Behind My Shadow - Book Three

1. Watch It Begin Again

 "Adara, my dear? Are you in here?" The White Knight calls for me from the other room.

I'm not in my bedroom though. I'm out here on my balcony overlooking the edge of the island, trying to gulp down as much crisp, salty air as I can in hopes of clearing my head. Tonight is a huge night for me and it starts in just under an hour.

To say that I'm kinda freaking out is an understatement.

Tonight all of the officials and regents of Raetri have gathered right here at the Royal Palace for the opening ceremony that will kicked off my momentous Labors. Over the course of the next eighteen days, everyone in the entire world will be watching me attempt to survive life-threatening situations in order to gain control of this wild, magical wonderland.

"I'm...I'm out here!" I call after a beat. I anxiously flex my fingers on the pearl banister as I watch the sun slip farther into the ocean.

These last few days have passed so swiftly in such an intense blur of grueling exercises and mental exertion that I feel like my head is still spinning in high gear. I've been pouring every last drop of passion and determination into the pain and -through it all- I've forged a new faith in the power I've uncovered within myself. Yeah, I am stronger now than I've ever been, but nevertheless I've never felt more exhausted or terrified than I do tonight.

Everything has really boiled down to this, hasn't it?

"There you are," Cornelius smiles as he steps onto the balcony. He does a double take when he registers me sitting on the banister, hugging my knees to my chest as I gaze out into the distance. "I'm glad to see your fear of heights has been resolved," my father comments a moment later.

"Huh? Oh," I smile as I peer over the edge down at the ground dozens of stories beneath me. "Yeah, acrophobia has definitely lost all power over me after I've survived Vampires, Ghost Hills and a camping trip with Adisonia," I chuckle and shake my head.

"That's a relief," he leans against his elbows on the banister beside me. "How are you feeling about tonight?" He asks me after a pause.

I swallow hard as I lower my gaze to the courtyard far below. Enormous, shimmering gold tents have been set up and already servants are lighting the torches that line the walkways winding between them. A band is setting up on stage while others are putting a few last-minute touches to the banquet tables brimming with food and fountains of champagne.

"Honestly?" I briefly meet his calm blue eyes. "I'm kinda fighting the urge to hyperventilate."

"It's perfectly natural to feel afraid, my dear," he assures me.

"Really?" I brighten with hope. "I mean, I was kinda expecting you to say something about how this is like, my destiny and whatever or how this is in my blood and whatnot."

"Would any of that have made you feel better?" He arches an eyebrow at me.

"No," I admit with a shrug. "But that's what the Court keeps telling me..."

"Their expectations only add to the pressure you already feel though, right?" He guesses.

"Right," I gravely nod.

"Fear is a part of life, my dear. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you're nervous about tonight. You have every right to be," he meets my eyes again. "Fear can guide us if we don't let it control us. Afterall, bravery would not exist in a world without fear. Feel whatever you need to feel, Adara," he puts his hand over mine. "Just know that I'm here for you no matter what, and I personally believe there isn't anything in this world that you cannot accomplish."

I smile with amazement. "Where were you all my life?"

He winces and gives me a sympathetic look. "Worlds away, I'm afraid..."

I shake my head and lean closer to wrap my arms around his neck. "I'm just glad you're here now, Dad."

"This time, my dear, you'll never loose me." He embraces me protectively and for the first time today, I feel at peace.