Awakening the Dark Flame (The Dark Throne #2)

1. Chapter 1

Chapter one

T he Kingdom of Doonak was only an hour’s flight from the Kingdom of Urial. I was exhausted and frightened, but I didn’t dare fall asleep. The world below was so much more magnificent from this height on the back of Erendrial’s ragamor Eeri. Everything looked new as if I was truly seeing our world for the first time.

Erendrial and I didn’t speak on the way to the kingdom of horrors. I tried to hold myself together as best as I could, scooting away from him whenever I got the chance. He wasn’t King Lysanthier, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t just as bad, if not worse.

I tried to focus on Lily, my beautiful, kind little sister, for whom I had risked everything to rescue from our current destination. She would be waiting for me when I arrived, but in what condition would I find her? Would she be beaten? Missing limbs? Underfed? If she was hurt, I would have Otar tear through their court just like I had him do to the light court.

We began our descent around a tall mountain that stretched across the land. The rocks that made up the tall peaks were black and grey. The colors of the dark court … how fitting. I couldn’t see a castle anywhere in sight. There were no settlements or cities around the mountain.

“Where are we landing?” I asked Erendrial.

“The Kingdom of Doonak, of course. Your father made me promise no pit stops,” he replied in a husky voice.

“But where is the kingdom? The cities and settlements? I don’t see anything but a mountain.”

“I guess you’ll just have to learn to look a little closer, princess.” He stretched across my back, easing Eeri down towards a rocky ledge carved into the side of the mountain. The ragamor slammed into the floor, causing me to reach for Eren’s arms to support myself. I let go as soon as we were safely on the ground. Erendrial slid off the back of his scaled, dragon-like creature, reaching up to assist me.

“I’m good, but thanks,” I said, not wanting to feel his hands around my waist.

He furrowed his brow as his silver, swirling eyes questioned my standoffish behavior. His dark, shining black hair blew freely in the wind as the last of the evening sun kissed his smooth tan skin.

The rest of the dark alfar warriors that accompanied us landed on the rocky platform, one after the other. I followed Erendrial into the mouth of the cave cautiously. There was no light while we descended further into the cavern. Fear flickered inside of me.

We finally stopped at two large glistening stone doors. Erendrial stepping up to the entrance, placing a hand on each of the panels. An illuminating, purple light blazed from his hands as the magic shuddered through the door, traveling in a vein-like pattern throughout the stone. I heard the latch unlock from within.

“Princess … welcome to your kingdom,” Erendrial said, smiling while he pushed open the doors.

Light streamed through the seam. I shielded my eyes, trying to take in the grandeur of the hidden kingdom I was now expected to call my home. I stepped through the doors waiting for my eyes to adjust. Multiple hallways connected to the massive foyer we entered. The sounds of music and laughter filled the halls. The floors were made of unblemished white marble. Long golden rugs ran down each hall. The walls were black, just like the stone the mountain was made of. Massive golden chandeliers were hung from the forty-foot ceilings.

Groups of dark alfar huddled around human musicians, listening to them play. Paintings were displayed along each wall, changing, and shifting as dark magic reconfigured each frame, causing a new scene to take the place of the one before. Large metal floor lamps stood every ten feet, lighting the way with purple fire spewing from their tops.

“This way, princess,” Erendrial said, leaning down to my ear.

I followed him through the halls as the dark alfar stopped and looked at what the ragamor had dragged in. Erendrial smiled and nodded to each one as we passed. The music stopped as they peered at me, their new princess. The title, princess, was still so foreign and new. I could only imagine what they thought of this whole shift in power. A disgusting half-breed would sit on their throne someday.

As we got further into the castle, humans and dark alfar alike ran through the halls, chasing each other in a playful manner. One of the alfar males caught a girl he was pursuing, slamming her into one of the doors just before he began undressing her.

She laughed and moaned while she reached for the doorknob to a room. They both tumbled inside, shutting the door behind them. She didn’t seem afraid or hurt. She seemed to enjoy the contact, which caught me off guard. In the light court, the humans were terrified of their alfar masters, with good reason. I had been the mistress of the next light king Gaelin Atros, and even that hadn’t protected me.

