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

38. Aeron

38

Aeron

I stare down at the patch of black dahlias in the garden. Curious as to how they got there.

The black dahlia is indigenous to the Shadowlands. There is little vegetation that grows there. Only grass and shrubs spread across our lands. The trees that grow in the Forest of Despair look dead from their very first sprout. No leaves. Dry and dull colored bark. The only plant we do have in abundance is the black dahlia. To fill our lands with despair and sadness. Representing our brutality, flourishing throughout our lands.

They should not be here.

The flowers are beautiful of course. Their deep coloring. Their myriad of petals. Each is different and unique. But all have the same mesmerizing coloring as Dinalia’s eyes.

“What are you doing out here?”

I turn around. Looking at the voice that just came from behind me.

Princess Saphrina stands there. Dressed in another light pink gown. Though not near as lavish as the one she was wearing yesterday.

She has a small smile on her face. Eyes bright, ready for the day. Half of her hair is pulled back. Perfect ringlets, somehow giving the appearance that not a hair is out of place. Fingertips fidgeting against one another in front of her stomach. She’s wearing a small headband tiara. I can see the tiny diamonds and gemstones twinkling from here. She is quite beautiful. A different kind than Dinalia. Softer, more welcoming presence about her. After seeing the late Queen Freya the evening she died it’s as if she split her two forms between her daughters.

Queen Freya’s tender nature seems to come just as naturally to Princess Saphrina. Light and ethereal. Pleasing to look at and interact with. Everything a proper lady should be. Beautiful and sweet. Her grace makes it easy to fall into serenity when she is around.

While Dinalia holds a darker power inside of her. She’s stern and rigid. I’m sure the world has forced her to become cold and hard. Not bothering to hide her dominance. Her strength. She is a force to be reckoned with but needing to conceal her true amount of power.

I smile back at her, “Just - ” pausing for a moment, being sure to look into her eyes with tenderness, “enjoying the view.”

Her smile widens ever so slightly. Her eyes revert down. Her cheeks are already a bit rosy against her ivory skin. But now even more so with the blush rising to it with the comment that she thinks is about her.

“Did you enjoy the Welcome Masquerade Ball?” she asks, voice like a lovely melody.

Clasping my hands behind me. Walking over towards her. Looking her in the eyes as I say, “The ball itself was… fine” I pause briefly. Using the same word and tone she used to describe Prince Proteus. “But the last moments of the evening were extraordinary.” I stop directly in front of her. Not crowding her space. But close enough that our body heat mixes. One small falter forward and we would be in each other’s arms.

Giving her arms a small swing. She claps her hands behind her back in the same fashion as my own. She turns, crossing her left foot over. Grazing me with her shoulder as she walks past me. “Oh? And what made these moments so extraordinary?”

I turn around as she walks past me. Following her with my eyes. As she makes her way further into the garden.

That question makes me pause. Taking me back to the last conversation I had with Dinalia in the woods. I take in a deep silent breath. Swallowing down the lump that is starting to form in my throat. “Everything”

She pauses but doesn’t turn toward me. Simply look down at the patch of black dahlias. “And what were these last moments, Prince Aeron?”

They were false. Pretty embellished words. Words she wanted to hear. Words that would soften her mindset of me.

“They were honest. Raw and revealing. And I can’t get them out of my head.” I reply.

Princess Saphrina wants to be loved. She wants to feel as special and chosen as everyone around her has said. But more importantly she wants to be seen by someone for who she is. Not for what she is. She’s open and willing. Longing for affection. She’s putty in my hands. Though there is something about her that is ever so enticing.

She’s still looking at the flowers when she asks, “Was it something or - someone that made these moments so memorable?”

I walk over to her. Standing by her side. Looking down at the flowers with her. “Someone.”

She looks over at me. I see her out of the corner of my eye. Though I do not look at her.

Not yet.

“Someone who is without a doubt blessed and extraordinary. Someone tender and kind. An individual I had only been privy to by rumors but I see clearly now.” I finally looked over to her. She’s still staring at me. Wide doe eyed. I turn. Grasping her and shifting our bodies to face one another. “Someone who has now captured my mind and every thought.” I have one hand on her shoulder and the other on her hip. She’s taller than Lady Dinalia. Though I still have to hunch a bit to comfortably set my hands around her waist.

