Chapter Eighteen

The sun looks beautiful, just barely able to be seen as the trees clutter the sky. With my skin feeling the warm rays of the sun, a soft breeze blows as well, reminding me of the mountaintop where Dregh told me things I hope never come true. With my body leaning against the doorway of the balcony located at the highest tower n Lucretia's palace, I look out to the mountain range beyond the trees, where Kyril told the elves we were headed. The mountains do not look like any other I have seen before, the tops covered in snow and black rocks, a frozen waterfall in the distances as the ruins of some old castle can be seen, the once white bricks holding a black strain as if a fire consumed the building. The trees are still green there at the base of the mountain, a set of stairs leading up to the road where the castle lays, but beyond the castle is the rest of the mountains that look unwelcoming and dangerous.

Millions of questions run through my mind, my thoughts consumed by what Lucretia told me just hours ago, on how my father plans to be a surprise guest for dinner who will try and kill Kyril. I remember the first time I heard of my father slaying someone, how I told myself that could never be true, but as the nights pass and I hear more of what my father has done, I begin to wonder why I have come for him. Why did I come to Iduna in the first place? I recall being upset, my mother distant as always, and having enough of the life I was living. Never before had I thought that mirror in my father's office could do anything, just thinking my mother kept it around as a reminder of him. Perhaps a piece of me had hope that my father was still out there, escaping into a new world through that mirror, and living an exciting life that made him excited to get up in the morning. I was tired of the same routine of a distant mother, friends who held more pity for me than true friendship, and a boyfriend who refused to agree with me even on the simple things. Maybe I even thought that if I could find my father and bring him back home...things would go back to the way they used to be: mother smiling, holidays celebrated with joy, a sense of belonging, and feeling that I would be actually loved for one. It is silly now, how my reasons for coming here were so damn selfish and I now find myself wondering if it was even worth it for me to come here.

My father is a murderer, murdering not just demigods who are Kyril's age, but also children no older than five. To think he may do this all because of some ancient family practice or destiny that he seeks to fulfill. Did mother know about this, about his reasons for coming here? I have always done so much for people, not just family, but friends and people I wanted to make an impression on as well. I put myself through so much worry and misery that I did not notice that I was burning bridges rather than building them. I constantly allowed my mother to go on her trips without any argument because I did not want to upset her and knew she was doing this all for our family. For friends I always stood up for them, always making sure they felt safe and like they could be themselves. I have always been loyal to those I want to keep in my life, to those who mean something to me.

But look where that loyalty has landed me now, tied up in a mess bigger than myself and lives on the line. My father is just protecting some family destiny, trying to take care of business, but even if he kills Kyril tonight he will not return home. My father will never come home, and I know this to be fact now, feeling so stupid for not accepting that truth before. Why do I even bother going along now, trying to find him, to think that he would help me return home? Then again, my options are limited because I am a human in a ream like no other and friends here are scarce. It is sad because Kyril is the only one here I could even call something close to a friend. He thinks me to be some soulmate of his and I know I feel no romantic connection to him, but I cans sense that we could become not just allies, but perhaps friends if under different circumstances. Would I be willing to watch him die tonight all because I need to have my father give me a way back home or whatever I seek from my father, or would I be willing to save someone who I may be becoming loyal to? Loyal to Kyril, someone who destroyed the portal back to my home, who I have held a sword up to and fought, and who even held me over a balcony the day we met. Kyril, someone who may just lash out at me if he knew I was Heka's daughter.

Turning back to the room before me, I walk towards the silver chest located in front of the bed, the room around me truly beautiful as Lucretia told me that it was designed by the previous High One's wife. The trunk is not mine for it come with the room, but when Lucretia dropped me off here, she told me to open the chest before dinner. She told me I would need the objects within the chest to make sure I survive the night if things go wrong. She expects a fight to break out tonight once my father kills Kyril, she expects me to say nothing to the King until it is too late.

My hands grabbing the handles and pulling the chest open, I am not met with what I thought would be weapons or some sort of potions, but rather a beautiful dress made of a navy fabric. I raise an eyebrow, lifting the dress as I examine it, wondering why she would want me to have this dress with me to protect me. It is a silly dress. As I pull the dress out of the chest, the sound of metal hitting the floor causes my body to freeze and my eyes snap to the floor, a smile spreading across my face.

