Destined

9. Two Souls

The thorns around me shot out toward the monsters and they had managed to evade. However, the thorns whipped at lightning speed to lash out. I did not understand why they were shielding me and attacking the monsters. I unsteadily stood up. I narrowed my eyes on the monsters who appeared just as surprised as my allies.

"Leave here now, monsters. Take with you a message to your king from me," I summoned a bow once more to my hands. It was made of brilliant ivory flames with an arrow ready to fire on them. "He will die by my hand that I can promise you. You threaten my world, my friends and family, and now you dare take more from me." I strode over to them and the thorns stayed close to me. "I do not fear your wrath but crave to destroy you like I did your puppets."

Each of them feared me as they fled from the mountain. No words from their bold boasts that I was weak compared to their master.

"Your Highness, when did you learn to summon thorns?" Mesmer asked but I did not glance over at him.

"Idiot, what did I say about angering him?!" Artemis screamed at me.

I turned around to see her tear-stained cheeks. "Stop running from him Artemis, for your sake. I am not the dear friend you lost to your father, so you do not need to cry for me." I began to walk down the trail and ignored the thorns while I trudged down the slope searching for Nordon.

I found Nordon not far, but the thorns retreated from me and disappeared back into the soil. I stroked his mane before climbing into the saddle. I rode him back to the palace where everyone waited for my return, but the pain did not ease along my side.

Alric came toward the horse and gripped the reins. "Come on, you need to stop running off."

My hands retreated from the reins and I cried.

"Hey what are the tears for?" Kay searched my face. "No one died right?"

I felt something stirring inside me. "I don't know what is going on. It feels like these emotions are not my own. The anger, the pain," I locked eyes with Alric. "These are not mine."

"Hey now, of course, they are."

I got off Nordon and faltered catching the saddle before I fell completely.

"Your Highness," Mesmer walked close to me.

"Is it possible to feel someone else's emotions, their convictions?" I asked him.

Mesmer sighed. "It is what I thought then."

I spun fast and gripped the collar of his tunic. "Tell me what is happening to me right now? Whose pain and anger are inside me?"

Mesmer lowered his eyes. "The soul that escaped is exactly who I thought it was. You used his power on the slope and there is no mistake who was bound to your soul. Kader is the one inside you, your highness."

I released my grip from his tunic. "I thought he never died, so what gives?"

Mesmer scowled when he stared at Alric. "He died and any of the magic he possessed was never passed down to anyone. However, he entrusted a spell to a friend of his who kept it safe."

Artemis appeared but her eyes did not meet mine, she walked inside without a word.

"Artemis," he called after her, but she ignored her brother. He sighed. "Well, she's now upset with me." He returned his attention to me. "Let's talk about this inside where it's warm and you can sit down."