Blind Sight: Through The Eyes Of Aniela Dawson

Eliabeth Hawthorne

Chapter One

Searing Regret

The years of playing dress-up had long faded into memory. At seventeen, Aniela was a pretty girl, although lacking the sophisticated beauty of her mother and sister. Her long blonde locks cascaded in a style reminiscent of her childhood, but her blue eyes had lost some of their innocence. Her playful demeanor, although now tempered by responsibility, had never left entirely.

It was morning. Aniela’s mother and brother had already departed for work, leaving her alone with her father at the table. Distinguished streaks of grey dashed his dark brown hair. While her mother would employ the handiwork of every stylist in Edaion before letting a strand of grey show, he bragged he had earned every one of them as a devoted husband and king. His deep-set brown eyes scanned the front page of the Edaion Daily from under his thick eyebrows. Tatiana had inherited his olive skin, while Aniela had their mother’s fair complexion.

As soon as he finished reading the article, he handed it to Aniela with a soft ”good job.” Today’s headline was a celebratory remark about Phoenix, the combination orphanage and boarding school Aniela had organized a year ago to the day.

She excused herself, leaving James to his reading and morning coffee. She rapped gently on Theodore’s office door and waited for a response before entering. She was always more reserved in his office than elsewhere, for while he had at one time been fun and playful as her brother, as prince, he was nothing if not professional. Theodore had his father’s dominant features and angled jawline, but softer eyes. His hair had darkened as he aged, from their mother’s blonde to their father’s brown.

“You want me to make sure Tia behaves herself.” He startled her with his insight this early in the morning. Without at least four cups of coffee, it was rare to see his eyes open without the aid of toothpicks.

“I know you can never make Tatiana do anything,” she replied. Not even their mother had that power. “But tonight is important. Phoenix needs more funding, and I want everything to go smoothly. If I had my way, Tatiana would not have to come.” Continue reading →