* * *
They trained for hours. Alden had instructed her how to visualize and command her magic, but she hadn’t made any progress thus far. She was visibly frustrated and sweat soaked through her tunic from the effort.
The moon sank on the western horizon, indicating it was just before sunrise when Alden finally called it.
“I think it’s time we call it a night, yes?” Alden said and she huffed, nodding as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
As they disappeared down the hidden staircase, I walked to the circle, examining it from the outside. As I stepped into it, the remnants of Vaelor’s magic mingled with mine. It wasn’t threatening, however. Vaelor had always been known as the Kind King and the magic left behind here echoed that. I strolled to the largest boulder where the crest was carved, running my fingers along the symbol.
I had always harbored a deep respect for Vaelor. I didn’t know him personally, but the stories of him were in such stark contrast from those of my father. Adrastus was hated and rightly so. He was barbaric, merciless, and bloodthirsty. Thus, when he took the throne, he single-handedly thrust Ravaryn into turmoil. The people were constantly afraid and it led to unrest. There was never a moment of true peace during his reign.
Under Vaelor, however, Ravarynonlyknew peace, within its borders and with Auryna. There were no wars and our people were happy. Vaelor reigned with fairness and respect and it showed in every corner of his kingdom. When he was murdered, all of Ravaryn mourned for years.
And while I held still resentment toward the humans and everything they’d done, my father’s murder was not entirely unwelcome. The fact that the humans were able to worm themselves into Draig Hearth, my home, made my blood boil, but the end of Adrastus signaled the end of a terrible monarch for Ravaryn and offered the chance for a new ruler. It offered hope.
And my people had placed that hope in me, much to my surprise. As much as I hated it, the abuse I suffered at his hands was common knowledge throughout the kingdom, and I’m fairly certain that is the only reason they have allowed me to reign. The crown remained mine at their mercy. They were waiting to see what I would do, who I would become. They were giving me a chance, and I decided a long time ago that I would not let them down. Hence, my need to secure the border and offer them the peace they so rightfully deserved.
I might not be trained in the inner workings of a kingdom yet, but I could offer them that much. I would save Ravaryn, rather than drive it into the ground like Adrastus would have.
“Please let me be better,” I whispered aloud, to whom I didn’t know, but thunder rumbled in the distance in response. My head snapped to the sky, searching for the impending storm, but there was none.
I sighed, stepped back from the stone, and leapt into the sky.
A faint green haze glowed over the ocean as the sun slowly woke, and I took my time flying back to the castle, reveling in the sunrise, thankful for clear skies.
As I neared the castle, the green shifted to soft yellow and orange as light devoured the darkness. The sparse clouds hovering on the horizon reflected it, creating highlights of pink and purple.
Beautiful. Relieving.
In stark contrast to the twisted plan that had taken root in my mind, refusing to leave.
I stepped onto the ledge and continued into the side entrance, marching straight to Doran’s chambers, opening the door without bothering to knock. As I entered, Doran was still sound asleep, so I strolled over and plopped down beside him.
“Wake up.”
He jerked straight up, startled from his sleep, and rubbed his eyes.
“Rogue. What have I said about barging in here?” He glared at me.
Doran was my general, but he was also my only friend. He was the only one brave enough to actually speak to me as a child, even if it was only once, and I never forgot it. Clinging to that hope of a friend, even one so distant, had pulled me through the darkest moments in my upbringing. As we got older, he quickly rose through the ranks of my father’s army. After his death, I named Doran my general and we grew closer over the years.
I waved my hand in dismissal, scoffing.
“Oh, come on. The day is wasting away. As my general, you should be awake by now anyway.”
He glanced out the window and rolled his eyes when he realized it was barely past sunrise.
“Well, I’m up now.” He threw the blanket off and stalked to his dresser, pulling out a shirt. “What is it?”
“What? I can’t just come by to enjoy your cheerful disposition?” I offered him a smile as he turned to glower at me.
“Not this early. Have you even slept?” He studied my face. “By the looks of those dark circles under your eyes, I would assume not. Is this about Ara, again?”
During my avoidance of her, I’d been checking in consistently with everyone who came in contact with her—Doran, Iaso, Alden, and her lady’s maid, Thana. I may not have hadmyeyes on her, but I made sure everyone else did.
“Yes, but not exactly,” I uttered and he turned to face me, his brows pulling together. “I don’t want to give her back. We can’t, actually.”
His eyes widened and before he could speak, I held my hand up.