The Blood Prince

016

A small child runs through the village, a wide smile on his face as he pants.

"He's coming! The king is coming!"he shouts, causing everyone he runs past to look at him.

"The king is coming to the festival!"

....

Tatiana

I watch as Xavier dresses in his cloak.

"I don't know about this."Xavier says before looking down at his gloved hands.

"Why's that?"I question, standing.

He looks up at his reflection in the mirror, the crown shimmering on his head.

"....there were schools of magic, during the war. Places parents with magical children could send them to learn, and practice their powers."Xavier says.

"My father thought they were unnecessary. I was taught to use only my anger to control my flame. He made me use it to burn those schools. And the children inside."

I walk over to him as he looks down.

"I can't look at their faces. I feel too much shame."

I place my hand on his back softly.

"Xavier, you were a child. You did something bad, but you were only doing what you were told. You can't be mad at yourself for what you did when you were younger."I say softly.

He looks up to the mirror.

"I disgust myself."

I frown and pull him into a hug.

"With this new treaty, you can try to make up for what you've done. Nothing can take it back, Xavier. But it's a start."I say softly, looking up at him.

I see a strange glint of purple in his eyes as he looks at his reflection.

".... what if I could take it back?"

I flash a concerned look before I speak.

"What do you mean?"I ask.

The purple glint in his eye fades and he looks down at me.

"Nothing. Nevermind. We should get going."he says, stepping away.

....

I smile waving to the towns people as they cheer and throw flower pedals into the air.

Xavier sat quietly next to me in our open carriage.

Nadia rode a large black stallion next to us, throwing coins and seeds to the children that trailed behind her.

The village had been beautifully decorated. The theme being fire.

There were shrines to Xavier all over the village.

"Isn't it lovely, Xavier?"I ask with a smile, looking over to him.

"Yes. They've done quite well."he says.

....

Xavier and Tatiana, being pulled in their open carriage head to the village square, where most of the festivities would be held, including a play.

"Look how beautiful Xavier! Gifts!"I say as the villagers toss small coins and jewels.

Xavier wasn't focused on Tatiana and her excitement.

But the voices of fallen souls in his head. Although he felt in control of his flame, the voices seemed to grow louder with each minute he wore the crown.