Page 8 of A Clash of Stars

The last one, the Dove, represented the Claiborne bloodline. Although no longer represented by a royal, the dove represents peace among the Kingdoms. It’s a shame they are no longer around. We could always use more peace than we have.

We formed a half-circle with the pendants of our chosen animals draped around the room around us. We stood close to be able to see and hear InstructorEdward, even though I could probably hear his voice from my room on any given day.

My body was anxious, and I could feel the pulsing of my power radiating through my veins. I had been hiding my powers from the others, mainly because the unpredictability of the power terrified me. I knew my ability to control nature was what I was born with, but I didn’t particularly appreciate using it. I didn’t think any of us should have the power that we had. Others in our Land got along just fine without it.

When I realized I was lost in thought, I finally picked up my head and realized all eyes were on me.

“Since Clara is our…onlylady, we will need her to participate in this training. There will be no exceptions.” His eyes darted to Madok before he continued his command. “Clara, please step in the middle.”

As I did, I felt the burning eyes of those around me except one. Madok. He wouldn’t even look at me; nonetheless, I was bothered.

An annoying whistle sounded in the room, and my eyes cut to Griffin as the others chuckled quietly enough not to rile Instructor Edward. He was continually stirring up trouble around Carondelet. Every girl who met him swooned immediately.

Griff had long brown hair that was usually tied up in a bun on his head, tattoos all over his body, and I’m not talking magical markings. He willingly went to see an artist to have them inked upon his skin, and it’s honest to gods a great look. One day, I would ask him what those tattoos represented, but not today.

The wandering eyes I have made their way back to Madok, and inside, my spirit darkens. It’s insane to me how you can know someone your entire life—they know you, you spend every waking moment thinking of them—and one day they are no longer that person you knew.

I had this internal struggle of being kind to him or casting my emotions about him through rudeness. Although I still had a lot of love for him, it wasn’t the same.

I was angry.

I was livid.

I wanted him to feel my pain, crying myself to sleep all those nights, having panic attacks, and wishing I didn’t have to live another day without him. As if our creators were listening, Instructor Edward’s voice cut my thinking in half.

“Madok, please join us on the crest,” Instructor Edward announced.

I breathed out a nervous whimper as his uncertain eyes connected with mine. For the first time in a long time, I could see the light golden colors of his eyes, and I could sense his confusion. He hesitantly strode towards me and placed a firm hand on my waist while cautiously picking up my right hand in his grip.

We were mere inches away from each other. His eyes speared into mine, and I felt all my emotions rushing into my head, making me feel like I was drowning internally with the next breath. We danced. Gliding across the floor as hate, want, love, and sadness settled into the core of my being.

I stepped on Madok’s toes at least six times in true Clara fashion, but he didn’t budge once. He knew me well, and he knew for a fact that I was a terrible dancer. Every few steps we took, I couldn’t help but wonder what would cause him to be so appalled and fall out of love with me.

What have I done or will I do in the future to upset him? Madok and I had grown up together and been the best of friends, whichshouldhave been enough, but apparently, it wasn’t.

I tried to remember a moment or something I had said to upset him, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. This situation between us has caused me to lose many hours of sleep and focus for the past three years. I don’t know how anyone can truly let go of someone who wasn’t just important to you but a part of you.

I knew the dance was ending, and I had to say something. I cleared my throat before spewing the stupidest phrase I could think of, making me feel like I was thirteen all over again.

“Madok, you look well.”

I cringed at the word choice, but it was better than the silence we had been swimming through as we danced.

His eyes gazed into mine again, causing my heart to palpitate, anticipating what he might say. His deep voice overtook me, and chills spread throughout my body.

“Thank you, Clara. You are beautiful as always.”

I sighed, almost in relief that he still considered me that way, even though his voice affected me just as it had done a million times before. I caught myself smiling and thought I saw the dimple in the corner of his mouth, but maybe I was dreaming it.

Once the dance was over, he bowed, and I curtsied as a traditional way to say thank you for the dance. Surprisingly, Madok took my hand and placed an ever-so-gentle kiss on my knuckles. I felt the softness of his lips on my skin, and I was brought back to a place of happiness and contentness, but then he let go of my hand.

When he stepped away, the overwhelming feeling of dizziness subsided as I took in a new color that took over the eyes of Madok.

Black.

The once radiant golden eyes were gone. He quickly walked away and headed towards the corridor.

What the fuck was that about? I had never seen anyone’s eyes do that before. I would need to research this later at the castle library. There must be something about his powers and what I can expect from them. I had found a few books already that went into descriptions of every bloodline and their unique gifts, although it was never fully described, only bits and pieces as if we weren’t allowed to know the entire truth of each other.

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