Every little cell, every tiny vein in my body was glowing. It felt like I hadn't existed until this moment. But now this was who I really was. The final piece fitting into the puzzle of my life. A riddle answered. The shackles that I had built around myself opened free.
I called the fire and it came, surging through the deepest parts of me and flying out like a volcano.
I was giddy with joy, filled with rage and saddened by the thought that it had taken me so long to finally find myself.
The earth shook and the fire blazed.
My eyes alight with cold fury, palms flaring with the orange flames of my power – I stared dead into Prince Nova's eyes. My fire reflected in his hazel pupils.
For the first time - I saw fear in his eyes.
The fire might be hot for some, might burn some, but for me it was like sitting in a deep meadow with a book to read. Like the ocean waves putting me to sleep.
Home.
I did not see anyone else in the room but only me, my flames and the devil.
He did not move, but his eyes betrayed the shock he was feeling. Of course, he was afraid of me – I could penetrate anything.
With one sudden jerk, my hands were in front of my body and faced him. I commanded my veins, my powerful veins, who knew which of the two powers to unleash.
I focused on my palms, and the fire released itself. I felt the whole room illuminating, the walls shining in the light, the floor glimmering below me, red shadows cast over the faces of the horrified people in the room.
Ralph's words were still fresh in my head - Light up your fire, Eleni.
And so, I did.
A hoop of fiery ring formed around my body and a gust of seething pure flames escaped through my palms and I felt more alive than ever. This is what I was born with and I would never let myself deny it.
The fire threw itself over the prince's body. He dodged to one side, but was burnt in the process. His white doublet caught fire near his left shoulder. He quickly put his bare right hand over it and doused the fire. It made me huff with pride knowing that he got new scars – my courtesy.
And it dawned on me, that the protective wards were up. That was why he had neither defended himself not attacked me with his magic. Yet.
In a quick movement he crossed his arms in front of his chest and closed his eyes. I felt a shift in the room instantly. I wanted my fire to burn him before he let the guards down, but I realized that somehow, my powers were not in my control.
The wards were down.
"First time?" He spoke, and raised his hands outwards, standing straight.
A sudden chill of fear passed through me - I was unprepared, untrained. But he knew his Elementation.
"It's a bit unfair, don't you think? You have two powers and I have just one."
At his words, the fire flew from me, reaching where he stood. This time the force of my own power shook me wild. I remembered Una's words – 'You command your power - it should never be the other way around.'
But that was always the case with me, my powers used me as a device. I knew I needed to focus better.
I watched as the fire formed a huge wall between me and Prince Nova. But it did not touch him. And I willed it to, but it halted. His Air element kept it at bay.
"Master, the cauldrons are burning." I heard the Alchemist's voice through the chaos. "Girl, stop, please." She pleaded to me, and as I looked at her, I could see – she was trying to save me somehow.
A massive gust of wind flew and my fire flared violently almost about to deflate but I pushed my powers to the edge. He strained against my fire, his collarbone protruding with the might he was applying.
I just needed practice.
Through the intensity of our fire and air magic clashing in the small room, I heard his strained voice, "I thought you'd careful with how you behave with me. Amelia, right? Your sister?"
My eyes widened as the implication of his words and like a dagger cut through my gut, I went limp. Fire going out.
With a wary glance at the Prince, I dropped my hands down. The brightness of my fire vanquished and the room became normal. It suddenly felt like being awoken from a nasty dream. Had he provoked me intentionally? Had I let myself fall prey, and in the process gave away how lousy I was at my Elementation?
And somehow he knew about Amelia.
"Don't you dare..." I said, terrified to the core as I met his triumphant gaze. The warmth of my power still burning in the room.
"You know, I thought it was Air, the element that you control, since your sister is a true Air Elemental. But after the sundial...I had other doubts."
My eyes opened wide. How did he know so much about Amelia? The room started to shrink in fast as my sister's cheerful face and sparkling freckles danced in my mind. He knew about her. He knew everything.
"D-Did you meet her?"
"Not yet." He said and gave me a wink. He walked to the door, a hand clutched at the burn on his shoulder, "But if you give me more headache then...maybe soon."
No. No. Not Amelia.
"You know," he said holding the door open, a slight smirk on his lips, "I have a duel soon. But you don't know who is against me." He smirked and my heart stopped.
He added with cool voice, "For what you did to me just now, I'll take the revenge from your brother in the duel."
The door slammed shut leaving me stunned.
All the life drained from me.
***
My thoughts ran wild as I walked under the sun, it was brighter somehow today. Would my Corresponders team be looking for me? After all I had been gone for the entire night. I clutched at my torn satchel. He knew I was helpless, helpless because of the threats he was so generous in gifting me. Prince Nova was always one step ahead. He knew what would keep me silent, even when he would let me go out of his dungeon.
If I wanted to stop Prince Nova from winning in the Conquest, I had to do something, however, he possessed tons of leverage on me, while I only had the scars which he gave me.
But the Throne – as far as I knew, can never be fooled.
I recalled his words – He wasn't using my blood for the slaves but for something else. What was he making the Alchemist do?
In all my haste, I had forgotten to return the Alchemist her wand. Should I tell Una about the Alchemist? Maybe the High Lady will rescue her and then they can just look after Prince Nova too.
Later. I had more pressing matters on my mind.
A loud echo rang through me – 'I'll take the revenge from your brother in the duel today.'
I froze in my steps. Prince Nova was already cheating in the Conquest. What tricks would he use against Ralph?
