The Crown of Pearls

A TRIANGLE-SHAPED BIRTHMARK WAS ON HER LEFT PALM.
Mara was shocked. That was not their before. All the sides of her brain were coming up with any possible reason on how this happened, although most of them were not very logical.

Did they put a tattoo on my hand or something? Or maybe that's a patch from a surgery? Then why isn't there a bandage? Maybe that's paint? Aaargh!

At first, Mara thought that Ezra was just joking. Mara knew that someone like Ezra would never dare tell a joke, but it was more probable than having a birthmark all of a sudden. How could she possibly have a birthmark at this age? She had to have it since birth. That was why it was even called a birthmark, right?

Mara thought that maybe her head was playing tricks on her, or maybe she got carried away by Ezra's story. Mara closed her eyes, expecting that when she opened them again the birthmark would be gone, but it was useless. It was still there.

Mara almost forgot that Ezra was watching her. She must have looked like a total idiot, gaping at her hand like that. How unladylike. But that was the least of her worries.

How did this happen? Come on, Mara. Think.

Then she remembered something. Her dream. It was the same as the last scene of Ezra's story.

Ocean-blue eyes. Where have I seen those before, besides from my dream? Yes. I'm positive. I've seen them. But where?

"Does Catherine have ocean-blue eyes?"

"Yes, that's right."

There was a long pause, and for Mara, it was like everything stopped. Did that meant that her dream was real? Then how did she ever came to dream of it?

What is going on?!

Finally, Ezra spoke.

"You saw her in a dream, didn't you?"

Mara was surprised beyond words could describe. A million questions were running through her head, all at the same time.

Is this a dream?

"How did you know?"

"Because I did, too."

Huh?

"What do you mean?"

"I've dreamed of her too."

This is insane. What do I do now? Humor him? Punch him? Tell him to stop confusing the heck out of me? What?

"The story is true, Mara."

"Then we're descendants of the Queen? We're curse-bearers? Is that it?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe it."

"You have to, Mara. Whether you like it or not. Because its the truth. And you have to accept it as it is."

"Prove it to me then."

"As you wish."

Mara couldn't help notice that Ezra's face became a lot more serious. He looked much older than he was just minutes ago. He looked more like thirty than twenty. His face was grave and unhumorous.

Don't think about that, Mara. You need your courage now more than ever. Prove to him that you're not someone to fool around. Don't you dare ever show him that you're afraid. And why are you even afraid? He's just a boy for Pete's sake!

"You were having the same dream every night ever since your fourteenth birthday, am I right?"

How did he know that?

Mara was about to put her thoughts into words, but thought better of it. If she asked, that meant that she was acknowledging what Ezra was saying. So she permitted herself to just answer truthfully, but without acknowledging that she believed him.

"Yes."

The way Mara said it, it was like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You go, girl! Take that, Ezra!

"Look at Violetta's left palm."

"Why should I?"

"I thought you want proof. I'm giving it to you."

"I might wake her up."

"Don't worry. She won't wake up."

"Fine."

Mara wasn't surprised at all when she saw a triangle-shaped birthmark at Violetta's left palm. It was rather expected.

Mara stared at Violetta. There was something important that she was forgetting. Mara couldn't put her finger on it, but she was certain that it was something big. But what was it?

"Do you remember the accident?"

Mara was caught off guard. The doctor said that she has temporary amnesia, but she would remember it soon.

But when she tried to think about it, hard, she saw glimpses. Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. There was snow, falling everywhere. And then nothing. It was maddening.

"Do you?"

Oh, right. Ezra's here. Sorry, I forgot.

"I remember that it was snowing. But that's it."

"Try to remember."

"I'm trying already!"

"Well, then, try harder."

Seriously, if I'm dealing with something less serious than this I'm going to give you a piece of my mind, Ezra.

"Easier said than done."

Nonetheless, Mara did try harder. She was doing her best to remember, to concentrate. When she thought she could remember something, it will slip off her fingers. It was like catching water with the use of your bare hands.

While trying her best to remember, Mara felt a little pain in the back of her head. It didn't really hurt, but it made Mara uncomfortable. It was like getting hit by a ruler. But slowly, the pain became great, from getting by a ruler to getting hit by a post.