Picking up the short sword, the metal is cold, the sword light, and the blade polished and sharpened. It is your simple design for a sword, nothing fancy, a silver handle with black leather around it, the blade ready to be used, and easy to swing. Lucretia hid the sword in the dress, but why hide it? Laying the dress onto the bed, I examine it, looking closer to the navy material as something catches my eyes. The inner material is not the same expensive fabric as the exterior of the dress, but a thick material. It does not feel rough on my skin or would be uncomfortable to wear, but I can tell it is a dress made for reducing the impact of any hit. Lucretia expects me to fight tonight, to draw blood, expecting me to partake in the actions Dregh said I would as well. If there is one thing I have seen in these two women who hold high power, they have both consumed pieces of a dragon. Although, it makes sense for Dregh to have scales on her body, or for her heart to been seen with every beat it takes, but not for Lucretia. Lucretia consumed the soul of a dragon, and it looks like the dragon has consumed her flesh in return, the scales upon her body being something that rubs me the wrong way. It makes me wonder what could happen to someone who becomes powerful, who takes another being's soul. Did Heka of the Nile, my great ancestor, face these mutations of the flesh, for he did consume the soul of a goddess?

Sliding my clothes off my body, I fold them up, setting them upon the bed as I look to the dress before me. It looks itchy, the material reminding me of the uniform I would wear when I did fencing. I take the dress, stepping into it as I look at my appearance in the mirror before me, my hair cascading over my shoulders as the navy material fits snug around my torso and chest. A modest front and back, it holds elegant silver embroidery at the sleeves and along the part that sweeps the floor. A silver fabric wraps around my torso like a belt, only adding to the appearance as I wonder where to place the dagger. My leg seems the most obvious placement, find a strap and just hold it there until needed. Though it may not be the best for the fastest gabbing time, it offers the most coverage for no one to see. Taking the sword, I hold it to the fabric of my previous attire, cutting a strip of fabric off as I pull my dress up, wrapping it around my thigh as my nerves only skyrocket with every breath I take. To think this is the day that I see my father after so many years of him being gone, on a day he tries to murder someone.

A knock at my door and I rush with my hair, a simple braid holding it all back as I head for the door, knowing this knock means that it is time to head to dinner. Pulling open the door and taking in a shaky breath, I am met with eyes holding every nebula within them, taking my breath away as the colors are vibrant and swirling around.

"I take it you were not expecting to see me calling you down for the evening meal," Kyril comments, eyes running over my figure. "You look mesmerizing, just as beautiful as the day you stepped into my palace." They can smell a traitor from miles away, the words of my father's journal entries back in the Temple swarming through my head. Kyril trusts me, yet something is off still with how much trust he has placed in me since his mother spoke with me. Dregh warned him of me, of what I could do, and what lays on the lie with me in his circle of those he trusts. He cannot be as dumb as he seems right now, how he still allows me in on his plans.

Looking back to my room, I see the sun has not even begun to set yet, still in the sky as the clouds hang low. "It seems early for dinner to start just yet," I state, finding myself backing away from the King as my father's words are echoed in my head. "Do the elves favor an earlier meal time?"

Without warning I find myself pushed into my room, feet stumbling back as I am caught by the small lounge chair that faces a fireplace. Landing myself into the chair, I watch as Kyril shuts the door behind us, trapping me in with him as I am ready to grab the small sword pressed up against my thigh. "You must understand, Candice, that I am not some dumb mutt who refuses to look beyond their stubborn beliefs," Kyril informs, voice stern as I stand up from my chair, watching as the King grabs the dress I was just in, holding it out as he sees where some of the fabric is missing. "I see more than what the naked eye can, I can hear things not even spoken aloud, and I can read someone like you within a matter of seconds." I keep my cool, reminding myself to not lash out for he could be going elsewhere with this conversation than an attack. "We are mates, I can feel it, I know that we are meant for one another," he pauses, looking back to me, "but I also know that we cannot be."

"What do you mean?" I ask, hesitant to ask anything more.

Kyril shakes his head, throwing the dress to the floor as he crosses his arms, eyes beginning to darken. "Perhaps in another life we become true lovers and spend our days growing old together, but here, in this life, we are caught in a battle of desires and wants that keep us apart. We are stubborn people, Candice, equals in our own rights, both wanting something from the same man but having different intentions for his use. However, in this life, we have met on a battlefield, weapons drawn, and already knowing we cannot alter our destiny."

"What are you trying to say? What is the objective of this conversation?" My chest rises and falls quickly, scared of what this King could do to me.

