Page 19 of Scars and Burns

I leave and come back with some food. Setting it in a small pile. Only a few feet away from them. I sit back even further than before. To give them plenty of space.

Nervous and fearful for obvious reasons. It looks around waiting to see if something bad is going to strike out. I sit quietly waiting. Allowing them to take their time. They sniff the food and eat it all. Eventually, they crawl out from their hiding place beneath the bushes and make their way over to me. Sniffing and cautiously crawling on top of my lap. I begin to stroke their head, saying “See I’m not so bad. And you…” my voice trails off. I stare down at the little animal curled up in a ball. Recalling how they are shunned for their aggression and territorial behavior. “Well, you’re not as scary as everyone thinks either.”

They’re covered in dried blood. Carefully, I pick them up and make my way down to the stream. I’m cradling the little lynx in my arms. Looking down at them, I give their nose a little stroke, “How about a bath?” I ask.

A small sound is my only response. Giggling, I say, “I’ll take that as a yes”

I wash the little creature. It didn’t really seem to like the water but I got the job done.

It takes awhile for the little thing to dry with all the fur they have. So I play with it a bit. Letting it chase me. Hoping the movement will help them dry off faster.

Once thoroughly dry I take them into my arms. Cradling them once more. They snuggle up to me. Giving me a few licks on the hands as I rub their belly. Their eyes are heavy. Fighting sleep like a child. I smile down at them.

Suddenly I didn’t feel so alone. Although I have my Mother and Cookie, I spend most of my days by myself. I have ever since we came here. No one is willing to risk association with the disgraceful unwanted ward.

At that moment I make the decisions to keep them. I’ll hide them away. If they grow too big, I’ll find a place for them to stay in the forests. And once they are grown and old enough to take care of themselves, I’ll let them go if they wish. But this little baby. This little lynx, who made its way all the way here from the high mountains refusing to give up, will live to grow big and strong.

15

Dinalia

Isneak the cub back to my chambers through my Mother’s garden. My chambers are isolated away from everyone else’s. My Mother’s and sister’s rooms are in the same wing, while the King’s are adjacent. Mine happen to be on the completely other end of the castle, where the guests are. If the King were to ever host.

I place the slumbering cub on my bed. Feeding the fire that is always little in my room, due to my constant chill.

I’ve only had a chance to remove my jacket when there’s a knock at my doors.

Odd. No one ever comes to my chambers except the servants. And it’s far too late in the evening for them to still have work to tend to. I make my way over to the door. Surprised to open it and find my Mother standing there. She usually spends her evenings with the King or alone in her study.

Of course, the day I decide to do something new and try to make a friend I have company.

She can tell by the look on my face I am taken back. Giving me a similar look of confusion. “May I come in?”, she asks.

Still stunned that I have someone in my room other than servants.Not to mention I have a lynx cub sitting on my bed. I stutter, “Ye - Yes, of course. Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry, my little light? These are your chambers.”

“You just so rarely come here, to this side of the castle, I mean. It’s not appropriate, as you are Queen.”

Walking in she heads straight to my balcony that looks out to the forest. I have a perfect view across, seeing into both the Celestial Realm and Shadowlands. Similar to my favorite spot in the forest’s view.

“It’s not appropriate for me to spend time in the kitchens baking with you and Cookie either. Nor you for that matter. As you still are the King’s ward and a titled Lady. But we tend to find those small items in life that bring us joy and hold on to them don’t we.”

I glance over at the cub on my bed. Knowing that’s exactly what I’ve done with them.

I make my way onto the balcony with her. Something is wrong. I can tell.

“Mother, is everything alright?”

I know things have been tense for years for her. King Elio and her continue to argue about Saphrina. Her magic is not nearly developed as it should be, even though she bears a complete mark of our Goddess. King Elio is certain Princess Saphrina is the one said to be blessed by the Goddess from her prophecy. He craves power. That is why he betrothed Saphrina to Prince Proteus of the Celestial Realm. Believing their union would be enough to destroy the Shadowlands once and for all.

She looks at me with love and sorrow. The last time she looked at me like this was in the Celestial Realm. After King Elio had agreed to take me in even with my miscellaneous lineage.

Looking back out to the horizon. She takes a deep breath and says, “Things are about to change my little light. I fear Saphrina’s magicwill never develop to the level the King believes she is destined for. The Goddess’s Prophecy is fickle.”

I stare at her confused. I’ve never truly spoken to her about the Goddess’s Prophecy. I’ve heard everyone mention it before but I’ve never once wondered what it was.

Until now.

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