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

31. Dinalia

31

Dinalia

I ’m sitting on the lookout of the forest in my favorite spot. My legs dangling over the edge. Lena is snuggled up next to me. Her head resting in my lap as I stroke her fur.

“I don’t know Lena. What should I do? Try and find someone to marry and stay in the Middle Kingdom or leave?”

She tilts her head into me. Giving me a small moan. I laugh, “Yeah, I’d miss you too girl.”

If I leave the three realms I’d never see her again. And the thought of that breaks what little of my heart is left.

I’ve been out in the forest for hours now. We met up here. Wandering around one of our favorite paths. Leading to another mountain top across the forest, practically in the Celestial Realm. It’s near the border of the Shadowlands. Once we get to the top we have a clear view of the Forest of Despair. And in the distance you can see King Perseus’s palace.

We find our way back to our favorite spot. Relaxing on the edge listening to the sound of running water.

“Today’s the day girl. They all arrive. The nobles. The rulers. Everyone. There will be more people in the castle than I’ve ever seen. There will actually be other people staying in the same wing of the castle as me.” I laugh to myself. It’ll be odd to not be the only one there. “I don’t know how often I’ll be able to come to the forest for the next three months with all the celebration activities.”

She grunts at me. Lifting her head and booping me with her nose into my chest. I laugh again and wrap my arms around her. Holding her face in my hands, “I know but Saphrina is going to need me now more than ever these next three months. She’s so nervous and scared of what her future will hold with Prince Proteus.”

She shoves her head further into my grasp. I laugh, “I’ll take care of myself too, promise.”

We both whip our heads toward the castle. A horn blaring informing the kingdom guests have begun to arrive.

Ugh, that means I have to go. I look over to Lena again, “Wish me luck.” She licks my face. Flicking my hand with her nose. “Haha, thanks girl. You’re always the best support.”

I rise. She walks with me as close as either of us deem safe for her to come to the castle. In the event that someone would risk seeing her and try to hunt her she stays away. She doesn’t come within four miles of the castle.

No one really ventures into the forest anyway. Even less with the dark creatures becoming bolder. But we still don’t risk it.

I bid her farewell with a few final scratches behind the ear. She nuzzles her head into my stomach. “I’ll see you as soon as I can, okay?”

She nods in agreement. I watch her turn and begin to walk away. She gives me one final look before disappearing into the forest. I raise my hand in goodbye. Placing it over my chest with a small smile on my face.

* * *

I make my way to the castle. Entering the grounds through my Mother’s garden as usual. Just as I enter the castle I hear, “There are you! Where have you been? They are starting to arrive. I need you!”

Turning, I see Saphrina rushing over to me. Flustered. Hair not done. Clothes disheveled. I’ve never seen her so out of sorts.

“Saphrina, you should be getting ready. Not running around the castle looking for me.”

“I need you. I need your help picking out an outfit. And you could borrow something, if you’d like. Come get ready with me.” She begs.

I don’t allow the servants to assist me in getting ready, or bathing, or anything else that requires personal revealment. Not since my complete Goddess mark appeared. The servants purely tend to my chambers.

“Saphrina, I don’t need to get ready. I will not be in attendance with you for the Greeting.”

“What?! You won’t be at the Greeting? Why not?”

“It’s not my place. The other nobles and rulers are here to see you and your Father. The royals of the Middle Kingdom.”

“But -” Saphrina starts, only to be cut off.

“You will be in attendance Dinalia.”

We whip our heads in the direction of the voice. It’s King Elio.

I stand up straighter. Not sure what to say after that. Saphrina’s appearance brightens. Slapping a wide grin on her face.

He walks over to us. Stopping to look down. Eyes bouncing between until they land on me.

“Regardless of how you started and came here to us. You are my ward and a titled lady. There will be many wealthy, young, handsome nobles from my Kingdom and the Celestial realm here. The Greeting, along with the Welcome Masquerade Ball this evening, is a perfect opportunity for you to catch the attention of one of them and look to the future.”

