Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Senara
Thorn's hand found mine, his calloused fingers intertwining with my own. That simple gesture spoke volumes, a silent promise of support and understanding. In that moment, I drew strength from his unwavering belief in me, letting it bolster my resolve as we left the small garden we'd somehow found ourselves in.
"Together, we can face whatever the court has in store for us. Our bond is stronger than any magic they can wield," the conviction in his words mingling with my own determination.
The future was uncertain, yet one thing remained absolutely clear: I would not bow to the will of others. After all, if the Empress couldn't force my hand, then neither could fae royalty. Although the fae court had summoned us, I knew deep in my heart that I alone would decide the course of my destiny.
A shudder rippled through my body as the spell's compulsion intensified with every step, as though summoning us to a random garden wasn't getting us there fast enough and it needed to hurry us along. It felt as if invisible threads were weaving around my limbs, tugging me forward with relentless force. I glanced at Thorn, his jaw clenched tight, and in his eyes I recognized the same oppressive weight of magic that burdened me.
"The harder we resist, the more it pulls," he muttered, his voice strained.
I nodded, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The surrounding air thickened, charged with the energy of our summons, each movement demanding every ounce of conscious effort, as though we were wading through a viscous sea of magic that both wanted us there and didn't.
Was this what it means to be bound by the court's will? To have my desires subsumed by their commands?
Drawing a deep breath, I straightened my spine as the moon goddess's mark on my skin pulsed with a gentle light. As we stepped into the main court building, I felt the spell's grip ease ever so slightly, as if appeased by our reluctant acquiescence.
"I can't believe we have to waste time on this," I muttered, concern creasing my brow. "Every moment spent answering this summons is a moment we could use to stop the corruption from spreading."
Thorn's grim nod was all the confirmation I needed. "The court's timing is suspect, to say the least. It's as if they knew."
My thoughts raced as I pieced together the fragments of information we had gathered. "Do you think Fenvalur could be behind this? He's always been obsessed with the intricacies of fae magic and wields considerable influence over the council."
"It's possible," Thorn mused, his strategic mind clearly whirring. "Fenvalur's ambition knows no bounds. If he perceives us as a threat to his own plans, he wouldn't hesitate to manipulate the council into summoning us."
But why now? I wondered silently, my fingers absently tracing the moon goddess's mark on my neck.
Sensing my unease, Thorn squeezed my hand. "Whatever Fenvalur's motives may be, we'll face them together. We've come too far to let the schemes of one man derail our mission."
"How do you do it, Thorn?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "How do you manage such calm in the face of all this uncertainty?"
A hint of a smile played on his lips as he glanced over his shoulder. "Years of training, I suppose. But more than that, it's knowing I have a duty, to both the court and you, Senara. That clarity of purpose keeps me grounded, no matter what challenges we face."
Side by side, we turned toward the fae court. Our steps fell into perfect sync as we began our deliberate walk toward the looming doors, guided by the current of magic that both constrained and carried us forward.
My heart raced as we strode through the grand archway, my Moon Mark pulsing with each determined step. Beside me, Thorn's presence was a steadying force, his expression etched with unwavering resolve.
As we entered the court, a hush descended upon the gathered fae. I fought the urge to shrink under their piercing gazes, instead lifting my chin and meeting their scrutiny head-on. That memory of my recent humiliation and parading on the dais before all the fae flooded my mind.
The fae kings and queen sat upon their thrones, their regal bearing commanding the room's attention. Queen Esylit's cool gaze sent a shiver down my spine. King Sulien's gaze was calculating, assessing. And King Xavier, seemed completely uninterested in our arrival.
"Senara and Thorn," Queen Esylit's voice rang out, each syllable precise and cutting. "You stand before the Fae Courts and their council to answer for your actions."
Thorn stepped forward, his broad shoulders squared. "We come bearing urgent news, Your Majesties. The Void Dragon Empress is awakening and threatens not only the fae lands, but all others as well. She is a threat to the very fabric of our existence."
Murmurs rippled through the court, a mixture of disbelief and growing unease. My fingers twitched, itching to reach for the reassuring weight of my Moon Blades, which had vanished as soon as the fae magic had found us with the Aetherweavers.
King Xavier leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "And what proof do you offer of this claim? The Empress has long been a myth, a story to frighten children."
I stepped up beside Thorn, my voice clear and unwavering. "I have seen the corruption firsthand, felt its insidious touch. The blight spreads like a plague, twisting the very essence of the fae and wild beasts alike. We?—"
The court exploded in a cacophony of voices that silenced me, as I realized it was impossible to hear my words above the din. Some voices were demanding answers while others dismissing our words as mere fantasy, accusing us of lying. Through it all, I forced myself to stand tall, as though the goddess herself was watching me. A quick glance at Thorn let me know he was feeling something similar, and I found strength in the determination etched into his features.
Fenvalur stepped forward, his jeweled hair catching the light as he addressed the council. "If I may, Your Majesties," he began, his voice cutting through the murmurs, silencing them. "While the threat of the Empress is indeed concerning, we must consider the implications of Senara's involvement. Her connection to the Moon Goddess, as evidenced by the mark she bears, raises questions about her true intentions. She knew she had an order to wield the Moon Blades and demonstrate her proficiency at the solstice, and yet she was not there. She had abandoned her responsibilities."
My breath caught in her throat. The accusation stung, but I refused to let it shake my resolve. I stepped forward, my gaze locking with Fenvalur. Fury and a thirst for revenge rose within me, but I ruthlessly stamped them down before I spoke. "My connection to the Moon Goddess is a gift, not a threat. She guides me in the fight against the Empress, granting me the strength to protect those who cannot protect themselves. As for wielding them at the solstice, you're correct. I wasn't there because I was following the path the goddess set out for me. If you would like me to demonstrate the fact that I can indeed wield them, then I would be happy to do so here and now."