I will make her feel worshiped. Giving her the love and adoration she craves. Until her heart is mine.

I move the hand that was on her shoulder to her cheek. Caressing it with my thumb. She slightly leans into it. Her affections for me are growing quickly.

She takes my hand from her cheek into her own between us. Allowing me to leave the other on her waist. “You are right, Prince Aeron. Those moments from last night were honest. More honest than I should have been. Knowing better, I should not have shared such worries and concerns with you. Having only met you yesterday as well. I cannot say why I chose to confide in you last evening. Perhaps, it was because I had been sitting alone with only my own thoughts for so long when you found me. But there is something about you…”

She looks up into my eyes. Placing a hand on my cheek. It takes everything in me not to pull away. Not able to withstand another’s touch on my skin.

Not since my time in the woods.

I play it well. Leaning into her hand just as she did mine.

“Something I cannot explain. A comfort and familiarity to you that shouldn’t be there.”

Taking half step forward, I say, “Perhaps, in time more will be revealed.”

Her breath hitches. She pulls away. Smoothing her palms down her dress. Clearing her throat, she says, “Yes, perhaps.”

That’s enough for now. She is faltering in her feelings toward me. I can see it in her eyes. A few more sweet words, some soft touches, and interactions like this she will be ready.

She looks back down to the flowers. “Lovely aren’t they? Though we have no idea what kind of flowers they are. Nothing like them has grown here before nor in the forest. So, I am told.”

I quirk a brow at her, “We?”

“My sister and I, Dinalia. This was our Mother’s garden. It used to be full of life and a variety of plants. She grew everything that used to live here with her magic.” Her face turns solemn.

“I had heard of Queen Freya’s passing. I am sorry for your loss. But may I ask what happened to the garden.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she says, “After we lost our Mother in the raid from the Sha-” she falters. Almost forgetting she was speaking to the Shadowland Prince. She looks up at me, “From your Father. Everything in the garden began to die. Turning gray and black. Shriveling up and becoming this.” She gestures around us.

Interesting how she paused and said my Father. As if that makes me any less a part of it.

“So, where did this patch of life come from?”

Returning her gaze to the flowers, “Dinalia, grew them.”

My eyes almost shoot out of my head. Dinalia has the power to nourish life? I wonder what other powers she holds. Her Mother’s power seemed to be very vast. Having every power I’ve ever heard of.

Princess Saphrina continues, “Dinalia was the one to inform me that they never inhabited this garden before nor are they in the forest. She tends to spend a lot of time there, so she would know. But what is curious is they are the only thing she has ever been able to grow and she has no idea what they are. What’s even more odd is they seem to be the exact same color as her eyes, like a little part of her is in these flowers.”

“They are called black dahlias.” I say, matter of factly .

Saphrina looks up at me, “You know these flowers?”

“They are in abundance in the Shadowlands. Indigenous and I’ve never known them to grow anywhere else until now. Lady Dinalia being able to grow them is a wonder and mystery to me.” I’m looking down at the flowers. In awe of her. Of her abilities. Of her beauty and the beauty of her magic. Saphrina has a point when she said it’s as if a little part of Dinalia is in these flowers. Their dark essences radiate alongside each other. The sadness that hides behind their beauty.

“May I join you for breakfast.” Wanting to change the subject. It is hard for me to focus on my tasks with Princess Saphrina as it is. I do not need more thoughts lingering on the puzzle that is Dinalia.

She smiles, “You may. But do you mind if we go find Dinalia and she joins us? She usually meets me here and we practice my magic but for some reason she has yet to show.”

“Do you know where she may be?”

Thinking for a bit. As if Dinalia wanders everywhere in the castle. “She is most likely in the training hall. That or forest. But I can’t imagine she would venture there during these times with all the guests and celebration events to attend.”

I turn and hook out my elbow for her to take. Presenting myself as her guide. “Well, allow me to escort you to the training hall.”

She takes my arm. Shoving her hand into the crook of my elbow.

We begin our walk inside. Slow and leisurely. I lean down, not quite grazing her ear with my lips but my hot breath is sure to be noticed. “You will have to guide me in the right direction.”

