Eretria wasn't sure what to do anymore. She was looking for answers after all , but was it too much luck that this person - Eva - stumbled into her camp with what she wanted? It felt odd that Eva already knew everything about her. That should have alarmed her, but she found a non existent reason to trust her.
"You're quite the powerful one, Eretria. I'm surprised you haven't destroyed yourself with the powers you possess." Eva said.
"So I've heard. Which is why I have decided to find my roots." Eretria said, poking the fire with a stick. The fact that Eva conjured fire was just another reason to at least hear her out. She was definitely something similar to her.
"Your roots? And how do you plan on doing that?" Eva asked.
Eretria raised her head and stared at her. "I plan on journeying to Magefort. There are other divinities there who can help me. It's a start, at least?" Eretria said.
Eva shook her head. "Humans have been made to believe nonsense. They are no divinities at Magefort. Those are just humans who practice the art of magic, Mages. The ones who go astray and practice dark magic are called necromancers. Divinities don't walk these lands anymore." She said.
"And why is that?"
"That will be diving into ancient history and I'd rather not do that in these woods. Necromancers have been spotted here." Eva said, glancing around.
"I've heard of the attacks but don't know much of it." When Eva give her a weird look, she went on. "My kingdom is not in favor of magic and magic users and my father does everything to stay away from magic related businesses."
Eva nodded. "Dinvia had always been that way. It was the only unharmed kingdom in the god's war." She said.
"What war?"
"You father sure keeps a lot from you. I'm sure he never spoke of your powers."
"He would, had he known." Eretria said. "What, does he know?"
"How do you think your many disasters has never arouse suspicions. He keeps them away and cover them up with the necessary gossip people would rather consume. The flawed princess." Eva said.
Wait, what? He father knew of her powers. "If he does know, why doesn't he -"
"We should leave here. We're being watched." Eva said in a whisper.
Eretria glanced around. Sure enough, they were. "Where to?" She asked, equally in a whisper.
"I know a place. My place."
She might have stood up hastily, arousing suspicions from the watchers because the next moment, an arrow flew towards her, colliding deeply with her chest. Instantly, pain ran through her bones, numbing her immediately. She could barely move as she fell to the ground.
Poison. The arrow was poisoned.
She could barely make out anything as arms wrapped around her, probably Eva's. The next minute she blacked out, leaving the chaos behind.
*-*-*-*-*
Oh, this was the worst headache she had ever gotten. With a throbbing head and a numb shoulder, Eretria tried to sit upright as the sunlight assaulted her vision. Gods, why was it so bright. She never pulled her curtains away and the maids knew better than to do that.
Except, she wasn't in her bed.
Images flooded in the next moment. The intruder, the fire, the talks, the arrow and the darkness. She had been attacked. She immediately sat up. What had happened? She glanced around the room. It was darkly themed, lacking any warmth whatsoever. The bed was large and comfortable. She could still feel some lingering pain where the arrow had hit her coupled with a headache that wasn't as bad as before. As her eyes scanned the room, they collided with the cold blue ones staring back at her. How hadn't she noticed him by the door?
Those eyes were awfully familiar and she was sure she'd never forget them. White hair was in a low ponytail, his brows drawn together in a frown, lips pursed. He stared intently at her and she could see the displeasure on his face.
She sprang our of bed, so fast her head swayed. What was he doing here?! Was he related to Eva?
Before she could utter a word, he turned around with a shake of head and flung the door open, leaving it ajar as he walked out, hands behind his back. She stared at his retreating back for a while before words found the way to her mouth.
"Wait!" She called and walked towards the door but before she could step out, Eva materialized in front of the door, blocking her path.
"You're finally awake." She said with a smile.
"Eva." Eretria breathed. "What happened?"
"Well, you got shot and blacked out. I honestly thought you could handle more than that." She said, stepping into the room, closing the door behind her. "Surely the necromancers poison doesn't wipe the memory."
Eretria went back to the bed and sat down. For some reason, something felt different about Eva.
"Why am I here?" She asked.
"This is my place." Eva replied.
"And him?" Eretria nudged her chin towards the door.
"He didn't give a proper introduction, did he? But don't worry, you'll meet with the rest of the boys. I'm sure they'll love you." Eva said pouring a glass of water which she handed to Eretria.
"You sound like I'm gonna stay here." Eretria said, accepting the glass.
"But you are. It isn't safe out there for you."
"I think I can decide that for myself." Eretria swirled the glass, not liking the odd feeling she was getting from Eva. "You mentioned necromancers." She said.
"Yes. We were attacked by some. Turns out I was right about the area. A princess shouldn't be wandering such areas all alone, at night." Eva said.
Eretria placed the glass on the night stand. "I feel you know too much about me." She admitted. It made her uneasy.
"What's there not to know. You're quite famous amongst the other divinities. So much, they placed a bet on you. One I won. I'm not accustomed to losing." Eva said.
"What? A bet?"
Eva nodded. "For whoever can bring you here."
Eretria stood up. "You tricked me! You made me believe we're alike with the fire and all those talks."
"Actually, I never tricked you. If you hadn't passed out, you would have been here anyway. I was merely who you wanted at the moment. And, you can find a lot of your answers here. Some fortress of humans won't be of help. So, welcome, I guess." She turned towards the door, ready to walk out but stopped. "And the fire, that wasn't me. I'm a water being. I Can't conjure fire." With that, she left a confused and shocked Eretria behind.
*-*-*-*
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Inferno's legacy (On Hold)
Historical FictionA flawed princess with untamed fire abilities and a cursed water god with a century-old vendetta must navigate a treacherous web of lies, betrayal, and ancient secrets. What could possibly go wrong? Everything. As they dance between desire and destr...