19. Elzora
19
ELZORA
“ D o you think they’d notice if we just left?” I whisper.
Jasper’s eyes flash to me, and he grins. “I could probably escape, sunflower, but your absence will be noticed immediately.”
I sigh, resting my head on the top of my knees once more. We’re at the rebel compound, and we’ve been sitting in this large living room for what feels like hours. I’ve barely said more than ten words because the atmosphere is so toxic, so draining , that I’m struggling to keep control of my panic and my anxiety.
Everyone was called here urgently so that we could inform my dad about the Royal Showcase, and to me, it seems like a complete waste of time. All anyone has done is fight over the plans.
Everyone received invitations, well, everyone except Vexus and my dad, and Eirik and Etrix received another letter from their dad detailing the threats and commands for us to attend.
“Murdering Etonik is not the fucking plan,” my dad snarls, slamming his hands onto the table and glaring at Necos. I’m surprised my time witch has engaged in the arguments, but he’s the most adamant that I shouldn’t go to it because I’m ‘handing myself to them on a silver platter’.
They were not amused when Ryes corrected that statement to a gold platter, even if it was the first thing that’s made me smile in a while.
“Are you okay?” Jasper asks, tentatively wrapping his arm around me. I’m still sitting hunched up with my knees pressed to my chest, but now I can feel his warmth.
I scrunch my nose up but nod my head, keeping my voice quiet to not draw the attention of the angry men. “I’m anxious, and my magicae is not enjoying sitting here restlessly.”
It’s also not enjoying hearing all the ways that my men and my people are going to be in danger because of me.
“I can’t imagine it likes hearing everyone bickering either.” There’s a knowing tone to Jasper’s words, and I sigh.
“I don’t like it when everyone fights, Jazz, but I know that we’re all just scared.”
He scoffs. “I’m not scared. I just wish I could kill the fucker so you could get out of this.”
I grin, gesturing over to where Necos is glowering. “I think you’re on team Necos, then.”
“What are the teams?” Jasper’s voice drops an octave or two, and I feel giddy about being able to push all of this drama to the back of my mind as I giggle with one of my men.
“Elzora!” Necos’s bark is met by a shriek from me, and the dragon mark on my wrist burns for a brief second before King appears in front of me in his smaller form. His wings stretch out in front of me, and he lets out an impressive roar.
His scales glow gold as he breathes out a surge of flames. There’s bright lights in front of him as each of my men throw a shield up in front of them.
Anomus is the only one who didn’t flinch.
“King, I’m okay!” I shout, jumping to my feet in a panicked frenzy. My small witchmea turns and scrutinises me.
“Queen Elzora scared.”
It’s adorable how much he cares, and I’m genuinely so grateful he came to my defence. But I also hate that he felt like he had to.
“Zoe—” Ryes starts, but King snarls, and he snaps his jaw shut, giving me an eye roll.
“We’ve got some bad news,” I say, trying to keep my tone as reassuring and as calm as I can because King is in the mood to char first and listen after. “But I’m physically okay, just anxious because of it.”
He lets out a huff of smoke, and the golden wisps are so cute— he is so cute. “I not like it.”
“I don’t like that you came here to try and rescue me,” I counter. “Your life is so important, and you should never risk it by coming to my aid.”
“Queen Elzora worth it.”
“King of all creatures is far more important than me,” I argue, and as he shakes his head, his little golden mane has small sparks flying off it.
“They’re arguing,” Vexus says, and he must be answering someone’s question.
King’s growl causes me to burst into giggles, and I reach forward to stroke his head.
“Stop growling at all of my mates,” I demand. “They did nothing wrong.”
“Time witch scared you.”
“I got a fright,” I reassure him. “But Necos did nothing wrong—he was just getting my attention.”
“Stupid time witch. I burn him alive.”
“And then I’ll lose my anima nexum , and it will hurt me a lot.”
Trying to reason with a dragon is not going well, so I try scratching behind his ears. Sure, they’re scaly rather than fluffy, but a lot of animals on Earth tend to love this, and it often calms them down.
“Stupid witches.”
