Chapter 16
976 Words
{Anya}
The first night I slept in our conjoined suites- the Royal Wing- our bedrooms were on opposites sides of the same wall. I couldn't sleep in peace hearing his breaths through the thin walls. But his bed squeaked on the other side and the shutting of a door vibrated through the walls. He had left.
I sighed heavily and sat up in bed. My silky gown was was quite soft but contrasted with my caramel skin and dark hair. I wasn't supposed to end up with black hair. Last year, my hair was turning an auburn-red but Lucia decided to persistently dye it each week back to the black color. Supposedly to play the part of Khaleesi's sister.
Falling asleep was difficult for me because I was scared to do so. I'd always get terrible nightmares every single damn night. They differ from the burning house when I was three, losing my parents in the fire, and then waking up when the roof crushed my small body. The screams of various people. Some yelling for help others screeching in pain. The rest were of Lucia, Hydreich, and my curse- Khaleesi.
I knew the Royal Wing in the palace was vast and incredibly large. It made up the majority of the palace, being three stories tall. I walked out of her suite to dark and asleep halls. It was incredibly cold. While learning the geography of the Dragon Kingdom, I had learned that at night, the capital was below freezing point but during the day, it was Spring weather.
A tiny bit of frost was forming on my fingertips. Whispering lowly I summoned the fire spirit, "Little fire spirit, light my way..."
A small childish chuckle echoed through the halls but the fire spirit, the size of a gingerbread sat on my palm happily. High House Vulcan had depicted him as a high and mighty flame man but this is what he truly was, though, his tiny body holds enormous power. He is a child. He giggled and hopped off my palm sprinting off.
I ran after him, fire spirits guide you to your future, truth, or something you are supposed to see. But I hated to admit that I used him to keep me company. To not be alone. Being alone was a terrible feeling.
I lost him when a strong gust of cold wind hit my face. A garden. The sky was gorgeous with the stars illuminating everything from daisies to blossom trees. The garden could have been vast but was stopped me was the voice whispering in my ear.
You must see the truth. The truth....Truth....Open your eyes, my child....
I spun my head toward all directions to find the origin of the voice but could find none. "Levitate," I ordered and firmly planted my feet on the ground until I rose into the air. When I balanced myself I leaned to either side but only saw the city below. It was silent with only a few stragglers wandering the streets.
"Who are you?" I asked no one as soon as the fire spirit spun around my body and back onto my palm with a light chuckle. "You naughty boy. You've got me hallucinating now."
"Anastasia?"
Startled, I lost balance and fell a few inches but managed to hide my fire spirit in my clasped hands. "Give me a second."
I leaned over onto the roof and placed the fire spirit down. Smiling I whispered, "Shhh, I need you to leave now. I'll call you back tomorrow night."
He gave another giggle and disappeared instantly. "Non- levato," I said and fell down. I landed gracefully on my feet, my silk gown twirling behind me.
King Arin was in front of me and so was another woman. Their hands were clasped together and the woman had a small bump as her stomach. It struck me that this was probably his fiance- pregnant with his child. Both of them were bundled up nicely in fur coats, gloves, and scarves. It made me even warily about the frost on my fingertips.
"What were you doing up there?" the woman asked.
"I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. As for why I was up there, I cannot give you information," I put simply, rubbing my hands together for the friction to create heat.
"Why not?" Arin asked.
"I do not trust you," I replied coolly. The woman looked taken back by my answer and shifter awkwardly to one foot. "I apologize for not introducing myself. I am Anastasia Bennett of High House Hydra."
"Bennett," Arin echoed.
The woman smiled awkwardly, "I am Libelle Ferrant of High House Magnetron. Arin's...fiance..."
I nodded politely. There were eight elements or High Houses. High House Magnetron control metal their last name being Ferrant, meaning iron grey. High House Terrain: Earth. High House Vulcan: Fire. High House Forest: Wood. High House Viper: Animals. High House Flora: Plants. High House Slasher: Wind.
"Very well, I'll be leaving now," I bowed. "Good night my King, my Queen."
"Wait, Anastasia," Arin called out to me.
I cringed inwardly and turned back, "Yes?"
"This garden is....is...private...." he murmured, barely audible. I then realized that this garden was a secret place for the King and Queen to meet without the rest of the palace knowing.
"I apologize King Vulcan," I questioned myself upon referring to him so elegantly. Beyond being, King Arin. "I'll make sure to not come here anymore. Goodnight."
Something stirred in me but I ignored it. It might have been the aftermath of summoning the fire spirit but I decided to put it aside. Tomorrow morning, I'll set out to Capital library to get intel on the portals Luthor informed me about. If I find none then I will go to the Fairy Kingdom. I will get my freedom. No matter what.
- Writer