Saphrina bounces on her toes, “See, now you don’t have any excuse! Even Father wants you there!”

I look over to King Elio. His face not giving anything away. This isn’t for me, it’s for him. So he can get me out of the castle as soon as possible. Trying to play nice, that way Saphrina will be more willing and comfortable these next three months.

“Come!” Saphrina squeals, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her.

The King stops her,“May I have a moment with Dinalia.”

She and I share a look. I smile, “Go, I’ll see you before the Greeting. I’ll have to head to my own chambers to begin getting ready.” She nods and turns to leave.

Her footsteps fading away into the distance before King Elio speaks.

“Remember. You find someone to marry and you may stay in my Kingdom. Or you will leave at the end of the celebrations.”

Neither of us look at the other. He stands off to my right, looking out into my Mother’s garden. I stare straight ahead down the corridor Saphrina disappeared into.

“I have not forgotten.” I lift my head a little higher. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I must go and get ready to greet our guests.” I walk away from him. Not waiting for him to release me.

Sitting in front of my vanity, I contemplate the Greeting. I’ve never been to such a formal event. I’m not sure I even have anything suitable to wear for the amount of formal events about to take place. And what am I going to do with my hair? My face? I don’t wear makeup and the only thing I ever do with my hair is pull it into a braid. It’s long and can be quite unruly when it wants to be.

I will have to prepare all on my own seeing as I have no servants to assist me. I sift through my wardrobe. Plenty of hunting and fighting clothes. Some casual dresses for our brief noble meetings in the castle. Then my eyes land on a sapphire gown.

All of my clothing is fashioned to conceal my Goddess mark. Not because my seamstress knows but because I inform them I am always cold and wish to be covered as much as possible.

I pull out the gown. It’s gorgeous and I haven’t had the opportunity to wear it. I remember when I fashioned it. Not long before my Mother died she wanted me to have one formal gown. We were designing the dress together. But sadly never got to finish it together. I had forgotten about it after all these years.

I chose the color after the eyes of the Shadowling that said he wanted to get to know one another. The most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I did not trust him in the slightest but there was something about him. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I was intrigued by him. Aemond, he said his name was. Although, I should not have allowed him to get so close to me. I could not resist in that moment. I returned to my spot everyday after that, waiting for him to appear. But he never did. I’m not sure why but I felt a tinge of sorrow in my heart when he did not come back. He could not be trusted anyway. Pushing him from my thoughts the best I could, I moved on. Forgetting him and the dress all together.

It is the only thing I have that would warrant this event. I will have to wear it for the Welcome Masquerade Ball this evening as well.

Holding the dress. Admiring the intricate detail of the silver embroidery, when there’s a knock at the door.

I am not decent. Only having my lounging robe on, that is full length but doesn’t cover my chest near enough. “Yes?” I called out.

“Lady Dinalia, His Majesty would like me to inform you that guests have begun to arrive and your presence is required shortly for the Greeting.”

Great, I have no time. This dress will have to do. “Thank you! I will be there momentarily.” I responded back to the page.

I quickly put on the gown. It fits perfectly. Extenuating my waist. Showing off my particularly lean and petite torso. It’s a thick heavy satin. The sapphire blue and silver coloring compliments my copper complexion. The neckline is high and the sleeves are long. Sure to cover my Goddess mark and scars.

I don’t even have any makeup to embellish my features. My natural features are all I’ve got. I quickly re-do my braid. Thick and full, it falls down the length of my back. The ends stopped just at the top of my ass. I pull a few front pieces out to frame my face. They have a gentle wave to them since my hair has been pulled back all day and I have yet to wash it. Otherwise it would be straight as a pin.