A post? . . . That's it! A post!

Slowly, the memories that were forgotten were finally remembered. The jigsaw pieces fitted perfectly into their places. The memory of the accident became crystal-clear.

So that's where she saw those eyes before.

Violetta.

How come she never noticed before? She's talked to Violetta, and she had stared at her eyes. But there's a difference. A big one.

Before the accident occurred, Violetta was a like a whole different person. There was something peculiar in the way she looked at her. It was not the color of her eyes, but something in the look of it. She couldn't explain it, but she was positive that something was altered.

"So, do you remember?"

Mara looked in Ezra's eyes and searched for answers. Is it possible that a person's eyes could change that way?

"Yes."

"You were the one who stopped the truck."

Is it just me, or was their relief in his voice?

"Excuse me?"

"How do you think you're still alive? You were too late. The truck was going too fast. Even if it did actually stop, you two would still have been hit. It was your doing that stopped the truck."

Mara knew what Ezra said was true. She was there herself. She knew all along that they were going to get hit, but she still tried to save Violetta. The truck was too fast.

There's no point in arguing about it anymore.

Oh well. Might as well give in.

"So that's my power? I can make things move or stop?"

"Maybe, but we can't be sure. Your power is still unidentified. And besides, I doubt it."

"I don't understand."

"Its not your only power. I can't read your mind."

"So that's your power? You can read minds?"

"Yes, I can read anyone's mind within 20 miles. Except yours."

"Why only me?"

"I don't know. But we'll figure it out once we get to Cyrena."

"What do you mean by 'we'?"

"I mean it like I've said it. We're going to Cyrena, as soon as possible."

"Who told you that I'm coming with you? I can't just leave my family. My life is here in Guinevere."

"You'll lose your powers if you don't get trained properly."

"I don't care. It's not like I asked to have this powers in the first place. I'm already contented with the life I have now. I don't need powers."

"My orders are to take you with me to Cyrena, Mara, and I'm not leaving until I've finished my task."

"Well, then, I suggest you already go house hunting, because I am not leaving, and that's final."

Mara and Ezra were glaring at each other, and neither of them were willing to lose. Mara was already decided that she would not leave Guinevere, and Ezra was determined as ever to take Mara with him to Cyrena. Neither of them was willing to lose.

Funny, five minutes ago I thought he was cute, now I just want to kill him.

Ezra knew that Mara was very stubborn, but he would not leave Canada without her. Its not about the task anymore, it became more like a competition. A matter of pride. He never lost. And he never would.

He would just have to show her that if she was stubborn, then he's tenfold more stubborn than she was.

"Think about it Mara. You'll be able to live in a huge castle there. Study at Levon Academy. Have a room as big your house here in Canada. Everything will be yours, just come with me."

"Levon Academy?"

Jackpot. So she wants to study at Levon Academy, huh? Perfect.

"Yes, Mara. Levon Academy. And not only that. After you finish high school, you'll study at Deuel University, and you can take any course you want."

"I don't need those, Ezra. I already told you, I'm perfectly happy here. I won't leave Guinevere, okay? I love this town."

Who are you kidding? You sound like you just forced the words out of your mouth. And why can't you look directly at my eyes? What's the problem? Maybe you're lying.

Ezra forced himself to not laugh out loud. He knew it would make the situation worse. But still, Mara was so obvious.

"I didn't know you're that selfish Mara. I'm greatly disappointed."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you see? Once you get to Cyrena, you'll be rich. You'll be able to afford your brother's tuition fee, and he can even transfer to the best university here in Canada. Your mother will get promoted, and she won't have to tire herself from working anymore. You can even afford to buy a new house and a new car. Your brother's second-hand car is getting pretty rusty."

Mara was thoroughly confused. All the things that Ezra said were true. Her mother worked day and night for them, and she barely got enough sleep or rest. She was always working. And her brother always wished for a new car. He got his car from his own salary from working part time as a waiter. He saved his salary every month. He wouldn't even buy himself snacks. And their house was getting pretty small for the three of them, especially since she and her brother was growing so fast. Brian always complained that he had to duck to fit in the door of his room.

