Chapter thirteen #2
“If he hadn’t been battling with the noc beast, I have no doubt that he would have taken you.
That is all those vile creatures do. They kill and fornicate!
” For once, I knew my father’s words were incorrect.
Darce had made no attempts towards me. Strangely, I felt safer with him than with Xavier.
“You have no idea how lucky you were that Holy Ether took it upon herself to protect you and bring you home safely.”
“Holy Ether might have helped to guide me, but it was my courage that got me home safely.”
“I know, and I truly am proud of you for it. With the right guidance, you will achieve great things.” It was the closest thing to a compliment I would ever receive from my father.
I knew he was expecting me to apologise, so I took a deep breath and began. “I’ll never understand your decision to not allow female Dylin’s to train in combat, but I’m sorry for shaming you in the temple. You are my father and king. I will try to do better.”
“I don’t want you to change from being the headstrong creature that you are, but a little more understanding of my needs would go a long way. You and Xavier will be king and queen one day. Leading by my example would be a wise choice for you.”
“Xavier is a conversation for another day.”
“Once your sexual awakening happens, you will see Xavier in a different light. He is desired by many females. He is a strong match for you. Believe it or not, your happiness is important to me. I am sure when the time comes, you both will do exceptional things with Dallethas. It might even be during your reign that we destroy all the Noxlin.” I couldn’t see myself ever being attracted to Xavier.
His need to control my every move was too off-putting.
My sexual awakening wasn’t ever going to change that.
In my eyes, there was never a scenario where Xavier and I would ever work.
Why couldn’t my father understand that? “That being said, if I ever hear you disrespecting my actions again, I will give you ten lashings.” My eyes widened in shock at his threat.
He would have his own blood lashed for having an opinion.
“I will not be seen as a weak king, Alora. You wanted to be treated like a warrior in the army. As a lesson, you will suffer the consequences of going against me as if you were a warrior. That is only fair. If you stop this nonsense about training for battle, no lashings will be given. Your place as the princess will be standing by Xavier’s side when your power materialises.
He will keep you safe until you unleash your light on the Noxlin.
I have no doubt you will destroy them one day and take the revenge you seek for Duska’s death.
Xavier himself will become stronger as you bond yourself and your power to him.
That is your purpose and the path you will take. ”
“Has Uri seen this?” I questioned. Did I really have no choice?
“Uri has had visions of many outcomes for you. They all end with you having unbelievable power.”
“What if I do not wish to bond with Xavier? Do I have any other choice?”
“No. You can not harness the light power on your own. It will destroy you.”
“You took it all when mother died.”
“That was different. There was nowhere else for it to go. It took centuries for me to control it. The unlimited power would drive you insane. I do not wish that for you, my daughter. I need you to understand that everything I have done is for your protection. With you, our bloodline will continue long after my death. You are my legacy. I can not afford for you to be sidetracked. You are too important.” Kissing the top of my head, he pulled me in for an embrace.
“Stop fighting against me. I don’t wish to harm you, but if you will not yield, lashes are the only thing I will be able to offer.
I will have no choice but to discipline you.
Do not force my hand. Back down and step in line next to me.
” It was a threat—I could hear it in his tone—wrapped around a confession of love.
Lashings wouldn’t help my training with Darce.
“I’ll fall back in line, Father,” I muttered into his chest.
Pretending to step back in line was the only option until I was strong enough to fight my own battles. If my powers did surface, I could learn to conceal them. I was confident Darce would help me with that, too.
Luz was right. I had to learn when to pick my battles. In a few more centuries, I would hopefully be a formidable force and be able to choose my own fate. All that mattered now was that I followed Darce’s instructions.
With his help, you’ll achieve your destiny.
The voice of the wisp entered my mind. This was Holy Ether’s wish. I trusted her judgement.
It wasn’t easy giving a Noxlin that much power over my destiny, though.
Darce could never know the truth about my real identity.
Deceiving him was the only choice I had.
With his training, I would become a force strong enough to destroy his kind.
He wouldn’t train me if he knew that. Still, Darce had to be holding his own dark secrets.
Trust wasn’t something either of us would ever share.
We were enemy races. Both of us were using each other in different ways.
Him for gold, and me for his experience on the battlefield.
I would feel no guilt in my betrayal towards him. Once I became the warrior everyone feared, I would find the Noxlin that killed my mother and watch the life drain slowly from their eyes. I would take down the entire Noxlin race to get to them, including Darce if I had to.
That thought alone would empower me for the next few centuries. Revenge would keep me hungry. With that need, I’d overcome any obstacle Darce threw at me in the years to come. He wanted to break me, but I broke the moment my mother was killed.
No one was going to stand in my way.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I would be reborn and unstoppable.