I giggle, and he rubs his head against me. I look over at the terrified men, and it just makes me laugh harder.
“I think you’re all safe from the angry witchmea now,” Jasper says dryly. “I’m only completely and utterly ashamed of you all.”
“I didn’t react,” my dad protests with an almost whine.
“And that’s stupid of you, not bravery,” Ciar says dismissively. “What’s going on with your witchmea, mo sholas ?”
“He’s felt my panic and is concerned.”
“And you’re angry he came to try and sacrifice himself for you?” Mael asks with a soft smile. “Ellie baby, you’re far too sweet. Let the dragon with fireproof skin come and help when needed.”
“I don’t often agree with Mael, but this time, he’s right,” Necos says.
“Oh, wow, thanks prof—” Mael starts sarcastically.
“He’s meant to be extinct,” I remind them, cutting off Mael’s retort. “Him outing himself could cost him his life.”
“And worse than that, it could rouse more suspicion about Zoe herself,” my dad says. “Have you explained to King why this isn’t something he can do?”
“We’re getting there,” I say, giving my bonded witchmea a stern look. “Right, King?”
“Isn’t she so cute when she tries to be domineering?” Ryes says quietly.
“Like an angry little kitten,” Zohar agrees.
“I will not put you in any danger.” King is extremely reluctant to agree to it, and I feel a slight tingle in my wrist.
“That’s the best you’re probably going to get from him,” Vex says tentatively.
I give him a weak smile, hating that things are still so tense and awkward between us. We didn’t have any time alone between Jasper coming back into the kitchen and finding out about the Royal Showdown and us being summoned by my dad.
The tension is a lot to handle for us both, and I know that he and I feel the disharmony on a much deeper level than the typical person. We’re highly in touch with people’s emotions on our worst days, but when it comes to those our soul is bonded to, it’s guttering.
“I think so,” I agree.
Mael smirks. “I rate it, personally. He’s coming to your aid, and not many can say they’ve got a witchmea to protect them.”
Ciar reaches over to fist bump Mael, and the two laugh.
King flies over to the chair, and I take his hint, moving back to sit down.
“Well, that was a much needed interruption,” my dad says with a smirk. “Now, are you boys going to listen to logic, or do you want to fight some more?”
I’m not surprised in the slightest when Eirik, Necos, and Zohar say logic and the others ask to fight some more.
“Okay,” Anomus replies, waving his hand, and everyone but Eirik, Necos, Zohar, and Vexus disappear.
“Why is he still here?” Necos asks, gesturing to Vex with a sneer. I’m completely surprised by his actions today, and it only reminds me that I don’t truly know my time witch, not as much as I’d like to.
“Where did the others go?” Zohar demands.
“To fight,” my dad says like it’s obvious. “Now, Necos, off you go to handle Theran. You know that if you don’t inform him, then he’ll wonder who you’re sharing information with instead, and it’ll cause more problems in the long-term.”
Necos nods, and I watch as he turns to Eirik, and it’s almost like he’s waiting for permission.
“Be as specific as you can,” Eirik decides, and my dad’s eyes narrow slightly. “He’s trying to appear as if he’s on our side, even with us knowing different. Consider what he offers, and take it if you trust it.”
Necos sighs. “The problem is, I don’t trust him at all.”
“Well, I trust you, and that’s what matters,” Eirik says, clasping him on the arm. “You can handle him.”
Necos nods. “Better than your assignment, that’s for sure.”
“Etonik?” Eirik asks, raising a brow at Anomus.
My dad nods. “Sorry son, but someone needs to confront him, and for Etrix’s safety, it’s best that you take that job.”
“That I can do,” Eirik says with such a fierce determination, I feel the pressure of it within our bond, and it relaxes me ever so slightly.
“And me?” Zohar asks, a wariness in his tone.
“The real question is and me ?” Vexus demands, frowning. “I wanted to take turns beating up?—”
“I’ve already heard about your morning fight, and that’s why you’re in time out,” my dad says, cutting him off firmly. “I want you and Zohar to take Elzora over to Omi.”
“Omi?” I ask.
Vexus’s eyes widen. “Now?”