"I could never harm you, Candice, never to bring a sword to that neck of yours. I will never hold you within my presence against your will- "

"You bastard," I snap, fists clenched. "You destroyed the mirror for me to return home. You held me with you against my will by destroying my only known way back home and then forced me to go back with you." My body is tense, expecting him to lash out and come at me with his fists formed. "You now say that you would never do anything to harm me or keep me against my will, but are you so blind that you forget what has happened not even a month ago?"

Kyril nods, agreeing with me as I find my anger rising. "When Heka is found, it is fair game, Candice, but I will not kill you. You find him and keep him from my harm, he is yours and I will not hunt him down for I know you are only using him to return home. However, if I find him, Candice, he is mine, and I will deal the justice he has long awaited." Little does Kyril know what is in store for him in just an hour or two. No one must die, but both my father and Kyril have been wanting to kill the other longer than I have been here in Iduna. "Does that sound fair to you?"

"Yes, it does," I find myself agreeing, my throat running dry as I try and think of what is running through the King's head. I want to know is he suspects an attack tonight, but even more, if he found out I was Heka's daughter if he would disregard this whole agreement and want me dead next.

Kyril runs a hand through his hair, letting out a stressful sigh. "You have no perception of the agony this puts me through, Candice," he begins, looking to me with a sense of despair. I have never seen him this way, looking so broken and guilty. "Perhaps it is because you are human that you cannot feel the attraction we have for one another, the instincts to protect the other and want each other close...but I also know it is because we are not meant to be in this life." I hold myself high, hearing these words of sorrow from a man who never likes to show his weakness of emotions. "I wish we had never met on a battlefield, Candice, but in a different setting where you have fallen for me just as I have for you. You may be human, but I see you as an equal, something I have never called another." Kyril takes his leave and I simply watch, the King not even bothering to shut my door as he calls to me from down the hall, telling me that the dinner is ready.

My eyes are locked at the hallway before me, shoulders tensed, a hallow feeling filling my chest as a part of me pleads not to go, to stay here and let fate deal down below. But I know that cannot happen, that I cannot just sit by and watch things unfold without any control. I will not kill anyone tonight, but I know that I cannot just let my father kill someone. I cannot just step aside and act like my father murdering even one person is acceptable and try to be loyal to him. No one has to die tonight, but I know that is an unreal wish to be made. Taking in a deep breath, I close my eyes, trying to relax the best I can as my nerves are like a bomb within me, only more pressure being applied by the second the longer I try and avoid the night ahead.

I step outside the room, following the hallway down as I can feel my heart beating fast in my chest, my head spinning with questions, and my stomach turning into millions of knots. Tonight, I find my father, or I lose him. If I am trapped here with none of his knowledge to find my way back home, I can honestly say I have no idea what I will do. Stepping into the massive dining room, a feast laid out on the long, marble table, Lucretia motions for me to sit beside her at the edge of the table, right next to Kyril. With her at the head of the table and everyone taking their seats, the King turns to me, offering me a soft smile as his eyes shown only pain as he gazes upon me. He truly believes that we are made perfect for one another, yet he is willing to let me go tonight because he does not want to stand in my way another than he already has.

With my hands folded in my lap and Kyril looking at me from the corner of his eye, as everyone else takes to their seats and the chandelier that hangs from above made from the ceiling made from white horns of an animal, my eyes follow the balcony running above the room. I can sense that the balcony above is where my father will be tonight, perhaps holding a bow and arrow like he did years ago when he slayed Kyril's father. The sword strapped to my thigh is cold, the sharp tip poking at my skin as I fear one swift movement will wedge the hilt into my skin. Lucretia rises to her feet, looking to her guests as her dress is white, falling to the floor with a long train, her chest barely covered as the locket hangs low, the dragon scales only on display.

"Fellow guests of the King, companions of his majesty, and weary travelers of Iduna, welcome to the Zella Palace," Lucretia begins, briefly looking to me as she offers me a sly smile. "This evening, tonight, and until you set out for your travel tomorrow, we welcome you with open arms and hope that you may find a haven within these white walls." Kyril shifts in his seat, not keen on Lucretia's welcoming speech as I look across to Duke Gravon, someone who has avoided me since. He fears me for my human status, for what Dregh warned Kyril about, and that he knows Dregh sealed us off from for a private conversation. Duke Gravon is tense, not looking my way as he keeps his eyes locked on Lucretia, lips pressed together in a firm line. "Let us eat."