We stopped at another set of double doors. Carvings of dragons and fire were scattered across the beautiful grey stone. The fire was painted in gold, creating the most captivating contrast with the dark colors that surrounded it.

“You all are dismissed,” said Erendrial to the twelve warriors behind me.

They nodded respectfully to Erendrial and then each locked their eyes on me, bowing in unison.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said without thinking.

They hesitated, looking from me to Erendrial for instruction.

He laughed, stepping to my side. “You are their princess. Time to get used to the formalities. Also, the perks,” he whispered, winking at me.

I turned back to the group of dark alfar that had been ready to fight for me an hour ago. “Thank you all for your help. Your kindness will not be forgotten.” They smiled at me, laughing under their breaths. I looked at Erendrial, unsure of what I said that was so funny.

“We’re going to have to work on that kind streak of yours too. The list just keeps getting longer, doesn’t it,” he said, turning around. “As promised…” He pushed open the doors to a room which was set up like a living space.

There were decadent couches, chairs, and a massive lit fireplace to the right. There was a table with a feast set out at the back of the room. Thick fur rugs covered the floor. I stepped inside, taking in the riches of the space. Erendrial stepped behind me, shutting the doors.

A small figure popped up from one of the chairs. As she stood, her long gold dress fell to the floor. Her golden-brown hair was curled, pinned away from her face, catching the light of the fire. Her cheeks lit up as a smile stretched from ear to ear.

I could feel my legs beginning to tremble. My body went limp with relief. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I tried to formulate words. Unsuccessful, I covered my mouth with my hands and collapsed to the floor with relief, shock, and joy. She rushed towards me, wrapping her arms around me while she laughed and cried. I slowly allowed myself to embrace her, needing to make sure she was real. That this moment was real.

“Lily,” I whispered, shaking.

She began laughing, pulling away from me. She took my face in her hands, wiping away the tears from my cheeks. “Yes, yes, you stupid girl, it’s me,” she said. She kissed me on either cheek before wrapping her arms around me again.

Everything I had gone through, everything I had endured was for this moment. I tried to focus, but the feeling of her cheek on mine sent my skin crawling. The way her hands ran down my back. How hard she embraced me. It all made me want to throw up.

I pulled away from her violently and got to my feet, not wanting to feel physical contact for another moment. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to soothe my stinging flesh. She looked at me, seeming confused and hurt. She didn’t know what I had went through in Urial. She couldn’t. It wasn’t her fault. Damnit , King Lysanthier had even managed to ruin this moment for me. He was dead, yet he was still making my life a living hell.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, taking another step towards me.

I backed away, trying to get a hold of myself.

“Gen darling,” she said.

“Don’t call me that! Don’t ever call me that!” I snapped, remembering the sound of my name on the king’s lips the night before.

She froze, looking at Erendrial and then back to me .

I backed up into the wall, trying to force away the image of his cold, thin body on top of mine. His smell, his disgusting smile. The way he felt inside of me. How he beat and tortured me for weeks just because he could. I slid to the floor, holding my head, willing the memories to catch fire and burn away.

“Please, go away. Both of you,” I whispered. I was about to have one of my panic attacks. I didn’t know what had set it off, but I could feel it building.

Erendrial looked at me without emotion. “I’m sorry, princess, but I’ve been ordered to stay with you until your father arrives,” he replied.

Lily approached me cautiously, kneeling to the floor. She gently reached out, touching my shoulder. “It’s over, Genevieve. You’re safe now. You’re here, with me,” she whispered reassuringly.

I looked up at her, taking comfort in those familiar brown eyes.

“What happened to you? You can talk to me, Gen. You can tell me anything.”

I looked back at Erendrial, uncomfortable with his presence. He didn’t return my gaze.

“Not now,” I whispered. I took a few deep breaths, gathering what control I could. “Are you okay? Has anyone hurt you?”

