Fuck, I knew this was coming but it is too soon. My non-existent ability to steer the sun leaves me shaking. That will be a problem. At least I am lucky for one thing. Everyone will have to say goodbye to their relatives tomorrow already.
I don’t.
Fintan works at the palace, so if I’m lucky he can help me with some things. I stroll upstairs and swing a backpack over my shoulder before throwing it on the bed, stuffing it with things. One thing that can’t lack is the book that is pulling me towards him, standing in the bookcase across my room. It is calling me, like I can literally hear it scream my name.
I throw it in my backpack, not knowing what it even is about.
Maybe all the answers to my questions are in there. Why else would I be drawn to it?
Chapter 8
Eliane
The weight of my backpack pushes on my lower back. I might be 5.8 feet tall, however, I don’t weigh that much. I’ve grown muscles through the last years because of the amount of training I have been put through. But I have always been slim. After puberty and because of my growing love for leg kicks, my hips grew curvy and I got more in shape. I am not querulous about my body. Well, maybe a bit, but I don’t show it. My stomach could have been a bit flatter and my legs a bit longer, my skin could have been smoother and my face would have been more perfect without all my freckles. Every girl around my age has it, I think. I would rather call it self-conscious instead of insecure. Being insecure doesn’t get you anywhere in this world. Besides that, being busy with my looks isn’t important right now. In the trials it doesn’t matter how you look.
It is all about strength, personality, and powers.
Next to the path Da and I walk on are growing all sorts of plants and flowers. The enormous royal garden is well maintained by the dozen gardeners working in it. A boy a bit younger than me sweeps pink prunus flowers out of the way as we follow the path.I give him a thankful nod and as I do, he makes a bow. I furrow my brows. Why does he bow for me? I lean down, asking him something I wanted to ask since the day I saw the garden.
I kneel down, wrapping my hands around the little boy’s ears, asking him something in a whisper.
“Are you allowed to pick some flowers for me? I want to give them to my father.”
Da shakes his head, but I see him fighting a smile. I cover the boy with my body, so Da can’t see what I am doing.
The boy looks around nervously, but picks up a rose from the side, handing it to me.
I look into his soft blue eyes.
“Thank you,” I whisper, taking the rose carefully from his little hands. He blushes before turning around, giving me no further attention. My eyes track him, and I feel guilt growing on me.
Poor boy.
I turn around, plastering a smile on my face. It is forced at first, but as I hand Da the rose, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear. He blushes like the little boy.
I put on a funny accent, handing him the rose.
“There you go, Da, a rose from the royal garden,” I chuckle, making a bow as I hand it over.
He pulls me into a hug before taking the rose from me and slipping it into his jacket pocket, a proud smile on his face. I return his smile as he takes my hand and leads me forward.
We climb the stairs towards the guard standing next to the door.
“Name?” the guard growls.
I look around me and spin a circle as I scan the garden astonished. Da shoves his shoulder into mine and I shriek in reflex.
“Eliane Lux Angevine,” I stutter, before turning around to explore the rest of the view. “Oh and Fintan,” I continue, lifting my chin proudly in the air. His eyes widen as I talk to him.
“Yes.” He nods, crossing my name on the clipboard he is holding. His eyes are still widened as he shakes his head softly, exhaling loudly. His right hand points towards a woman, a servant I think.
“Over there is your servant waiting for you. She will take care of you for the next few days. She will help you with your outfit choices and will introduce you to the rules of the palace. If you have any questions, she is your point of contact.”
The fact that they don’t call each other by their names gives me goosebumps. I fold my arms together as I ask him her name, my voice full of irritation.
“And what may her name be?”
