Roses and Thorns

Chapter 2

The throne room is a large pristine open area that overlooks a waterfall. It’s a high ceiling room with silver tapestries and white curtains. The railings are the color of pearl and are magnificent. From where I’m standing, I can hear the pleasant sound of the waterfall cascading down. The perfect marble floor manages to reflect my nervous expression.

I’m currently standing in a row with other nobles that I’ve grown up with. Our ages vary greatly from each other. As we are ageless, it’s sometimes hard to tell but the scars on the others faces are what puts their age apart from mine. 

The ones with scars are from the time the war was still going on which is hundreds of years ago. The newer generation like I, have prominent dark markings in our otherwise milky or glowing skin. 

My markings were given to me by my father before he passed. It was on my right shoulder that trailed down to my arm. Roses, like my name, my mom’s favorite flower. 

It signified our new life without scars. 

Finn, who stood beside me, had his markings done in a single block of straight line across his face right below his eye.

From what I know of the Nightbornes that we have, they also had markings. They were glowing tattoos in various colors. It’s said that at night, if you look out the window, you’ll be able see them roaming around with their bright tattoos as if they were fireflies in the night. 

The wooden double doors open and we all turn back in anticipation. 

It wasn’t the King but a young prince. My heart falls. He’s so young. He shouldn’t be in the line up. No one was exempted though. Blythe, the eldest Prince who was sacrificed last Blood Moon, is a testament to that. 

The young Prince had the same silver hair that all the royalty seemed to fashion. He also had the bright uncanny amber eyes that signified his birthright as a member of our royal family. He wore his regal clothes neatly while attempting to put on his blindfold. 

All of us stood standing in front of the empty throne watching the sun go down. It was nerve wracking. 

The Prince was still struggling to put on his blindfold from beside me. I let out a sigh and turned to him. 

“Let me.” I whisper under my breath. 

He looked startled, his hands were shaking uncontrollably. “Rosie.” 

The recognition is clear in his melted golden eyes. I force a smile and take his blindfold. “Hi. You’re joining this year?”

“One from the royal family.” He stated flatly. 

I hum busying myself with tying. The young Prince had jewels woven into his. It was pretty. 

“Are you scared?” He asked after I was done. 

I could see the conflicting emotions on his face. He wanted to be brave for his turn in the choosing yet his fright was so obvious. “A little.” I admitted and squeezed his shoulder in hopes to comfort him. “It won’t be you.” 

“I hope it won’t be you also.” He squeaked. “You’re our best healer and our oldest-“ 

I don’t miss how he trails out to say that. That’s right. Years ago, I was to be married with my best friend, Blythe. 

There wasn’t anything to it. I was the only girl with a noble bloodline around his age. I like to think we had feelings for each other or at least something close to that.

We didn’t have a chance to do much about it because a few days after it was announced, the Blood Moon happened and he was chosen. 

I force another smile. During the Blood Moon, everyone usually finds themselves forcing a few dozen smiles. 

A soft breeze manages to blow into the throne room making me shiver. We all face forward watching yet again as the sun goes down. We’re complete now with the Prince here. 

I don’t know if I want it to go down faster so we can get on with it or go slower so I can have more time to calm myself and pray. 

“Who do you reckon it’s going to be?” Finn asked in a low voice that didn’t carry.

I look at the two- nearly three dozen people that gathered. I knew everyone in this room. Some were my parent’s friends while some were of my brothers, most are mine. It chilled me to think we were losing yet another one. 

That’s the price we pay for peace right? Better it be one of us than hundreds of us dying at war. 

“Maybe none of us.” I whisper back hopefully.

Finn stared at me for a long time and stifled a laugh. “Maybe.” 

I silently wonder how the Nightbornes choose. The King is said to be cruel, ruthless and unjust. Most of the ones I see that come here are either missing a limb or an eye. Always disabled or nearly dying. We were like a dumping ground for all the people he deemed unworthy. 

Our King never really complained as long as they followed the agreement. 

Suddenly, the doors open again and this time, it’s the King. He’s tall, brawny and muscular despite his old age. You couldn’t really tell how old. If compared to me, he would seem like an uncle not someone three or four centuries older than I was. 

The King is dressed marvelously in a white fabric that is unlike any other. He looks so regal and majestic. Much like his descendants, he has long silvery hair and piercing golden eyes. A crystal crown stood atop his head adorned with the best jewels. Every time any kind of light hit it, the crown would burst with bright colors. 

Flanking the King, are two of his large guards and one of the older Princes. He was around my age and is the next in line for the throne after Blythe. 

The King is usually a kind hearted fellow who always had a pleasant smile on his face but today was not every other day. 

Today is the Blood Moon and he was about to lose yet another person under the noble bloodline. I could see the rare hate in his eyes at the thought of what today meant for all of us.

The reason it’s nobility instead of the other citizens is because we are deemed more precious in the eyes of the enemy. We hold more meaning and weight to the King who relies on the nobles to power his kingdom. He agrees to it simply because he sees the nobility of the Nightborne just as meaningful too. 

He doesn’t sit on his throne but rather goes down the row of nobles in the room. The King stops in front of his son and shakes his head placing a hand on the Prince’s head.

“Tonight is the dreaded Blood Moon.” The King began in his commanding voice that echoed in the room. “It’s never easy. Last Blood Moon, we lost my eldest son to this night. He was the next King but more importantly a son and what could have been a future husband to someone.” 

I could feel numerous pairs of eyes burning the side of my face. 

He didn’t need to say that. Everyone already knew. 

I force myself not to react though. No one needed to see how it sent a pang of hurt deep inside my heart. I’m grateful for the blindfold that covered my eyes because my eyes started to prickle with tears. 

“The decision I make tonight is always the hardest.” He continued pacing in front of us.

The King scanned each and every one of our faces with the moon behind him. It was funny that the Blood Moon is beaming down on us while he made the decision that will change one of our lives forever. 

He stops in front of Finn and I deflate feeling horrible for him. Finn was stiff as stone. I can feel his heavy breathing and the way he kept clenching and unclenching his fist. 

I close my eyes, not wanting to see this moment. Our eyes might be obstructed by the blindfold but I can still clearly see the reactions, the tremble of his lips and the tear that falls from his cheek. 

It was exactly how my brother was chosen and exactly like how Blythe was chosen. 

I force my eyes shut and put my attention to the sounds of the waterfalls. It was calming as I sent a silent prayer for Finn. 

Another friend lost.

Abruptly, I feel a hand softly grasp the side of my neck. My eyes fluttered open and dread filled my insides when the King stood in front, holding me in place with a look of great regret. 

“I’m sorry, Rosie.”