was an Enchanter? Did I really have some effect on them? I didn’t want to know.
‘You are definitely the last person to ever be Queen,’ said Mr. Trolsky.

Okay, maybe I really don’t have that much of an effect on them. At least their minds were clear.

‘I know,’ I said. I passed by a bunch of fairies and dropped down in the couch. ‘It’s terrible.’

Some of the fairies switched on the TV.

“This afternoon, whole of Sightless was shocked by the revelation of the presence of an Enchantress, named Amethyst Stone who is also found to be Prince Andrew’s lost elder sister. Reports say that she assisted our prince in dealing with the matter relating to the disturbance caused by the Sand Pixies…”

My jaws fell. I turned to Mr. Trolsky, the only rational person in the house.
“… And now the biggest question, who will hold the throne…..”

‘How_’

‘What?,’ said the troll. ‘We have our own channel.’

I took the remote.

‘What’s the channel number?’
‘Zero zero zero,’ said Tyke in a toothless grin.

Triple zero… no one ever thinks of that and no one is ever likely to stumble over it either.

‘Can normal people see this channel?’

‘Of course not!’ said Mr. Trolsky.

My head was aching too much to ask for the details. I cannot imagine fairies having their own TV channel. The elf in the TV was smiling, showing off all of her teeth.

“… We tried to get views from the Prince but he does not seem to wish to respond... Well Frisky, I guess it must have been a shock to him as well. Well of this mysterious Enchantress, her ware bouts are not yet known. Back to you Trill… Yes Bob. Now for the weather….”

I got up and crawled upstairs. Soon enough I will get to know that unicorns have their own website.

For the rest of the day, I laid in me bed. No one interrupted. I was dead worried. How can I rule a kingdom? Maybe the only thing that I will have to do is to play puppet. But I didn’t want to make myself a fool either. It did sound cool, being able to rule a kingdom. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was less likely to happen. I am sure that Zeus and Athena are not that trilled about putting a stupid girl on a throne. So with that in mind, I dozed off to sleep.

I woke up in the morning with fairies all over my face. I was dreaming of sand dunes, tiny dragons and me drowning in sand. Andrew just stood there watching as I yelled at him for help. He was skeptical about whether to help me or not. There was an army of dragons behind him. Above my head, something chanted in song. I fell into the sea of sand and fell on top of an abandoned courtyard where Andrew was sanding with Salzar. Behind me were fairies, dozens of them. Maybe thousands hung on the creepers and the balconies, the roof and floating all over. There were even trolls, goblins, brownies, tiny elves, small spirit like creatures and gnomes. Everything that can be considered in the fairy family.

Andrew narrowed his eyes. ‘Claws will tear.’

I didn’t know why but I said, ‘Wills will impair.’

Silently watching us was an eagle. After that, I don’t remember what happened. I guess I must have woken up. Once I did, all of the memories of the day before flushed into my head and then I realized that I was not escaping this thick mess and I did the wisest thing.

I burst into tears and the fairies made such a fuss about it.

Poor creatures, they didn’t have a choice but to like me.

I had to struggle a lot to show Mom hat I haven’t cried. But it was hard to hide it from Isabelle. The first thing she asked when she got on the bus was. ‘Where on Earth were you yesterday? And… were you crying?’

‘Library,’ I said. ‘The librarian wanted me to run an errand and… I sort of got an allergy.’

‘An Allergy? In the library?’

‘Yeah….. I have this allergy to dust sometimes. I couldn’t stop sneezing.’

Never in my life have I ever said such an innovative and sudden lie. I’m not good at lying and it’s impossible to lie to Isabelle but somehow she believed me.

I school, there was only one thing in my mind.

Not to run into Andrew.

I didn’t see Andrew for the first few days, but when I saw him in the cafeteria, I had to struggle to escape him. Andrew wasn’t helping either cause he was hunting me down too but he gave up easily, as if he had to find me but wasn’t happy about it.  I didn’t want to see Salzar either and he didn’t show up in my face either. I tried to avoid every invisible expect those at home. Soon, I couldn’t see the neighborhood invisibles once again. I didn’t want to believe in the invisible world. So, the fairies in at home started to seem like ghosts and I couldn’t feel Trevelyan’s presence anymore. I didn’t know why I was so scared about the whole ‘ruler of fairyland’ thing. But I was terrified. Party because I felt so hopeless all the time and I was sure that whatever would happen, it will end up me being humiliated.

