CHAPTER 40
“The fifth horse was meant for the destruction of the lands.” - Book of Azure
THE FIERY RED DRESS CURVES around my frame as I slip it on.
My heart is still beating at a deadly rate from the words of what Koen spoke earlier. How foolish can he be?
If Lykia caught us, my throat would have been constricted within seconds. Unsure if this time she would stop. I doubt Koen could prevent her from killing me.
He’s deranged if he thinks I am stronger than her.
The knots in my stomach flutter endlessly at the thought of his lips close to mine.
I can still smell his scent, lingering in the air around me.
It's driving me insane. He is driving me mad.
More than anything, more than the revenge that consumes me, I wanted to grab his curls and press my lips into his.
I want to remember what it feels like to taste him. To touch him. To have his arms wrapped around me, his fingertips delicately gliding along my skin.
I need him like I need air.
And without him, I feel as if I am slowly suffocating.
But what drives me more irritated is this damn dress I have slipped on.
It cinches my waist firmly, enhancing my figure but making it uncomfortable to move my body.
My lips curl upward at the discomfort, noticing the tug and pull the dress does against my skin with the slightest movements.
As well as the bodice which lifts my chest so snugly.
I take my air-dried hair between my fingers, combing it as my breath trembles. My eyes never blink, staring at the cracks in the wall as there is no mirror. Unsure how the wounds across my cheeks have healed, I cannot remember the last time I saw my face.
My palms, both scarred with slashes across them, are healing well. The ointment the menders gave me must have some sort of magic in it. My wounds should be still fresh, yet the only thing visible is a soft pinkish line.
Maybe my birthmarks aren’t there anymore, which could protect me from others who feel as if I am the Prophecy Queen. The chosen one from the God of Fire.
But all I know is my blood makes me the rightful heir to the throne, that is it.
Nerves are running rampant throughout me as I contemplate how I will be in a room filled with Royals who want me dead, while some impatiently wait for me to become who I am supposed to be.
Even if I am unsure who that is.
I heard Theon and Kaine outside with Klayra a few moments ago, heading out of the Pyre and towards the castle.
How am I supposed to celebrate knowing so many lives were unnecessarily lost in games?
I cannot imagine the Gods wanting this to be our way.
Father always said bloodshed will never be the answer, and I full-heartedly believe that.
My chin rises, and I arch my back before letting my fingers glide down my dress. My feet move, even if I don’t want them to, and I head for the door. As I leave, the heels click against the floor. I balance myself against the wall so I don’t lose my balance.
I have never been a woman to wear heels. Always have been a woman in boots, especially from the rainy weather in Seattle. A place now that feels so foreign to me.
And I must do everything I can in order to find out if Alice still lives, which means Koen needs to stay the hell away from me.
Or Lykia will never take me to her.
But night has come at last and the stars burn bright tonight with no clouds in sight. I already can hear the music from the dance, people cheering as the wind takes their laughs and lets them soar in the sky.
My fingers twist and turn in front of me as my dress billows behind me, catching on the rocks from the pathway that leads to the tunnel. The symbols of the horses light up, prancing around the tunnel walls before I exit into the castle and darkness returns.
And once again, my eyes are met with the beauty of the castle walls. I remember this palace as a kid, running around, hiding from Florian. But now, everything feels… different. The colors, the statues, they have all been replaced since King Deskyiara reigned.
I catch sight of Death leaning against the wall, next to one of the horse statues.
His ash-brown hair that is normally braided and twisted into a high bun, now rests against his shoulders.
The light from the chandelier highlights the scars that slash across his face as he lifts his hand to take a drink.
“You are late,” he grunts, rolling his eyes as he takes a step away from the wall.
My eyes flicker with annoyance. “Oh, good to see you too.”
I step upward, meeting his pace as we head for the stairs that connect to the walls on each side, a golden chandelier hanging in the dead center with flowers wrapping around the stair railings.
“The others are already here,” he sighs, there isn't a hint of excitement in his tone.
“Who else has been chosen besides us, Theon, Kaine, and Koen?”
“Pyreon, Hyroe, and…” his eyes lock onto mine, “Dryden.”
“Damn it. Of course he would be chosen.” My throat tightens, cheeks flushing with redness. “There is no way he will fight next to me.”