Taking a final look at myself in the full length mirror. I flatten the front of the dress over my torso. It feels odd to not have the weight of my blades on my back. I’ve never seen myself in this light. Never worn such an extravagant gown. Nor have I put so much effort into my appearance. I look different.

Beautiful almost .

Satisfied with my appearance. I exit my chambers and make my way to the great hall.

* * *

“Finally!” Saphrina says, as she rushes over to me. Taking my hands into hers, “They have all arrived. Celestial and Shadowlands. You will be standing off to Father’s right and I his left. We will already be standing when the guests enter the hall for the Greeting.”

She stops. Pulls back and extends our arms out together, looking me over. “You look divine! When did you get that gown?”

Smiling nervously, “Mother and I began fashioning it together shortly before she died. I haven’t had an opportunity to wear it until now. I will have to wear it for the Welcome Masquerade Ball this evening as well. Seeing as I don’t have anything else fitting. I will also need to find a mask if I am to attend.”

“Oh I can assist with that. And as for more gowns, we will have to go to the modiste first thing tomorrow.”

Sighing, I say, “Saphrina, that’s very kind of you but I do not have the funds for the royal modiste.”

“Nonsense, if you are going to be attending events hosted by the crown then the least the crown can do is provide you with the proper attire necessary.” She says it so matter of factly, right as King Elio is walking up to join us.

He catches what Saphrina just said. We both peer over at him. Waiting to see if he will object. But to my surprise he doesn’t. He simply says, “Saphrina is right. It is high time you start being presented as the lady you are. The crown would be happy to fund the required attire for the upcoming celebrations. We won’t want you missing out on any nobleman simply because your wardrobe was not up to par.”

King Elio is being so hot and cold with me right now. He’s never once deemed me acceptable. Nor has he ever offered to pay for anything. He is obviously still set on me leaving his Kingdom but why is he being so gracious and kind to me only when Saphrina is around. He never bothered to before.

Looking up at him, I say, “Thank you, Your Grace. That is very generous of you.”

He nods to me in agreement. “It’s time.” He says.

We all enter single file. Saphrina leading the way, followed by the King, and then myself.

The Celestial Realm is announced first. A brief and very formal exchange. My eyes meet Prince Proteus’s a few times. We both looked each other over.

I recall the boy I saw all those years ago. He’s grown into a very handsome young man. His hair is the same granite gray but his eyes have now harness more depth to them, pools of glacier blue. He’s tall and strong. Clearly training in battle fighting as well. His eyes flick to mine and there is a feeling of familiarity there. Although, I have only seen him one other time in my life. And we have never uttered a single word to one another. I feel as I could have known him my whole life. A softness and comforting look in his eyes. A welcoming expression I have not encountered in many years. There is something about him that intrigues me. A curiosity, even after all this time .

Our interaction does not last long. Saphrina and Prince Proteus could barely take their eyes off of one another. Small smiles and flushed cheeks from both. They are eager to explore what could be between them.

While he is most likely not inexperienced being five and twenty, and a male, Saphrina is. I do hope whatever transpires between the two of them these next three months is gentle and forthcoming from both sides.

There were a few noblemen of the Celestial Realm that I made eye contact with. None lingering. None longing.

They take their leave. A page ready to escort them to their chambers.

Now it is time for the Shadowlands to be greeted. To my knowledge, other than the raids, the Shadowlands have never set foot in the Middle Kingdom. Certainly not in celebration or peace.

My nerves are going haywire. There’s a knot forming in my stomach. As my chest begins to tighten. The one’s responsible for so much torture. So much pain and suffering are just beyond those doors.

I haven’t been in the presence of a Shadowling since that day in the forest. Since Aemond whispered sweet nothings to me. Caressing and touching my skin. Not since feeling the planes of his body up against mine. Smoothing my hands over his muscular physique.

Pushing those thoughts from my mind as the page announces their arrival, “The representative of the Shadowlands, Prince Aeron son of King Perseus.”

I almost fall forward when I see him .