The court erupted once more, voices rising in a discordant chorus. I stood my ground, the Moon Mark on my skin shimmering with a faint silver light. I could feel the magic within me, yearning to be unleashed, but I held it back.
King Sulien raised a hand, silencing the court. "Enough. We cannot decide based on speculation and fear. Senara, you will be given a chance to prove your loyalty and the truth of your claims. But know this: if you fail, the consequences will be severe."
My head jerked in a nod, my jaw set. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will not let you down." The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
Thorn stood tall beside me, his protective stance unwavering. His eye glowed faintly, a testament to his own celestial affinity. "Our mission is of the utmost importance. The Empress's corruption spreads like a plague, threatening the very fabric of our realms. We must act now, and Senara being chosen to wield the Moon Blades and her tie to the goddess are crucial to our success."
King Xavier leaned forward on his throne, his golden eyes fixed on Thorn. The king's fiery nature was evident in his quickly shifting expression. "Thorn, your loyalty to your companion is admirable, but we cannot ignore the fact that it comes from a place of selfish perversion," he spoke, his voice measured and tinged with disgust and disappointment.
His words sent chills down my spine. Perversion? Did they find out about the soul bond?
Thorn swallowed thickly before replying, "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns, but we cannot let our fear of change blind us to the greater threat. The Empress's corruption knows no boundaries. It will consume us all if we do not take action."
"Fear of change?" King Sulien scoffed. "You've damned us all."
Thorn turned to face what I assumed was the council, his voice ringing with urgency. "I stand before you not only as a loyal member of the Sun Court but as a protector of all the realms. Senara's connection to the Moon Goddess is a vital weapon in our fight against the Empress. I implore you to trust in her, to trust in the strength and power of unity, and to grant us the support we need to save our world. The elves have already signed an oath to support us in this fight!"
As Thorn's words echoed through the court, a heavy silence descended upon the room as though no one could quite believe what he'd just said.
"The elves?" King Xavier's voice was filled with cold fury. "You brokered a deal without permission from your King?"
Thorn didn't back down or look abashed, like I expected. "Yes, your Majesty. I did what I thought would most help fae kind as a whole." The weight of his words hung in the air, as palpable as the shimmering Veils that separated the fae lands themselves.
King Sulien and Queen Eyslit exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them while the other fae present in the courts vocalized their thoughts. Loudly. The Moonlit King's voice cut through the noise of the court, his tone measured and authoritative. "Senara, the court has deliberated upon the evidence presented before us. While we acknowledge the gravity of the threat posed by the Empress and her forces, we cannot ignore the potential loss of power should you perish while fighting against the Empress's forces."
Senara's eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief and fear crossing her face. "Your Majesty, I assure you that my power is not a threat to the fae realms. It is a gift, one that I have sworn to use in defense of our people."
"Be that as it may," King Sulien continued, his gaze unwavering, "the court has reached a decision. Until you prove your loyalty and the true nature of your power, you are to remain within the confines of the court. Furthermore, to ensure the continuation of the Moon Goddess's lineage, you must birth a child bearing the Moon Mark."
The words hung in the air like a pronouncement of doom, heavy and inescapable.
My voice trembled with barely contained emotion as I spoke, "You would make me a prisoner in your court? You would demand that I bear a child as proof of my loyalty?"
King Sulien responded, his expression remaining impassive, his voice cold and unwavering, "It is the decree of the fae courts and our council, Senara. You may choose your own partner, but they must be Moon Marked. Only then can we be certain of your allegiance."
Queen Esylit's voice cut through the tense silence, formal and unyielding. "A child born of two strong Moon Marked individuals would be a powerful asset to the court." Her eyes, cold and calculating, fixed upon Senara, gauging her reaction.
The court attendees murmured, their gazes locked on me, expectation heavy in the air. They awaited my response, anticipating compliance, obedience to the will of the fae rulers.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to process the queen's words. Choose a partner? As if I am nothing more than a broodmare? They measure my worth by the magic in my blood. The thought made my gut twist in revulsion and the Moon Mark on my skin flickered with barely restrained power.
I took a step forward, my chin held high, and I willed my defiance to show in my every movement, every breath. "I am not a pawn to be bartered and traded," I declared, my voice ringing out in the grand hall. "My magic, my body, my choices, they are mine alone. I will not be objectified, reduced to a mere vessel for your political gains."
The court erupted in whispers, shock and outrage mingling in the air. Queen Esylit's eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You would defy the court's decree? You would place your own desires above the needs of your people?"
I met the queen's gaze unflinchingly, the flicker of magic in the corner of my vision from my Moon Mark growing stronger. "I will fight for what is right, for the freedom to make my own choices. No matter the consequences, I will not submit to your demands. As I have already stated, I am following the path the goddess has laid out for me, and the last time I checked, a goddess ranked higher than a queen."
The court fell silent, the shock of my words finally rendering people speechless.
The truth of my feelings resonated deep within me and I knew without a doubt that I was more than the mark on my skin. I would forge my own path, no matter the obstacles in my way.
King Sulien's face reddened with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. Queen Esylit's expression remained impassive, but her eyes glittered with a dangerous intensity.
Let them rage. Their threats or their manipulations would not sway me.
I turned to face the rest of the court and what I assumed was the council, my voice clear and unwavering. "I will take my leave now, with Thorn at my side. We have a mission to complete, a duty to fulfill, one that was set by the goddess herself, and we will do so on our own terms, not yours."