Reign of Wrath

Chapter 6

The cold breeze passed the same time she was getting out of the tent, the reason why she shivered for a brief moment. This night has been the coldest amongst the past ones or perhaps she is too bone-weary that she easily gets carried away.

Torches were lit up to illuminate the whole camp. When she reached where the celebration is happening, her eyes immediately settled on the half-naked women currently performing a sensual dance in the middle. Their bodies moved fluidly along the beat of the music. 

She tore her eyes away from them to look around. There is plenty of food and ale to fill their stomachs. Waves of laughter are everywhere and jests were thrown one after the other. They are all merry at the King’s birthday.

When they see her, they would smile widely. The slain monster's body—that she has so boldly claimed instead of Alec—was pierced high on top of a fire, slowly burning, slowly diminishing the remainder of its existence. 

“Happy birthday, father,” she said when she got close to him, bowing her head to kiss his ring.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" he asked her while looking at the headless monster. "When you've first seen it, did it ever gave you chills?"

"Yes. It was right in front of my face."

He finally looked at her. His eyes, for the first time, have some kind of appreciation. 

"You've been very brave, my child."

She feels so overwhelmed by emotions. It is beyond belief how his simple words could affect her so. 

And she's torn. 

Does she truly deserve this?

She did not really catch that monster for him. She did not prove herself worthy of his favor. 

Her eyes went where Alec is, seated next to her seat. He was already watching her. His eyes were reflecting the fire in front of him. 

"Your mother has told me something, Eleana," her father said, making her look back to him.

"What is it, father?"

"Nyxus has seen you." It wasn't really a question so she did not answer. "He shall come again. You have to prepare yourself for it."

The mere thought of seeing him again has sending chills all over her body. 

She bowed her head and walked away, leading towards where Alec is to sit. On her way, she cannot help but notice how intently he looks at her that she was the one who just gave up and looks away.

“I assume you’re enjoying yourself,” she said as she sits.

Alec grabbed his cup from the table and gulped its content. Tearing his eyes away from her to the group of women dancing in the middle for everyone’s entertainment.

“I guess I am.”

She eyed the food on the table and reached only for a grape to eat. She lost her appetite.

Roaming her eyes around, she caught her mother staring at her again. How easily she grabs her mother’s attention now, when it was so hard to do so before.  

“Are you not cold?”

She looked back at Alec. “Even if I am, I would not complain. Mother chose this dress.”

“And she’s done a good job at it.” Sarcasm was very evident in his voice.

“It is a nice dress. I look older and... “ She cannot continue the sentence.

“That is what you want? To look older?” he snapped.

“Well, not really. My youth is what the others envy so I am not so hasty to get old.”

“Then what is it that you want to look like?” he challenged, angling his whole body to her.

Her eyes moved to the women in the middle. Watching how they touch each other’s private places for everyone to see. She wonders if men like to watch this kind of showcase. 

It wasn’t like this in the palace. Balls held there are too formal and elegant. Whilst those that are held outside is wild and liberated just like this one.

“I want to dance.” She stood up, wanting to avoid his question.

“You cannot dance when those women are there,” he said, pointing at the middle.

“I am sure they will make way for the Princess.”

“But the King is enjoying himself. Don’t you think it is rather rude for you to stop them just so you could dance?”

He stood up as well which caught her off guard because she was able to fully see what he is wearing. His trousers were hugging him tight and his coat is without buttons so his chest is seen.

He offered his hand. “I have an idea.”

When she did not take his hand, he grabbed her and pulled her away from the celebration.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To dance.” Then he turned her.

She laughed when she stepped on his foot. “I’m sorry.”

“I thought you were taught how to dance gracefully.”

She glared at him. “I wasn’t prepared for the turn, Alec. How should I know what you’re thinking inside that head of yours?”

He smirked. “Good thing that you don’t.”

A cool breeze passed them and she can’t help but shiver.

“You’re cold,” he stated. “I’m cold too so I cannot give you my coat.”

“Let’s just get back near the fire.”

“But you wanted to dance.” He opened his coat. “Fit yourself in here.”

“Are you mad?”

“Do you want to freeze to death?”

She stared at his bare chest then at his waiting eyes. “No. I don’t.”