“He has no choice if the Queen and the flame approve of you.”
He isn’t wrong.
But still, the thought of Dryden living with me doesn't sit well with me.
I know there cannot be bloodshed in the Pyre, which we have already disobeyed that rule and I know, Dryden doesn’t follow the ways of the Book of Azure. He follows his way.
A white, arched door is at the very center up ahead, with golden-yellow scales that twist and roll like a dragon around it. Enormous wings stretch wide on each side, and my heart drops as to why they would represent dragons in their Kingdom if they want them all dead.
“Skydance has been following me.” I lift my dress, tussling it up so I can step up onto the golden stairs.
An amused smirk crosses Death’s lips. “Of course he is.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I tilt my head towards him, watching him twirl his beverage in his glass.
“He failed. Whoever he feels is meant to be the true Queen was supposed to grant him freedom from what is to come.” He takes a sip, lips parting to exhale. “Now he is trying everything to make it up to her. Which means, you are in his sight at all times.”
My eyes roll. “How frustrating...”
“He can see you, but isn’t close enough to hear you.” He pauses, letting his back rest against the railing, glaring down at me. “And if he is close enough to hear us, I’ll kill him myself.”
“You do know I can handle him.” My arms cross, letting my gown fall to the stairs. “I’m sure this is why he has kept his distance from me.”
He lets out a deep chuckle, glancing upward to the door. “No, you are right. I feel as if everyone in that room should fear you, even the Queen.”
The Queen. My heart seizes, wondering if the bracelet was deactivated on purpose for Kiane to fail.
“Death,” I whisper out, watching his eyebrows lift. The light of the chandelier glistens around the walls, almost creating little stars.
“What’s going on?” He nods.
“Do you trust her?”
He scuffs, inhaling a deep breath before swooshing down the rest of his beverage. “I will never trust the Queen.” He leans forward, the smell of bourbon escaping from his lips. “And remember, she is no Queen. You are.”
He leans back, removing the distance between us, and heads up the stairs.
“Don’t worry.” His hand flies up as he bounces upward. “We will take you to the sea soon.”
He opens the arched door, allowing the bright light from the ballroom to trickle in. My jaw clenches, avoiding stepping, almost wanting to just stay here all night. But, I know the flame must turn blue for me. I know the Queen must choose me.
And everyone must see it.
I inhale sharply, letting my lips part to exhale, and force myself up the stairs.
The train of my dress catches on the stairs by the weight of the beads that are stitched into the fabric. My fingers curl tighter around the dress as I lift it, avoiding any sort of devastating embarrassment if I trip.
And then, I come to an abrupt stop. My palms are sweating.
How the hell am I so nervous?
The door is slightly cracked, allowing just enough space for me to peer inside and catch a glimpse of the royal, ruby-red curtains cascading elegantly from the towering arched windows.
The moon is shining so brightly, beaming a soft hue against the walls.
I glance around the room, catching sight of the oval and rectangular tables, their surfaces gleaming with white and flakes of gold.
Rich, bronze drapes flow gracefully along the edges with enormous bouquets of vibrant flowers arranged along the length of the table, some spilling over the sides.
The flowers almost completely cover the table and create a lush, floral curtain that cascades down to the floor at the end.
Everyone is gowned in ball gowns, dancing in the middle of the room, but I catch sight of a few Royal guards with their suits on and the stones embedded across their shoulders, representing every Realm in Azure.
My eyes notice the flame behind them, flickering in the golden bowl which sits on a concrete stand with what seems like a dragon tail wrapping around it.
Their arms are crossed, watching everyone with a stern expression as if they are protecting the fire.
“Damn, just go in.”
I jump, gripping my heart and steadying my breath as I catch Klyara standing with her brows raised.
“You burn people, wield these scary, damn dragons, which I am still burnt from, you see.” Her brows raise, eyeing the exact spot the fire dragon burned her.“Yet you fear a room full of Royals and others who are most likely drunk.”
“You deserved that.” My lip pulls into a teasing smirk.
“But yes, it's different fighting in the arena while people watch. I fight for my life down there, not caring what they think of me but here…” I pause, glancing back towards the room. “Here I don’t fight for my life. I am not putting on a show for them. I am just simply me.”