Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

2. Dinalia

2

Dinalia

T he kingdom of the Celestial Realm built their castle high on top of a mountain where the glaciers never melt. Wanting to be closest to our Goddess. Whose moonlight shines brightest in the snow. Being the first of the three kingdoms the Triple Goddess created. They value birth. The first light in one’s eyes and heart is given to them among the moon and the stars.

Almost withered away to nothing. We arrived in the dead of night at the gates of the castle in Azaria. Looking down at my feet and the path in front of me. I see the ground change from dirt, to stone, to marble flooring.

I chanced to look around the room we stopped in. The entire room is made of marbling. Shining and brilliant, I’ve never seen such perfection in my life. Clearly, emanating the pristine elegance of the stars given to us by the Triple Goddess. Valuing her spiritual light.

I return my gaze back to my feet when the King speaks. We were somehow granted an audience with King Charon and Queen Ayla. They looked upon us with empathy. Hearing our tale. Pleading with them to save our village.

But what is the worth of a forgotten village on the border? A small town filled of people with names and lives that aren’t even known to their King. To take back our village from King Perseus it would take a small army. For with every soul he takes the more power he obtains. Feeding the darkness. Their powers of shadow manipulation seeps into your mind hindering one’s fighting ability. It presents you with your darkest fears. Playing it out before your eyes. You see it. Feel it. As if it were truly happening right in front of you. Burning you from the inside out. If you do not have your own magic to wield to combat it. It finds your soul and tears it apart adding to their own power. The only realm to worship the essence of death of our Triple Goddess.

“We cannot afford to go to war with the Shadowlands…” King Charon replied. Pausing, gesturing his hand as if wanting to say my Mother’s name but clearly not remembering what she said.

She looks up from beneath her lashes, “Freya”

“Freya,” He says curtly. “It’s just too great a risk.”

I see Queen Ayla stroke her belly. She must be pregnant. The welfare and life of their unborn child is more important than the border of their realm.

The hall room grows quiet. Then, “Achoo!”

We all whip our heads to the sound. I see a boy. That must be Prince Proteus. He is three years older than me.

“Proteus, you should be in bed.” Queen Ayla says softly.

“But it’s officially my birthday.”

“We will be with you momentarily.” King Charon replies, “Guards, escort the Prince back to his chambers.”

Our eyes meet from across the room. His hair is a granite gray and his eyes hold the faintest hint of blue in them. We stare at each other until he is rounding the corner of the hall and we are forced to revert our gazes. There were few other children around my age in our village. No other children had been born since my birth. Fae children are hard to produce. The closest other children around my age were twins, just a few years older than me. We weren’t close but I still could have considered them friends, if I were to have any. I suspect I will never see them again.

I glance at the man to the right of King Charon. He is eyeing my Mother with amusement and intrigue. I am not sure who he is. But he must be of some importance to sit alongside the King in his throne room.

My Mother’s eyes beating from King to Queen and back. She begins her plea again. But before she could get it out. The mystery man holds up his hand to silence her.

“I will grant your request. Allow you to seek refuge in my Kingdom.”

Kingdom. That means he is King Elio of Akino. The Middle Kingdom is said to be beautiful. They are the largest of the three realms. They were granted the natural blessing of life and growth. Offered the warmth and strength of the sun. Their farm lands go on for miles and miles. Their forests and variety of animals fill their lands with diversity and prosperity. Their lands hold the most ports that meet the sea. Making them the central hub of all trade. And the wealthiest kingdom of those who worship the Triple Goddess.

My Mother stares in disbelief. Unsure of what to say. She kneels down bowing her head, and muttles out, “King Elio, you honor me but I am not a citizen of your realm. I could not ask such a thing of you.”

“It comes at a price.”

“I have nothing to give. No money. Nothing of value but my daughter.”

“What I seek is not of monetary value. I do not ask for money but humbly ask that you be my wife.”

Shocked. I hear my Mother’s breath catch.

She looks up. “Wh - Why me? ”

Dropping his hand from his chin. Resting it on the arm of his chair. He stands and descends the steps and walks toward her.

Bowing her head once more as he approaches. Never once taking his eyes off of her. I stare at him. Watching as he places one finger under my Mothers chin. Lifting her head so her eyes meet his.

