Page 9 of Scars and Burns

“Do not fret my dear. The starlight in your flames is enough to know.”

“Know what?”

She places her hands on my shoulders “Never mind that. Do not concern yourself with what was or what will be. Harness your magic to fill your soul.” she says, enveloping me in a hug.

I welcome it. Not knowing who I am anymore. The shift from the Celestial Realm to the Middle Kingdom. From commoner to lady. Questioning myself more than ever now. This embrace takes me back. To before. To when it was just me and her. Our simpler life.

* * *

A year later my sister, Saphrina, was born. A true born princess with golden hair like the sun and eyes the most gorgeous shade of green.

Saphrina was born under the light of a full moon. Much like the one that hung in the sky the night the bargain was struck.

Being born under the light of a full moon is said to mean a great destiny. Promised by the Goddess. And when she opened her eyes the moon shone brighter than ever before. Releasing a glow for all three realms to see.

It truly must have been fate because Prince Proteus of the Celestial Realm was also born under the light of a full moon.

I often wandered how he received such differing features when both of his parents were from the Celestial Realm. Is one of their lineage a mystery too? Or was it simply features of the Celestial Realm I had not seen before. Curious though, how he is still honored as a prince with his unique appearance and Saphrina is a princess praised even with mixed blood. Seeing as her Father, the King, is of the Middle Kingdom and our Mother is from the Celestial Realm.

The midwife returns with Saphrina in her arms and says, “She is the blessed spoken in the prophecy. She has a complete goddess mark.”

We all look to Saphrina and sure enough on her tiny little forearm is the renowned three moon symbol of our Goddess.

A child blessed.

I take a closer look. It’s faded but I assume that’s because it’s fresh. It will darken with time. I look down at my own goddess mark. They’re in similar places but hers is far more complete than mine. In the sense that it is complete. While mine is merely a single crescent moon.

I look to my Mother, who has worry in her eyes, and then to King Elio. Whose smug smile cannot be misplaced. He knew all along my Mother would bear him a child blessed by the Goddess. That’s why he was so willing to take us in. Somehow he knew.

I find my Mother staring at me with a look I am sure means nothing good.

II

Six Years Later

8

Dinalia

Iwake early. Same as I do every morning to start my magic lesson with my Mother in her garden. I stretch and admire my Goddess mark. I am not sure when or if it will ever fill in or how much more development will come. But I try every single day to hone my skills and utilize what my Mother has taught me.

I dress for the day. Pulling my hair back into a simple braid. Refusing to allow the servants to assist me. I know I am technically a Lady now and the King’s ward but it still doesn’t feel right. King Elio only took me in because he wanted to marry my Mother, nothing more.

He still looks at me with disgust. Aside from occasional family dinners and formal events. We rarely see each other. Which is fine by me. I still remember the chill that ran down my spine the first time he laid eyes on me. He was repulsed by me. Not approving of me at all. If not for my Mother, he probably would have banished me long ago from his perfect Kingdom.

All else aside, the city of Akino has not been a horrible place to live. The days are long and warm. Not that it would matter. I am always cold. Still convinced a part of me died the day I made my first kill.

Not overly hungry, I grab a small pastry from the kitchens. My favorite one. A lemon poppy seed muffin. The first sweet I had ever eaten. Enjoying the muffin, I make my way to my Mother’s garden, where we always have my magic lesson. Falling into a memory as I do.

Shortly after arriving, one night I couldn’t sleep. My bed, too soft compared to what I was used to. Always a curious mind. I decided to explore. Somehow, I made my way down to the kitchens. The light in the room drew my attention. Afraid of being seen, I hid in the shadows. I would have gone unnoticed too if my stomach had not betrayed my stealth and growled so loud I was sure I would wake the whole castle. The cook turns at first with anger in her eyes but softens as soon as they land on me. I was expecting her to shoo me away. That’s what everyone else does when they see the King’s pathetic ward. But she didn’t. She simply smiled and said, “Anything I can get you?”

She seems to be around my Mother’s age. Maybe a few years older. She’s tall. She has dark brown hair with deep green eyes. Nothing particularly gorgeous or stunning about her. Other than her smile. It’s sweet and seems to reach her eyes every time. As if each one is genuine. Welcoming and inviting.

I look around. Almost certain she is not talking to me. But no one else is here. Assuming it is safe. I creep out from my shadow hiding place. Walk over and say, “No, thank you. I would not want to be a bother. I thought I was the only one up in the castle and was curious when I saw the light.” Trying to keep my head held high and muster all the proper speaking etiquette I had learned so far.

Then my stomach growls again and they just laugh.

“Come now. Your mind says one thing but your body another. The two often do not work if they are conflicted.”

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