Chapters I Got Everything I Wanted
"Will you just tell me already where in Poseidon's deep blue you're dragging me off to?"
"Be patient, Addy. You're starting to sound like Sonata."
"Say that again, and I'll eat the beating heart from your chest."
"You definitely ate something of mine the other night."
That, at last, got Adagio to shut her mouth. Snorting derisively, she leaned back in the passenger seat, returning her gaze from the road to her book.
A short while later, they arrived. Stopping the car, Sunset unlocked the doors.
Adagio's eyes had been fixed on her novel, but even without sight she knew where she was the instant she stepped out. Never in a million lifetimes could she forget the smell of the sea.
"The beach. You've taken me to the beach. Is this some kind of joke? We don't even have our swimsuits."
"Not the beach, cranky. Come on, you'll see."
Sighing, Adagio accepted as Sunset took her hand. She led them away from the car, down through steep brown rocks and grassy dunes.
"Here." Sunset released her hand, pointing ahead. "This is what I wanted to show you."
She followed, keeping quiet. They paused at the first tide pool they came across, and Sunset got on her knees to investigate. Adagio, unimpressed, watched with her arms folded.
Sunset gasped in sweet adoration. A rare sound from her, but one thoroughly worth hearing.
Adagio cocked her head as Sunset pulled a small octopus from the water. It wriggled in her cupped palms, shiny wet and crimson.
"Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen?"
"I'm certain 'cuteness' won't help it live very long when the tides come in."
"Don't be mean, Adagio." Sunset crooned, gently rubbing the octopus' head. Its tentacle wrapped around her finger. "Don't listen to her. She's just grumpy 'cause I woke her up early."
Adagio rolled her eyes. "It's a weak, simple creature. Who cares what happens to it?"
"Strength isn't everything, Adagio." With a final scritch, Sunset placed the octopus back in its pool. "Sometimes, being strong means forging on, even when you're weak."
On the horizon, sapphire waves crashed against porcelain shores.
From her high perch Adagio watched the tidal motions. Still holding the dagger, she set the chalice aside.
She breathed in, to prepare for the pain.
The blade dug fire hot into the flesh of her arm. A line of shiny crimson appeared across the flawless skin, beads forming, weeping out.
She waited, as the blood dripped into her wine. Eventually the flow subsided.
Glaring at the sea, she brought the cup to her lips.
She knew this day would come.
She'd known it ever since losing her magic.
It did nothing to soothe her.
Shaking, she pressed a pristinely manicured, crimson nail to her cheek. She poked and prodded at the otherwise smooth, unblemished skin, until she found it.
The wrinkle.
She screamed, flinging the pocket mirror against the wall. It shattered, and she saw her ugly reflection crying back at her a million times over.
It Might've Been a Nightmare
The wine slipped down her throat, thick and tasting of crimson. She bore it with a grimace.
The price for beauty.
Ahead, the ocean churned. She watched with wide eyes as it frothed, and rose.
Higher. Higher. Higher still.
The screams of her subjects came to her ears. And still, the oceans kept rising.
Before she knew it, the palace was flooding. She cut her arm again, hoping it might stem the tide.
It succeeded only in drawing the sharks.
She tried to scream, but her head was underwater.
She woke, bolting up in bed, covered in sweat. Morning light cast the room in golden splendor.
The sheets clung to her naked form. It took several long moments of breathing before her heart steadied and she stopped trembling.
Beside her, the covers stirred. Groaning, Sunset sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Adagio? You okay? You look-"
"What do I look like?" she snapped. "A witch? A hag? A monster?"
"I was going to say unwell."
Adagio closed her eyes, curling her digits around the sheets til her knuckles hurt.
A shuddering breath escaped her, like a mighty gust of wind to bring the empire in her dreams crumbling down.
"I had a dream."
"Sounds more like a nightmare."
"Maybe."
Sunset placed an arm around her shoulder, and rest her chin atop.
"Why do you love me?"
The words came without thinking. Immediately, she wanted them back.
"Because you're beautiful, and strong, and smart."
"I doubt that more and more every day."
"I know. But how you view yourself will never change the way I view you."
Adagio breathed in sharply.
"I love you," she said.
Sunset kissed her on the lips.
Adagio loved her crimson hair.
"I love you, too."
Author's Note
The inspiration for this story came to me thanks to this song by Billie Eilish.
Before writing it, I'd forgotten how much I loved SunDagio. I'm glad this was the first thing I've officially written for them.
Because, despite the name of the story, and though nothing can ever be perfect, this is the closest I feel anything of mine has come to perfection. Never before have I had to pack so much into so little.
Regardless, I'm curious to hear what you think, both general opinions/feedback as well as what meanings you read into this piece.
Lastly, this story was written for the 2023 'A Thousand Words' contest , in the 'Drama' and 'Experimental' categories. If you enjoyed this story and would like to receive one of your own, see here for more details.
She saw herself looking down upon them all.
A throne of gold, marble, and velvet cradled her dearly. Upon her perfect body, she wore the finest silks, the purest jewels.
Gone were the lines of age on her face. Her eyes shone magenta - imperious, cold, and calculating. The mask of immortal beauty hid an ageless, eternal goddess who held in her the voice of angels.
When she sang of sorrow, the heavens wept, and the seas raged. When she sang of joy, the sun and moon themselves shone brighter. None could withstand.
Above her breasts, embedded in the skin, the gem of her siren pendant burned bright. Now, a part of her body, it could never again be taken from her.
There, at the top of the world, she smiled.
Immense wealth and grand architecture rose all around her, built and gathered in her honor and hers alone. Below, the groveling masses worshipped, blessing the very air she breathed.
One hand grasped a chalice of fine, crimson wine. The other clutched a dagger, terribly sharp. From one she slit the throats of her enemies, and from the other she drank their pitiful life.
She would never be felled. Not ever again.
And she would own the world.
