Awakening the Dark Flame (The Dark Throne #2)

20. Chapter 20

Chapter twenty

L ily stayed with me all night and was still in bed when I woke up. We got dressed just in time to receive Vena. I told her I wanted to keep the baby. I then asked her all there was to know about alfar pregnancies.

She told me that I’d be able to feel the baby flutter in a week or two because of its power.. The incubation period usually lasted ten to twelve months. I’d be able to continue training.

In the middle of her run-down, Eren came into the room, radiant and smug as ever. He looked at the three of us and tilted his head. “Princess? Everything okay?” he asked, looking at Vena.

“She’s completely healthy. Just must have had a bad reaction to the fairy king,” said Vena.

“Well, no need to worry about him. Just got done sending the horde home. Though, I will say, Phasis was very agitated that you didn’t come to tell him goodbye,” added Eren.

“I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. We got to talking and I must have lost track of time,” I replied.

“No need to worry, I covered for you. Now, I thought we’d finally get you up to speed on misting. Up for a challenge?” he asked. I looked at Vena and she nodded it was alright.

“Sure, but we have that meeting after lunch with my father and the chamber council, remember?”

“Of course, I do. It is my job to remember,” he said.

Lily, Vena, and I stood from the table. Vena gave me a quick hug followed by Lily. They left without another word. Eren watched as they exited.

“Did I say something, or have they always been that awkward?” he asked.

“We were just having breakfast together, that’s all. Where are we going to practice?” I asked.

“Let’s get some fresh air. I know a clearing in the woods we can go to.” He walked over to the balcony and called Eeri. I called for Tarsyrth.

We rode out about twenty minutes from the castle. The clearing was by a freshwater spring. The ground was covered in snow, but the sun was shining brightly.

“Okay, give me the breakdown version. I know you like to hear yourself talk, but we don’t have all day,” I said playfully, trying to act normal.

He laughed as Eeri shot into the air. “Who’s the smartass now?” he said, moving past me. “Rules of misting. Rule 1: you need to have seen the place you are misting to in order to get there. Rule 2: you can’t mist large distances. A few miles at best, if you are lucky, but it will take time for you to become that skilled. And rule 3: don’t lose focus while misting or you will arrive at your destination in pieces.”

“See where you are going, don’t go too far, and focus. Got it. Now what?” I asked.

“Now, I want you to focus on that tree over there,” he said, coming behind me and pointing into the distance. “When you mist, you need to allow the dark magic to roll over you like a blanket. Let it out of you and allow it to lift you and take you where you desire. Imagine yourself floating on top of the air, weightlessly drifting towards your destination. You will feel yourself lighten. Close your eyes and imagine the place you want to end up. Then, in a flash, you will be there.”

“How do I let the magic out?” I asked.

“The warming inside of you that you speak of with your other gift. That is your magic. You need to let it devour you. Let it out with no restraints.”

I took a good look at the spot that I was supposed to reappear at. I readied myself, closing my eyes and focusing on the dark magic inside of me. I felt it deep inside, announcing its presence. I focus on it, willing it to grow. The warmth spread through me like it did when I used my offensive power. It crawled up like something clawing around inside of my body. The feeling was unsettling, but I focused on it, allowing it to take complete control. Once I could feel its claws digging in every inch of my body, I opened myself up, focusing on the place I wanted to go .

My body begin to lighten as if I was floating. I focused on that feeling and suddenly my body was being pulled towards my destination like I was falling off a cliff. I held onto the image of the place I was going until I slammed into something hard. My face smashed into the tree trunk, bruises instantly forming underneath my skin. I stumbled back, rubbing my face softly in pain. I opened my eyes to see Eren on the other side of the field. I jumped up and threw my fist into the air.

“Yes!” I yelled. I was so excited. “I can mist, I can mist!” I shouted, laughing with joy.

Eren appeared by me, smiling with a small chuckle. “Alright, alright, stop yelling. You did good, now we just need to work on your consistency and distance. Maybe next time, try not to slam face first into your destination.”

