A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 52

I sat in the courtyard after a training session with Laveen. My body ached everywhere, after the three weeks of no training. My body needed to readjust, and Laveen had not gone easy on me.

I stretched out my body as I tried to ensure I would pain, less tomorrow morning. Winter had passed and spring was fully in bloom around me. The flowers that sprouted out from the grass were an array of vibrant colors that I found beautiful.

Laveen had left me to stretch after mocking me for being so unfit, and that he should tell Delcallon to ensure I do more flexible activities in the bedroom. I had responded by throwing a dagger at his face, but he had swiftly dodged it and laughed out in amusement.

I leaned my head back and enjoyed the air that washed over my face.

I had still not decided if I wanted to be Queen or not. I wish there was a way for the people to decide. They had just had to accept that I was Highvarion, which meant I was to be Queen. My glowing eyes were the only proof they apparently needed.

"Alinta."

I snapped my head to see Yarris standing shyly with his hand behind his back. He looked at me through lowered lashes.

I had not spoken to him since I found out he knew about me the entire time. At dinner, I would swiftly become silent when he joined us, and if I saw him in the hall I would turn the other way.

"What is it Yarris?" I asked as I got up from the ground and walked towards my crossbow.

His eyes widened and I could hear his heart race in his chest. My lips curved up at his reaction.

"I wanted to talk to you." He stated with a shaky tone, "Preferably without the deadly weapon."

I picked up the crossbow and began loading a bolt, "It is only steel." I taunted as I shot him a wicked grin.

He gulped down as he slowly stepped towards me. I aimed the crossbow at a target and pressed down on the trigger, sending the bolt spiraling towards my target's exact mark.

"This is Lewis's way of mocking me," Yarris exclaimed as he looked into the sky.

I reloaded the crossbow, "You two were close?" I asked with a cold tone.

"He was my brother in every way, but blood." He stated with a pained voice that caused me to look into his purple eyes.

I believed him, why else would Lewis trust Yarris with keeping my existence a secret.

I aimed the bow again and lit it up in a purple blaze before sending it through the air towards the target. Once the flame began to spread I extinguished it.

"Alinta, I wanted to apologize." He continued with a gentle voice.

I let out a heavy breath as I tried to remain calm. "Can you promise me that you did know what Eskar intended to do to me?" I asked as I spun my face towards him.

"I promise." Yarris stated with his hands up in the air in defeat, "I had no idea Eskar would hurt you like that." His voice was pained.

"If I did." He added as he stepped towards me, "I would have cut him down immediately."

I looked into his eyes and searched for a sign of a lie. His heart did not change, and his eyes appeared truthful. I wished I could read minds as Del could, but I felt I could believe Yarris.

"But he was your friend?" I asked with interest now, as to how Lewis or Yarris could friends with him.

Yarris pursed his lips as his hands fell to his side, "I kept hoping Eskar would evolve and grow." He shrugged, "Lewis and I both hoped for that."

I put the crossbow down as I relaxed my arm. "Would Lewis be proud of me?"

He looked at me, "Of course, he was always proud of you."

I shook my head, "No, I mean of me being Del's Intwined, of me becoming Queen like this." I emphasized.

Yarris tilted his head to the side, "Lewis always wanted you to make decisions for yourself." He pursed his lips, "Not because of Fate or the Elements, but because they were your choices."

I looked down at my boots. "How do I tell what Is fate, and what I decide?" I asked with a pained tone.

He placed his hand on my shoulder causing my eyes to snap at his purple gaze. "Do not overthink it." He stated softly, "Do what feels right to you."

I bobbed my head in agreement. I was still unsure if that I wanted to be Queen.

"I have something for you." He stated as he opened up his blazer and pulled something out of it. A parchment of papers that were bound together with brown string. "Letters."

I arched my eyebrow at him as he slid the papers into my hand, "Thank you..." I said in confusion.

"From Lewis to me over the years," Yarris added causing my face to drop and my heart to race in my chest.

I looked down at the letters and saw the faint handwriting that I recognized as Lewis's.

"I kept them." Yarris stated with a shrug, "I do not know why, I guess I hoped I would one day be able to give them to you." He smiled to himself more than to me.

I looked up into his eyes and smiled back. "Thank you."

He stepped back from me and bobbed his head. He faintly smiled before heading back into the castle.

I turned the parchments over and flipped through the pages all tied together. There were older-looking pieces of paper and new-looking ones.

I strode through the private courtyards until I found a peaceful bench for me to sit on.

The sun was only beginning to sit when I began untying the pieces of paper. I gulped down as I saw that each page was dated, and found the one dated back the furthest.

I unfolded the piece of paper and my heart immediately began to ache as I read over his handwriting.

Hello My Friend.