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

52. Aeron

52

Aeron

A fter leaving King Elio, I teleport to my Father’s study. And I’m shocked to see that he is not alone.

“What are they doing here?”

“Ah, Prince Aeron, what a surprise. We were not expecting you.” My Father says.

I don’t say anything.

My Father just looks at me. His usual arrogance shining through.

“I am sure you have been acquainted with King Charon, Queen Ayla, and Prince Proteus of the Celestial Realm.”

“Yes, what are they doing here?” I ask again, through gritted teeth.

“Come now, is that any way to acknowledge your brother.”

My head whips toward Prince Proteus. His demeanor is different. Bolder. Cockier.

“What did you just say?”

His gaze drifts to my Father and mine follows.

My Father clears his throat, “Yes, probably should have told you sooner but Prince Proteus is your half-brother.”

Shock races through me.

“You are not a bastard so your legitimacy is not in question. However, there has been a change in plans.”

I raise a brow at him. This can’t be.

When would have my Father even impregnate Queen Ayla? And why would they allow this?

“It would seem, Princess Saphrina’s blessings have been over exaggerated by King Elio. We’ve come to learn that the late Queen Freya was not from the Celestial Realm at all. Making Princess Saphrina pure blooded and entirely from the Middle Kingdom.”

I’m not sure how he learned Queen Freya was not from the Celestial Realm but I really don’t care. Something is afoot here. I can feel it.

“And in order for us to unite the three realms we will need an heir that possesses magic from all. So, Prince Proteus is going to cast Princess Saphrina aside and wed Lady Dinalia instead.”

What?

Absolutely not. Out of the question. Every single one of them will burn before I see her in his arms.

“No” I say flatly.

“Yes. Prince Proteus’s blood is Celestial and Shadowlands while Lady Dinalia is Shadowlands and Middle Kingdom. Together they will bring about an heir more powerful than we could have imagined.

So, Dinalia does possess Shadowling blood. From her Father of course.

“No, he will not wed her. Lady Dinalia is my mate.”

All eyes shoot to me. The tension in the air is growing heavier.

“I see, and have you confirmed the bond?” My Father asks.

I nod, lying but that doesn’t matter. The bond is there. “Yes, we have identical Goddess marks and our souls have become one.”

“Identical Goddess marks?” My Father hums, “So, how long have you known she has possessed a complete Goddess mark, Prince Aeron?”

“Why does that matter? She is my mate. Our souls are blessed and fated together by the Goddess.”

“Prince Proteus, if you will.”

I look over to him. He stands. Undoing his tunic to reveal his Goddess mark. My eyes gape open.

It’s the same.

A complete Goddess mark directly on his sternum.

No, can’t be.

He stalks over to me. We are the same height. Eye to eye. Staring each other down. He’s strong but may be a bit leaner than me. Speed and agility on his side while I am brutal strength.

Looking at him. “You will not have her.”

He smiles, “I am of royal blood on both sides. Who do you think she’ll choose ?”

Leaning forward so I am directly in his ear where only he can hear. “She’s already chosen .”

I pull away. Rage is in his eyes. “You only think she chose you. She didn’t realize she had another choice .”

He tries to step away from me but I grab him by the throat. Hosting him up into the air. I feel his feet try to kick me but it’s no use. He’s powerless.

Extending my magic towards the King and Queen of the Celestial Realm. Freezing them in place. Fear penetrates their minds.

I coil my black flames around my Father. Almost burning him to a crisp but leaving him alive just barely.

“I will lock your mind in fear. Replaying your darkest terrors every day for the rest of your life. Burning them into the very essence of your soul, mutilating your mind, corrupting your body if you even look in her direction. She is mine and you will not have her.”

Then I’m struck with a burst of starlight. Celestial magic. I falter, physically. Releasing Proteus from my grip.

He scrambles to his feet. Running over to King Charon and Queen Ayla. Teleporting away.

No matter. I will deal with them in time.

He will not persuade Dinalia. Our souls are already one.

Redirecting my attention to my Father, who is still struggling underneath my hold. His skin is starting to smoke. My magic burned through his clothes and slowly seared into him.

Painfully. Ever so painfully.

“I have never wanted anything from you and now you threaten to take what is mine. You are a pathetic excuse for a King and a worthless Father.”

His jaw is clenched. Trying to fight through the pain. “I made you what you are. You owe everything to me.”

“Perhaps. You made me into a machine for your own use and power. Mutilating me, your own son into compliance.”

“It was the only way to bring you to your full potential. You are death, my son. No one can escape you. No matter how much they try.”

I smirk, “You are right. Not even you.”

His eyes widened. So many times the positions have been reversed. Me cowering under the grip of his magic.

But not anymore.

“As death, I release you from this world.”

“You wouldn’t dare! I am your Father! I am your King!”

“Correction. You were my Father. I disown you just as you did me all those years ago. And now I am King because you…”

I rearrange my magic. Four ropes tied around his wrists and ankles. Sending clouds of black smoke his way. Relishing in his blood curdling screams. Screams so frantic they shake the walls of the study.

As my black smoke curls into his mind. Finding his soul. Ripping it apart bit my bit. My black flames pull his limbs in every direction. Drawing and quartering him.

It falls silent as his body drops to the ground.

Dismantled - mind, body, and soul.

“You are dead.”

* * *

I teleport to the billet. Estelle and Lilliana are already there.

Estelle looks at me, wide eyed. While Lilliana rushes over to me, shouting, “Uncle Aeron! You’re back!”

Smiling, picking her up and spinning her around.

