Sharp Flowers

Part 21

The Black Fox folds his head in prayer, eyes closed for some time until the moment comes, and he lifts narrow slit, fox-like eyes. Peter draws his sword, strikes, and draws flames through the air. He moves slower than usual, practicing precise movements and turns. Oh, how this takes me back. Only now, when I close my eyes, I feel the fiery energy radiating around him, engulfing his space. Before, I could never understand that kind of power. Now, I hope to make it my own. Nearby trees sway in the wind, leaves trembling, and I shudder. Mother, I pray for peace. For the ones we have lost on the battlefield, guide them, bring their souls to their final resting place. My heart aches with the flickering of faces in my mind sending a throbbing pain. My hand twitches with a pang, burning at my fingertips. This new strength, will I use it to grasp peace or use it to find peace? Ryder Tennoford's face dances into my mind; he's calm and confident smile lights my heart ablaze. You. You are the cause of this pain. With my eyes closed tight, I tighten my fists until my knuckles ache.

"Easy Raven," Peter whispers mid-swing, "You could feel that malignant energy for miles," Peter mutters. I scoff; what fool drops their guard in the middle of battle? A hand settles on my left, and the face of a beast rests beside me. It takes my hand in its own, lengthening my nails into claws. I stare at its face, framed with long pure white hair. It smiles at me, showing off a set of sharp fangs as its tails swish freely. "Raven," a voice snaps on my right. Peter's hand falls upon my shoulder, startling me half to death such that I jump awake. I stare up at my brother, bleary-eyed, as speechless and breathless as his face is grim. Peter takes my hand, still burning with a flame in my very hand, cupped by a set of white claws.

"Why does this happen?" I murmur.

"It is the fox spirit feeding off your emotions," Peter says. With a sigh, he closes his eyes.

"Feeding off my emotions?" I wonder.

"Reacting is a better word," Peter suggests. "The stronger our emotions, the stronger the spirit reacts," Peter explains.

"That's good then," I figure.

"But when those feelings are negative, they become impulsive. Even violent," Peter goes on explaining, "Only, in the power of a spirit, imagine the chaos,"

"But it's strength. It is a power that can do what I want. I want to fight. I want to win," I ramble, and my words trail off. Peter is shaking his head at me.

"You can't be driven by emotion alone, especially not vengeance," Peter warns me, his stern eyes fixed on mine. I shake my head at him, a frown settling into my face. "Raven, you must forget," Peter orders, igniting the flames in my hands.

"Easy for you to say, Peter, you weren't there," I snap at him, making my brother grimace. I rise to my feet and face him head-on. Say it.

"Power without ration or logic is just senseless violence, at heart, nothing more than a demon," Peter rambles on his nonsense.

"Keep talking like that like nothing matters, but that doesn't change the fact that you weren't there. You never were," I point out. "You spent more time out training, working as a Knight recruit, going to school in the mountains until you became his personal guard. You were never home," I remind him. My face twitches, and I retake a deep breath.

"And you sat at home ignoring any part in family affairs or responsibility, Raven," Peter reminds me.

"A choice that was freely given until they took it away from me," I shoot back.

"There's more to lose if you don't get a grip," Peter warns.

"I've already lost everything!" I snap back, breathing fast and shallow and throwing my arms up in the air. Peter's face goes still and solemn, his hazel eyes glassy, lips trembling.

"Have you now? Or have you gone blind?" Peter asks. I suck in a shaky, deep breath. My brother's face crumples up in dry silence. I drop to my knees and sink my claws into the dirt. Though guilt burns in my stomach, I just want to scream.

"What if I can't forget?" I ask him, shaking my head as my shoulders shake. Peter grabs both my shoulders and gives me a firm but gentle shake.

"It's okay to feel, but know that you are not stuck in the past," Peter pleads. Pressing my lips into a thin line, I nod my head. "Don't invoke the fox spirit for a while, Raven. Promise me you won't," Peter pleads with me. I grit my teeth and nod without a word.

"Yes, brother," I swear through clenched teeth. My brother sighs as if relieved before muttering something about lunchtime and a water break. I follow, my nose crinkled and fists clenched tight. Though I walk just behind him in his footsteps, I've never felt further. Hot tears roll down my cheeks, and I hold in a sniffle. All I can do now is bite my lip, hold back the tears, and swallow the anger that threatens to boil over. At the risk of anyone seeing me crying, I wipe my eyes as we pass Sebastian's office.

"Must you always fight everything?" Henry's voice rises on the other side of the fabric. Peter pauses, considering his tone.

"Excuse me," Peter dismisses himself, leaving me to loiter and listen in from outside. Henry is still going off on the inside, despite Peter's coming in. "It would be better for everything if you remained unseen," Henry adds much quieter.

"I'm the king of this kingdom, and still a man just like everyone else," Sebastian argues, and Henry scoffs at him. Goodness, where's this coming from? Henry and Sebastian have their disagreements, but his tone is bordering on disrespect.

"That's rich, coming from you. When was the last time you looked in the mirror?" Henry sneers.

"Sir Wilkson, might I remind you who you're talking to?" Sebastian reminds him, and the pressure around the area drops. I gulp hard and wipe my eyes dry again. Henry signs, quieting more so, making it harder to hear.

"People are starting to notice something's not quite right. Their kind is hiding in the shadows, a monster has been seen prowling on the battlefield, and they're starting to talk," Henry warns him. "If you would just stay put-," Henry goes on. It's hard to hear, I easy about, trying to slip into a fold of the tent's fabrics and get a peak inside. Henry grabs Sebastian by the front of his tunic. A large black fox emerges from the shadows with a snarl, and its head hovers over Henry's.

"Not another move," Peter warns him in monotone. Henry's face twists into something ugly and sour, ruining his otherwise handsome features.

"Peter," Sebastian says his name, holding a hand up dismissively. Peter frowns, biting his lip, and he shifts his weight from right to left. He sucks in a deep breath, closes his eyes, and lets out a smooth exhale. On that note, the fox spirit backs off into the shadows. Henry scoffs and averts his eyes before letting go of Sebastian. "Now then-," Sebastian starts, but Henry turns his back on him.

"I'm tired of this," Henry declares, but Sebastian grabs his arm. The advisor jumps, snatching his arm back. He whirls around on Sebastian with these big, panicked eyes. Goodness, poor Sebastian! He only stares at Henry with a look of shock. He looks down at himself, and guilt rattles his features. On that note, Henry turns and leaves.