Even though I always hated to admit it, being humiliated is my greatest fear.

I was taken for a joke too many times in my life. Being overweight didn’t help much of it either. Actually, it was the greatest reason why. I knew that people saw me like some big jester in the world. That only person whom I didn’t feel so stupid was with Isabelle. Mostly because she always got into the strangest situations where I was responsible to make her feel better and give some friendly advice. It made me feel better and maybe mostly because in her eyes, I never saw myself that way.

The only invisible who wasn’t ready to let go of me was Twinkly. I felt sorry for her but I didn’t want to do anything with the unrealistic world anymore but she kept on floating there in front of me, making sure that I always got her attention. I didn’t dare to see the triple zero channel on the TV.

But, according to how my life usually flowed; things never happened the way I wanted.

It was two weeks after my episode with the sand fairies and I was at school listening Mr. Block explain about atomic orbitals when a long and ear piercing screech echoed form the speakers.

CHREEK!

‘Amethyst Stone... Please report to the principal’s office immediately.’

I gulped. It surely must be about my sudden disappearance. Isabelle didn’t stir. She had been a bit distant ever since I got to know I was a Seer. But something told me that the problem was in me. I was the one who had become distant and was closing her out. But I tried to forget it. I got a Mr. Blocks’ “Now what do we have here” look when he looked at me over his spectacles and I headed to the principal’s office.

I took a deep breath before I entered the principal’s office and there they were; Mr. Lockheed and this old gentleman in a grey trench coat, a grey hat and with long gray beard. The visitor gave me a look that I doubt I will ever forget.

I almost saw a storm brewing in his eyes and I felt a lump grow in my throat.

‘Your grandfather is here on an urgent matter and wishes to take you home,’ said Mr. Lockheed.

‘I’ve never seen him, sir,’ I said, trying to look innocent.

I felt electricity run up my legs through my feet.

Mr. Lockheed gave a confused look to Zeus.

‘Are you sure, Miss Stone?’

‘I doubt I even have a grandfather, sir.’

Zeus gave a sigh. ‘Why must you bring that matter up here, Amethyst? I know you have a grudge against me for separating your father from you but you don’t have to pretend that I’m not your grandfather anymore.’

I found myself gapping. I felt like punching him on his nose.

How dare he say such a thing! Even I don’t know who my freaking dad is!

Wait, did he have anything to do about my dad being away? Nah, the guy didn’t know I even existed until two weeks ago.

‘Mr. Lockheed,’ I said. ‘I assure you sir that this person is not my grandfather_’

‘You heard your grandfather,’ said Mr. Lockheed. ‘I’ve hear your aunt have passed away and he has come to take you. You must forget all of those grudged when it comes to the death of a family member.’

‘But I don’t have an aunt! Well, at least any aunt that I know of. If it were urgent, my mother would come personally.’

‘Your mother left beforehand for the preparations,’ said Zeus. ‘We cannot waste time now, dear.’

I looked at Mr. Lockheed. I couldn’t believe it. He was actually buying the whole crazy idea that Zeus was my grandfather! With the prospect that the principle is under a spell of some sort I stomped out of the principal’s office.

‘You have no right_’

‘Amethyst,’ growled Zeus.

I saw a bunch of kids heading towards us so it wasn’t the right time to hammer the Lord of the Skies. Once we were out of school and out of ear shot from everyone. I turned my face to him and folded my arms.

‘I’m not leaving.’

He didn’t say anything but we kept on staring at each other.

‘You are losing your sight,’ finally Zeus replied.

‘I can see very well, thank you for your concern.’

‘I heard you could not see Andrew’s guardian.’

‘You mean Salzar?’

That mean it wasn’t him who didn’t meet it, it was me who didn’t see him!

‘Your fate is sealed, child,’ said Zeus. ‘Nothing you do can save it from it. Once a destiny is written, nothing in undo it. It stays that way. It is certain now; you will be the Queen of Sightless.’

