The Heirs of Elysium

Chapter 2 - A path less trodden

Aurora's PoV
15 years later ....

On either side, skeletal branches reach up towards the inky sky, while the silvery light of the full moon bathes the wide road ahead. The rock hard dirt beneath my bare feet is covered with a dusting of snow and the thin silk of my nightdress does little to protect me from the elements. A mortal might freeze, but my elemental nature means I am unbothered by the cold.

What I am bothered by is this very path. It is one I have trodden many a night; one whose destination I do not wish to face and yet am helpless to stop. If only I could wake up.

As always, the road forks and I am faced with a choice. Straight ahead the way is clear and well lit, whereas the thin, winding pathway to the left, leads into a shadowy tunnel made of gnarled branches smothered in ivy.

The choice may seem obvious, but the main road always leads to the same place. One night, I was brave enough to try the unknown path. Briars tore at my dress and hair, yet I persevered. I found myself in a bedchamber and the arms of an unknown man. It was dark and I could not see his face, however, I knew deep in my soul that he was the one.

Ever since, the path to the left has been impassable and that glimmer of happiness remains just a dream within a dream. Still, I chase it and take the path less trodden. The branches above my head force me lower and lower until I am almost bent double, while unseen barbs rip at my skin and all light fades away.

A tiny flame sputters for life in my palm. I should be able to conjure a roaring fireball, but normal rules do not apply here. Without my magic or an axe, the thick wall of thorns ahead is impenetrable. Defeated, I close my eyes and a single tear slips down my cheek.

A bone-chilling cold seeps through my body and, as dreaded, I find myself sat in the throne room in Essentia. This is where I am due to rule as the next Queen of the Elementals. The place is devoid of life and might as well be a mausoleum.

Aidan is sat on a throne beside me, motionless as a statue with frost shimmering across his skin. I know he wishes to marry me, but what if this is an omen of our future. Is our love a death sentence?

"Aurora." A male voice beckons from the room beyond, carrying with it the warmth of summer sun.

Although my body is frozen in place, I am unable to resist his summons and force my limbs to move. Slowly, as if wading through waist-high snow, I make my way towards the sound, only to find that a wall of ice blocks the large arched doorway.

"Aurora." His call is more urgent and he hammers his fists against the ice.

The semi-opaque barrier hides his form. He is a mystery and yet I feel I should know him.

"Who are you?" I place my hands against the frozen obstacle keeping us apart.

As everything falls into utter darkness, I stumble forward, right into welcoming arms. Warm lips descend upon mine, igniting a fire within and breathing life into me. In that moment, I am complete.

With a gasp, I wake. Bereft, I am unable to stop tears from flowing.

There is a soft murmur and I turn to see a head of dark copper hair. Guilt squirms within my stomach like a nest of eels. Here I am, in Aidan's bed and I am yearning for someone who only exists in my dreams. It is still the depths of the night, but I cannot remain here.

Not wishing to wake Aidan, I slip from the sheets and pad barefoot across the carpeted floor and out into the corridor. At a loss of where to go, I go in search of the guest room where Dymphie is sleeping.