Page 64 of Scars and Burns

I can’t want him.

And yet my heart twisted and pinched the moment I saw him.That same unexplainable feeling towards him lingeringafter all this time.

I stare straight ahead as he looks at me. Clenching my jaw so hard I’m afraid my teeth might crack. Not willing to look him inthe eye.

Not able to look him in the eye.

I am horrified by our last interactions. I would have given myself to him out of pure lust and enrapture.

He has the same arrogance as before. The same cool demeanor. But he seems to capture the room’s attention. As if everyone is afraid to move, think, or even breathe until he gives permission. Even King Elio seems taken back by his presence.

The silence that fills the room is almost haunting.

Until, King Elio speaks, “Prince Aeron, how kind of you to join us in celebration. May I present my daughter, Princess Saphrina.” King Elio says, gesturing to Saphrina. “And my ward, The Lady Dinalia.” then to myself. “As grateful as we are for your attendance, is there a reason your Father,KingPerseus, is not here?”

I stiffen. First, his name is Aeron, not Aemond, and he is the prince. How could I have been so stupid? So naive. So trusting.

His baritone voice fills the hall, “Shortly, after receiving the invitation my Father fell ill. Unable to endure a lengthy amount of travel. He sends his regards and sympathy. Though we had hoped my attendance would be sufficient.”

“Of course it is, Your Grace. We were just expecting all the rulers to witness the first alliance between realms.”

While King Elio and PrinceAeronengage in conversation. I harden my face, my mind, and my heart. I will not give anything away by his presence. They are discussing why the prince is here and not King Perseus himself. I could care less. King Elio’s only concern is for his pride and ego. Wanting all to bear witness to his glory of uniting two realms.

Then I feel his eyes on me.

I glance over to him. Not able to move any other part of my body but my eyes. I’m frozen but with what I can’t be sure.

Feeling both the Prince and King Elio’s eyes on me now. I don’tdare move.

The prince returns his attention to King Elio. Seamlessly altering his presence. The whole room grows eerie and haunting with him. And then he says, “Blood for blood, King Elio, blood for blood.”

I can’t believe what I just heard.

‘Blood for blood’

Only my Mother has ever said that. My mind is racing.

How does he know it? What does it mean to him? Why did he say it almost as a threat to King Elio?

What does it mean to King Elio?

Then the prince looks back to me, giving me a slight nod.

What does it mean to him?

I glare over to King Elio. Knowing my Mother said blood for blood was the only way Saphrina’s magic would reveal itself. Though, we never had that conversation. I suspected my Mother’s death was the blood that was spilled in order for Saphrina to obtain her own Goddess mark. King Elio was in the room when I found my Mother dead. I almost killed him in a fit of rage after assuming he killed her. But he flatly said no when I asked him and walked away.

King Elio whips his head over to me. A warning look in his eyes.

I look him up and down. Not bothering to hide the suspicion on my face. Before slowly turning my head back to the front.

Now is not the time to get into this with him.

I will uncover the truth. One way or another. From one barbaric King or one heinous Prince.

“Is that to say King Perseus is dead?” King Elio asks.

So, blood for blood means the same for all realms. Did the Prince kill his own Father to add to his power? I wouldn’t put it past him. The Prince already has substantial power of his own. The hunger in his eyes is evident as he stares us all down. His soul black as the night sky. Rage and destruction are the only things he knows. A primitivebeast who does nothing but kill. Knows nothing but death.

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