Mara analyzed everything carefully. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Of course, she would get homesick, but she could always call home and talk to them on the internet. She could always write to her friends. Nothing was stopping her from going.

"A few questions first before I decide, Ezra. First, why can't I just bring my family with us. I don't think it will be a very big inconvenience."

Good. She's considering it.

"That's against the rules, Mara. The royal castle's inhabitants all have magical abilities. They will only get in the way."

"Then how about what you said? That I'll become rich if I go with you?"

"You have royal blood, Mara. You're a descendant of the Queen. You're basically a princess. And being a princess means having a big fat bank account."

"Then that means my family has royal blood too, right?"

"Technically, yes. But they still can't come because, as I told you before, they'll only get in the way. They don't have powers, Mara."

"Then how about my mother's promotion?"

"A little recommendation from the Queen will easily fix that."

"How long do I have to stay in Cyrena?"

"For good, Mara. All members have the responsibility of passing down their knowledge to the next generation. The castle will be your residence for the rest of your life."

"Then I'll never get to see my family again?!"

"No, of course not. You'll go home for two months in the summer vacation."

Mara felt like a thorn stuck in her throat finally got out. She was starting to like the idea of living in the castle as a princess. Who wouldn't? Of course, Mara loved her house, but she has lived there since birth and the thought of traveling and living in a huge castle was so exciting and thrilling. Anyone in their right mind would never refuse such an offer.

If I accept it, I would not only help myself but also my family. If I refuse, I'll never know what would have happened to me. I'll always ask myself "If I accepted what would have happened to me?" and I'll never get an opportunity like this again. This is a once in a lifetime chance. I don't see why I should turn it down.

"But even if I agree, my mom will never allow me to live in a different country."

"Don't worry about it. Leave it to me. I'll take care of it."

"How?"

"I have my ways."

Mara noticed that the angry and frightening Ezra was gone. His old self returned, and his eyes gave more warmth than they used to. His scowl was replaced with a smile.

Mara stared at Ezra's eyes, with hopes that she would find that he was lying or that everything that he said was a joke. But she found nothing of the sort. All she saw was relief.

"When are we leaving?"

"In five days."

"What?! That's too fast! Can't we stay for at least two weeks?"

"We have no time to lose Mara. We need to get there as soon as possible."

"How come? What's the rush?"

"You need to go training as soon as possible. We don't know when you'll lose it."

"But its too fast!"

"I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. You'll just have to make the most of it."

Mara's eyelids suddenly felt heavy. She realized that this talk with Ezra drained all of her energy. She never felt as sleepy as this before.

"Sleepy now, huh?"

"You guessed that much?"

"You sound like you're drunk."

"Don't laugh at me."

"And why not?"

"I have powers right? I'll use them against you. I'll make sure of that."

"Are you threatening me?"

"More or less."

They sound like old friends, teasing and laughing at each other like that. Its hard to think that minutes ago they were glaring at each other.

"Can I ask you something before you go to sleep?"

"I'll think about it."

"Seriously. And its not really a hard question anyway."

"Fine. But if my nose bleeds or I get into another coma because of this, its all your fault."

"I doubt it."

"Well, shoot."

"Do you remember of dreaming anything while you were in a coma?"

"Now that I think about it . . . "

Mara was lost in deep thought. She'd never thought about it until Ezra asked. What did she dream about?

Mara caught glimpses of a light . . . and it was beneath her . . . and it seemed like she was falling . . . to the light . . . and then . . .

Nothing. She couldn't remember anything else. It was like finding yourself in a dead end.

"Do you remember anything?"

Ezra's voice brought Mara back to the present. Mara was too focused on thinking about her dream that she forgot that Ezra was in the room for the second time that night.

"All I remember is that there's a light, a very bright light, beneath me. It was like I was falling towards it. And then, nothing. I can't remember anything else."

"Isn't there supposed to be a tunnel of some sort?"

"You seriously believe in those things?"

Ezra decided that humoring Mara will be better than telling her that she believed the wrong things. It would probably lead to another competition.

"Not really. But that's the common story."

"I guess. But there's something strange."

"What is it?"

"When I tried to think about my dream while I was in a coma, I felt warm and safe. And happy."