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

54. Dinalia

54

Dinalia

I ’m laying in bed when I hear shouting from the hall. Shooting out of bed I grab my blades and make my way over to the door.

Moments after Saphrina fled my room, a page arrived announcing the wedding festivities for the day had been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Aeron left shortly after. Something has changed between us. I feel a little more like myself whenever he is with me. Like I found a part of myself I didn’t realize was missing.

I’m authentically me.

No need to hide.

No fear of exposure.

Just me.

Just us.

Morphing perfectly into one another.

He’s gone now. He had to go handle something in the Shadowlands with his Father. I didn’t question it.

Before I can reach the door. It’s bursting open.

But to my surprise it’s Prince Proteus.

What is he doing here ?

“Lady Dinalia, you must come with me?”

I can’t put my finger on it but something is different about him. He’s not the same well mannered, timid boy that came to us a few days ago. His eyes reflecting more deep cerulean blue than before. How is that even possible?

I nod. Skeptical at the fact that he is in this wing of the castle and he is the one calling on me. I hear chaos echoing the halls around us. He is rushing me towards my Mother’s garden. Away from the castle.

Evidently, I wasn’t moving fast enough because he grabbed my hand and started running. I feel out of sorts. A discomfort and uncertainty I have not felt before.

“Why are we leaving the castle? What is going on?”

“There isn’t much time. The Shadowlands are attacking. Another raid. And I don’t think they intend to leave any survivors this time.”

Shock barrels through me. No, this can’t be. Aeron, he wouldn’t have done this.

We make it to my Mother’s garden where King Charon, Queen Ayla, and Saphrina are already waiting.

“Ugh, what is she doing here?” Saphrina asks.

“I don’t have to come with you.”

“Good, no one wants you here anyway.” She says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Saphrina, it doesn’t matter if you don’t want her here. We need her. She knows the forest. She will be able to grant us safe passage through. Back to the Celestial Realm.” Prince Proteus says.

How does he know that?

Why are they just fleeing?

And where is King Elio?

Not because I care about his safety but because he wouldn’t allow this to happen. His pride couldn’t take it.

But where is Aeron? He should be here. He would be here. He wouldn’t just leave me fleeing for my life with them.

“I’m not coming with you.”

“Dinalia, don’t be ridiculous.” Prince Proteus says.

“I’m not being ridiculous. If it truly is the Shadowlands raiding us I need to be here to defend it. King Perseus is mine to kill.”

He’s stolen everything from me. My home. My Mother. Cookie. Everything that ever meant anything to me was taken by his hands. I am stronger and more powerful than I have ever been. If he is here. I will find him.

And I will kill him.

“You all should go though. The paths are clear and the full moon’s light shines down lighting the way. Should you encounter any unsavory creatures, Saphrina can protect you with her magic.”

She uncrosses her arms, “What? No, I can’t? My magic isn’t nearly as well defensive as yours. We’ll never make it if I am our only defense.”

“If Prince Proteus was able to gift you a star. He too possesses great magical abilities. He should be able to defend you against any creatures you may encounter.” I walk over to her. Running my hands down her arms. Grasping her hands in mine. “I know you are angry with me. And you have every right to be. But I hope you know this was not what I intended. There is something between Aeron and myself I can’t explain. It’s been so long since I’ve felt any sort of comfort and I did not wish to deny it to myself. I am sorry.”

She sighs, “I’m not angry with you. I’m jealous. You’ve always been great at everything. Your schooling, magic, fighting, all of it. I knew you were always shunned and cast out but even with that no one could deny your abilities. The evidence speaks for itself. You were living up to standards that no one had for you. I guess just once I wanted to be what everyone thought I was. And I thought Aeron saw me as more. I’m glad you found each other. ”

I pull her into my arms. We share a hug. I whisper in her ear so only she can hear me. “Remember, this garden’s life may have been hued from this very forest but they are not the same. Do not underestimate the creatures that follow. Do not allow yourself to trust so easily. Stay alert. Stay aware.” I hold her away from me at arms length.

