Page 131 of Scars and Burns

My heart pinches in my chest. This can’t be right. He wouldn’t leave me behind. He wouldn’t leave me to fend for myself.

“Look where our actions have brought us, King Elio.” Aeron says.

I listen closely. Intrigued with the correspondence that is about to take place.

“You sit on my throne. Why? When you have your own to warm.”

“At least you and your daughter are still alive.”

“For now.”

“Yes, for now. But neither of you will die by my hand or my people.”

“Why? Because you think since you and Dinalia bear the same Goddess mark you are fated. You two together will bring about the world we all dream of. The world prophesied?”

My heart stops. What world is prophesied?

And how does King Elio know of my Goddess mark? How would he know of Aeron’s?

No, not possible. I saw his bare chest. There was no mark.

But my Mother concealed her true features. Why not him as well. But why?

“I would leave the world prophesied to burn for all eternity if it meant I could spend a lifetime with her.”

King Elio laughs. Well, an attempt at a laugh. “You hold such hope for the life you might share together. But does she know?”

Aeron’s eyes flash with anger.

“Tell me, Prince Aeron, does Dinalia know? You have gone to her since so gallantly saving her from my assault, I’m sure. Enraptured with one another but have you given her the opportunity to know your true self? That you were there the night her Mother died and you did nothing!”

“She will know in time. I will present her with the one who killed her Mother. The one responsible for his Queen’s death.”

Shock barrels through me at what I am hearing.

Aeron confirmed what I had suspected all along. King Elio killed my Mother. Her blood being the price paid for Saphrina’s magic coming to life.

But what’s worse is come to find out Aeron was there. He didn’t deny it.

My heart is breaking. My soul is shattering.

I cried for what felt like hours after my Mother died. And I haven’t cried since. Haven’t felt enough to bare such emotion. But this.

This betrayal. I can’t even put it into words how much it hurts. I opened myself up to him. He made me feel like myself again. Whole. Complete.Happy.

All built on a lie.

He was playing me. Using me all along and I fell for it.

How could I have been so foolish. I am broken, an incomplete soul destined to be alone.

My anger is all consuming. No tears well in my eyes at the pain that I feel. I only see red. My hearing muffled as blood rushes through me. My heart pounding in my ears with my increasing heart rate.

I’m seething with rage. This will not stand.

My eyes are moving frantically. My lashes fluttering into view as Itry to maintain my composure but I can’t.

I emerge from behind a pillar. “How dare you. Both of you. Discussing my future. Exchanging secrets that involve me, my Mother, my life!” My voice echos throughout the hall. Emphasizing the word life.

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