“Then get in here.”

Slowly, she entered her hands inside his coat and enveloped it by his back. He shivered upon contact.

“Your fingers are stone-cold.”

“They’re fine," she pressed. 

She rested her cheek against his chest before he closes his coat, locking her in with an embrace.

He started to move, swaying and humming. Occasionally, he rests his chin on top of her head. But he is mostly trying to snug himself on her neck.

“Do you want to go back?” she asked.

“You?”

“I’m good.”

“Then I’m good too.”

She smiled, hugging him tighter and breathing his scent in. How she wishes this would last forever. Him inside her embrace, so close and never leaving. With all the years together, she cannot help but be dependent on him. She thinks it is alright since they will be eventually husband and wife. And it is nice to have someone who cares and thoughts of you so earnestly. Because she always has her attention on other people that she oftentimes forgets about herself.

“My family wants me to go back home,” he suddenly said and she pulled herself away from him so she could look at his face.

“What?”

“They have sent a missive to King Elias. He has already approved of it. I shall leave tomorrow," he said seriously.

“So soon?” She cannot believe he is telling her this just now. “When will you come back?” Her voice cracked.

“I still don’t know. It is for our parents to decide, Eleana.”

He pulled her back to him and continued their silent dancing. The stones under their feet added more noise to the music. The stars, up on the skies, were her witness of how heartbroken she is. And the breeze only made it the more reason to embrace tighter.

“I assume that we shall part ways when we are to go to the castle tomorrow and you to another direction.”

“Yes.”

She felt her tears forming in her eyes but she refuses to let them fall. She won't allow it.

“Will you miss me, Alec? Tell me honestly.”

He chuckled and held both of her cheeks upwards so he could look at her face—pain and disappointment were very evident. “This stubborn, little princess who can basically do anything but still wanted her parents’ favor among others? Of course, I shall miss her.”

They have been together since they were children. They bicker and fight but they knew each other’s weaknesses and insecurities. She who has to work hard for her parents’ attention and him being a second son, always a shadow to his elder brother.

“There will be a time that we shall never be parted again," he assured her and she only replied by hugging him tighter, not wanting to ever let go.

By the morrow, they are all set to leave the place and go back to the castle. Alec has his own men to accompany him on his journey back to his kingdom after so many years. It is within their knowledge that they could be attacked by Wentraus—uncivilized folk who makes it their goal to destroy the kingdoms of the known world—or by common monsters. Therefore, it is always best not to travel alone.

Alec kneeled in front of her father. She was already on horseback and some had already started their walk back to the castle, each still hang-over from the celebration last night but were still able to carry their own load on their backs or arms. Her mother is on a palanquin and does not seem to care at all on Alec’s departure despite him being with them for years. He was basically their son and he will be, once their union is actually settled.

She watched Alec and her father talk. They were so serious that she has an urging to listen to what they are talking about but manners contradict it and she remained unmoving on top of her horse. 

She felt her left arm burned but she did not dare raise her sleeve to look at it while many people are still around. She is not a fool as to do that when her mother has strictly ordered about it. Besides, Nyxus ink is still there, marking her very skin. 

For some reason, she is not so bothered by him branding her for what she has done to him—shooting him with her arrow. He said he has come for her which means he has some kind of intention. He allowed her to shot him then branded her—like what he usually does to those who have wronged him. But it is different. She cannot pinpoint what it is but she knows there is something odd about it.

Alec finally stood and kissed her father’s ring. He then turned and caught her looking at them.

She did not look away, cherishing this time that she could see him.

He smiled and nodded at her as his farewell, not saying anything more. Their time alone last night was enough. Moreover, they had never shown publicly that they are close especially with her parents’ presence.