“I’ve long been wanting to take a wife and your beauty is beyond compare.”

With that I look up at my Mother. Her unblemished features. Her skin is that of a porcelain doll. Her hair flawlessly sits atop her head, even through our travels. The color of snow as if taken directly from the highest and purest mountain top. Her eyes are an icy blue with no touch of cold or malice. She is beautiful. Far more beautiful than I will ever be.

Pulled from my thoughts. King Elio continues, “I will have you as my wife and you will bear me children. With that our heirs will be the future of the Middle Kingdom and will wed the heir to the Celestial Realm. Solidifying our alliance. Joining our Kingdoms. Combining our powers. King Perseus and the Shadowlands will never dare cross either of our borders again. Wouldn’t you agree, King Charon?”

Was this why King Elio was here? Were they in discussion of an alliance?

With a raised brow. He slowly takes his eyes away and turns to the King.

But before King Charon speaks King Elio states, “Of course, if an alliance is not to be made. The Shadowlands will destroy us. It is only a matter of time. King Perseus already raids our borders. Claiming more and more souls as his own. The light of our Goddess’s magic is fading from the earth and his dark forces are rising. My magic can feel it. It’s reflected in our forests throughout all the lands. More and more dark creatures are rearing their faces because of the shift. King Perseus already has an heir. Merely of the age of nine, and I’ve heard he is becoming quite the skilled magic wielder and fighter as well. Already accompanying his Father on smaller raids. Killing his fair share. Following in his Father’s footsteps of death and destruction.”

Heir? I was unaware there was a Prince of the Shadowlands. Only the age of nine and the King of the greatest realm has already heard of his skills. Not to mention he has already claimed multiple kills for himself. His power alone sounds enough to fear. But if he were to inherit his Father’s? There’s no telling how far the darkness of the Shadowlands could spread.

Contemplating. King Charon nods and stands.

“I will agree to this. However, no formal bargain will be struck until a child has been born and a marriage alliance can be made.” He glances up to the glass ceiling where the entire room is lit by the night sky. “The Goddess smiles down upon us under the full moon. I believe this to be fated.”

I glance over to Queen Ayla. Who is staring up at her husband. Mouth slightly ajar. The look of astonishment clear on her face for what I cannot be sure. Perhaps, it is the fact that her husband did not even discuss this with her even though she is Queen? Or maybe it’s because her child is about to be bonded to someone for life before theirs has barely begun? She closes her mouth and looks upon King Elio and my Mother. Slowly she nods her head in agreement.

With that, King Charon offers his hand to his Queen and leads her out of the hall.

We watch them leave. The hall grows eerily quiet.

King Elio turns back to my Mother. Before he says anything, she blurts out, “What of my daughter? She is not of your blood or realm. Will she be given sanctuary as well?”

The King glances down at me. I stare straight ahead. After a moment of silence I peer up at him. My eyes meet his and a chill runs down my spine. He glares down at me. His nose wrinkling and one side of his mouth lifting up in a sneer.

“I will allow her to join us. Take her in as my ward. Once you are properly crowned as Queen, she will gain the title of Lady. I will ensure she has the education and training necessary to be associated with her title and acceptable into society. Perhaps, one day we may even find her a husband. Someone who is willing to look past her…” he pauses, “… miscellaneous lineage.”

Switching my gaze to my Mother. This was the first time we’ve met each other eye to eye since my killing. Already looking at me, I see something almost like sorrow in her eyes.

Why would my Mother look at me with sorrow? Was it because I had killed a man? Does she worry for my soul in the light of our Goddess? Or does it have more to do with the King’s strange wording of my lineage?

I reflect next to nothing of my Mother or anyone else to come from the Celestial Realm. Known for their porcelain skin and silver hair with eyes as blue as glacier water that runs down the mountain’s side and into the valleys. Knowing I am of mixed blood, based on my raven hair and copper skin tone. The dark hue purple of my eyes with streaks of icy blue surrounding my pupil. Drawing attention from my other features. My face is completely lacking anything else extraordinary.

I revert my gaze back to my feet. Not wanting to feel the disgust from the King or sorrow in my Mother’s eyes.

King Elio looks back to my Mother and says, “Come… let us go home .”