“Not for a while now,” she said. “At first, they weren’t so pleasant, but now it’s bearable,” she said with a sweet smile.

“Has … has anyone … forced you?” I asked, remembering what Erendrial told me about her alfar lover. He had to have been lying. He was just trying to get a rise out of me that day in the hallway, taunting me with information regarding Lily.

She smirked, leaning back on her heels. “Why don’t we just focus on getting you cleaned up and fed for now. Then I will fill you in on the past six months. Oh, and remind me to kill you for risking your life for mine, Your Highness ,” she said, mockingly.

I snickered, pulling myself from the floor. She led me over to a washbowl and vanity.

“Please turn around, Ambassador Lyklor,” she said sarcastically.

He nodded, doing as she insisted.

“He listens to you?” I asked her.

She laughed with amusement. “No. He is only doing as I ask out of respect for you. Now take that hideous rag off and let’s get you cleaned up.”

I did as she instructed, keeping an eye on Erendrial the entire time. She washed my body, stopping at the Lysanthier sigil that adorned my chest. Her eyes traced the twirling lines of the tree design that wrapped around the circular edge.

“Don’t worry,” I said softly. “The new queen of the light has a similar brand, except hers is of the dark court sigil, thanks to Erendrial and his friends.”

“I see,” she said, still seeming uncomfortable. Lily continued to wash me, slowing as she approached the black sigil on my left wrist. She didn’t say a word. I shivered the entire time, trying to reassure myself it was only Lily who was touching me. It wasn’t the king .

She dressed me in a beautiful floor-length formfitting black silk dress. It dropped low in the front with delicate gold beads along the neckline. The back was revealing, exposing some of the scars that resided on my lower back. Lily led me to the vanity and began work on my hair. I closed my eyes, imagining we were back under the church. She pinned my curls up off my neck, exposing my ears for the first time in my life.

“You can turn around now, Ambassador Lyklor,” she said.

He gracefully turned towards us, stopping abruptly as I stood from the vanity chair. His swirling eyes caught the light of the fire. His gaze began at the silk slippers that now adorned my feet before trailing up the length of my body. His eyes linger on me for an uncomfortable number of seconds before he resumed his blank stare at the back wall.

Lily reached for my star pendant that was now on display around my neck. “That is pretty. Where did you get it?” she asked.

I grabbed it defensively, shielding it from her and Erendrial. I dropped my eyes to the floor. “It was a gift,” I replied shortly.

She pulled away, as something like hurt flashed in her eyes.

I reached for her, realizing how cold and unfeeling I was being. “I’m sorry, Lily. I am just going to need some time to get used to everything and to—” I stopped, not wanting to reveal any more than I had to.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I understand. Come, let’s get you something to eat. You look skinnier than when I last saw you at the summer solstice. I didn’t even know that was possible.”

I stood, feeling the weight of the dress trail behind me. It was the most luxurious thing I had ever worn. I felt out of place and a little silly. I dropped my head, fiddling with my hands in front of me as I followed Lily to the table of food. Erendrial tracked me with his eyes until I took a seat.

“Erendrial, have you eaten?” I asked.

“Not yet, princess,” he responded.

“Please join us. I can’t eat all this anyways and it will be better than having you stand there like a statue,” I said.

He smiled, nodding his head in compliance, and walked elegantly towards us. Lily sat next to me, while he took the place farthest from us. Lily gathered an assortment of foods, placing them in front of me like I was a child. I took the fork and slowly began eating. I wasn’t hungry, but I knew it would soothe Lily’s worries. Her smile beamed brightly as she waited for me to say anything to her.

Lily’s eyes suddenly widened with terror. Cautiously, she pushed her seat away from the table as her eyes fixated on something behind me. She began to shake while she tried to forced words from her mouth but failed.

I turned around quickly to see Otar standing behind me, smiling at Lily as if she was a snack. I exhaled in relief, laughing under my breath.

Erendrial snorted in amusement, as he took a sip of wine. “Calm yourself, sweet Lilian. It is only your sister’s pet,” Erendrial said.