“Yes,” my dad says. He looks at me with such fondness that I startle slightly. He’s been so angry, so displeased, that this look of love is surprising. It’s also so soothing to my soul.
“Omi’s someone who has worked with Vexus before on using his soul magicae, and she’s the one who will teach you how to survive ,” he says, and I nod slowly. “I can feel your magicae right now, lux animula mea, and with you still being so unsettled from your maturing, she’s the best one to help.”
“Okay,” I say, nodding. Eirik’s expression is one of concern, but I give him a smile. “Don’t worry, I want to do this.”
I want to be useful.
But more than that… I want some time alone, away from my men, to try and calm down.
“You are useful, dragonfly,” Zohar says, and I nod, trying to believe it. It’s hard, though, when right now, I’m still completely all over the place emotionally.
I don’t know if this is a side effect of my magicae maturing or if I’m just going through a second puberty or something because I was doing better. I was able to trust in my men, able to trust my place in their lives—and to an extent, in this world.
The crown chose me, and that meant something.
So why am I now constantly second-guessing myself?
King huffs and nudges me again, and I grin down at him.
“I’m going for training, little friend. You can come or you could go play with your… other friends?” I trail off, not sure if I worded it right.
“I go. See you at home, Queen Elzora.”
I kiss his nose, much more comfortable being sweet to him in this form as he’s far less King-like, and he gives the men in the room a dirty look—or as dirty a look as a dragon can give—before disappearing.
“Well, I can say that, before today, I’ve never been threatened by a witchmea before,” Vexus says, wiping his brow.
My dad rolls his eyes before giving me a tentative smile. “Before you go home today, Elzora, can we talk please?”
“Um, sure.” I bite my lip, my anxiety threatening to bubble over, but nod my head anyway. The beam from my dad was worth it.
“Be safe,” Necos warns me.
Zohar rolls his eyes. “I can keep her safe. You worry about yourself.”
“Kill Theran if need be,” Eirik teases before waving at me. “Have fun today, love. I’ll come and find you once I’m back.”
“Where is Omi?” Vexus asks.
“Outside.”
“Ooh, I’ve not been out on the grounds yet,” I say excitedly. “Let’s go!”
Vexus and Zohar eagerly pull me from my dad’s office, and after a quick stop at Vexus’s room so I could change into workout gear, we walk through a portal to the outside grounds.
The sky is overcast, but there’s so much space here. There are people training, fighting, duelling, and the energy in the air is charged with magicae. I don’t see any buildings close by, not even the castle, but that doesn’t mean they’re not actually here.
“Come,” Vexus says, tugging me across the field. I cast a longing glance at the closing portal, my nerves making another reappearance now that there are so many people here to watch, but Vex just squeezes my hand.
“If you don’t expend this energy, you’ll explode. These wards aren’t familiar to you, and I don’t know how you’ll react to them if you do have one of your outbursts.” He pauses, giving me a soft look. “I didn’t mean to upset you. You’re not being ridiculous, little love. You’re adapting to the maturing, and it is extremely draining on your body.”
“It is,” Zohar reassures me when I look at him for confirmation. “Your hormones are adapting, your cells, your very being is going through a change. Most people have years of this happening, so when the maturing actually occurs, it’s not as much of a disturbance in their physical state.”
“But for you, who hasn’t had all that time, it’s happening a lot faster, and it’s why you’re struggling,” Vexus says softly. “Everyone is amazed at how you’re handling things, Zoe, and that’s without all the extra danger and stressors on top. You’re excelling like you do everything you put your mind to.”
I smile, tentatively. “I wouldn’t give myself that much credit.”
“Because you don’t see yourself the way the rest of the world does, dragonfly,” Zohar murmurs, dropping a kiss to my forehead. “You’re magnificent.”
“Now, welcome to the playground,” Vex says, throwing his arms out wide to indicate the area in front of us. “There’s specific wards to protect this area, but other than that, it’s beautiful. No limitations, and so much fun.”
“Sounds terrifying,” I say, and both men laugh.
“You’re not a fighter,” Zohar teases. “Now, where is Omi?”
