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

8. Dinalia

8

Dinalia

I wake early. Same as I do every morning to start my magic lesson with my Mother in her garden. I stretch and admire my Goddess mark. I am not sure when or if it will ever fill in or how much more development will come. But I try every single day to hone my skills and utilize what my Mother has taught me.

I dress for the day. Pulling my hair back into a simple braid. Refusing to allow the servants to assist me. I know I am technically a Lady now and the King’s ward but it still doesn’t feel right. King Elio only took me in because he wanted to marry my Mother, nothing more.

He still looks at me with disgust. Aside from occasional family dinners and formal events. We rarely see each other. Which is fine by me. I still remember the chill that ran down my spine the first time he laid eyes on me. He was repulsed by me. Not approving of me at all. If not for my Mother, he probably would have banished me long ago from his perfect Kingdom.

All else aside, the city of Akino has not been a horrible place to live. The days are long and warm. Not that it would matter. I am always cold. Still convinced a part of me died the day I made my first kill .

Not overly hungry, I grab a small pastry from the kitchens. My favorite one. A lemon poppy seed muffin. The first sweet I had ever eaten. Enjoying the muffin, I make my way to my Mother’s garden, where we always have my magic lesson. Falling into a memory as I do.

Shortly after arriving, one night I couldn’t sleep. My bed, too soft compared to what I was used to. Always a curious mind. I decided to explore. Somehow, I made my way down to the kitchens. The light in the room drew my attention. Afraid of being seen, I hid in the shadows. I would have gone unnoticed too if my stomach had not betrayed my stealth and growled so loud I was sure I would wake the whole castle. The cook turns at first with anger in her eyes but softens as soon as they land on me. I was expecting her to shoo me away. That’s what everyone else does when they see the King’s pathetic ward. But she didn’t. She simply smiled and said, “Anything I can get you?”

She seems to be around my Mother’s age. Maybe a few years older. She’s tall. She has dark brown hair with deep green eyes. Nothing particularly gorgeous or stunning about her. Other than her smile. It’s sweet and seems to reach her eyes every time. As if each one is genuine. Welcoming and inviting.

I look around. Almost certain she is not talking to me. But no one else is here. Assuming it is safe. I creep out from my shadow hiding place. Walk over and say, “No, thank you. I would not want to be a bother. I thought I was the only one up in the castle and was curious when I saw the light.” Trying to keep my head held high and muster all the proper speaking etiquette I had learned so far.

Then my stomach growls again and they just laugh.

“Come now. Your mind says one thing but your body another. The two often do not work if they are conflicted.”

Giving into my hunger. I sit at the table. The food here in Akino is fancy. I haven’t found much other than standard fruits and vegetables to satisfy my palette. Rejecting most of the food on my plate at meals.

The cook was making an array of breakfast food for the announcement of the Queen being with child today. She offered me a tray of what were called danishes. I look upon the selection. The middles all remind me of guts from their gooey center. Even some in color. I shake my head slowly and ask, “Is there anything… solid?”

She gives me a weary look. Turning to set the tray of danishes down. Picked up another tray with items that look like fat mushrooms. They all have the same shape but look slightly different. Immediately sensing my hesitation and confusion. She smiles and says, “They are muffins. We have 4 flavors; banana nut, blueberry, chocolate chip, and lemon poppy seed.”

Feeling a little bolder. I reach for the oddest in color of all of them. It’s yellow with little dots all over it. I take a bite and immediately consume the whole thing in another three. The large pieces of sugar on the top being my favorite. I ate two more just to make sure I really liked them. Never tasting anything so sweet and my belly being so full my eyes lit up with a spark I had not had since before we came to Akino.

The cook giggles, as I ask, “Is there anymore?”

“Not right now little light. I’m glad to see you finally eating. Maybe we can get some meat on your bones. But you will need more than just muffins if you are going to be a great magic and sword wielder.”

A little taken back. I falter.

The magic part is easy. My mark is clear and exposed on my wrist. But how does she know I am beginning to train with a sword?

Noticing my shock. She gives me an even bigger smile and says, “Your Mother told me”

Huh, okay odd that she would tell someone random in the castle such a thing. But I trust my Mother. She is probably the only person I do trust. And if she can speak openly with this woman then perhaps so can I.

“What is your name?” I ask

She smiles as me, “Everyone just calls me Cook. I run these kitchens and I oversee all the meals and food preparation.”

“Cook doesn’t seem right. May I call you Cookie?”

She gives me a small laugh, “If that is what you would wish Princess.”

I snicker at her, “I’m not a princess.”

Tilting her head, “No, but someday you could be a queen.”

Since then, Cookie has been my only friend. The only one in the castle even willing to speak to me.

Arriving in the garden, I return my thoughts to the present. My Mother is already waiting for me. Helping a blossom bloom on a bush with her magic.

Harnessing her powers. My Mother grew every item in this garden. She gave it life and rebirth. I’ve never even come close to that sort of power. Magic takes time to develop.

We’ve focused more on just bringing my magic to life. Making my white flame bigger or smaller at first. Spreading it throughout my body and the area around me. I’ve been able to make blasts and throw them but they always fizzle out before reaching their target.

But to do what my Mother does. Create life and sustain it. To wield life in your hands. I can’t imagine the kind of power and control that it takes.

Mother says it’s easy to do with plants. Occasionally, the most gifted magic wielder can heal, but the injury is typically not life threatening.

Developing and nurturing, her warm magic fills the air and I smile. Walking toward her asking, “So what are we doing today?”

Still focused on the flower she says, “solidifying”

Curious, I ask, “Solidifying? What do you mean?”

“Your flame always seems to extinguish the moment you release it from your body. You have the power within you that it will continue to burn after you let it go. We just have to figure out how to extend it past you. So today, we will work on creating ropes and whips with your magic. This way it is still connected to its center and source but you get the feeling of it being an extension of yourself.”

She finally stands and faces me fully. “The key is to not let whatever the flame touches burn until you are ready to release it. Remember little light. You control the magic, not the other way around.”

This sounds intense. How am I supposed to touch my white flames to something and not let it burn? And worse, how am I supposed to create a rope like whip that is meant to reach an object a great distance away when I can barely extend my flames around me a few feet?

Unsure of how I should react. I bring my hands together around my back. I look down at my feet. Twirling a piece of grass with the tip of my shoe.

She places her hands gently on the upper part of my arm. Running your hands down in a soft caress. Unfolding my own, grasping them into hers and bringing them together in between us.

“Little light, you have more power than you realize. You are my daughter. A rare star whose light cannot be matched. Do not shy away from the power that lies within you.”

I looked up at her then. Recognizing these words. They are so similar to the ones she first said to me when she told me of my magic. She has to know something I don’t. My magic is not like hers. Nothing special. I will never possess the same level of power as my Mother. But she has put so much time into training me. Always so patient and kind. That part of her hasn’t changed since we’ve been in Akino. I owe it to her to try.

With my best smile I say, “Let’s do it”