Verayah POV
It's been a few days since I visited my parents and I have officially completed all of my classes. It's my graduation day. I will officially be a grown woman. Hopefully, my parents can understand that.
I raised my hand and knocked on the door in front of me. The door cracked open to reveal a woman.
"Verayah Foster?" The woman asked.
"Yes, that's me."
The woman opened the door wider, "Come in. You can sit in the chair over there and we will be right with you."
I walked into the room and made my way toward a large chair sitting in front of a long desk. There were creams, brushes, and makeup palates organized all over it. I sat in the chair and looked into the mirror that sat in the middle of the desk.
I looked at my brown skin and searched for any pimples or blemishes. Not that they wouldn't be able to cover it up but it helps them more if they don't have to worry about things like that. I've been focusing a lot on my physical appearance since the graduation was coming up. I wanted to look good for the new beginnings of my life and a part of me wanted to look good for Elizan. I wanted him to see how pretty I was, even though he had expressed how beautiful I already am. I suppose it was to convince myself than my soon-to-be husband.
The woman who answered the door soon came back with another woman who was much taller.
"Before getting started, we will first analyze your features. I will be doing your makeup and Cherry will be doing your hair."
"Okay."
The woman grabbed a small lamp and turned it on. Instead of the light being yellow or white it was blue. She brought it below my chin and examined my face.
The woman frowned, "Excuse me," she lightly wiped my cheek with her forefinger.
She glanced at the taller woman, "Are you seeing the same thing?"
"Yeah," the tall woman answered.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked.
The woman put the lamp back down on the table, "No, I'm sure everything's fine. We will be right back."
Both of the women hurried out of the room. Well, that was weird. I glanced at the small lamp that the woman left on the desk and grabbed it. I clicked it on and pointed toward my cheek as I looked in the mirror. My eyes widened as gold sparkles appeared on my skin. What is this? I gently touched my skin. It feels normal?
The door swung open and an old man with short gray hair walked into the room with the women from before trailing behind him.
The old man walked in front of me and held out his hand, "May I see the light, child?"
I handed him the small lamp in his pale hands. He flashed the light toward my cheek, then my other cheek, he grabbed my hand and flashed it there, then up my arm.
"Is it bad?" I asked.
The old man turned the lamp off and set it on the desk behind him, "No, quite the opposite actually. This is a blessing that I never thought I would experience in my time of living."
"What do you mean?"
"You, child are the savior."
What? "Huh? I don't understand."
"I'm sure you know about the prophecy. The one who will set us and the world free. The one who will defeat the dragons and bring peace to the lands."
No, that doesn't make sense. I've been sick ever since I was born. I don't even know how to use a sword let alone fight a dragon.
"I don't think?"
"It's proven in your skin. It is said the savior will be born of gold. It will shine like the sun but be blind to the normal eye. We had thought the child would have golden skin or show some promise as a soldier but we were wrong. It was underneath the skin."
I stayed silent as my eyebrows knitted together.
"I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to take in. Just focus on your graduation for now. We will talk later. Today is your day." the old man smiled at me and walked out the door.
Once the man walked out of the room, the two women began getting me ready for my big day. I looked in the mirror and watched as the tall woman put my hair in a curly bun and the other woman put makeup on me. Once they were done, they handed me a white and golden dress with gold jewelry. I put them on and examined myself in the mirror.
"How do you like it?"
It was strange how everything came together. The gold eye shadow, the jewelry, the gold dress, and accessories. It was no doubt that the color matched my skin perfectly, and that I was beautiful.
"I love it."
***
I sat in the chair next to a lady who was also dressed for her graduation. Am I really the person in the prophesy? If I am then what am I supposed to do now? I trained to be a healer, not a fighter.
I brought my hands up to my face as I tried to find the gold in my skin. Everything should be fine. Another Dragon Reign won't start until months later. I will probably just do some training plus Elizan will be there to help me. I set my hand back on my lap and took in a breath. Everything will be just fine. I can still be a healer and live up to the sacrifices my parents made for me.
The same old man I met before walked into the hallway, "Sorry for the wait ladies. We just had to make a few changes. It's time for you all to graduate."
We all stood from our chairs and followed the old man down the hall. We made our way outside and applause filled the air. The night was filled with bright lights. Colorful flowers decorated the scene, and a crowd stood all around us. The clapping died down and the old man began to speak.
"Tonight we will once again be celebrating the new birth of a generation. These children have worked hard to find their place in our land. They will contribute to our land and help us prosper just like in the beginning when we were free from the dragons. We shall now announce these ladies accomplishments and their roles in our society."
The man began to call up each of us one at a time and once he was done announcing the women's achievements and their occupation, their future husband or one of their parents came to take them away.