The food before us looks similar to what I would expect at some family holiday meal, minus the fattening sides. There is sliced meat on a silver platter, circling a bowl of fresh blue and red berries. Salads are the main side, green leaves with a dark white nut, pastel pink berries, and various versions of the salad spread across the table. Water in glass goblets lay before each plate, designs carved into the pristine glass, the whole setup of the meal perfect, just like I would expect it to be, but I know soon it will become a catastrophe. Where everyone is placed, Kyril's most skilled warriors are not seated close to him, but rather at the opposite end of the table next to elves who hold their heads high and do not wish to grant them any sign of respect. Duke Gravon is Kyril's most trusted companion and although he sits across the King, he is not close enough to protect him. Lucretia seated me next to the King because she believes that I will allow my father to kill Kyril, that I will not try and save the King from death. If I saw my father in the balcony above, about to kill Kyril, would I just simply sit and allow it all to take place? If this was all back home, happening to where I was to be placed against my morals, would I just watch someone be murdered and not help?

"How many days will you and your men be out in the mountains?" Lucretia asks Kyril, starting the first form of conversation as I take a bite of the meat. It tastes like salmon, nothing like I would have expected as it also holds a slightly bitter aftertaste. I recall taking a glance to the mountains ahead, the scorched ruins of a castle by frozen falls. "It is winter, brutal weather out there this time of the season." Lucretia knows they are not headed to the mountains for training, no, but for finding Heka.

Kyril finishes chewing the meat, looking to Lucretia as you can tell they are not fond of one another at all. Their stares towards one another indicates perhaps a history of unpleasant tales and betrayal. "Two weeks, we plan to reach the other edge of the mountains where there is a post for the army out there."

A long pause fills the room as no other conversation takes place, everyone waiting to see what Lucretia is to say. "Forgive me, your majesty, but it seems to me that many of your men are more like scholars than future palace guards." Lucretia is beginning to point out the flaws in the King's lie. "Most would think these men to be hunters of knowledge rather then men to protect their ruler." Lucretia is right, for many of these men are scholars, men talented in tracking based off of science or skilled in archeology rather than trained in wielding a weapon. Only a dozen of the men here are actually warriors, armed and ready to protect their King.

"Are you questioning your rule?" Duke Gravon speaks up, coming to the aid of his king. If there is one person I could select who would take a bullet for his King, or in this case, an arrow or the strike of a sword, it would be Duke Gravon. "His majesty had grace to come and seek shelter within this tribe after the treason you committed against the kingdom of Iduna three decades ago." What did Lucretia and her tribe do to Iduna? Kyril's father was still the ruler at the time, Iduna untouched by my father's wicked deeds. "You and your people should have been hung from the gallows for all to see."

"Enough," Lucretia snaps, rising to her feet as her eyes become a dark gray, the silver rings around her pupils almost glowing. "We paid our wrongs and served the time, we learned our lesson."

Duke Gravon rises to his feet, a darkness surrounding him that I have never witnessed before. "Traitors never learn their lessons. Thieves will always be thieves. Murders will never regret the blood on their hands. But most of all, those who try and betray the ruler of Iduna will always be disloyal and seek their revenge."

"My father was a wise man," Kyril informs, coming into the argument as his warriors are on guard to protect their King. "Wise but foolish in who much he believed in the innerworkings of mercy. He thought grace could turn any soul around for the good, but he did not understand that a woman who feeds off the soul of dark creatures can never respect a second chance." Silence floods the hall, Lucretia trying to think of her next response as I catch a shadow from above, one of a cloaked figure.

My father has come for Kyril.

"We cannot escape our innate destiny, we cannot rewrite who we are within," Lucretia snaps, her sharp teeth on display as the green scales around her chest seem to glow, a red light behind aiding to her frightening look. "We are all savages beneath our fancy clothes, articulation of words, and the masks we put on every morning." My eyes stay locked to the balcony above, a tall figure holding out a white bow as my heart skips a beat. "Gods will always be the demons we seek to destroy, werewolves will always be hunters of the weak, elves will always be the ones to see beyond silly customs and beliefs, humans will always be weak and caught up in our world by fate, and demi-gods will always be a threat to the stability of Iduna. We elves are to purify the kingdom that once was Iduna while you demi-gods will always be here to taint it."

The blood pumps through my veins as I realize that no one can hide from fate, no one can run as fast as they can from it. Time seems to run slow, almost lost in existence as I watch my father pull back the onyx arrow, Lucretia still yelling at Kyril, and Kyril unaware of what is to happen. Do I sit by and stay loyal to my father and his twisted morals, or do I stick up for what I believe and take a risk?

As I watch the arrow release from my father's hand, I watch his eyes in the darkness, how they glow bright blue, focused not on his long-forgotten daughter but on his mission.

