A Crown Made of Air

Part 3, Chapter 21

Part 3

Find the light in the dark

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Sky

Locked alone in a cell, deep in the dungeons, Sky thought about the turn her life had taken. First, she couldn't believe she was a prisoner in her own castle. Since the rule of the Deceptive Dragon, when humans were held captive for mere entertainment of the royal family, the dungeons hadn't had any use. Cloudiness had better institutions for criminals and thieves, like the imposing prison created by the god of justice in Cloudiness Court. Second, Sky couldn't stop thinking about what would happen to her. Knowing her Aunt Acantha- and Corinthia- her future was looming overhead like a dark shadow. If the queen was led to believe that Sky had attempted against her life, starting a revolution to overthrow her, Sky was sure her sentence would be death. How long did she have, really? Some days before being carted off to court? And without her true face, she couldn't prove her identity. She was just some random girl who had come from The Highlands to murder the queen. Her head was a mess! Everything was a mess! Sky fidgeted with her royal ring, the one that had slunk away from Corinthia's hand when she slapped Sky in the chin. Blood drip-dripped to the stone floor, the only sound breaking the eerie silence.

Since she had been stranded in this damp cell, the Tricksters hadn't cared much about her. For no one had come underground to visit her. Only one guard stood sentineled outside her cell and Sky had given up trying to talk to her. The guard had ignored her pleas and proposals with a shake of her hand, utterly unfazed by her claim that she was the princess of Cloudiness. The key that would ensure her safety swayed on the guard's hips, being close and out of reach at the same time. They must all deem her weak and helpless. A silly girl whit no means to get anywhere. And the worst was that they weren't even wrong.

It seems to me that you are the one fearful of devouring our kingdom whole. Tell me, Sun, are you the rightful queen of Cloudiness or are you afraid of turning into a monster? Her sister's words cut her like a knife. Corinthia's swollen face, Halvor's unmoving body, Zuri's nasty words... She had lost control, again. It was like her inner fire had grown too big for her body until it burst out of its seams. She felt it had consumed her in the process, and she had become the monster her sister had warned her about.

More than anything, Sky hated the silence because it only made her thoughts seem louder, like giant bells ringing and ringing and ringing until... There was a muffled gasp and then a heavy thump. Sky looked up in surprise.

"Hello, princess. Did you miss me?" Jai asked, his amber eyes gleaming in the dark. He gave her a feline smile. "I'm glad I decided to come. You look like you could use some help." He whistled and called Trickle. After some moments, the hummingbird appeared, holding the keys in his little feet.

Sky merely stared, awestruck. She had thought the worst about Trickle, either that he had abandoned her or died amidst her explosion of light. She certainly hadn't expected him to follow her as she was dragged to the dungeons to later guide Jai to her. Relief filled her heart, but it only lasted a second. "You came..." She stated, rather dumbly.

"Of course I came for you." Jai snapped like he was offended by her reaction. He fumbled with the keys, straining to find the right one to open her cell. There was a dozen of keys, all seemingly wrong for the lock. " I don't care that the others think you betrayed us. I saw what you did for Halvor, princess. You certainly had no obligation to put yourself at risk for him." His tone was clipped, fierce. Het took a long sigh, not wanting to fight with her. His smile returned as he rolled his eyes. "But it's not like that would ever stop you, would it? You seem to be drawn to danger."