The Rise of a Hero & The Garnet Nightshade: A Violet Rose (Book 2)

Chapter V: A New King & A Lunar Tear

Lis'ra Castle

Guest Room

(SIdora's Dream)

"I'm sorry father, but your ambitions for peace are at an end. I will bring our people to a world of order and all others will feel the oppression we have faced."

Taking a dagger from behind his back, the second prince plunges the blade deep into the king's throat to prevent him from screaming. Without a trace of remorse, the prince twists the blade and pulls it out. With a twisted smile on his face, the prince leaves.

Waking from her dream screaming, Sidora hears a soft knock at her door.

With cold sweat trickling down the nape of her neck, Sidora answers with a wavering voice "Come in!"

Opening the door softly, Alyssa pokes her head in and says "I heard you scream, so I came to see if you were okay?"

"There is something I must tell everyone, can you gather them in the throne room?"

Looking at Sidora wearily, Alyssa says "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Taking Sidora at her word, Alyssa quickly makes her rounds and gathers everyone in the throne room as asked. Once finished she returns to Sidora's room.

With a sheepish smile, Sidora says "You meant it when you said you'll be back."

Without thinking or waiting Alyssa walks up to Sidora and kisses her. Sidora closes her eyes and leans into the kiss. For what felt like a lifetime, Sidora's pulse quickened and her breathing quickened.

Pulling back ever so slightly, Sidora whispers "We Mustn't."

Through painted breaths, Alyssa says "I... I'm sorry."

Flustered and ashamed Alyssa quickly leaves the room. Sidora, still sitting on the bed, holds a finger to her lips.

Still in a daze, Sidora asks aloud "What just happened?"

Throne Room

Several minutes Later

POV: Sidora Deltestri

After the shock of Alyssa kissing me wore off, I made my way to the throne room where everyone awaited me. Finding Alyssa first out of all in attendance made my heart flutter, but I kept my embarrassment in line, while she avoided eye contact altogether. That stung more than I thought it would, but for now, it was for the best.

"What in the gods' name would have you riled up this bad in the morning?" Asks Sir Aaron grumpily.

"I second that." States Arsidian, stifling a yawn.

Elise and Mira looked wide awake, as well as Alicia and Amyllia.

Sidora looks around the room before saying "For some of you this might come as a surprise, but to others, it might not. I had a premonition of the second prince murdering their father in his sleep."

Even though the room was already quiet, with this news that silence was even more defining than normal. No one in the room could believe the news and everyone was afraid to outright call her a liar. So the silence lingered on. Finally, someone spoke up, and to Sidora's surprise, it was Alyssa.

"Is that why you were screaming when I passed by your room?"

Meeting her steady gaze, I say "Yes. I don't have them very often, but when I do, it's rather sudden. My mother told me that once every several hundred years we elves are born with this ability. Not all of our kind can handle the things we see, so we block it with magic. I am one of the rare few who wasn't driven mad because of it."