A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 51

"Your ceremony is complete," Rosay stated as she passed me my robe.

Delcallon helped me up as he wrapped the robe around my body and I slid my arms into the black silk. From there I jumped off the bed and stepped in front of the gilded mirror to look over the sigils on my skin.

They marked down, from my left shoulder blade, under my arm, towards my rib before dissipating where my hip started.

The sigils represented the Element of Fire and told the tale of how Fire came to be. An old myth about how in the beginning there was darkness, and darkness felt lonely. So, Fate made fire, lighting and warming the land. The second Element was born, and Darkness was no longer alone. The other elements came shortly after.

"Beautiful," Delcallon whispered as he stood behind me and examined my side.

I looked at the marks and for some reason, thought about Diego, and why someone who was abused by the Ice King would stand behind a rebellion like this.

"What if the Rebellion stands for the removal of all Highvarions as leaders," I stated sternly.

I closed my robe and turned to face the room, "What if they are not behind the Ice King, but against all leaders chosen by Elements."

Laveen looked over at me with creased eyebrows as he thought about what I said.

Dorica slowly stood up, "Now that you mention it." She stated slowly, "I think Eskar hated it more that I wanted to stand behind Del, than turning on his father." She looked up at her brother, "He knew his father was flawed, but he did not feel you deserved to be king either."

I nodded slowly, not because I agreed but because he had said similar things to me.

"Why would they want Highvarions off the throne?" Rosay asked in confusion.

I looked at Delcallon as I continued to think about it, "Because, they feel we are given too much power too easily."

Rosay shook her head while Delcallon thinned out his lips.

"You said it yourself Laveen," I stated pointing at him. He snapped his auburn eyes at me as his heartbeat in his chest slightly raced. "The Ice King did not deserve to be chosen by the Elements." I shrugged, "He was given too much power."

He bobbed his head in agreement and his heart rate equaled out.

"Elements chose those that are the most promising of Kings." Rosay shrugged as she narrowed her eyes at me, "But they have no control on how those leaders chose to wield that power."

I looked up at her. "Then why are they so much more special than the rest of the Elementals?" I asked with genuine interest.

Delcallon was traveling deep in thought.

"Because they have more power," Rosay answered instantly as she looked down at me.

"Power does not make you a great leader." I snapped as my blood level began to rise.

Laveen's eyes narrowed at me as he watched me. Waiting to see if I would explode.

"My power does not mean I should be Queen." My voice rose as I pointed towards my chest.

"Are you saying you do not want to be Queen, Alinta?" Rosay asked with a snarl.

I stepped towards her, "I am saying I did nothing to deserve it." I snarled right back.

"No, you didn't." She spat, "And yet you make claim to it."

My eyes widened and my skin began to glow.

Delcallon stepped in between us bringing my attention back to the room. Laveen was still placidly watching us, and Dorica was examining our every move while her arms folded over her chest.

"There is no point we argue amongst ourselves," Del ordered sternly. "We are all on the same side." He reminded us with a calm voice.

Rosay narrowed her eyes at me, "We were." She stated before picking up her stuff and storming out of the room.

I looked over at Laveen who met my eyes. His auburn eyes stared at me so deeply I feared I would drown. It was as if he was trying to communicate something with me. But before I could figure out what Delcallon asked him and Dorica to leave us alone in private.

Once they cleared the room Delcallon closed the doors and ensured no one was overhearing us. He turned to face me and folded his arms over his chest. "Do you not want to be Queen?" He asked sternly.

I knew how immature of an act it would be for me to go back on my vows that I had made not hours ago. But a part of me felt I was doing more harm to the people of Pretonas by declaring myself their Queen when I was the age of their children and had done nothing to prove myself to them.

"No," I stated firmly as I folded my arms over my chest.

He bobbed his head slowly.

"I can still keep to my vows, but I do not need to be Queen," I added with a stern tone. "I can protect them, I can put them above myself, and I will never harm them with my powers."

"Alinta." He strode towards me with a heavy sigh, "I hoped we would do this as Equals." He said with a concerned voice, "I do not want you to be my subject, I would prefer we made decisions together."

I pursed my lips as I contemplated that. If I chose to not be the Queen, I would have as much say in decisions as to any other subject in Pretonas. I would have to listen to Delcallon's decision as King, and there would be no arguing with him.

Being his Intwined and his partner made me Equal in life decisions, but decisions for the Kingdom would be his, and his alone.

"I will have to think about it," I said as I looked down at my bare feet. I wanted to be able to make these types of decisions with Del, to challenge him on the choices I disagreed with. I had had to keep my mouth closed with my brother's choices over my life, I did not want to do it again.

But I still felt as if I did not deserve it.