“Who is she?” I ask, looking around the area as if she’s just going to appear in front of me.
Vexus grins at me before using his magicae to amplify his voice. “Lox, can you come over here, please?”
All around me, the people stop what they’re doing, excitement filling the space, as numerous people turn their heads towards us to see what we’re doing.
My heart drops, but they’re all welcoming, and a few even wave, before returning back to what they were doing.
I spot Lox breaking away from a group not too far from us, and he grins at me as he jogs over. He’s wearing the same grey trousers that most people here are wearing and a bright blue t-shirt.
His air magicae is right at the surface, a clear sign he’s been using it. Despite his left eye being fake, it’s the same pale blue as the other eye today. He winks at me as he comes to a stop beside us.
“Princess Elzora is here to train with Omi, and she’s got a lot of pent up energy,” Vex says, and I cringe at the knowing look in Lox’s eye.
“How are you feeling?” Lox asks gently. “Maturing is rough.”
I try to give him a warm smile. “Nervous?”
Lox laughs. “Understandable. It’ll be a good thing that you’re training here today, though. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
“It is called the playground after all,” Vex teases before looking at Zohar. “Keep her safe.” He gives Lox a smirk. “And don’t underestimate her magicae.”
“Where are you going?” I ask, clutching at his hand.
“Yes, where are you going?” Zohar asks with narrowed eyes. “Are you not going to introduce Zoe?”
“I’m going to go talk to the boss about what’s happening,” Vexus says, crouching down so that we’re eye-to-eye. “Let your magicae out, and trust that you’re safe. I will be back the moment things are organised, okay?”
I nod, my teeth chattering as he disappears. He didn’t use a portal, and I don’t understand why. How did he move through the area without it?
“Don’t worry, dragonfly, I’ll not desert you,” Zohar teases. “Not just to punish the others for wanting to fight by refusing to be their on demand healer.”
“Shouldn’t you be with them, just in case, though?” I ask, and he shrugs. “Or at least so you can have some time to train, too?”
“Desperate to get rid of me?”
I shake my head, reaching for his hand, squeezing it. “No, of course, not. I’d love for you to stay with me, but I don’t need you babysitting when you could expend your own restless magicae.”
Zohar smiles down at me. “I’m extremely proud of you. If you’re sure, I’ll head in, but remember, I’m only a tug away.”
“Go,” I reassure, reaching up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. He opens a portal and walks through, leaving without a backward glance.
I was nervous, but I’m quite excited to actually prove myself.
“How much duelling practice have you had?” Lox asks.
I peer at him, looking around at the small crowd of people who aren’t crowding us but are completely and utterly focusing their entire attention on me.
My shoulders droop, and I shake my head. “Um… does the one duel I had the other day with some mannequins count?”
He grins and shakes his head. “Well, it looks like you’re getting a crash course, Princess.”
He waves his hand over at one of the witches in the crowd, and a woman comes forward. She’s around my height and build, but she’s definitely older. I can feel the power in her primordium—she’s a light witch.
Her dark brown hair is short, and she’s wearing skin-tight athletic clothing, like everyone else here. She’s slim, but I can see how muscular she is.
“Omi, this is Princess Elzora,” Lox introduces, and there’s an infliction in his words that I don’t understand.
Omi’s soul feels warm and kind, and she’s very happy to meet me.
“It is so lovely to meet you, Princess Elzora,” Omi says, smiling at me. “I was one of Vexus’s trainers when he started displaying his soul powers, so I’m sure we’ll be able to start working on a solid foundation for you.”
“You were?” I ask, my eyes widening. “Did he… wow.” I don’t even know how to speak, it seems.
She grins, her hazel eyes truly lighting up. “I mean, I also birthed him, so I didn’t feel as guilty when I knocked him out. But don’t worry, I’ll be much nicer to you.”
I gasp, my anxiety building as I realise who she is. Oh, my goodness, how could Vexus walk away and not introduce me to his mum himself?
“Yes, this is Vexus’s mum, Omi Coku,” Lox says with a laugh in his words.
“You’re his mum?” I whisper, my hands trembling.