Ralph's face flashed in my head – his soothing red eyes and the adorable dimple. Just like father.
Not caring for my shabby demeanor and injured body, I turned in my path.
I needed to warn him before it was too late.
My feet dragged me to the other end of the Winter Gala. Ragged, bloody, tired and broken – I made my way to where the Summer Realm's embassy stood, guarding three radiant palaces - Leore, Sagittarian and Arien.
As I reached closer to the embassy, I suddenly wanted to go the Sagittarian Palace. To Doran. Realization hit me of just how lonely I was. Just how helpless the devil had made me.
I needed help. I wanted to cry. To scream, to shatter something and just stop existing. My heart needed to beat for the drug to work. It'd be the easiest way out.
I walked towards Doran's palace, a burning temptation to see him, making way in my heart. He might not even be here, I cajoled myself.
I shut my eyes close and clenched my fists tight, urging myself to move on.
Just a few steps more. But as the Palace of House of Aries came into view, I stopped.
From even this far, its glow was unmistakable. Made of lustrous red sandstone, it shone brighter than any star. A tall red turret rose above from the central gable of the palace, studded with numerous windows.
The high fencing around the palace hindered my vision but I knew in spite of it, that it was a palace out of my favorite fairy tales. This would have been a fairy tale for me, finding a new family, finding myself, making a new life but no – I wasn't entitled to happy endings.
It would either end in destruction or flames.
So lost was I in my gruesome thoughts that I did not hear a carriage's arrival behind me.
"Miss, can you get out of the way?" a man spoke and I turned around.
I looked at the carriage driver who waved his hand, gesturing me to move. It was a Summer Realm's carriage. And it dawned on me that I was still in front of the Sagittarian palace.
A loud scrunchy voice fell on my ears, "What's stopping you, boy? I am dying of hunger here." Through the carriage's small window, a head peered out.
King Orlon's head.
His gaze fell over me and I reflexively bowed.
"Not in the middle of the road, lass." He frowned.
"Apologies, Your Highness," I said and quickly crossed the road and stood near the gate.
"Why do I feel like I have seen you somewhere?" He said and his head disappeared.
With a stinging surprise, I watched him get down from the carriage and walk over to me.
"Are you lost?"
I shook my head and dipped my chin lower.
"Why do you look like you've been fighting in the ring?" He raised a brow as he took in my tattered attire. "Heavens, girl, you're bleeding." He suddenly squealed and pointed to my hand.
In all the strangeness of the situation, I had not felt the ache of my palm. The cut made by the Alchemist was open again and blood drops slid from my palm and fingers.
"I...I am fine, Your Highness." I smiled at him nevertheless.
"You are far from fine. Let me take you to our healer. Her cottage is close by."
Even through my incessant denying, he made me get in the carriage and the driver rode on a little ahead.
I did not see this coming.
"Are you from the Summer Realm?" he asked in a gentle voice which was still louder than usual.
I hesitated, but it was true. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Right. Why are you in this state? Did something happen?" The King asked scratching his belly.
"No. I just had an accident, Your Highness."
"Well, let's get you fixed really quick and then my driver can drop you...uh...where exactly?"
"House of Aries."
It struck me like lightning, acknowledging it.
"Well, then. Not a problem at all." He smiled at me, his grey hair flowing with the wind. And his brown eyes, like Doran's, seemed friendly for a heartbeat.
I looked out from the window as my father's palace's front came into view. I knew it was a replica of the original Palace that was situated in the south. In the Summer Realm. But my heart missed a beat as I looked at the huge expansion of courtyard sprawled in front of the gate, the red sandstone palace glimmering in the morning's sun.
I missed it even without ever having stepped into it.
"I swear this Winter Realm gave a better palace to the Ariens. My palace doesn't even have a dovecote."
I looked at the King, his eyes fixed to the passing palace, and I couldn't help but smile. This close, I could see his cheekbones resembling that of Doran's. A thought struck me suddenly, if my father were alive, he would have been King Orlon's age. Maybe...they even knew each other, might be trained together.
The carriage stopped, jolting me out of my thoughts and the King got down before me. I winced a little, my spine convulsing as I bent to get down.
An elderly woman came to greet us.
"Fix her up, will you?"
"Of course, Your Grace." She bowed and led us into her cozy cottage, that smelled of Alchemy.
It took not more than a quarter of an hour that she had cleansed and sewn my cut tightly. It was a pain I had never known, but I had kept my groaning as minimum as possible. I asked her for an ointment for soreness in my body and she had willingly provided me a bottle of some yellowish paste.
"Did you break a bone in the accident, child?" The King spoke as we made our way back to the carriage.
"I think so, Your Highness." I gave him a polite smile, suddenly feeling grateful.
"Girl," the King stopped, "did someone do this to you?"
I froze at his question. "Why do you-"
"I recognize a dueler when I see one. Were you in a fight?" He straightened up and I saw a glimpse of his warrior side.
I deadpanned at him and quickly lowered my eyes.
I realized in the moment, that I had not lied to this King. Every answer had been close to truth and in a low voice, I found myself speaking, "No one would believe me even if I told them."
King Orlon seemed to mull over my words and extended a hand, gesturing me to get in the carriage. I walked in without a word.
I had been wrong about Prince Nova. What if I had been wrong about King Orlon? He was mean and arrogant, sure, but he might not kidnap someone and threaten their family. Moreover, he had just helped me and I was practically a stranger to him.
After a long awkward silence in the carriage, the King spoke suddenly, "I know just what you mean, girl. No one would believe."