I roll my eyes, glancing towards Florian.
Florian pats his horse on his neck. “They are a gift from the Gods. Life from the Gods.”
“Our four Realms were chosen that day to protect the people. And we have done just that. Four kinds are living among us now, and the ones we ride on are known as Nivalesies, the horse of frozen water. These horses came from the skies. Hand crafted by our Gods. Our leaders welcomed them into our lands and we welcomed them with open arms. Little did the people of the Realms know that these mystical creatures came to help protect us from the Darklands. The Gods knew something wicked was brewing within the Realms.”
“I thought there were five eggs? For five different kinds?” I question.
“We had no idea at the time, but the ruler of the Darklands stole one from the Kingdom of Eekatia. We have no idea what hatched from that specific egg.” Koen shakes his head, as if remembering what the Darklands took from the Kingdom is sparking up old anger within him.
“The fall of the Deskyiara bloodline was only the start of it all.” Florian leans over, grabs a water bag from his satchel, and tosses it to Koen. “When the Wailing Mother cursed the lands once the daughters of the Royals were either taken or killed, that's when hell broke loose. Almost all of our lands were scorched with fire, we were certain our Realms would burn to ash.”
“But they didn’t. However, all of the Royal children are now marked with a curse, but the lands that were once filled with peace are filled with dragons that… at a time, were never there.” Koen tilts his head back, chugging the water. I get mesmerized by a small drop falling from his bottom lip, down his chin to his neck. The water rolling over his veins in a fluid motion.
I rip my gaze away.Snap out of it.
“Our duty to the Realm is to protect the people from the dragons and to one day take down the Wailing Mother to break the curses once and for all.”
“A Wailing Mother?” I hesitantly say, grabbing the water sack from Koen and taking a long swig, quenching my thirst. “What does that mean?”
Koen kicks Zeei to ride faster as we approach a golden, shimmering, transparent wall. “They believe she was Queen Deskyiara, wife of the King, who suffered from a broken heart of losing her daughters. Some say she turned into a banshee and cursed all the Royals so that their children and grandchildren to come will bear a curse. Which is why the battle games take place, to one day end it once and for all. However, now, the Royals are marked, showing what curse they are haunted with.”
“But since Koen is a bastard—” Florian deeply teases.
“You know I hate that word.” Koen grabs the water bag from my hand and throws it at Florian, who almost drops it.
“It's true though. Since he is not born from two Royal parents, he is a soul who has no curse.”
“What curse do you have?” My gaze lingers on Florian as his eyes soften.
“We don’t speak of it.” Florian removes his eyes from mine, whipping the reins before yelling out to Koen. “Race you, brother.”
Koen yanks the midnight reins, almost sparking an electricity through Zeei. The turquoise lights sparkle beneath his skin, radiating throughout his body before taking off at full speed. My body lurches backwards, my finger sliding off Koen’s body.Shit.But as soon as I think I can’t hold on much longer, Koen grabs my hand, yanking me forward. My body thrusts into his back, my chest vibrating with agony as his steel-like body takes the breath out of me.
“Damn it, Koen.” I grunt at the impact.
“What did I tell you?” He glances back towards me, our bodies rising and falling in sync as Zeei whips through the desert, catching up to Florian. His chestnut strands have fallen from his messy bun and now sway in his face. His emerald eyes sparkle with a teasing amusement before he gives a slight smirk.
“And you said you never go back on your word!” I scuff. My thighs burn in pain with each contact of the saddle beneath us. His eyes linger on me, as if he can see right-through me and feel everything I am feeling.And I hate it.
“Quit looking at me!” I snap at him, my nose squinting with rage.
His dimple begins to show, his white teeth beaming brightly before he turns his head and kicks Zeei. I turn my head back, staring at the desert one last time, praying that this will be the last time I ever look at this dryland. When finally, the translucent wall is now in view and lush green grass meets the sand.Warmth.The perfect amount ofwarmth.
“You are protected by the walls of Eekatia now.” Koen breathes deeply. “Time for you to meet the Queen of Azure.”
Chapter 11
“Only the one who can scorch with their touch, is the closest Royal ever to be connected with the God of Fire on a deeper level than any other. If the one with the scorching touch arrives, you shall know war is coming and that the one who bears this mark, will be the only one who can stop the curses.” - Book of Azure
THE LUSH, GREEN ROLLING HILLS stretch out into the horizon before us. We pause at the highest peak of one, taking in the beauty of the scenery. Koen has stayed quiet, which is pleasantly enjoyable for me not having to listen to him talk for a moment, but as we ride through the Realm, a thought sits in the back of my mind.
There must be an easier way to get to each realm besides traveling on horse. There must be a safer way.
This is nothing like the Ice Nation, or thefield of ash… most importantly, nothing like the Desert of Death. Everything feels peaceful.Almost as if my heart is finally able to rest.
But then something rushes over me, a feeling of a thousand bees stinging my body takes over. I clench my body, shutting my eyes just as fast. My lips part, and I exhale a shaking breath as unfamiliar images flash through my mind. I groan, my eyebrows narrowing in tightly to push through the pain.
“What is it?” Florian snaps me from the torture.