We made it back to the castle just in time for the meeting. We took our seats and waited for my father to begin. We discussed the fairy negotiations, the light court, the rift, and the upcoming sacrifice, which was now less than two weeks away. At the end of the meeting, my father opened the floor for any other matters. I swallowed and bravely raised my hand.

“Yes, daughter. What would you like to discuss?” asked my father.

I took a second, trying to be brave. “I would like to discuss my upcoming wedding. With the new regime in the light court, I was thinking it would be beneficial to speed up the timeline on my marriage. What if we held the tournament the same time as the sacrifice ritual? The sacrifice and my union would be an honor to Azeer, and the process of conceiving an heir can begin sooner rather than later,” I said, feeling my stomach tighten.

My father and Eren both looked at me with confusion. The council whispered quietly about my proposal. I raised my eyes to Eren. He mouthed, ‘what are you doing?’ but I didn’t respond.

“That sounds like an excellent idea, Princess Genevieve,” said my uncle. “It will solidify your position, the union will strengthen your throne, and you and the light royals can begin the race to conceive the next heir.”

I moved my hand to my stomach. We already won that competition. I just needed to find my little prince or princess a father who wanted it.

“I will take the request into consideration. If that is all, meeting dismissed,” said my father, waving his hand in dismissal. “Daughter, please stay behind for a moment.”

The room emptied while I sat back in my chair, eagerly waiting to speak with my father alone. Once the last council member exited, the guards closed the doors so we could speak privately.

My father refused to look at me. He leaned over the table, lacing his fingers together while he slid his thumbs across one another slowly. “What is this about wanting to move up the wedding?” he finally asked.

I leaned in closer to him, trying to appear innocent. “I have thought long and hard since our last conversation on the matter. Living here, among our people, has reinforced my sense of purpose … of duty. I am ready to play my part and do what is needed. The faster I conceive an heir,” I paused, reaching out to touch his arm. “Your grandsire, the stronger our family becomes.”

“Has your heart grown for one of the contenders?” he asked, his eyes finally meeting mine. “The Servi male, perhaps?”

I forced a smile to appear at my face. My heart was a treacherous organ I wished to be rid of, yet because of it, I now carried the most important thing in my life deep within my womb.

“I’ve taken what you told me that morning at breakfast into consideration. My marriage will be a contract that will strengthen our line. My happiness can wait.”

My father studied my face for a moment, seeming to uncover every lie I had allowed past my lips. With one fluid motion, he rose to a standing position, allowing the chair to move backwards with force. He stormed towards the door.

“The ceremony will remain as scheduled,” he blurted.

I rose to my feet in protest. “But Father, this is what’s best for the kingdom.”

He froze at the door, one hand on the handle before turning back and pointing his finger towards me. “I am the king of this kingdom and I know what is best. I am also your father and until I say there is to be a wedding, there will be no wedding,” he snapped, pulling the door open faster than the guards could move.

I yelled in frustration, allowing a few moments to pass in order to put space between us before I exited the room myself.

Eren appeared out of nowhere grabbing me by the arm. “What in the hell was that? Why would you want to move the wedding up? You don’t want to marry any of those idiots. What is going on?” he asked.

“Nothing. I am just focusing on my job and my duties. This will strengthen the kingdom and my position, as my uncle said. I’m going to have to marry one of them, so why not just get it over with?”

“Maybe your father will still change his mind and let you choose. If you gave him time, it could happen. He likes making you happy.”

I turned slowly towards him, taking in his face. I wondered what features our child would inherit from him. As long as my eyes won in the gene pool, the child would be safe. No other person had silver eyes like Eren. It would be a dead giveaway.

“And who would I choose, Eren? I am not going to be happy regardless if the matter is forced on me or if I get to choose. There is no one here that can give me what I want. I am just trying to focus on my position. Drop it, okay?” I said, walking away from him.

The next few days leading up to the sacrifice were calm. I got better at misting, now able to go up to a mile away from my position. I started talking to the baby every chance I got. It was nice to not be alone. Eren walked in a few times and thought I was going crazy, talking to an empty room but I played it off. I felt the baby move at the end of week five. It was a little flutter that tickled my belly button. The first time it happened it made me jump, but I was happy that it announced its presence so soon.

