Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 53: The End is Near

I knew what I was doing. Or at least, I thought I did.

After agreeing to marry Prince Flynn, Brylee had left, heading back into the castle with urgent instructions for me to deliver the long-lost prince to Trithia.

But I had other plans. I had no intention of leaving Brylee to face Amora alone, yet I couldn't reveal my true intentions. The sheer terror I planned to unleash today, on what was meant to be my wedding day, would not be forgotten.

If it hadn't been interrupted, Amora would have been on her knees, begging for her life, in mere seconds.

If Amora captured Brylee, she might reveal my plan, and I couldn't risk that. For this to work, the element of surprise was crucial. I paced back and forth in the stable, Prince Flynn watching me, still holding the horse's reins.

"So let me get this straight," he began. "You're going to storm right through the palace gates in broad daylight and confront Amora in front of the entire court and your parents?"

I felt the shadows rumbling within me. It's icy tendrils slithered up my back in warning of the power that brewed beneath. My emotions fueled it and the more I worried and felt anger, the more powerful the power would become.

But, I wasn't nervous. In fact, all I felt was a profound calmness, a sense of control. My pacing faltered at the mention of my parents. Brylee said that they're most likely already dead.

It was an odd thought, given how much I despised them, but something had shifted in my father today, as if he'd finally seen the real me after so many years. My mother, however, would have kept the secret of my powers until her dying breath. For that, she deserved every bit of hate I could muster.

Fire crackled alongside the shadows in my veins. Sparks danced at my fingertips, and I watched as the shadows began to stain my hands black. I felt unstoppable. I was unstoppable, and I would destroy anyone or anything that stood in my way.

"My parents are probably already dead," I stated, turning to face Flynn. "And yes, that is exactly what I plan to do. And then some."

He paled at the sight of me. His eyes swept over my form, taking in my blackened eyes and arms, the fire crackling at my fingertips. I must have looked like a monster to him. I felt like a monster.

I remembered calling Amora a monster what felt like only a few hours ago, and now, I was the very thing I swore I would destroy.

"You... you're..." He struggled for words, but I noticed he wasn't scared. Just... surprised?

"I am the Heir to Shadowfire," I declared. The rage already threatened to consume me. Not yet, I told myself. I would unleash my emotions only when the time was right—when I stood before my court and whatever family remained, prepared to annihilate them for all they had done to me.

"The legends... The curse." he murmured. "Are they true? Are you going to be the destroyer of your kingdom?"

For a moment, I almost said no. But my rage consumed me, my mind clouded with the desire for revenge. Using my shadow abilities awakened the monster within, but I wasn't afraid. I embraced it. If becoming a destroyer was my destiny, then so be it. The only answer I offered was a nod.

"My god," he whispered. "Does Darian know?"

You never should have shown him your true power. He never deserved you.

I nodded again.

"Shit," he muttered, running a hand through his ruffled hair. "Who else?"

I shook my head. "No one else... except you."