I feel her body stiffen. Her hand grips my arm just a bit tighter. “Of course”

We’ve made countless turns and gone down a few flights of stairs but finally we arrive. I can hear the ringing of steel meeting steel from down the hall.

Entering the room. I see Dinalia fighting with someone… another man. I almost lunged at him right then and there. Not caring if he has a weapon and I don’t. My magic would overcome such an obstacle easily.

My thoughts are swirling.

Who is he?

Why is he fighting her?

What if he actually hurts her?

Their blades are locked when I say, “What have we here?”

They both turn their gazes towards us. Dropping their weapons and bowing their heads.

Dinalia says nothing but I can tell she is surprised to find me with Princess Saphrina.

My eyes meet Dinalia’s. My heart almost jumps out of my chest. The pull towards her is somehow stronger than ever. The need to go to her. The thoughts of taking her into my arms and pulling her away from this man seeping into my brain. Wanting to claim her, take her, make her mine in every way possible, for the whole world to see.

But I can’t.

I’m lost in her eyes when I hear Saphrina speak, “Prince Aeron, I believe you met my sister, Lady Dinalia, yesterday at the Greeting and then at the Welcome Masquerade Ball.”

I smiled down at her, “Yes, I believe I did.” Then turning my gaze to the man that threatens to harm what should be mine, “And her companion?”

“This is Christopher. Our fighting master.”

Our? Saphrina fights as well?

“Fighting master? He’s trained you both?” I question.

“Well, yes but Dinalia mastered fighting years ago. I never got the hang of it.”

I look Dinalia over. She has the same blades I saw her with the night of the raid. When she came bursting into her Mother’s study and threatened the life of King Elio. “Mastered dual swords? Interesting, few women tend to want to wield one let alone two.”

She lifts her chin a little higher, replying, “I found myself out of step with a single sword. With my dual blades I am at harmony with my fighting. Dismantling any opponent I come across.”

I walk over to her. I’ve wanted to see her wield her blades since that night. She is lethal.

I’m dying on the inside from just being near her and she doesn’t even know it. Walking over to her, I contemplate what I should do with this situation. Knowing her pride she would not deny me a sparring match.

Just to get a taste of how skilled she has become. “I should like to spar.”

“With me?”, she counters.

“Yes. Right now.”

“Now? Don’t you have some royal celebration or activity to attend for my sister’s wedding?”

Does she not want to fight me? You would think she would after all the Shadowlands has done to her life. This would be a perfect opportunity to best the greatest fighter the Shadowlands has ever seen.

And yet she hesitates.

I glance back to Saphrina. She’s looking between the two of us. Unsure of what to do or say. No doubt, never put in a position to make a decision before. Even if it is a minuscule as this one. “N-nothing is pressing. We have time.” She finally says.

“Excellent!” I exclaim, removing my jacket ever so slowly. Being sure to flash my muscular physique in front of Dinalia and this so called fighting master. I can feel her eyes on me. Watching the movement. I turn away from her. Hiding the smile that has spread across my face as I walk over to the rack of weapons against the wall .

The weapons selection is vast. And not a single one has been dulled. In fact, they all appear to be freshly sharpened.

Ready for battle.

I grab the biggest sword available. None of them matching the size of my actual weapon I take into battle. I stand at the end of the mat. Waiting for Dinalia.

She’s moving toward her side when she’s stopped by him. I’m about to lash out at him for touching what is mine. Mates or not. Claimed or not. I will not see another man’s hands on her. Not when I have this constant burning for her. And every thought leads back to her. She is the most mesmerizing being to ever plague my mind. Filling my world with nothing else.

I will rip his arm from his body. But not before I make him pay. Slowly. Painfully. Ripping his fingernails from the roots. Peeling back his flesh. I will teach him a lesson for touching what is mine.

They share what seems like an intimate moment. Heads close together. Whispering words only the other can hear.

Are they involved?

The thought sends my mind into a frenzy. I haven’t had a woman in years. Not able to bear the thought of another woman touching me that isn’t her. That day in the forest changed me forever. If she has moved on and indulged in other men I will rectify that. I will be sure I am the last man to touch her. She will be longing for me. My touch will consume her every thought. As she has mine. I will make sure she forgets every man that came before me.

She stands opposite me on the training mat. Both our blades drawn. “Ready?” I ask.

