Page 29 of A Storm Rises

He held her with a firm grip. His muscles tensed, and he led her in a small circular pattern. The flames offered little warmth against his ice-cold touch. “Did your mother ever tell you the story of your birth?”

Her birth? “I do not think so.” Her mother busied herself with formal events, gowns, and jewels. They had conversed but little throughout her life, let alone about the day of her birth.

“Allow me to share that day with you.” His grip around her hand tightened. His touch at her hip pierced her like cold steel. “The High Queen prepared for your entry into this world for months. She had this very room redesigned with the most elegant fabrics, the softest rugs, and the most luxurious paints. As her belly grew, her plans followed. With Raelor’s assistance, she knew the exact date you would arrive and invited all the royal maidens to meet you, the heir to House Stromm and future High Queen of Faevenly.” He paused, prompting her to speak.

“That all sounds so wonderful.” What happened to that lady?

His steps slowed. “It was wonderful…until it was not.” His grip tightened further. “You came much earlier than expected. Neither Raelor nor the lady healer were here to assist. Thank the Sun, Moon, and Stars for Nia. She had just joined us as a maidservant and assisted the High Queen. Nia did all that she could. Still, when you entered the world, the breath of life did not follow.”

Avalynn stumbled over her frozen feet. “I was not alive?” She had not been told this before.

“Correct.” His chin lifted. “Now, be careful with your steps, my daughter, lest you spoil our dance.” He yanked her back into movement, pressing her forward in the same circular pattern. “The High Queen could not bring herself to look upon your lifeless face. Neither could I. So, Maid Nia whisked you away. But fate had superior plans for you. Not two minutes later, your wails rang out. You were brought back to the High Queen, but she had fallen into a fretful state from the trauma of your arrival, a despair that took Lily’s birth to break.”

Her panic escalated with each turn of the dance. Her hand throbbed from his squeeze. “I wish to stop dancing, Father.” Learning she was born dead and then revived had weakened her resolve.

“You wish?” He grabbed her forearms and squeezed with all his might. “Let me tell you what I wish.” Spit flew from his mouth with each word he hurled at her, his voice reaching new heights with each one. “I wish you had come out of the womb breathing. I wish your High Queen mother had not fallen into despair. I wish for you to do as I command and make sure the Sublander finishes last in the hunt!”

His hold tightened. Avalynn’s knees buckled. “Father, stop!” She sank to the floor. Her desire to strike back flared up. But her hands stayed gripped by her aggressor.

He released her with a shove, straightened the collar of his jacket, and then dusted his hands off. “Tomorrow’s hunt is critical.”

Rising, she rubbed the spot on her arms that he had burned. Her skin parched and reddened. She wanted to scream, throw him to the floor, and claw out his eyeballs. But she possessed no power. Only he did. “I told you. I will not fail.”

He snatched the tiara from her head and flung it into the fire. “You are only what I allow, dear daughter. And you are nothing more than a mere hunter.” He turned to leave but lingered at the door. He hissed over his shoulder, “You have a wish but no real claim to my throne.”

The door closed behind him, and she marched to the mantle. Monster! She grabbed his goblet and hurled it into the fire. She sank into the white plush chair and watched as the flames devoured the gold cup and platinum tiara. How dare he lay hands on her!

She cupped her face with her hands. Tears spilled from her eyes. Not alive at birth! And nobody bothered to tell her. She wiped her eyes, noticing the red marks on her forearms. Staring into the flames, the goblet and flaming tiara’s molten edges distorted the true treasures within.

But she came back to life. She lived for a reason. The Sun, Moon, and Stars always had a purpose. Her destiny would never be fixed by that man or any other.

Feeling lower than low, her heart needed a friend. Her mind needed answers. She dashed to the door, jerked it open, and hurried down the corridor. Approaching the stairwell to the servants’ quarters, a young maidservant bowed. “Princess Avalynn. May I be of assistance?”

“Please tell Nia I need her right away.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Avalynn paced her bedchamber when Nia entered. “My princess, I apologize for not being here sooner to help with your dress. Your father asked that you not be disturbed.”

“I do need help with the dress. But that is not why I summoned you.” Avalynn turned, and Nia unsnapped her buttons. She stepped out of the frock, slipped into the robe, and hid her father’s red marks along her arms.

Nia gathered the dress. “Is it the Sublander? Mateo?” She hung the used garment on a hook. “I saw you two had a lovely dance.”

It was neither Mateo nor the dance. “He is not the problem.” She held back the tears, but one escaped and rolled down her cheek. “It is not Mateo. It is me.”

“What is it, my princess?” Nia rushed to her side. “I am here.”

She wiped her face and stared into the distance at nothing. “I was not alive at birth?”

“My Stars,” Nia whispered. “Your father told you.”

“He did.” Her chin quivered no longer. “Why was I never told?” Father hurt her. Marked her arms. He threatened her and burned her tiara. She wanted answers.

Nia took Avalynn’s hands. “The High King compelled me. I was forbidden. But now that you know the truth, that spell is lifted.” The maid gently stroked her cheek. “But that moment is not your story. Your story is happening here and now.”

Fire logs crackled at the other end of her bedchamber. Avalynn could not see the flames from where she sat. Still, she pictured the precious metals in the fire turning into a molten mess. “Why does Father demand Mateo’s death? Why does he desire the banishment of all Sublanders?” Such a bold move did not seem to her to favor the future of Faevenly. Where would balance be found?

Nia said nothing.

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