“What … what is that? It sure as heck isn’t a dog,” she exclaimed, taking another step back.

“She looks lovely. May I eat her?” Otar asked, drool dripping from his lips.

I looked back at his leathery black face and those haunting yellow eyes. His white flesh-eating teeth bared towards her. “No, absolutely not!” I snapped.

His shoulders fell in disappointment.

“Lily, this is Otar. Otar, this is my sister Lilian. Lily, it’s okay, you can take a seat, he won’t hurt you.” I got another plate and filled it with the different meats on the table. I placed the plate to my right. “Sit and eat, Otar.”

“But it is so much better when it’s fresh,” he hissed, walking closer to Lily.

“Otar, she is off-limits. Period!” I said again.

“Ooooh, no fun, wicked one. But I will do as you ask,” he said, walking over to the plate and taking a seat in the chair.

Lily watched his every move as he dug savagely into the stack of meat. “What is he?” she asked.

“Still not really sure how to answer that,” I said, watching him with curiosity.

“This is what killed the light king,” added Erendrial. “At your sister’s request.”

Lily looked back at me for answers.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Otar was dead. Then I resurrected him and now he obeys my commands,” I explained.

“Yes, and how exactly did you resurrect the creature?” asked Erendrial, leaning into the table.

I gave him a look that said, ‘you wish’ .

“Wait, you are the reason the light king is dead?” asked Lily. “Why would you want to kill him?”

I diverted my eyes, not wanting either of them to see the truth. “I had my reasons. Now, tell me what you do here. Tell me everything that I’ve missed,” I said.

“Well, I sing for the dark alfar mostly. I help around the castle, and I’ve begun to learn how to sew. The dress you’re wearing right now, I made it,” she said with pride.

I looked down, admiring her work with a smile.

“I made it for the size you used to be. Now, it just hangs on you like a bag. Sorry.”

I reached out, taking her hand in mine. “It’s beautiful. I love it,” I said, smiling at her.

A knock came at the door. I sat up straight in defense.

“Come in,” Erendrial said, popping a grape into his mouth.

A massive male made of nothing but muscle entered the room. He was over six and a half feet tall, with mahogany brown hair tied back into a bun against his neck. His face was strong and broad, with indigo eyes, thin lips, and a shapely nose. He wore black fighting leathers that was distinguishable by the unique texture imprinted on his vest resembling ragamor scales.

I stood up as he approached the table, not knowing what he wanted or who he was. Lily smiled, popping up next to me. He looked at her softly and then back to me, in an assessing manner. Lily gently took my arm in her hand.

“Gen, I’d like you to meet Zerrial. He’s one of Erendrial’s men,” she said with a beaming smile.

I looked back at Erendrial. He had a smirk on his face as his hands were laced across his stomach. He gave me a small shrug.

“See, I didn’t lie,” Erendrial said casually.

“No, no, absolutely not!” I yelled.

Lily looked at me with confusion. I grabbed her arm, taking her to the other side of the room. Otar stood from the chair, looking at Zerrial as if he could be dessert. His venomous smile stretched across his black, leathery skin before he disappeared out of sight.

Lily inhaled sharply, looking around the room, panicked. “Where,” she muttered, “where did it go?”

Before I could answer, Otar appeared behind Zerrial, slashing his claws down his back. Zerrial groaned, arching his body in response while massive, bear-like claws of his own appeared from his right hand. He turned just as Otar disappeared again. Otar solidified again slamming his body into Zerrial’s legs, sending him to the cold floor. My creature pounced on the dark alfar’s chest, widening his mouth, revealing his sharpened set of murderous teeth .

“Otar, don’t kill him,” I ordered.

Otar turned to me, his face enraged by the command.

“Not yet, at least,” I finished. “Go back to the table and sit down until I’m finished … please.”

The creature did as commanded. He sat slowly back in his chair, grumbling, and throwing the meat off his plate in a tantrum.

Lily helped Zerrial from the floor, checking him over to make sure no real damaged had been done. She then rushed over to me, taking me by the arm, leading me to the far corner of the room.