Vena checked on me daily, making sure everything was progressing along as it should. My father denied my request to move up the wedding, which meant I would have to tell him about my condition. I decided to wait until after the sacrifice ritual. He didn’t need anything else to worry about right now.

I wondered if he would be happy about the baby. I wondered what kind of grandfather he would be. He loved and adored me, so I presumed he would show the same affections to his grandchild. Another Drezmore heir, ready to take the throne.

At night, I no longer had nightmares. Icici was beaten and expelled from court until the ritual. I tried not to focus on her. I focused on my future and what it would hold for me now.

Each night I would pour myself a glass of whiskey with an orange twist, savoring the smell. I wished I could share my happiness about our child with Eren, but I was afraid of what he would do. Would he trick me into getting rid of it? Would he somehow use the child to his advantage? Or would he simply not care? I shared my fears with Lily. She just listened, unsure of what to say.

The day of the sacrifice arrived. I sat in my room, not wanting to leave, but my presence was expected. I bent down, holding my still-flat belly in my hands. I smiled, feeling the little one wake from its slumber.

“Good morning. Hope you’re comfortable in there. Thank you for not making me throw up last night. I finally got a good night’s rest,” I said, giggling to myself. “Today is going to be a hard day, but maybe someday, during my reign, or yours, we can get rid of this disgusting tradition and start a new one, where humans and alfar are equal and live in complete peace. Oh, little one, I can’t wait to meet you. You’ve already made me so happy. I can only imagine what it is going to be like to hold you and kiss you. Just do me a favor, and please have my eyes,” I whispered as fear gripped me.

“Talking to ourselves again, are we?” asked Eren, bringing in a plate of food. He put it on the table next to the whiskey and orange slice. He glanced at the items for a moment but said nothing. “You missed breakfast again, so I brought it to you. Don’t get used to this treatment. It’s a big day and we don’t need you passing out.”

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry. And you will do whatever I command Lyklor. I am your princess,” I said.

“Like you’d ever let me forget. ”

I giggled, turning back to the vanity mirror. He appeared in the frame and placed his hand on my shoulder gently. My whole body erupted from his touch. Gods how I missed it.

“If at any time you need to leave today,” he started, “for any reason, just let me know and I will cover for you. I know this is going to be hard, but you can do this. You must.”

I smiled softly at him. “I know and thank you. I appreciate it.”

He nodded; his hand lingering until he finally removed it.

The festivities began as the sun started to set. The bodies would burn all through the night—the longest night of the year. We gathered outside at the stone temple that had been constructed in honor of Azeer. It was open to the elements, with large archways covered with red roses and vines. A massive cylinder stood in the center of the structure with three hollowed carvings the size of coffins. In the front lay an altar made from white marble.

My father and I made our way to the first step of the temple. We bowed in honor of Azeer and stood to the side. My uncle and his children bowed and then took their places behind us. Eren appeared out of nowhere at my side. He looked at me and nodded reassuringly. I gave him an uncomfortable smile.

After the whole kingdom was gathered, the priestesses escorted the three human sacrifices to the center cylinder. They stepped into the cocoon-shaped platform as the priestess strapped them against the walls. They didn’t yell, they didn’t protest. They stood in their tomb of death, silent and unfazed. The priestesses began to chant, dancing around the cylinder oven as music played softly in the background.

My father stepped forward, grabbing a torch and stepping up to the platform. He walked up the tall flight of stairs and dropped the flame into the center of the oven. Flames licked and flickered through small openings in the structure. The three hollowed areas where the humans were strapped lit like kindling as their screams erupted. My father returned to his place by me and nodded at Eren.

Eren stepped forward, holding his hand out towards them. In seconds, their screams ceased. Their hair lit first, evaporating without a trace. Their skin blistered and boiled as the heat devoured them. The smell was unforgettable. I covered my nose, trying to hold in the tears that so desperately wanted to fall. I had had enough. I turned to Eren and nodded. He stepped forward as I retreated into the castle.

