Lookalike

"Who brought in those girls?" He asked. He felt like something in him had died, the moment she passed away. His sanity was about to break loose. "I did. I'm sorry. Do not forget the reason I am doing this. The woman you must marry must possess the ice power, before the crescent season," Duke Wayne of Hanchester explained. Michael understood the old man. He planned to marry a second wife— one with an ice power, he'd go and search for one, but it seems hard for him to marry a second wife. He wants Stephanie to be his only wife, his woman, and his queen, when he becomes king. He stared at The Sleeping Beauty in his arms. He was angry with himself for leaving her. He never wanted to hurt her. His heart clenched in pain. He swore to take care of her.

*Meanwhile*

The sorceress stood with Duke Lennon, watching the scenario unfold. "What do you think will happen now?" She asked. "It will remain a secret. Until the right time— the crescent season." He left to his chamber. He opened his closet, and brought out a necklace with a scarlet dragon pendant. "Just hang in there a little." He muttered. He put the necklace back in the closet, carefully. He sighed as prince Michael took her to his chamber, "I hope you forgive me, my dear."

Vanessa had stayed with Stephanie throughout the night. Michael could not control himself around her, he felt guilty. Stephanie was yet to wake up. Everyone were worried, except the sorceress and Duke Lennon— the only people who knew the chaos that was going on in her mind. It was three in the afternoon, yet she didn't move a muscle. Michael was growing impatient with each passing second.

Stephanie found herself in what looked like another realm. She didn't know what happened to her, the realm looked like an isolated place. She walked for a while, until she stumbled on something, she closed her eyes to feel the pain that was to come, but she felt none. She opened her eyes to see someone, she was glad to know she wasn't alone. She saw herself. No, her lookalike. Was she dreaming?

They could pass as twin, but the difference was clear. She exuded a strong aura, she looked powerful, whereas, Stephanie was just a weak and feeble girl. For the first time, she envied her lookalike, she wished she were that powerful. She thought of Michael.

"Hello, sister!" She greeted. Sister? "I see you've finally come to save me."

"Excuse me? I don't have a sister, I don't even know why I'm here. Wait, save you? How?" Stephanie was dumbfounded.

The girl smiled, "follow me. I'll tell you what you need to know." She closed her eyes and called out, "Scarlett." An ice dragon came flying towards them. It was so huge, it had a pair of red eyes— hence, its name. Scarlett landed in front of her, she touched its snout, and it growled. Stephanie was bewildered and excited at the same time. What an adventure to ride on an ice dragon. "Hop on," she heard her say. They sat on the dragon's back, and through mind telepathy, she commanded it to take them to the lake. "What is this place?" Stephanie asked. "I'll tell you."

"This lake is called the forbidden lake. It is divided by a protective barrier— mighty. I know you have a lot to ask, but now is not the time. All I can tell you is that the barrier was broken, and you must act fast. War is coming."

"I'm just an ordinary girl, how am I involved in all these? And how are you me?" Stephanie asked.

She stood up and began walking. "I was only a baby when the war started, and I was killed. I was gifted with the royal ice ancestry, by Queen Ethel. I had an unaccomplished mission, my soul roamed about. With the last ounce of magic left in her, she cast my soul in the womb of a dying mother during her childbirth— the child is you! I am you, and you are me. I know this is too much for you to digest, but the sorceress has the answers to your questions. You are the one in the prophecy, Stephanie."

"If you had the ancestry power, why don't I have it? I am just an ordinary girl. I don't even know my parents," Stephanie said. It was hard to believe. "The one who would gift you a necklace with a scarlet dragon pendant is your father. You will know all these, when the time is right." She began to fade away.

"Wait. What is your…my name?" Stephanie asked.

"Inez."

Stephanie gasped awake, she was sweating profusely. She looked around, and found the sorceress sitting beside her. "What happened to me?"

"You passed out in the garden last night," the sorceress said.

"Inez. She… She said you have the answers I'm looking for.

"When you know what you're looking for, you know where to find me. I apologize for the misunderstanding with your husband. We were just trying to help. Before the crescent season, he must marry one that possessed the ice power. " She recalled the scenario that happened last night. She determined to be the only woman in his life.

"Inez. She has met Inez. You know what to do!" The sorceress told Duke Lennon, after the meeting with the prince. Michael rushed back to meet Stephanie and explain. He needed to clear the misunderstanding. "I can ex—" he said, immediately he opened the door. He was tongue-tied. He could not utter a word. "What… What are you doing?" He asked, confused. " I know why those girls were in your study last night. I would rather not share you with any woman. I am ready now." Such boldness. She was standing in front of him in her birthday suit. She looked like a model, her skin was flawless, she had the perfect body that could make a man fall on his knees.

Michael stood there, not knowing what to do. " I know I don't have any experience. You will teach me, won't you?"