“What is the matter?” asked Lily.

“Him. Zerrial. He is the matter.” I was so flustered I couldn’t even organize my thoughts. “Erendrial said Zerrial had taken you as his mistress. Is that true? Because if so, just say the word and I will have Otar rip him from limb to limb,” I growled, feeling the heat from my rage ripple through every nerve ending in my body.

She grabbed both of my arms, shaking her head. “No, no, it isn’t like that at all. And I am not his mistress. We don’t use words like that here,” she said, dropping her head.

“Then what? What is it like, Lily?” I asked, trying to calm myself.

“I … I chose to be with him,” she whispered.

I shook my head in disbelief. My little sister. My God-fearing, nun-loving sister chose to give her maidenhood to a dark alfar.

“I don’t understand. Why would you ever give yourself to one of them?” I asked in disappointment .

Her face blushed with embarrassment. “He’s … different. It’s true, some of the alfar here are brutal and cruel, but not all. They do things that sicken me and repulse me, but he isn’t like that. He takes care of me. He has never hurt me. He’s … gentle.”

I laughed, standing with my hands on my hips, trying to wrap my head around the two of them together. “What happened to the church? I don’t think you’ll qualify to be a nun now, Lilian. They’d probably burn you at the stake for what you’ve done.”

She stepped back away from me with pain written all over her face. I couldn’t believe she would be this stupid. How could she? Why would a sane person ever give themselves to one of these things? It made me sick. Knowing he had touched her and taken a part of her.

“Gen, I love—” she started to say, but I held out my hand to stop her from continuing.

“Don’t even say it. You have no clue what love is. These things don’t know how to love, Lily!” I shouted. “They only know how to use and take and fuck. They take and take and take until there is nothing left of you that they want!”

Erendrial and Zerrial watched as I screamed at Lilian with anger.

“You are foolish and stupid!” I continued. “Everything I did, everything I’ve been through was to find you. To save you from this. And yet here you are, freely sharing a bed with one of them.”

Tears fell from her face as her bottom lip quivered.

I took a deep breath in, unable to look at her for a moment longer. “Just leave,” I demanded.

She looked up at me, trying to formulate a sentence, but I walked away from her, not able to deal with her childish views of love.

I sat on the couch, looking into the fire, willing myself to disappear. She and Zerrial left the room without another word. Erendrial walked over and handed me a goblet of wine before taking a seat.

“You are just full of surprises,” he said, looking into the fire.

“You have no clue,” I replied.

He waited for a moment before responding. “Do you think you might have been a little harsh on her?”

I looked at him in shock. “What do you care? She’s just a human to you and him. She made her choice, now she has to live with it.” I took a sip of wine, trying to calm myself.

Erendrial didn’t approach the subject further. “Your father will be here soon. What do you want to do about your pet?” Erendrial asked.

Otar appeared next to Erendrial’s ear, snapping his sharp teeth only inches from his face. Erendrial didn’t even flinch. “I am not her pet! I am no one’s pet! If you call me that again, I will cut off your pathetic excuse for balls and make you choke on them, you piece of shit,” Otar wheezed in his ear.

Erendrial turned to him and just smiled.

“Otar, I’m liking you better by the minute,” I said with a smile. “Otar will stay in whatever room is next to mine. He will have free reign of the castle and grounds. Otar, you may go wherever you wish, but you cannot kill anyone. If someone is trying to kill you, you must try to escape first, before defending yourself. Do not steal. You are my guest. If you want or need something, just ask.”

Otar nodded at me and snickered before disappearing from the room.

“You really think that thing sleeps in a bed?” asked Erendrial.

“We will soon figure that mystery out,” I said, finishing the last of my wine.

We sat in silence as I waited for my long-lost father to pay me a visit. I focused on the fire. The red and orange swirls of the flames. How they licked and danced over the dried wood. I closed my eyes, trying to process the past few days. I wondered what kinds of hell I would have to endure here. I wondered how much of myself I would lose to this court.