I made my way to my rooms and let out a vicious scream. How was I going to endure that every year? How could I allow my child to see that? I wiped my face, going to the table and preparing my whiskey and orange comfort. I went to the balcony and stared out into the night sky.

“Will you be okay?” Eren’s voice came from behind me.

I didn’t bother turning. “I have to be,” I replied.

He came next to me by the ledge. He looked down at the glass in my hand. “I can help with that, if you want me to,” he said .

“No, this is enough, but thanks.”

“They felt no pain but the initial burn. I made sure of it.”

“That was a small kindness, but it still doesn’t change that they are dead before their time. I don’t know how I am ever going to get used to that: watching helpless humans be burned alive for a god they don’t believe in. For a god I am not sure I even believe in. I just … I need a distraction to get my mind off it. Tell me something funny, or something stupid that you did in your youth. Something that will take my mind off their melting corpses,” I said in a panic.

He took my arm, turning me towards him. He pulled the pin in the back of my hair that kept it from my neck, allowing my loose curls to fall down my back. He traced the edges of my face before lifting my chin so he could look into my eyes. His demeanor was calm and comforting.

“I’m here. Let me be your distraction,” he said softly.

I sucked in the air around me, not believing what I had just heard. “But I thought—”

“It will only be for tonight,” he interrupted, “but at least you won’t have to think. At least for a while,” he said, running his hands through my hair.

I felt a small tear run down my cheek. He removed it before it could fall. I dropped my head, unsure of what to do. I wanted him. I thought of him every night. I longed for his touch and taste. It would just be one night. A distraction. Something to make me feel good and forget. I brought my eyes back up to his and nodded .

“I promise, after tonight, I will never ask you to touch me again. You have my word,” I said with a heavy heart. After tonight, it had to be done. If I was to protect my child and its future, I could never be with its father again. I had to cut him off completely, or the court would figure it out and eventually, so would he.

He didn’t nod or say a word in response. He leaned in slowly and took my lips against his. I melted at the first contact. He wrapped his arms around me as we stumbled back into my bedroom. He unfastened my dress, tearing it from my body. I ripped at his jacket and tore through his shirt to get to his flesh. He undid his pants as we fell into bed, completely enthralled in one another.

He kissed my body with passion and vigor as I pushed my fingers through his hair, enjoying every sensation. He sucked on my neck and tore at my underwear until there was nothing left between us. He kissed my mouth again as he pushed his way inside of me. I closed my eyes, trying to just focus on the amazing feeling of his body against mine. I didn’t want to open my eyes. I didn’t want to look into those eyes that I wanted so much to love me. It would be easier to move on if I didn’t watch this happen.

Eren kissed my face as his hands tangled through my hair. I moaned with pleasure, not allowing my pheromones to be released. His breathing quickened as he continued to pleasure both of us. He moaned and laughed lightly as he nuzzled his nose into my neck. I kept my eyes shut, even though I desperately wanted to take in his smile—to see him laugh .

He slowed, hovering over me as he brushed the loose strands of hair from my face. I could feel his eyes on me as he stopped moving.

“Gen, open your eyes,” he said softly.

I did as he asked, looking up at his beautiful face.

“You don’t have to hold back,” he whispered, “I told you: you can use me however you want. I’m yours for the night.” He kissed the side of my face lightly.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces in that moment. Use him. He was allowing me to use him, just like Lady Calavi had for all those years. He didn’t want this. He was fulfilling his duty to his princess.

“Get off,” I whispered, trying to hold myself together.

He stopped, pulling his lips away from my neck as he looked down at me. “What?”

“Please, just get off,” I said, turning my face away from him.

He rolled to the other side of the mattress, still looking at me. I sat up and grabbed my robe at the end of the bed, covering my bare body.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, reaching for me.

I pulled away and stood. “No. Please leave,” I said, not daring to look at him. I heard him get out of the bed as he gathered his clothes.

“Gen?”

“I said leave!” I shouted.

He stood for a moment, just looking at me, before finally exiting my room. I went back out onto the balcony and curled myself into the corner as I cried. I held my stomach, remember there was something more important to live for than myself. There was someone more important to protect. To make happy. To love.