CHAPTER 34 #2
My jaw clenches tightly, and I hold my breath as my eyes lock onto the sight of it. Flashes of the sword thrusting into his body rapidly replay in my mind like a broken record.
A constant, torturing reminder that I almost lost him. Again.
But, truthfully, I might have never had him back.
Our love might be lost for good. I suppose the Gods have won.
My nails dig into my palms as the metallic clinks and clanks of Ivker's mechanical arm resonate off of the walls, snapping my gaze towards him and away from the painful memory of what unfolded last night.
He's wielding his sword with precision, the fiery lava in his arm brighter than ever this morning as the blade glints in the light. Beside him, Zake stands, observing and guiding as Ivker practices his movements, each swing proving he doesn’t truly need any practice.
He’s just showing off.
“Ren, over here,” Kaine calls out.
I run my fingers through my tangled hair, gathering it up into a high, messy bun as I walk over the bloodstained ground.
Florian was right, the Gods will be angry for what happened here.
I was blinded by rage. My mind didn’t remember, but now that I recall bits and pieces of my life, he isn’t wrong.
I know who I am. Not the woman who was sent to a place called Seattle. Not the woman who was brought back and put through hell to survive. But a woman, chosen by the Fire God, who shall use every last ember inside of her to rain fire on those who try to stop me.
And I fear what the Gods might do now, knowing that I know.
I shall continue my parents’ legacy. Even if the Realm won’t believe me now, I must show them what a true ember is.
What a true descendant from our Gods is.
And why the Deskyiara bloodline was chosen by the God of Fire to rule over our Realms. I’m going to show them all why, that night, the Gods chose me and not my sister, scorching me with the blue fire that rained down from the blood moon.
My eyes close, and even though it burns a damn hole through my heart to remember, I force through it.
THE ONCE AZURE MOON HAS shifted to orange, transitioning to the blood moon. My chin rises as I catch sight of the stars reflecting the light. Like shards of blood-stained glass are floating out into the dark sky.
It’s time for the God of Fire to choose the next true Queen of Azure.
And I fear it might not be me. Especially with what my heart desires.
But even at the age of fifteen, I know what is right and what is wrong. And I know, choosing a life outside of my Realm is wrong. As a Deskyiara, my duty is to the Realms. We are the chosen bloodline to rule over the others and guide them in protecting them against the darkness.
If I were to stray away, what would the Gods do?
A loud knock beats against my door as my fingers clench the railings of my balcony, catching sight of everyone from Eekatia walking into our palace doors.
“I’m coming.” I swallow in my fear.
The door creaks open anyway, and I catch sight of Tilly making her entrance in with her royal-blue ball gown dress.
“Father is waiting. It is time.” Her lips pull into a gentle smile as I walk towards her, following my sister's lead.
My fingers brush over my silk, cream dress, unsure why mother decided I, the younger sister, will be in this color for the celebration. I envy Tilly. As the elder, she always is gowned with the most exquisite dresses.
We walk up the cobblestone pathway that leads to the balcony overlooking the center of the palace, where everyone will stand and wait for the God of Fire to choose.
We pause at the archway wooden door, both our fingers tapping against our thighs as we listen to our Father’s speech.
I hear the crackling of fire popping outside, the sounds of others gasping in fear as they haven’t seen a celebration like this before.
The last time the God of Fire chose was with my father, centuries ago. Those in the Realm who are not a Royal, weren’t born yet. They are fearful of the Gods. As am I.
The door slams open, casting a strong breeze to both Tilly and I.
Instantly, we reach out for one another, gripping our hands in a strong embrace as we make our way up and stand before Eekatia.
The sounds of their cheers, the flags whipping in the night air, all make it real, one of us will be the future Queen.
While the other will forever be nothing more than the daughter of a Deskyiara.
Our eyes meet, and we nod. Father stretches his hands out wide for us to make our way up to the onyx platform that has blue fire circling around it.
Our fingers stretch wide for us to stay together, but the pathway leads us separate and standing at a distance.
Flashes of bright red lightning ripple through the dark sky as dark clouds roll through, almost blocking out the bright light of the blood moon. But it’s too powerful to be hidden.
Silence rushes over the people. All eyes are on us as we wait patiently.