‘Uh huh...’

The lord of the skies gave a frown and scratched his beard. ‘Talk like that usually convinced mortals…’

‘This isn’t ancient Greece anymore.’

‘It you do not accompany me, I will blast you right here and now.’

‘What about the whole “destiny” thing.’

‘Everyone is destined to die.’

‘Don’t you have enough bad reputation for already ruining a lot of women’s lives?’

Zeus’s face turned red. ‘Well…. That was a long time ago.’

‘I cannot do this whole “Queen” scenario. It will never work.’

‘Of course it will.’

‘It won’t. Now leave,’ I said it with much force that my voice reverberated. At first Zeus looked uncertain. He almost turned to leave before snapping back to his senses. He then stared at me.

‘I believe you will make a fine queen, dear,’ he finally said. ‘Keep that arrogant and spiteful spirit up with a bit or your gift and you will do just fine.’

I guess I was not escaping him anymore. After that we got into the first bus that passed by. It was half empty and the first thing Zeus did after we sat down was to shove me a cell phone.

‘Call your mother,’ he said.

I hesitated and dialed her number.

‘Hello Mom, it’s me.’
‘Amy! Why didn’t you tell me that you will be away for a three day tour?’

‘Uh… I forgot?’

‘Forgot! What about your things? Your physics teacher told me that you didn’t bring anything. I don’t know Amy; I think it’s best if you came home.

I looked up at Zeus hopefully; there was lightning flashing inside his beard.

‘N-nothing to worry, Mom... I will drop my home and pick up some stuff.’

‘What about your expenses?’

‘All covered. I got some savings in my room.’

‘Is Isabelle there?’

‘Uh….. no.’

Mom sighed. ‘Well then. It is some contest, isn’t it? Never mind. Just be safe okay. Call me before you go you bed honey.’

‘Okay.’

Zeus took the phone. ‘There is nothing to worry Mrs. Stone. Amethyst’s ignorance is not going to ruin our chance for the International Best Physicist Championship! Everything is under control.’

For a while, I stopped listening. Actually, I was exploding.

Zeus finally wrapped it all up and tucked the phone in his coat pocket.

‘Well, that’s settled.’

I snorted. ‘Your lies are pathetic. International what-ever-it-is! I doubt it even exist, it sounds ridiculous enough. Do you know how many lies I have to live with now?’

‘Not much,’ said Zeus. ‘You will love Sightless. Three days will be thoroughly enough to give you can idea of the invisible world.’

I was scowling as I bit my lips and folded my arms. Zeus took a look at me.

‘At least you have some common traits with Prince Andrew.’

Just the thing I wanted to hear.

I had no idea where Zeus was heading. But the bus kept on going. Passengers got in and got out and no one spoke. Zeus was humming “Hotel California” and mumbled a few curses when the bus hit a sudden break. I just kept on staring out as we passed a sign “Welcome to Shillington.’

Finally I raised my voice. ‘Where are we going?’

Zeus shrugged.

‘Perfect,’ I mumbled. ‘I’m stuck in a bus with the Greek Lord of the Skies and heading nowhere.’

‘Who said we were heading nowhere,’ Said Zeus. ‘We will stop just as_’

When out of the window, I caught a familiar sight. It was a dragon and a boy who was waiting on top of a hill as the bus passed down a lonely country side. Zeus was already up and rang the bell. The bus stopped and we both got down.

It was hot and sunny. Long grass lined the road and along with a few trees. Andrew upon sighting us came downhill while Salzar glided down.

‘You came,’ said Andrew with a fed up face.

‘Yup,’ I said with an equally fed up face.

‘Bring her to Sightless,’ said Zeus.

Andrew sighed. ‘Can’t we shift?’

‘She doesn’t know how to,’ said Zeus.
I stitched glanced between both of them.

‘You’ll learn,’ said Zeus. Then, he started to glow and then the light shot upwards. The nest second, Zeus was gone.

It took a few seconds for me to absorb what I saw.

Andrew stepped back, partly fading. ‘Come-on.’

I must be a real pain to him. And here comes my two hour ride on the cross-continent-dragon-express.’