The Point of A Dagger

Three

The coming days are filled with preparations for the announcement ball and conversing with leaders throughout the realm. The day following Prince Griffin's arrival, his father returned to Saunin, and members of the northernmost Land in the Realm, Omadra, arrived.

Queen Theonia of Omadra sent both of her daughters, Nova and Erora, to attend the ball. My family, my mother especially, is--was--quite close to the Avala family, who rule the Land of Ice. I grew up with Nova and Erora--twins--who are the same age as I. Their younger brother Sabriel was born a month before Josephine. The two had their marriage arranged before they turned one year. They would have brought our Lands closer than ever.

The twins arrived that afternoon, faces somber, collecting me into hugs, telling me how sorry they were. I studied both of them, more beautiful than the last time I saw them; Erora dressed in a dark blue cloak, Nova in a purple one, both embellished with the Omadra emblem--a mountain top with a single snowflake falling over it. Erora, with her blue-grey colored hair twisted up into an elegant bun, curls of silver framing her face, her frost skin vibrant against the autumn colors behind her, informed me that her mother and brother would be present for the coronation, but wouldn't arrive until a day before. I nodded to them as they followed a maid inside to their quarters. Nova threw me a glance, one filled with sorrow, her pin-straight, white hair, blowing over her face as she turned around.

"I'll see you at dinner," I told her with a smile. She nodded, following her sister through the castle doors.

"Your Majesty," Ronan said, making me turn away from the door, back towards the road before the castle. He gave me a short bow before handing me a sealed parchment. "We have just received word from their majesties in Azore. Problems have arisen in Setrid that the royal are attending to." I nod, opening the parchment. "They are not sure if it will be resolved in time for the ball. They still plan on attending the coronation, however, and they send their condolences."

"Thank you, Ronan," I say, dismissing him. He bows quickly, walking away.

"On a first name basis with your commander?" a voice says from around the corner. I turn to see Griffin, dressed in all black. "And problems in Setrid? I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing. Are we sure the young King and Queen are doing an acceptable job at ruling the Land of Thunder?" He walks toward me, his face clearly written with disdain and mischief.

"Eavesdropping on royalty could be considered a crime," I say, tucking the parchment under my arm, controlling my rage. "If I were you, I'd be on my best behavior. Not only are you a guest in my home, but you are far from your elements. I--and everyone else in my court--has the upper hand here." He bows his head in defeat. "Right," I say, angrily. "Run along now." Something inside Griffin snaps at those words, his head shooting up, his eyes filled with fire.

"Excuse me?"

"If that is all you needed," I say, glaring. "You are dismissed. Leave. I have things I have to attend to." Griffin takes a step toward me, quickly closing the distance. Heat radiates from him like a fire. He is fire, I remind myself. And I am nature. I am life. I calm my face, letting my rage boil under the surface.

"Important things?" he sneers. "Like sleeping with your commander?" His words shock me, but I don't show it. Is that really what people think? I push the thoughts aside, knowing he's just trying to get under my skin.

"Important things, like dealing with the death of my parents."

"Never mind having to run the Land of Life," he says, smirking. I narrow my glare.

"What are you playing at?"

"I'm just trying to get a sense of how strong our ally is." He says the word like its salt on his tongue. "With two Lands coming into new rulers, conflict may arise. Saunin must be well informed."

"No, prince Griffin. What are you doing here?" The command in my voice is clear, the anger I have for the situation, for Saunin, for him.

"Old feuds make you bitter, Cassandra," he tisks, shaking his head.

"The past is not something easily forgotten," I hiss. We are standing close now, our breaths mingling. I feel as though my body is on fire. The look in Griffin's eyes tells me he feels the same.

A raven flies above us. My eyes skirt to it, giving a silent command. The earth, the living world, pulls the command through my spirit, to that of the ravens'. Before Griffin's eyes can even find the raven, it is upon us, dragging a black talon across his cheek. Blood trickles. A glint of triumph must show in my eyes because Griffin's gaze darkens as he drags the back of his palm across his face, smearing the blood. My power lingers in the air, the power descendants of gods hold, royalty, noble families.

When Seafall rose the Realm, it was empty, just a jut of Land floating in the Forgotten Sea. Our legends say she carved her children out of the Land, out of each of our territories. Seafall first rose her son Bayle from the Planes of Mortus, in the heart of Saunin's territory, gifting him the elements of fire, lightning, and lava. Not long after Bayle's birth, Seafall gave him a brother, Terros, ruler of thunder, rock and sand.

Centuries passed while the three of them ruled the Realm. Bayle and Terros began constructing Saunin and Azore, creating the first kings and queens of each Land. All the while, the Land in the north was vacant.

Seafall left her sons in the south and began her trek to what would become Plora. According to legend, a breeze blew over her when she came to the Lake of Voices. She was entranced by this body of water that seemed to whisper. Seafall discarded her flowing gown, as free as the seas itself, and dipped into the Lake. It told her of Land's wish for a master, someone to embody the world. Seafall listened, and rose my ancestor, Ausra, the goddess of the plants, animals, and soil.

Ausra was a beautiful child, desperate to see the world. She pleaded with Seafall to travel to the ends of the Realm, so they did. Seafall and young Ausra traveled north and found the ground rising up into mountain tops, covered with snow. Ausra begged for someone to play with, and Seafall granted her only daughter her wish. Her second daughter, Glacia, was created. After her creation, Seafall was weakened; most of her power given away to her children, and she knew it was only a matter of time before the rest ran out, yearning to be with the other elements. So with her final breath, Seafall gifted her final ounce of power to young Glacia, goddess of water, ice, and snow. The one element she did not give away, however, was air. And when she was no longer tied to any other element, she became the air.

When Seafall ended, the Realm was silent. For one hundred years the four rulers mourned their mother. And then, they created the Realm of Cartos, gifting their children the ability to influence their element.

With a breath, I calm the feel of ancient magic coursing through my veins. "You may want to go get cleaned up," I say flatly, turning away to walk inside. "I expect you to be present at dinner, welcoming our guests that arrived today." Behind me, I feel the tug of the world watching, the eyes of the birds, the ears of the trees, telling me Griffin's hard gaze is set on my back as I walk inside, marking me as a target. I don't let myself shiver until I'm safely inside the castle.

I press my body into a corner, blinking away the tears of hot anger before they can fall. Breathing deeply, I shake out my hands, trying to calm myself. I don't know what this feeling is; this feeling of suffocating in my own home. Before... everything, I never felt like this, like I couldn't catch my breath.

Before someone sees me, I press off of the wall, hurrying to my room to prepare for dinner. The torches along the walls seem to flare and burn a little higher when I pass.

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shorter chapter today! i'll be giving you another one later today<3

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The Point of A Dagger
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