My fingers pick at my skin, nervous energy stemming from every edge of my body. I feel as if I could vomit in front of everyone. I would never be chosen then. Even though, I know, Tilly will be the one. She is the oldest. The strongest.
But as the moon darkens, casting a red glow on us all, my heart drops. My chin lifts, watching the fire rip from the moon and beam bright as the morning star.
The smell of burnt flesh floats in the wind, ash trickling like rain from the clouds and that’s when a blue fire blasts downward on… me.
Fire circles around me, my hair flailing widely by the strength of the firestorm that consumes me.
My eyes widen as I watch my golden-white hair fade to a dark, midnight black.
I suck in a deep breath, controlling my heart that wants to rip from my chest as I feel a painful scorching burn ripple through my left arm.
Red, raw markings of a map begin to form, marking from the top of my shoulder, down to my wrist. My brows knit together, catching sights of the pink tones fading back to my normal skin color within a split moment.
As the screams of those around me fade, the fire melts into me, fading away until nothing is left besides the dark sky and the people who watch.
My eyes jolt closed by the pain that shoots through me before opening, glancing towards my sister whose nostrils flare with pure rage.
“Our future Queen!” my father shouts, and the crowd sings in cheers.
MY EYES WIDEN, REMEMBERING THE look of my sister that night. I should have known she would betray me.
I shall end this bloodshed of the games, with bloodshed.
But today, I will focus on riding one of the four horses. Today, I shall show the Realms that I can and will bond to one of the four.
Inside me, deep within my heart, I feel I was sent back to bring peace back to the Realms. I must, since my love for Koen broke us all.
Up ahead, Florian sits casually on the broken log, his legs open while his elbows rest against them.
He takes a bite into a crisp apple, the crunch echoing softly in the air.
Nearby, I spot Lykia and Koen in a conversation, leaning against the rough stone wall.
The sight of them together sends a sharp, twisting pain through my heart—an ache that feels like a knife slicing through it repeatedly.
I rip my eyes away and take a seat next to Florian, snatching the other apple out of his hand without daring to touch his skin.
I smirk, taking a big bite as the juice trickles down my chin.
His blonde hair sways in the wind as he shakes his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips before he takes another bite.
“We need to talk,” he whispers, leaning in towards me, “and you are not going to like what I have to say.”
However, he does a swift double take, eyes widening as he catches the dried blood against my cheekbone and the bandage across it. “What the hell happened to you? Who did this?” His voice drops to a deadly sneer.
My hand rubs against my knee, twirling the apple in my other hand. “Nothing happened.” I avoid his lingering gaze.
“That’s bullshit.”
My heart clenches like a fist, and my breath catches sharply in my throat. I hold it in. The pure rage in his voice jolts me to my core, a violent tone I never imagined could erupt from his lips.
I cannot tell him his own brother did this to me.
But as a dragon. With no control.
“I’m going to ask you again…” He leans closer, his hand pressing firmly against the wood. “Who did this to you?”
I snatch my gaze towards him, my nostrils flaring as I hold in the lie. “Nothing happened.”
He slams his hand against the log, catching the attention of Lykia and Koen. I avoid their intense glares, staring away to the open Pyre where I watch the others practice.
“I need to train, Florian.” I swallow, finally breathing.
“I can have the person beheaded for hurting you. Don’t you understand?” His voice drops to a whisper. “No one shall ever lay a hand on you again.”
I whip my gaze towards him, feeling the rage tickle against my fingertips. “I can protect myself, don’t you remember?”
His body shifts backwards. “Did you kill the person who did this?”
My head softly shakes. “No.”
“Seems like you can’t protect yourself then.” He violently pushes off the wood, standing tall as he throws the apple to the ground. “Did Koen do this to you?”
He glances over his shoulder, his eyes darkening as if he knows… as if he sees right through me.
“No,” I firmly say, rising to my feet. “And for you to ever think Koen would hurt me, is outrageous.”
“And to think he wouldn’t is foolish, Serene.” He snaps at me, his jaw ticking as he beams a raging glare. “You are smarter than that. You don’t know him like I do. He has always been called the dark one, why do you think that!”
He has yet to remember that I do know him. And once he does, everything will fall apart. He will know it was supposed to be him and I on the throne, not Skie and him. I need the stones. I need the book.