Destined

21. Hopeful Effort

I teleported all the crest bearers to the woods near Amerlise. They all stared at me. I sighed and began to walk away, but Artemis caught my arm.

"Where are you going?" Her voice pierced through any thought that came to me. "You cannot go back there; he will never let you leave."

"Sadly, miss shifter, that is what I must do to keep him content. Although, it would be more fun to adventure this world with all of you."

Artemis tightened her grip on my arm. "He will never remain content. You know he won't. Do you want people to remember you? Then, you need to be out in the world, not hidden away where my father can cage you." She released my arm, and I stared at the tears in her eyes. "He will never let you be happy, so stop giving him mercy."

I stared at her. "You think there is mercy in me for him? He killed the innocent and then revealed my secret to that king without realizing it!" I furrowed my brow at her, but it was because of her father. "His concern for me stems not for my wellbeing, but my power. His regret changed him into what he is, Artemis. Look at me. My regret turned me into this too."

"Kid, are you saying that you both got cursed because you have regrets?" Zelme searched me over.

"Not regrets, Zelme." I leveled my eyes with his. His expression went pale. "Pain binds us to each other, but so did our secrets. The curses designed for agony and eternal turmoil."

"What would have happened if you never met our father?" Mesmer dropped that question out of nowhere, and I lost an answer to tell them. "Without him, you still would have been cursed, and more people would be alive now. You left out what it was about him that made you run from him, but I have a feeling it was more than a falling out between you two."

I felt my chest tighten.

"What lie did he tell you because there seems to be more than one?"

"Brother, stop," Artemis tried to detain her brother, but he walked up to me.

He glared at me. "You would not say it in front of him, but you are afraid of him. He hurt you, and you stay at his side. It does not add up."

I backed up from Mesmer. "I should go before he finds out I helped you."

"No, you won't go back." Mesmer struck my diaphragm. "Because I won't let you."

I tried to breathe, but Mesmer came at me again. I summoned my white flame sword. "This is not your business, so go enjoy your lives."

Mesmer applied enough pressure my sword fell out of my grip. "You sacrifice everything to stop him, but when you learn that is how he is winning against you. You fear leaving him alone because he will destroy everything without you there, but he did with you there, did he not?"

I stared at him wide-eyed.

"I was right. You think staying with my father will stop him from killing those who come to care for you. He will kill his children and anyone who gets in his way, so why are you trying so hard to change him? We know he won't change, your Majesty, so what is it that prevents you from turning against him?"

"You wouldn't understand!" I glared at Mesmer, and he smirked.

"Oh, I wouldn't because my dad has been doing it to me since the day I was born? I know him better than you think. He is up to something, and it involves needing you to remember who you are. Tell me, do you have any idea what he is plotting to do with you?"