She just watched him sat astride on his horse and without looking back, he took his way—with his company—to the left. When he was out of her sight that is only when she moved her horse to a different direction, far and away from him for the first time.

~~~~~~~

The sun is at its peak. Its scorching heat was burning their skin as they thread the path back to Castille. She grabbed her flask from her pack and drank only a gulp. They still have a long way to go. 

She can hear the hooves of the horses hitting the ground like thunder with the booming noise. The loud merry singing of the men to keep them all awake and going. It is just like that when they had come to the borders to celebrate the King’s birthday, only that it wasn’t the same for her because there is no one beside her to sing along with it and to irritate her with his made-up stories.

Alec has just become a part of her life. From waking up to going to bed, he was always there. She sees him daily except when she went hunting. And now that he has gone—knowing he won't be back soon—she cannot seem to get used to the empty feeling. 

Though it is a matter of time for everyone to get used to things, to adapt with the changes. She convinced herself of that.

Her left arm burned again and she just scratched it to divert the pain. 

"Do not scratch it, Princess," Asrus said, able to reach her with his own horse. "Do not do anything to awaken the bond between you two."

"Bond?"

"Well, yes. He has marked you which only means that a bond shall be formed between you two."

She looked at him expectantly. "Is there any way you could remove this?"

"I can, yes, but that serves as a challenge for Nyxus if I ever meddle with what he wants. And I do not want that. No folk has ever challenged him. No folk has been a fool."

He then passed her, making his way towards her mother's palanquin.

She thought she will be left alone again but Jacin occupied Asrus space and looked at her with pity. He is her father's right hand ever since he has ruled the kingdom. His skin is porcelain white, his hair coiled and his eyes are the color of gold. It was no mistaking that when someone sees him, they would immediately conclude he is the Sun Summoner just by looking at his eyes.

"Do not look at me like that," she immediately said. "I am not dying."

"But you will be," he said, looking at her arm. "It is only a matter of time."

She pressed her lips tight. "He won't kill me," she said certainly. "I am the only daughter of King Elias and Queen Indila, the sole heir to the throne of Castille. He won't do such a thing as to ruin the natural order. It will upset the gods."

"Then you haven't paid attention to your lessons," he told her harshly. "Sinag is suffering for years because of a war between families who lays claim on the throne when the Crown Prince died because of an illness. No one knew what that illness is, no one found a cure. But guess who gave that to him."

She did not have to guess. 

But Jacin is wrong about her not paying attention to her lessons because she did studied about that particular event of history. Though she did not think that Nyxus has some part in it—a disturbingly wicked part. 

"If he ever comes again, do your best to make amends for whatever you have done to him." 

He does not have to tell her that. She would really do it. 

Her head snapped to her right when she heard a different noise other than the horses and their men. She frowned and stopped her horse from moving, focusing herself to hear clearer. It was a different noise—something approaching with a blowing horn. 

Her eyes immediately went to her father. His horse is stopped as well and he has the opposite look as her—he looks delighted. Their company immediately stopped upon his order. The folks put down all their loads on the ground and waited for what to do next, still unaware of what is happening. 

Her father suddenly went to her and looked at her in a challenging way. “You are in charge, Eleana. You have slain a monster, I am certain you are capable of handling this alone.” 

He looks so sure, so delighted of this situation that she did not want to burst it. 

She brought this upon herself.

The monster's head is inside one of their many boxes. It was the proof of her bravery, of her skills and strength. They applauded and cheer for her because of it. Her father had looked at her with appreciation for the first time.

Little did they know, she wasn't really the one who has caught it.

She composed herself and grabbed her sword. "I won't let you down, father."

King Elias rests his hand on her head and silently gives her his blessing. She was basically preparing for this all her life. She has been taught different tactics by their generals, trained alongside their armies. And she is to be Queen someday, she has to begin fighting one way or another.

She got off her horse and walked towards her mother. Queen Indila silently looked at her, aware of what is going to happen. She kneeled on the ground and her mother rests her hand on her head just like what his father did. Only that her blessings were much longer.

When it was done, she stood up straight and held her sword tight. 

Her first ever battle, unexpected and unprepared. 

She did not look back as she walked far from their company, away so that they won't be involved. The sun was burning her skin more, the breeze dry.

Stopping, she kneeled on the ground, feeling it moved against her from the countless feet stomping on it. She unsheathed her sword and held it tight with both of her hands, facing the tip upwards as she repeatedly murmurs her prayers. “May the gods guide me to where my fate lies. The people shall be my witness, my father and mother are my critics for this day is a day to be remembered—the day when I will die or the day of my glory.” She opened her left palm and sliced herself, making her blood drip in front of her.

And then they appeared—the Wentraus.

#lovobogROW