“What are you doing here? Is everything alright? Where’s Aemond?” Estelle asks frantically.

I hold Lilliana in one arm. Placing my other hand on Estelle’s shoulder. “Everything is alright but much has happened. We will need to regroup our strategy.” I wave my hand and Aemond appears.

I left him to watch over Dinalia while she rested and I punished the unworthy bastards. I summon a wall of black magic around her door and windows. No one shall enter until I release it. I prefer not to use this form of protection because she would not be able to exit either. But I need Aemond here.

He almost falls to the ground. Stumbling over. Grunting as he stands, trying to find his bearings again. “You know one of these days I’m going to be indecent when you summon me.” He says, brushing himself off once he’s finally up right. He glances around, “Why are we at the billet?”

“It’s nice to see you too.” Estelle laughs, wrapping Aemond in a hug.

I set Lilliana down, allowing her to go to her Father.

“Dada!” Lilliana exclaims.

“Baby girl, how are you?” He asks, scooping her into his arms. “I’ve missed you but it’s late. You should be in bed.” He whips his head towards Estelle, “Why isn’t she in bed?”

“You try getting this one to sleep without you here. She’s been fussy ever since you left.”

“Is that true?”

Lilliana tilts her head down. Plumping out her bottom lip. Looking at him through her lashes. “I just miss you is all.”

Oh, she’s good.

“I missed you too sweetie.” Aemond says hugging her. “Will you try and sleep now?”

“Only if you and mama put me to bed.”

They both laugh, “Deal”

I watch them leave. Taking a seat in front of the hearth.

By the time Estelle and Aemond have returned it’s been about ten minutes. They enter hand in hand, smiling, reminiscing in their reunion.

They join me in front of the fire.

Estelle is the first to speak.“What has happened?” Always to the point.

I recall the night’s events to them. Informing them that Prince Proteus is my half brother and intends to cast Princess Saphrina aside to wed Dinalia.

“Half brother? Are you certain?” Aemond asks.

“No, I’m not but my Father openly claimed him so I have no reason not to believe it to be true. He also has a complete Goddess mark in the same location as Dinalia’s and my self’s.”

Estelle stays silent.

“But you and Lady Dinalia have confirmed the bond, correct?” Aemond asks.

“Not officially but I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to feel like when we do. How unbreakable is it? If we do not confirm it before Prince Proteus reveals himself to her is there a chance…” my voice trails off. Not able to finish the thought.

There is a beat of silence. The air growing tense with each passing second.

Estelle finally speaks, “There is something you should know.” Estelle and Aemond share a look and I become uncertain of the two closest people in my life. Aemond gives her a slight nod, almost giving her reassurance to reveal what she knows.

“Well?” I ask.

Estelle sighs, “You should know there are two types of bonds.” I gawk at them. Not sure of what to say I remain silent. “The first is a mating bond and second is a fated mating bond. Both blessed by the Goddess. However, the mating bond is a choice. Two Fae find one another and the pull is so strong they cannot resist for long. They are enraptured and fully committed to the other. Choosing them above anyone else. Never straying. Never wavering. The instinct to defend and protect is uncanny.” She looks to Aemond, knowing that is what they share. “The second, the rarer of the two is not a choice. The Goddess has made the decision for them whether they want to be mates or not. She has chosen their souls to match one another for a reason, for a purpose. So few have been made that overtime the difference and knowledge of the two has been lost. In the thousand year history of the three realms only three fated mate bonds have been recorded. They are stronger. The completion of their souls is different. It is said it not only alters one’s heart but mind, body, and soul. No one knows why they are different other than the Goddess wills it so.”

I stare at her. Knowing there has to be more. Waiting for her to continue. She glances over to Aemond who places a reassuring hand on her knee. “Both mating bonds are unbreakable. There is not a force in the world that can break a bond once it is made. Mating bonds occur with such devotion and love. The thread that binds them together is said to be a connection beyond words. Some have even said that each bond formed is a reincarnation of past mates. Believing there are so few bonds in history recorded at the same time because the mated bonds are the same souls finding each other in another lifetime. Their souls complete one another for all eternity.”

“Is there a possibility of more than one mate?” I ask.

“Considering mates souls complete the other it would be impossible for their to be two mates. Prince Proteus may mate with her but if your bond is true then only your soul can match hers.”

“But you said a mating bond is a choice.”

“Not a fated one.”

“And how do we know if it is fated? If they are as rare as you say no one alive has experienced such a bond.”

“I did believe Dinalia to be your fated mate, until you informed us of Prince Proteus also having a matching Goddess mark. Even with the mating bond being a choice it is not known for their to be three Fae with the same mark. There is something at work here that I do not understand.”

“Before learning of Proteus, why did you believe Dinalia and I to be fated?”

“The prophecy and the tercentenary of the three realms. There is a reason there have only been three other fated mates recorded in our history. Some priestesses believe they only occur every three-hundred years at the anniversary of when the Goddess ceased the three-hundred year war and spread her magic throughout the lands. Why is still a mystery.”

“So what does this mean?”

“I don’t know. I thought you and Dinalia were fated based off of the prophecy but with this news of Prince Proteus I am not sure where to go from here. Fated or not the three of you having matching Goddess marks is a first for me. My knowledge and training has its limits. To my understanding three with the same mark is not known throughout our history, but the fated mate bond is so rare no one is aware of what is true and what is not.”

We are all silent for a moment.

“There’s one more thing you must know.” I say.

They both stare at me. Anticipation on their faces.

“My Father is dead. I killed him.”

They look at one another briefly before rising and then kneeling, bowing their heads. Saying in unison, “Long live the King.”