"Verayah Foster," the older man called.
I walked beside him, and he began to talk. He talked about how I was dedicated to my studies, how I used to be a sick child, and how I didn't let it stop me from living.
"And now the role that Verayah will play in our society,"
Here it comes.
"She will be the savior that defeats the dragons."
My eyes widen, and I look at the old man. He wasn't supposed to say that. I'm supposed to be a healer.
The crowd got quiet as I felt everyone's eyes on me.
"I've seen it with my own eyes. She has the golden skin. Soon the council will see it and then you will too. The prophecy is now upon us. It is only a matter of time."
Claps and cheers filled the air. This isn't right. Why would he announce this without telling me first?
Elizan made his way out of the crowd and quickly walked toward me. The lights brightened up his blond hair and ivory skin and his red and gold clothing complimented his brown eyes. He stopped in front of me, held his hand out, and gave me a small smile. I smiled back at him and placed my hand in his. He turned, and I let him lead me through the crowd.
We soon made it out of the crowd but Elizan didn't stop. We walked into a garden and we soon stopped.
"Why did you bring me here?" I asked.
Elizan turned to me, "Well, I figured you wouldn't want to stay with all those eyes on you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Well, that was exciting. Were they telling the truth?"
"I think so. They had put a blue light on me and my skin did shine gold."
"Wow, that's-,"
"Crazy. I've been living my whole life not knowing I have gold skin and that I'm supposed to fight dragons." I released Elizan's hand and began to pace back and forth.
"It honestly doesn't even make sense. I was literally sick when I was a child. People still look at me with pity to this day. I have not received any sort of fight training and they now expect me to fight dragons. I haven't even seen a dragon," I stopped walking.
"What . . . What am I supposed to do now?" I looked toward the ground.
Elizan stepped in front of me and grabbed both of my hands, "Honestly, I'm not sure. I'm a bit surprised myself but I'm sure the counsel will handle that part. Right now, we can set that aside and focus on something else."
I lifted my head and my eyes connected with his dark brown ones, "Like what?"
Elizan's lips stretched into a smile, "Like dancing."
He raised one of my arms, and I spun for him. I smiled as I placed my other hand on his shoulder. The orchestra from the ceremony began to fill the air and Elizan softly placed his hand on my lower back. He took the first step, and I followed his lead.
"Verayah, you look really beautiful."
"Thank you, you also look quite handsome."
He raised a brow, "Are you just saying that? You can tell me the truth."
"I'm not lying, I promise. I really do think-,"
Elizan chuckled, "I was only joking. I know you wouldn't lie to me."
I stared into Elizan's brown eyes and watched as his eyes seemed to soften at every second. I sighed and layed my head onto his shoulder. I closed my eyes and took in his tea tree scent.
Elizan was always here for me. I know that we are bound to be together, but it was never a requirement for him to care so much about me. I hope he stays with me forever. If he wasn't here, I don't know if I would actually be the person I am today.
I blinked my eyes open and lifted my head, "Elizan?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for always being with me. And I am happy that you're the one I get to marry."
Elizan stopped his movements, and his eyes widened. The tips of his ears began to turn pink, and he opened his mouth.
"Thank you, for saying that. I-uh-will-no," Elizan looked away from me.
"What is it?"
Elizan looked back at me, "I have to go."
I frowned, "What?"
His ears turned red, "That's not what I meant. I just have to do something real quick. Can you wait for me a bit?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
He kissed the back of my hand, "I promise, I'll be quick."
Elizan made his way past me and walked back toward the ceremony.
That was weird.
I glanced around me. Soft yellow lights illuminated the bushes made up of large green leafs and white flowers. Despite how calming the scenery was, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I wrapped my arms around myself and focused on the lights surrounding the ceremony.
Elizan will be back any minute. Did I scare him off?
Something quickly slid across my waist, and a soft cloth was pushed against my mouth. My heart raced, and I instantly tried pulling the large hand away from my face. The smell of the cloth burned my nose as I tried pulling away from the person.
The person's long arm tightened around my midsection, "Stay still, girl," a deep voice whispered against my ear.
I opened my mouth wide and bit hard on the man's fore and middle fingers. The man cried out in pain as he snatched his hand away from my mouth. I turned and kicked the man's knee. It bent weirdly, and he fell toward the ground.
I ran in the direction that Elizan went in as my heart banged against my rib cage.
I took in a breath, "HELP!"
My voice cracked, but I kept screaming. Hoping someone would hear me over the music. I blinked as my eyelids began to feel heavy. My heartbeat began to slow and my legs felt weak against the ground. I pushed myself to continue running but my eyelids soon closed and I fell towards the ground.