The Wright

Prophecy

Messenger birds and wild birds alike were always at the Academy windows. The students, especially the ones attuned to animals would often feed them. This one was sure that I had something to share and likely would not be asking if it were not hungry.

Rising from the bed and allowing the chill to lower the temperature of my skin, I cracked open the window and inhaled the mountain scent. The tiny bird, black that shone with iridescent purple and green and flecked with tiny white dots, hopped onto the sill and peered around the room. Its head darted one way and then another as if expecting the space to be filled with food.

"Alright, alright," I sighed, busying my shaking hands with opening a drawer. I kept a jar of nuts that I had foraged inside and was happy to share. Removing one, I crushed it with the weight of the glass and offered the bits to the creature. "You know nothing of bad dreams do you?"

I swept the sweaty ends of my hair behind my ears. That was all it had been, a bad dream. Bernard was not my mate. I would know...at least, I believed I did. Though I was not completely sure how different species paired, I knew that recognition would happen. If I met someone who had a partner of a different race soon, I would need to ask.

Oblivious to my internal troubles, the tiny bird pecked away. How wonderful it would be to never worry about obligation. Leaving it to eat, I showered and put on a clean uniform, erasing the effect of the dream on my person. I would survive. Everyone had nightmares and that one was tame compared to others.

"I will see you later," I said to the tiny bird and left the window ajar. Even when my internal world felt shifted on its axis and images continued to replay themselves after such a fright, the day went on. There was breakfast to deliver and research to do.

Thus far, I had searched in subjects like ancient ruins, mining, stones and crystals, and crafting, but it had yielded nothing. As I picked up the king's tray and headed for the attic, I wondered if it might be related to Soul Wrights themselves. Although, it did not make any sense why they would need such a device.

The attic had quite a few people that turned to look at me when I entered. They were not wearing blue, but hooded sweatshirts and leather armor speckled with dark liquid. By the deceased creature lying upon the table, I knew it was blood. It was a large beast with overlapping, plated armor like an armadillo, but its mouth was a horrid mess of teeth pointing in so many directions, it was any wonder how it managed to eat at all. Perhaps the teeth macerated its prey to death, filling it with so many holes it simply died and was swallowed whole.

An older gentleman stood at the head of the monster and appeared to be giving a lesson about the thing. I was not nearly as interesting as the fight they had just been through and the information that was provided.

Placing the tray near Kinnut, my knuckles accidentally brushed the back of his hand. The strange, magnetic pull and push washed through my skin and I attempted to discreetly wipe the sensation away on my uniform. His head turned from the document he held to look down at his hand and I blushed. I had just touched the king without permission.

"Apologies, Your Majesty."

"Kinnut," he said.

"Y-yes."

He studied the porridge and then sipped his coffee. "Thank you."

"Of course." I studied his profile as he continued to read the paper. His nose was straight, prominent, brows thick and the same grayish color as his hair. They were often drawn downward in interest as he pored over something, casting his eerie eyes in stark contrast. I found my gaze following the sharp line of his jaw to his chin and, from there, to his lips. They were light pink, the lower one more plump than I had seen on other men. I cleared my throat, unsure what had come over me. "Sire?"