She’s staring at me taking in my words. We don’t say anything more. I smile and nod them off.

Then I feel Prince Proteus take my hand into his. I’m startled by the chill of his touch. The iciness of his skin. It’s as cold as mine. “You sure I can’t convince you to come with us.”

That’s odd and very forward of him to take my hand into his own. Even though he is still presumably betrothed to Saphrina.

But there is something there.

We lock eyes. The same curious and wandering interaction as all of our others. I peer into the eyes of the boy I saw all those years ago. How they have changed. No longer are they a pale blue-gray. No longer do they hold intrigue and question. Now a deep cerulean blue. Filled with something darker. Something uncertain. Pools to drown in.

Brushing it off. Thinking it is just the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I pull my hand away. “I’m sure. There is something I need to finish here.”

He nods, “You know where to find us should you need a safe haven.”

I smile and nod in thanks.

Then he’s gone. Disappearing into the forest with the rest of them.

I rush back into the castle. I have no idea where I’m going but I’m heading for the throne room.

Just a hunch.

A feeling.

I’m dodging and fighting Shadowling after Shadowling. This raid is the same as before. Bodies piling. Servants being slaughtered. I fight through soldier after soldier. Using my blades and magic to my defense.

I’ve gone the back way. Arriving at a side door. Entering quiet as a mouse.

No one knows I’ve arrived.

I take in the room. Examining the layout, planning out my next move.

Aeron is there along with King Elio. But I see no one of such importance to be considered King Perseus. Aeron sits on the throne and King Elio kneels before him.

So, Aeron is leading the raid.

My heart pinches in my chest. This can’t be right. He wouldn’t leave me behind. He wouldn’t leave me to fend for myself.

“Look where our actions have brought us, King Elio.” Aeron says.

I listen closely. Intrigued with the correspondence that is about to take place.

“You sit on my throne. Why? When you have your own to warm.”

“At least you and your daughter are still alive.”

“For now.”

“Yes, for now. But neither of you will die by my hand or my people.”

“Why? Because you think since you and Dinalia bear the same Goddess mark you are fated. You two together will bring about the world we all dream of. The world prophesied?”

My heart stops. What world is prophesied?

And how does King Elio know of my Goddess mark? How would he know of Aeron’s?

No, not possible. I saw his bare chest. There was no mark.

But my Mother concealed her true features. Why not him as well. But why?

“I would leave the world prophesied to burn for all eternity if it meant I could spend a lifetime with her. ”

King Elio laughs. Well, an attempt at a laugh. “You hold such hope for the life you might share together. But does she know?”

Aeron’s eyes flash with anger.

“Tell me, Prince Aeron, does Dinalia know? You have gone to her since so gallantly saving her from my assault, I’m sure. Enraptured with one another but have you given her the opportunity to know your true self? That you were there the night her Mother died and you did nothing!”

“She will know in time. I will present her with the one who killed her Mother. The one responsible for his Queen’s death.”

Shock barrels through me at what I am hearing.

Aeron confirmed what I had suspected all along. King Elio killed my Mother. Her blood being the price paid for Saphrina’s magic coming to life.

But what’s worse is come to find out Aeron was there. He didn’t deny it.

My heart is breaking. My soul is shattering.

I cried for what felt like hours after my Mother died. And I haven’t cried since. Haven’t felt enough to bare such emotion. But this.

This betrayal. I can’t even put it into words how much it hurts. I opened myself up to him. He made me feel like myself again. Whole. Complete. Happy .

All built on a lie.

He was playing me. Using me all along and I fell for it.

How could I have been so foolish. I am broken, an incomplete soul destined to be alone.

My anger is all consuming. No tears well in my eyes at the pain that I feel. I only see red. My hearing muffled as blood rushes through me. My heart pounding in my ears with my increasing heart rate.

