The Last Arcane

~Avery’s Pov~

I woke before dawn everyday, while the whole house slept peacefully. I scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees until they burned with pain. By the time I finished, I could see my reflection staring back at me.Sixteen years of this had taught me one thing. I was never good enough in this house.

“Good morning mom.” I greeted my mom, Lenora Greymoor. But instead of answering she looked at me with disgust. “Hope breakfast is served?” Usual response, “yes mom.” I smiled but she looked at me disgustingly. She ran a finger over the dining table, noticing the dust. “Why is there dust on this table, Avery?” she asked coldly, she always finds fault in everything I did, I have grown used to her hatred.

“Sorry mom, I will clean it right away.” I hurried to the table to clean it, A sharp slap landed across my cheek before I could take another step. "Worthless girl, Can't you do one thing right? If we ate at this filthy table, we'd all end up sick.” She yelled at me. "Mom, what happened? Why are you yelling so early?" Neris asked as she walked downstairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Unlike me, she had never been expected to wake before sunrise. She was their real daughter, the one they loved without conditions

“Did I wake you up sweetheart?” Then she turned to me. “Blame this useless girl, she didn't clean the table properly, and I was just teaching her a lesson.” She glared at me.

My adoptive father Garrick Greymoor came downstairs a moment later. His eyes met mine for a brief second before he looked away. Like always, he said nothing. In sixteen years, he had never once defended me. Just that same cold look.

But I have grown used to them, I'd stopped expecting kindness from them a long time ago. Every morning, I told myself that maybe today would be different. Every morning, I was wrong. I was just an abandoned child they picked in the forest. Even my own parents hate me, “I'm sorry mom.” I still managed to say, I picked up the rag and wiped the table one last time before quietly making my way to the kitchen.

I hadn't eaten at the dining table since I was little. According to my mother, the family table was for family, and I had never been part of it.

They finished eating and the three went to prepare for the ceremony while I cleaned the table, and I washed the dishes as quickly as I could. I didn't want to miss seeing Orion. He was the only person in Oakridge who treated me like I mattered.

"Mom My dress is ruined!" Neris's scream echoed through the house.

I froze, the plate still in my hands.

Moments later, Lenora stormed into the kitchen. Before I could ask what had happened, her hand cracked across my face. "Mom?" I whispered, my burning cheek throbbing beneath my palm.

"You ruined your sister's dress!" she snapped. "How could you be so jealous?”

I hadn't even stepped into Neris's room since yesterday. “Mom, I didn't do it.” I said with my palm still on my cheeks and hot tears rolled down the burning cheeks. “Apologize to your sister right now.” Lenora said.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but the words died in my throat. Experience had taught me that no one in this house would believe me. "I'm sorry, Neris.”

  I said. I couldn't afford to argue with her, Neris leaned closer before saying "Remember your place, Avery. You'll never win against me.” She whispered almost loud enough for Lenora to hear. What if she hears, she will only defend her daughter.

Then she held my hand “I forgive you sis.” Lenora just stared at me. “Wash all the dirty clothes in the house, don't think about leaving this house if you don't finish washing the clothes.” She said and left with her daughter. I immediately started washing the clothes, moments later they came out. “Mom, do I look good?” Neris asked, turning full spin. “Of course you look good.” I focused on finishing the clothes.

By the time I finished the last piece of laundry, the sun was already high in the sky. I washed my hands, changed into my only decent dress, and hurried toward the Awakening Ceremony.

The whispers started the moment I arrived.

I looked down at my faded blue dress. It wasn't new. Neris had thrown it away months ago because she didn't like the color. I had quietly washed it, stitched the torn hem, and kept it for special occasions.

My eyes searched the crowd, but I couldn't find Orion anywhere. A smile tugged at my lips anyway. He'd promised to meet me before the ceremony.

My step mother looked at me with disgust, but I didn't care, I wanted to see Orion. I spotted Michael. “Hey, Cassian where's Orion at?” I asked. He looked at me with obvious irritation. Cassian had never liked me but I didn't care because everybody in Oakridge seemed to hate me and I have lived through that and I was still living through it.

“He is at the Garden.” He said walking away, I took of to the garden, the laughter stopped me outside the garden. I turned the corner, and froze.

Neris stood in Orion's arms. His hands rested on her waist as their lips met in a kiss so passionate that neither of them noticed I was there.

“Orion” I called with a shaky voice, they were both shocked on seeing me. But the expression changed immediately.My throat tightened until it hurt to breathe. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall not in front of them. “Avery, when did you get here?” Orion asked while Neris didn't even care she rubbed his chest.

“How could you do this to me Orion, my sister?” I turned to Neris “My boyfriend, seriously Neris?” Orion came closer "I'm sorry, Avery," he whispered. "I never loved you. Neris is the one I want.” He said Neris smiled.

"You really thought you deserved Orion?" Neris laughed, wrapping an arm possessively around his. "Take a good look at yourself, Avery. Then look at him. He's the High Mage's son. One day, he'll inherit his father's position." She stepped closer, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"And you? You're nothing but an ordinary servant. An abandoned girl my parents pitied enough to bring home. Did you honestly believe someone like him would choose someone like you?" Her words stung, but it was Orion's silence that shattered me.

I looked at him, searching his face for the boy who had promised to wait for me.

"Orion" My voice trembled. "Do you think so too?" He lowered his gaze, unable to meet my eyes. "Avery,"

He didn't deny it, A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "So that's it." I took a slow step back.

"You always said you never wanted to become like your father. You said he cared more about power and status than people." My eyes burned with unshed tears. "But you're just like him."

Orion finally looked up. "It's not that simple,"

"No," I cut him off. "It is." I gave him a sad smile. "You broke every promise you ever made to me." Without waiting for another excuse, I turned around and walked away.

The sound of the ceremonial bells echoed across Oakridge. It was time for the Awakening.I wiped my eyes, took a shaky breath, and walked toward the crowd