My eyes open, catching the sight of Koen’s head tilted towards me, observing us.
“Please, take the dagger and place your hand over the fire,” the Queen states, walking around the flame to stand on the other side. Her hands twist in front of her, raising her chin high and watching me.
I slowly remove the gloves and open my hands, gazing at my palms with healed wounds before grabbing the dagger, slicing my skin without hesitation. My lips part, a subtle wince escapes my lips from my skin slicing open. My fingers curl, grippingtightly, and I hover my hand over the fire. I watch as my blood drops down my wrist before falling into the fire.
The flame bursts to life, glowing like a star before it flickers with shades of blue. Then, the colors change dramatically, flashing like lightning. Orange, green, yellow, then back to blue and red. The brightness makes me squint, yet I can't pull my hand away from the fire. It captures me, keeping me firmly in place. No matter how much I try and yank away, I am frozen in place.
Until I notice Koen leaving the formation, rushing towards me and grabbing my hand from the scorching flames, freeing me from its grasp. He quickly releases my hand, eyes wide with fear before he steps back, and returns to the line.
I hear muttering in the crowd, whispers that make my skin crawl.
He didn’t burn when he touched me.
“Now, what does this mean!” I hear a roar erupt from the crowd, and in walks the Ice King. “We have never seen those colors before.”
The Queen’s lips pull into a worried smile. “We shall go to the book of Azure and read about it.” She nods towards the guards, allowing one to take her hand to step down.
“You and that damn book!” the King bellows from the pit of his stomach, his face turning red. “How about you tell us! You are the one that threw her into the games knowing no woman is ever supposed to compete!”
“Are you challenging me?” She pauses mid-step, violently raising her brows as she meets the King’s glare. “You should be careful what you say.”
“I am a King!” he screams, walking fiercely up towards the guards. “You are a Queen, remember that!”
“I am the Queen of Azure, which means I reign overyou.” Her chin tilts forward. “Don’t you forget that.”
“My son will rule this Realm better than you ever have.” He spits at the ground, making a few bystanders gasp at his action before he turns to leave. The doors slam at his exit.
Her hand gestures in the air for the music to continue. “Please carry on.”
The violins begin to play, and people dance in the middle once again as if nothing happened. Queen Antivianna looks over her shoulder towards me, nodding gently before the guards take her away.
“May I have this dance?” Florian holds out his hand, startling me as my eyes are locked onto Koen, who walks to grab another drink with Theon and Kaine. “It’s important. We need to talk.”
Chapter 41
“The first shifter was born when the first Deskyiara was born. It's as if good and evil were brought to the Realms that day. The Gods never knew the destruction that was coming.” - Book of Azure
I GLIDE MY GLOVES OVER my hands, pulling them high above my elbows, and follow Florian out to dance. The whispers from the Royals form goosebumps along my spine. Their eyes are glued on me if they are plotting out some sort of plan to have me removed for good.
But as fast as I noticed the King of the Sky leaving after the King of Ice, Florian spins me around. My chest collides with his. He wraps his arm around my waist, gliding his fingers into mine. His suit is different from the chosen, the color of choice this evening, a burgundy red adorned with the stones of the realms against his pocket.
Unfortunately, it matches the same color as Skie’s dress.
“What is it?” I pull my chin upwards to him, watching his eyes flicker everywhere but toward me. “What is going on?”
“I found Alice.” His voice drops to a whisper. “She is alive.”
My chest rises, my heart flickering wildly. “Where is she?”
“Lykia was right, they took her to the dungeon, but she escaped. One of the dragons I suppose broke down the right wall, letting multiple shifters escape that night. Including Alice.”
“Florian, where is she!” My voice raises, catching the attention of a pair dancing beside us. I force a smile, tightening my lips as their brows pull inward, startled by my outburst.
“She is in the Darklands. With Tilly.” His eyes drop to mine. I catch sight of his scar in his cornea, and the tones in his eyes radiate like the fire behind me. “Something is going on, I can feel it. Sense it.”
I glance away, swaying as I follow his lead. “But how did she end up here? Only a Deskyiara can travel through the stones unless they have the pendant you wear.”
“I know.” He leans closer. “None of it makes sense.”
