Page 96 of A Clash of Stars

“What do you mean by the ring that would overwhelm me?” I said so quickly that I knew she had picked up on my anger.

She took a deep breath before she answered, “When you placed the ring on your finger, the powers were unleashed into you, breaking the symbolic lock to your magic. You contain all of the powers of the Land of Carondelet. Have you truly not tried to use any of them? You have the full ability to use any of them.” She grabbed the necklace hanging from my neck. The one Amari gave me and rubbed the stone with the pad of her thumb.

“Once you do have them solidified, you will be unstoppable. I don’t understand why you haven’t used any of them.”

The concern in my mother’s voice was evident significantly when I paused to answer. I quietly and more calmly answered her, “I can— I can feel the power pulsing through me, but I am terrified to use it. I thought I was only a vessel that carried the powers?”

“You are a vessel, but only so much can be contained, Clara. You can use the powers to an extent, but there will come a time when you will need to solidify those powers to end this curse.”

“Yes, Amari told me the same, but when will I ‘solidify’ these powers, Mother?”

“You will be instructed to meet someone when the time is right, and they will ensure you have all the combined powers.”

I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. I was practically a chess piece for everyone to use in a game where I didn’t know the rules or the players, a game that inevitably ended with me losing.

My mother dropped to her knees before me, “My sweet girl, you are exactly who you are supposed to be. There is no reason to be terrified of the gifts you have been given. If I tell you everything, there’s a chance that this will not pan out as intended, and I can’t allow that to happen, Clara. We’ve come so far, for such a long time, it must happen. You must end this curse over us.”

The palm of her soft hand embraced my cheek, and I couldn’t help but lean into it. “How much does Evander know? Does he know about the first generation and the fake variance? I am sure he would be livid. Also, how could you lie to me about Amari?”

My mother’s expression softened, and a smile spread across her cheeks. Reaching up with both hands, she closed my face in her hands. “Yes, I’m sorry we lied to you about Queen Amari. It was for your own good at the time. As for Evander, he knows a lot more than you think. He is…different.”

She sighed glancing around the room with discomfort, “And I can tell you with certainty that it is unfolding beautifully. The only part that surprises me is about Evander. The way he feels about you is authentic. Everyone at that dining table could see the love radiating off the two of you. I hope that one day when this curse is over that he will continue to be this man for you…because outside of this curse, he is not the same. He remembers everything, Clara. He knows what happened pre-curse. He knows he has been waiting for you. Patiently, I might add. I knew it was eating him alive on your sixteenth birthday.”

I tilted my head in confusion as my brows furrowed.

She let out a laugh like she could read my thoughts. She sat back in her chair and took a sip of her wine before she spoke. “You don’t remember this moment because you were asleep. It was the first night we let you drink sparkling wine. We couldn’t find you, and Evander heard that you were missing. He searched right along with us. Evander found you in the garden sleeping on the bench. I stood behind him, but he didn’t know I was there. He got down on both knees, moved the hair out of your face, and smiled at you. I knew what that smile meant, and it’s the smile that would destroy anything or anyone that would hurt you.”

My mother let out a soft laugh. “He leaned over and kissed your cheek, and that’s when I saw the anguish on his face that you weren’t his. He wrapped his arms around you and carried you to your room. I met him there and tucked you in while he waited at the door.”

“I— I didn’t know that happened. You both have known this the entire time. How come I didn’t know?” I directed at my mother, and that’s when she stood up, walking to look out of the window of her room, so I followed her.

“That’s because someone blinded you.” Her eyes pierced into mine, and I knew exactly who she was talking about. “And he is waiting for you in the garden. He seems to be losing his patience.” She paused and took a ragged breath, “Run along, dear. We can always talk later.”

I wanted to respond, but I noticed Madok peering into the upstairs room as if he knew exactly where I was. His eyes were no longer the golden amber eyes I once knew, and they were much darker, almost black. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the cause of the darkness or if his hatred was always looming.

Chapter 29

The chill in the air tonight was intensified with electricity. With every step, I felt like my skin was being pierced with all the terrible thoughts anyone had ever had about me.

The feeling was overwhelming. How could so much hatred be built toward me by someone who was supposed to love me? Be my one and only. The feelings that he exposed were unlike any I had ever felt before.

My eyes met his, and immediately, I knew things were off. There wasn’t any love in his eyes, only anger. He stepped quickly towards me in an almost sprint. I took a hesitant step backward and placed my hand in front of me.

“You wanted to speak to me?”

I had never been the one to confront others. Everyone else had always been the ones to initiate the conversations with me, no matter if it was positive or negative. This conversation wouldn’t be good, and I could already sense it. My nerves were standing on end, waiting for Madok’s words to collide with my ears.

“You look well, Clara. I’m sure Evander is taking great care of you.” he bit out at me.

His tongue was so sharp and hostile. I knew he didn’t mean that as a compliment.He was furious.

My whole life, I had done what others told me, been the good girl, courteous to all others as a princess should be. Right now, at this juncture in time, I didn’t want to be that girl. I wanted to dish out all of the feelings and the genuine sentiments I had for Madok that had been built up over the years. Although we ended our last conversation well, I even kissed him. Something inside me screamed at me to get away. That he is not who I thought he was.

I stepped toward him, and his walls went up immediately. The sharpness of his edges could cut me if I took any other steps closer to him. “Yes, I am well. Thank you for noticing.”

I walked around him and continued to walk through the garden, curious if he would follow me. I was right, meaning I retained the upper hand in this conversation.

With my back to him, I continued talking, “Evander is great at ensuring I am taken care of. He is quite the gentleman.” Through that formidable barrier of his, I tasted jealousy. Sour and unpleasant. I heard his steps quicken behind me, and his cold hand gripped my shoulder, twisting me around to meet his gaze.

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