The Phoenix King

Prologue

The fire is closing in, surrounding Magnus as he cowers to the ground. It is as though the walls are closing in, with no escape, but these walls are fire. He can feel the heat searing his skin as he has never known before. It flickers and leaps while closing in, encircling him until he can't move. He is trapped, with no escape.

"Magnus!" Pulled from his nightmare, his eyes open to see his twin staring back at him. His sister has always had kind eyes, but they see more than she lets on. Magnus may be the future leader of the realm, but Mallory is his eyes and ears to everything. Mallory's friendly and open nature has rewarded her with more allies across the realm than Magnus can even remember. Though she always tells him everything she sees and hears, she never repeats anything beyond him. However, when it comes to him, what she sees, she keeps to herself. He is smart enough to know that his sister sticks close to him for a reason.

"You were having another nightmare again, Mags." She watches him closely through hazel eyes. "I felt it, so don't try to deny it." She could always feel what he does, and vice-versa.

"I won't." He admits and sits up to face her better.

"They are getting worse, Mags. We need to tell Mother and Father." Mallory insists with earnest emphasis on the word need.

"It will only worry them, and they have enough to worry about, Lori." Magnus watches his sister's face scrunch slightly. She hates lying, especially to their parents.

"I know they do, but this is different." She takes his hand in hers, which has a calming presence on his mind. "You have been having nightmares since you were a baby, Mags. I was always there to help, but we don't sleep in the same room anymore. Someone will hear you, and they will think you have lost your mind."

"Maybe I have." Magnus offers a hint of humor that his twin disagrees with.

"I am serious. One day, I won't be in the same location as you. I am afraid you won't wake up." Mallory's voice catches slightly, and he knows the depth of her fears. He has always known. For as long as he can remember, he has always been stepping into the role of one day seeing to the realm, but Mallory has always been seeing to him. She has always been his guardian and protector, even if she doesn't know it. That has always been her role, and she is afraid of failing. Not only would it mean failing him and their family, but failing the realm. He never wanted to put that pressure on her, but it seems it was what she was born with. He wishes he could take that weight from her shoulders. He would die to save her, his family and his people.

"I am fine, Lori." Magnus does his best to put on a brave face for his twin. However, though she doesn't say anything, the look in her eyes says she doesn't believe him. "Besides, we are on vacation. We should be celebrating."

Mallory deadpans a look at her brother. "This is hardly a vacation. It is a diplomatic visitation that just happens to be during our birthday. Emberhelm has spared no expense in celebrating our birth and a pre-celebration to your coronation. There is much to celebrate, I know. But do not forget that this is not so much a party as it is your first public appearance as the future high king of Zoshan."

"How could I forget," Magnus mumbles and squeezes her hand gently. "You know I only was voted on because you agreed to become the crown princess, and, should anything happen to me, you would be high queen."

"How could I forget." Mallory returns with the same level tone. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Mags. Not while I am alive."

"You may not be able to stop it, Lori." Magnus offers with a heartfelt smile that he knows Mallory can see right through. "I just feel that something is coming, and we need to be ready for it. It is like this voice calling to me."