She smiles and huffs at me, “Are you?”

That’s my girl.

Smiling back, I say, “More than you know.”

We circle each other at first. Each of our steps matched the other’s. Keeping our distance.

Every action has a reaction. Moving in sync. Watching each other intently.

Just as we did that day in the forest.

And like then I will be the one to make the first move. Lunging forward blade ready.

She dodges me easily. She’s quick and she moves well. The technique is not lost on my end. But she will underestimate me. Believing I am like all the other large men she has fought. She thinks I will be slow. Able to dodge my blows until I tire myself out.

But that won’t be the case.

I’m large but I’m faster than most anticipate. And my endurance speaks for itself.

I turn around quickly. Elbowing her in the mouth. Silently hoping I didn’t hurt her too much and cause damage.

“Do not think you will tire me out. My… endurance is quite good.” I smirk.

Our blades crash together. Constant ringing fills the air.

She is an excellent fighter. Her movements are fluid. Unlike any other fighter I’ve encountered. True most are men but the few females I have been forced to fight still do not compare to her.

Graceful and grand. She is in her element. Clearly, not a day has gone by that she has not trained. Her fighting style is like a dance.

I can’t help but hold back. Wanting to watch her for as long as possible. Taking in her every movement. Drawing out the fight just to keep her near me.

Blades locked together. She pushes off of me, swirling around so our backs meet. I hear a click. Turning to face her but it is too late. She’s maneuvering her weapon in a completely different manner.

My eyes widened.

She has a entirely different weapon .

No, not possible. She wouldn’t have had time to change them out. Our bodies never left one another.

Unless, it is the same dual blades as before but now as one. Dual blades are meant to be used as a unit and she utilizes them perfectly. But turning them into a double edged sword in the midst of a battle is impressive.

Not to mention the weapon itself. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“That’s a neat trick.” I say.

If she wants to go all out then let’s go. I begin trying. Swinging my sword with more force than before.

We lock our blades again. Staring directly into each other’s eyes. Barely though with our height difference.

I push against her hard. Forcing her to stammer backwards. Feet away, neither of us relenting. Determination in both of our eyes.

We charge towards one another.

I clench my jaw. Not wanting to hurt her but also not willing to let her win. But what is odd is she is smirking. I could easily use my size and strength against her. No matter how skilled she is.

Just as I am about to land a blow, she’s gone. Sliding between my legs.

I slam on the breaks and begin to twist around. But not before I feel two sharp points on my back.

Freezing. Arm and sword still in the air.

“Do you concede?” She asks.

I can’t help but laugh. I, like most, have underestimated her.

I shall never make that mistake again.

“Impressive. Yes, I concede.”

She drops her blades and I turn towards her.

“Mastered indeed.” I say, but that is an understatement. She fights in her own style. I know this Christopher fellow did not teach her that. She has developed into a being that is all her own. The most unique flower there is.

Saphrina and Christopher join us. Christopher stands next to her. A little too close if you ask me. I intend to find out just how close and comfortable these two are together. Though he looks to be older than me but not by much. Faes live for hundreds of years. The age difference would make very little in the grand scheme of things.

He smiles at her with pride. I am more proud of her than he will ever be. I’ve watched her grow into the formidable force she is now. I see her for who she truly is. What is truly inside of her.

Darkness.

He would never understand.

“Shall we make our way to breakfast, Prince Aeron?” Saphrina says. Pulling me back to reality once again.

“Yes, of course Princess.” I hand Christopher my sword. It’s a slight dig. And it’s incredibly arrogant of me. Aemond would scorn me for allowing Dinalia to think I am this entitled. But I am a Prince. Here to represent the power of the Shadowlands. I cannot let my reputation disappear. If anything, I must solidify it in everyone’s eyes.

Well, everyone’s but Saphrina’s. But she is used to servants doing her tedious tasks. I can tell by the way she introduced him. They are not nearly as close.

We begin to take our leave out of the training hall when Saphrina stops and turns, “Dinalia, will you be joining us for breakfast?”

I glance back at her as well. Seeing the strained smile on her face, before she says, “Yes, I will be there momentarily.”

Princess Saphrina and I take our leave. But I can’t stop my mind or heart from wanting to return to Dinalia.