“Don’t panic. My son is an idiot and was trying to hide from me,” she says, reaching for my hand with a smile.
“Hide why?” Lox asks with a raised brow.
“Either because he owes me a rematch and he’s not interested in losing again or he’s done something wrong,” Omi says with a laugh.
I giggle, but it’s more of a nervous one than an authentic joyful sound.
“Come on, let me take you over to a section over here out of the way, and we can start warming up together,” she says, reaching for my hand. There’s no hesitation in her act, just genuine warmth.
“I don’t think my magicae is going to be able to handle warming up,” I murmur, looking at the people watching me, the uneasy feeling that has been building inside seems to have reached its peak.
My magicae has been ready since the envelope arrived, wanting to unleash on a target that was never going to come, and I don’t know how safe it is to be around me right now.
“What does it want to do?” she asks, looking around the space before turning back to me with an assessing eye.
“Blow something up,” I say, and I can feel the blush heating my cheeks as Lox lets out a low whistle. “Or explode… or just… drain.”
“When did you mature?” Omi asks, coming closer to me. There’s a concerned look on her face as I feel her soft light magicae brushing over me.
“Last week.”
She groans. “Well, that would’ve been good to know. My son, I swear, he’s got to figure out how to communicate. Okay, I want you to do what feels right—but you need to focus your intention on not harming anyone. Let your magicae free so I can get a feel for your power level.”
“Okay.” I look around at the group, nervous about the people that are a little further out, doing their own thing. “Just… however it wants?”
“I think the people will really love a demonstration of your magic, Princess,” Lox says, trying to reassure me. “But it’s your choice.”
I shrug and crouch down, pressing my hands into the grass. It’s damp but feels so fresh and so full of life. I focus on expending my energy but making sure that nothing living gets harmed.
That nothing with a soul can be hurt from me or my magicae.
I feel it rushing out of me. Slow at first, but as I let it go, it’s almost as if the tap is getting turned more and more, and the pressure builds. I watch it travel through the grounds, healing the grass, blooming flowers, creating trees from nothing.
I watch them grow in front of my eyes, my magicae spreading towards where the hidden castle is, in one direction, whilst reaching towards the wards on the outer property.
I pull back from those, not wanting to tamper with them, but I don’t stop what my magicae is doing. It finds a location in the right part of the castle with so much pain and distress, and it hurts me to even feel that area.
There’s so many souls, so many people, and it’s… I whimper at the echo of their feelings, a desperation building inside of me. The pain threatens to drown me, and I have to pull back.
“What is wrong?” Lox demands, his eyes darting around the area. I can see the awe and wonder in his soul at the new trees and new life I’ve created, and it’s nice to have that recognition. But at the edge of it is distrust, fear —and sure, it could be because of my panic just now, but it feels darker than that.
“What can you feel?” Omi asks, and her tone is so much softer, so much more encouraging.
I look at her and ask what that area is, who it houses. Lox deflates, that darkness disappearing, and I wonder if he was scared we were under attack. The air witch gives me a sad smile.
“That is our mental health unit, Princess. It’s where people like Grius stay whilst they’re getting the support they need.”
I flinch, recognising the manic tinge to the energy now that I know what I’m looking for. It’s hard to feel that and know I can help these people, but also accepting that right now isn’t the time.
Our power is so raw, so unfiltered, and I’m so far away from them.
This kind of situation needs a more… personal touch.
I pull my power back, all of the help that I can do done. But my magicae is still swirling, still desperate for a target, and it’s a little scary that even after what I’ve done, I’ve barely managed to make a dent in my primordium .
“Do you feel better yet?” Vex’s mum asks, and I sheepishly shake my head.
“Not really. There’s still so much inside of me wanting to be unleashed.”
“You’re a powerful witch, Elzora,” Omi says with an awed smile. “But you’re not the first I’ve helped with immense power. Trust me, and I can guide you…”
“And what if I’m scared?” I ask.
Her smile widens, and she reaches for both my hands. “Doing something whilst scared is what makes you brave. ” Then, with a wink, she adds, “Or stupid, but only time will tell.”