Veridia

Chapter 2

Aerithia, present

It was two days before the Gifting and Aleksander had a rough time keeping a smile on his face. After numerous councils and rehearsals and hours of "Oh my god, what are you wearing to the showcase," and "What talent are you presenting," and "Did you know so-and-so was going out with so-and-so" Aleksander had escaped to his room. Being the bastard prince, he wasn't as busy as his older brother Kirigan (a.k.a the real prince, who was indeed a major jerkface), he still wanted to tear his hair out and scream into his pillow. Heaving a sigh, he leaned against his vanity table and ran his hand through his thick blond hair. Tired blue eyes stared back at him in the mirror, and bags had started to form under them.

Aleksander stared at his hand and concentrated. A flame danced on his knuckles, playfully running through his fingers before vanishing.

Pyrokinesis. Aleksander had always known his gift. He manifested at the age of five, one of the earliest in the century. Talents that dealt with earth, water, fire, and air were called Elementals, and they were generally rare and hard to control. Aleksander took lessons weekly with the only other pyrokinetic that lived in the castle. His name was Boris and he was nearing on seventy years old, living a comfortable life as a glassblower for the royal jewelers. Despite his old age, he was very adept at his craft.

Letting out a groan, Aleksander pushed away from the table and flopped onto his bed. By god, he was tired. A little nap wouldn't hurt...

~~

Something was dripping on his face. Alekesander rolled over and made a muffled "Stop it" but the annoying tap-tap of water continued. Suddenly what felt like a waterfall of bone-chilling water was dumped on body.

"What the hell!" He sat up spluttering, and was faced with his best friend, Andrei Azarov. He was hydrokinetic, with a stream of water was running through his fingers and a huge smirk on his face. He had jet-black hair with eyes so green they looked like they were straight out of the forest. His skin was so pale that he looked like a ghost most of the time.

"Gotcha!"

"Can you let a guy get some sleep?" Aleksander groaned and got up from his bed. His hair and shirt were soaked, and dripping onto the sheets.

Andrei gave him an impish grin before making a snapping motion with his wrist. All the water droplets rose and and sped toward his hand, forming a giant glowing ball before dissipating into mist.

"The king's want's to see you down in the ballroom in two minutes. Well, maybe one minute now."

Aleksander popped up so fast he got whiplash. "Why wouldn't you tell me earlier?" 

Andrei cackled maniacally. "Not my fault your a sleepyhead."

Aleksander was out the door in seconds, Andrei with a Cheshire cat smile still implanted on his face right behind him.

Skidding to a halt right before double doors of the ballroom, he took a moment to pat down his shirt before taking a second to calm his breathing. Head held high, he walked into the room.

King Ilya Volkov stood at the center of the grand hall, directing a crew of men holding up a huge garland of flowers. Prince Kirigan was next to him, trying his best not to look bored and wearing a "I'm the prince so a polite smile must always be surgically attached to my face" mask.

King Volkov turned around and smiled gently.

"Aaah, hello there Alek. And Andrei."

"Good evening father. You called?"

"You are lined up to be the first performer in the ceremony. I'm sure you will be ready."

"I won't disappoint, father."