I’m seething with rage. This will not stand.

My eyes are moving frantically. My lashes fluttering into view as I try to maintain my composure but I can’t.

I emerge from behind a pillar. “How dare you. Both of you. Discussing my future. Exchanging secrets that involve me, my Mother, my life!” My voice echos throughout the hall. Emphasizing the word life.

They both whip their heads toward me. King Elio in shock. Aeron’s face is blank.

I point my blades at them. One for each of their throats. My arms are shaking at what I just heard.

King Elio killed my Mother. I always suspected but hearing it fully. The truth exposed. Thinking of how she suffered, how she died with him. Someone she trusted. Spending every day with him. Every time he looked at me did he think of her? Her face? Her light?

“Dinalia!” I hear King Elio shout. “Listen to me! I loved your Mother but she had to die!”

I can’t hardly hear him over the anger that is ringing in my ears. I’m shaking with rage. My knuckles turning white from how hard I am gripping my blades.

“My estrella,” I look over to Aeron, my heart beating, my Goddess mark burning, “There is much to explain.” His voice is calm. His expression is endearing. How could he do this to me?

How could I allow this to happen?

“Dinalia, please! Help me!” King Elio pleads. Groveling, begging for my assistance.

But what he should be begging for is my mercy.

I shut my eyes close. Clenching my jaw so hard, I think my teeth might break. He ‘loved’ my Mother. He killed her but he supposedly loved her. He used her, just like he uses everyone else. She deserved so much more in life. She will be avenged. I will have my revenge. I turn, slicing both of my blades in his direction.

My magic coating my blades. Expanding all around me .

He dodges. He’s not chained. His countering will not last. He has little magic compared to my own and no sword to defend himself. Besides he has already been severely beaten, by Aeron if I had to assume. His torn clothes and blood coated face give it away.

He blocks my magic with his. My white flames slashing at his bursts of pure energy. He’s backing away from me. I can’t get close enough.

Not yet.

Rage barrels through me. All this time. All the years of suffering. Of anguish. Of enduring his disgust and cruel treatment toward me. Only for him to think he can assault me. Overpower me and use me for his own gain.

I am not the same weak and frail girl I once was. I am a star, whose light cannot be matched. And my light will not dwindle. Not for them. Not for anyone.

I will never be used again. I will not be a pawn in someone else’s game. These men. These two insufferable males will see just how dark and lethal I have become. They think they rule with the title of King. Sitting on their thrones looking down upon everyone else. But I will put them down. I will put them in their place. If they want to rule, they can rule in hell.

Clicking the button on my blades. They extend. Forming whips. I slash them toward him. Reaching and cutting him from this distance.

He falters.

I break through his energy shield. Making quick work to bind him with my magic. Burning him ever so slightly. The purple and blue hues of my flame enveloping his skin.

We are surrounded by white flames. The room grows cold as it is engulfed in my magic.

Anger consumes me. Darkness becomes me. There is no holding back. I have kept this burning desire at bay inside of me long enough. Only killing in the shadows. But not anymore .

I will kill him in the light of our Goddess’s full moon. I will kill him for all to see.

My magic coils around him like a python wrapping around its prey. I bring him to his knees. Strangling him. Restricting him of breath. Forcing him to feel my asphyxiation. The suffocation I’ve felt every single day living in his castle. Enduring his disdain. Weighing him down just as he pressed his body into me last night.

His eyes are bulging out of his head. His face is purple. The rest of him is black from my flames burning his skin.

Then I release him.

He gasps in air. Taking breath after breath.

Thankfully, he is still on his knees.

He peers up at me, vengeance in his eyes.

I create my single double edge blade. Hosting it up high, as I say, “Blood for blood, King Elio, blood for blood”

Then I’m plunging it into his heart. Right where he killed my Mother. The exact same location I made my first kill.

Relishing in the same realization I came to then.

Death is not a sentence, but a release .