As the arrow passes over the table and it about to pierce the King's flesh, I grab the King by his shoulder, slamming him forward, head hitting the table as the arrow brushes the top of his hair, landing in the wall opposite of my father. Kyril acts fast, looking up to me with dark eyes, grabbing my arm as he wonders what I have done, but then he sees it, the arrow. Just as he turns to look where the shot came from, another one is show, the arrow piercing through the air as I grab the King again, pulling him behind me as I look to the balcony above, my father vanishing. As I turn to look at Lucretia, I see her eyes wide as she stares to me, chest glowing red like fire as her eyes become hooded. Acting fast, I pull out the dagger she gave me, ready to attack her, but she strikes first, a shockwave hitting me in the chest as I am shot across the room.

Head banging against the wall and my bones in pain, I watch as the High One who destroyed the soul of a god walks towards me, hitting the King with a blue light that knocks him out of her way. The elves and Kyril's men begin to fight, blood already spilt as Dregh said it would. "You will regret ever getting in my way, human," she shouts, raising her hand again as a dark magic is present, the color of blood, the purpose of her shot is to kill me. Acting fast, I get to my feet, in immense pain as I charge to the elf, not caring if she is getting her magic ready to use. I throw the first punch, landing it right at her nose as she stumbles back, her magic lost for a short second as I swing my leg up, hitting her in the stomach as I see Kyril from the corner of my eye, sliding me his sword. As it skids across the floor and Lucretia grabs my elbow, slamming me onto the floor, I grab the handle of the weapon.

As she twists my elbow and I cry out in pain, I swing my body around, leaving her grasp as I acknowledge that it is either her or me that must die today. In one swift movement, I have landed the blade into her side, watching as she screams, falling to her knees as she is on my level now. The two of us on our knees, her white dress drenched in blood and my hand holding the sword to have caused her fall, the scales upon her skin turn black. Her eyes meet mine, looking lifeless as a small smile spreads across her face. "You silly little human," she chokes, coughing up blood at the same time, her body weak and lose to death. "You have no idea what you have just caused to your existence."

A soft beam of sunlight shines upon my face, the sunset taking place as I watch the first person I have ever slayed fall to the ground. Dregh said this would happen, she warned me what would happen.

"Candice, get back from her," Kyril shouts, his tone dead serious as I look to him, his hands covered in blood as an elf lays limp at his feet.

"She's dead, what harm could she do?" I question, dropping my sword as I look to the woman who was said to be powerful beyond belief.

"It is not her you should be worried about," Duke Gravon informs, still holding his weapon as if he is expecting another attack, "but the soul of the dragon still present within her."

My skin runs pale and I stumble back, rising to my feet instantly as I watch a dark magic from within the body of the elf stir. As my back meets the cold wall I was slammed against, a dark mist rises from the body of Lucretia, the dark matter burning like coals on a fire, moving like a cloud as my feet are frozen in place and I fell like I may have a heart attack.

Just as I take a step to the left, to try and reach Kyril whose hands are cupped together, a swarm of golden flakes circling like a tornado, the soul of the dragon moves quickly, following me as its shape takes on a massive dragon, the mist swarming around me as I find myself becoming lightheaded. The dragon's soul roars at me, the sound shaking the walls as its eyes are bright like fire. The moment I try and run, it comes at me, jaws opening wide as its fire consumes me, the bright red flames engulfing my body as I feel no pain, only fear. As gust of wind glows the dragon at me, engulfing my entire body as my lungs burn and my body feels a burning within.

I collapse to my feet, unable to breath as I try and find any source of air, scratching at the floor as tears fall down my face. My nails dig into the marble floor, as if some new strength, taking pieces of marble with me as I look into the eyes of Kyril. But rather than trying to help me, he backs away. They all back away from me, both elf and Kyril's men, afraid of me. I roll onto my back, trying to catch my breath as my hands wrap around my throat, my brain pulsing in my skull as tears just roll down my face. Looking to the floor, to where my tears have fallen, I find myself wanting to scream as my left hand comes to view, scales beneath my skin, faint but present as I wan to vomit.

"What do we do?" Duke Gravon asks, afraid as his eyes look at me with a fear I have never seen before. Looking to Kyril, I watch him, how he examines me, eyes watering as he just shakes his head.

"There is nothing we can do but pray," he responds softly, taking one small step closer to me. "After all, she has consumed the entire soul of a dragon trapped within an elf for decades."

With those words, I gain my first breath of air since the beast consumed me...or I consumed the beast.