Page 14 of A Kingdom of Shadows

My thumb glides over the intricate markings of scales within ebony wood. A reminder that the dragon should have lived, and I should have been brave enough to go against the queen from the beginning.

"Solaris incarnate.” Something stops me in my tracks. "Protector of land and life alike."

I slowly turn, and my brows furrow at the ethereal voice.

"Solaris, Solaris, Solaris."

As if I'm unable to resist, I begin following in the direction of the sound, like a pull toward it, whether I like it or not.

"The sun blooms again, for she has found her moon."

Leira's vision.

"Death," it hisses. "Reign... resurrection."

Parting a bush out of my way, I come to a close, surrounded by high trees. My eyes dance across a fluorescent lake as blue and gold colors sings through the ripples, and a waterfall lies ahead of my sight.

Enchanting is what I can picture it as. It is an utterly beautiful dream, even with the roar of its waterfall clashing among rocks.

Tilting my head, I walk closer and closer until my feet touch the edge and I watch my reflection glow among.

"Naralía."

I hear it again. It's clearer this time, like a choir of voices.

"Join us."

"What are you?" I ask, my voice slumberous as the blade slides from my grip onto the grass.

"Freedom."

A smile parts my lips, and naturally, my eyes close as I remove my boots. I’m far and near, mesmerized and fatigued. I do not know what it is, but I can’t stop as I dangle my left foot over the water before dipping it in. It’s enough to entice me as warmth spreads in a calming blaze, and I plummet.

If there's a splash, I don't hear it as I submerge myself. It's like my release—a gravity pulling me further into that so-called freedom.

Laughter reflects distantly in my mind like a rippling effect of the lake, and soon I'm taken back.

Taken back to a memory I'd long forgotten.

I laugh brightly, running down the streets of an old town my mother loves to visit.

They have the best woodwork shops here.

She tells me to be careful as two marbles she bought for me at the market roll along on the ground. As they pass by, people click their tongues in disapproval, watching me race to catch them.

I smile once I manage to grab one, but the other comes to a stop, hitting the front of someone's shoe.

Glancing up, I see that someone is a boy with short brown hair and a scraggy tunic.

He picks up the marble, inspecting it between his thumb and forefinger as the sun glistens off it.

"That's mine," I say, nearing him.

His head shoots up, and hazel eyes widen with fear. It's like he doesn't know whether to speak or not.

I must have scared him.

"You can have it if you want," I say, rocking on my toes. "My mother says I should be kinder."

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