In a divided kingdom where magic is feared and those who wield it are hunted, Ariana, the daughter of a powerful councilman, lives a life of privilege and duty. But her world unravels when she encounters Kiran, a fugitive with the power to command...
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The chains were heavier than they looked, biting into my wrists with every movement. My cell, damp and stinking of mildew, had become a cage for my body and thoughts alike. I replayed the elders' words, their veiled accusations, their insinuations that the war between Solan and Umbra was purely the fault of the Solans.
Lies.
The weight of the memories pressed against my mind like a storm I couldn’t contain. Flashes of that day—of fire, of screams, of my parents’ lifeless bodies—pounded against the walls of my thoughts. The elders knew. They had known all along, and I had let them manipulate me into believing Solan had been the only monster in this endless war.
But now, I knew the truth.
The chains groaned as I twisted my wrists, testing the strength of the metal. The heat of my anger surged beneath my skin, stoking the magic I had once feared and misunderstood. The elders thought they could keep me here. They thought they could keep the truth locked away with me.
They were wrong.
With a sharp intake of breath, I focused on the magic coursing through me, letting it seep into the chains. My vision blurred with golden light as I poured my will into the bindings, imagining them shattering like glass. The chains glowed, heating until they hissed against my skin, and with a resounding crack, they snapped apart.
I didn’t stop to relish my small victory. My legs were shaky, but I pushed myself upright, shoving the cell door open with a force that surprised even me. The guard posted outside turned, wide-eyed, as I strode into the hall.
“Stop!” he shouted, reaching for the dagger at his side.
I didn’t give him the chance. With a wave of my hand, his body stiffened and fell, his eyes fluttering shut as sleep overtook him. I stepped over him without a second glance, my determination outweighing any hesitation.
The path to the village blurred in my mind. My anger carried me forward like a tide, pushing past any thoughts of caution or consequence. I knew where the elders would be—huddled in their sacred chamber, spinning more lies to protect their crumbling facade.
When I burst into the chamber, their voices fell silent. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of burning herbs. Five pairs of eyes turned toward me, their expressions shifting from surprise to anger.
“Kiran,” Elder Marak said, his voice sharp with authority. “You dare break your confinement?”
“Confinement,” I spat, stepping into the circle. “Is that what you call it? Let’s drop the pretense, shall we? You’re not protecting anyone—you’re hiding. And I’m done playing along.”
The elders exchanged glances, unease flickering across their faces.
“You don’t understand the weight of your actions,” Elder Taina said, her tone softer but no less condescending. “We’re trying to keep the village safe.”
“Safe?” My voice cracked with fury. “You call this safety? Manipulating your people? Starting wars under the guise of protection? Poisoning innocents? Is that your definition of safe?”
Marak’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your tongue, child.”
“No,” I snapped, stepping closer to him. “You don’t get to call me a child, not after what you’ve done. The attack on Solan decades ago—the one that left their queen sick, the one that made them see the Umbra as monsters. That was you. Wasn’t it?”
Their silence was answer enough.
“I was a child when your lies got my parents killed,” I continued, my voice trembling. “You manipulated everyone into believing the Solans were the aggressors. You fueled their hatred, knowing it would only escalate the war. You’ve been pulling the strings this entire time, haven’t you?”
Taina’s gaze faltered, but Marak held his ground. “You don’t understand what it means to lead, Kiran. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good.”
“Don’t you dare talk to me about sacrifice!” I shouted, my magic flaring in response to my anger. The air crackled around me, and the elders recoiled as golden light seeped from my skin. “You sacrificed your own people to keep your secrets hidden. Roran’s attack? That was because of you, wasn’t it? He was poisoned because he was too close to the truth!”
Taina’s lips trembled. “Kiran, please—”
“No!” I cut her off. “I’ve spent my life believing the Solans were my enemy. Believing that their hatred was unjustified. But now I see the truth. They hate us because of you. Because of the attack, because of the lies, because of everything you’ve done to keep your power intact. You’ve made monsters of us all.”
Marak stepped forward, his face twisted with anger. “You think you can stand here and accuse us? You’re still alive because we allowed it. Without our guidance, this village would have perished long ago!”
“And without your lies, maybe it wouldn’t have been hunted in the first place,” I retorted, meeting his glare. “You’ve turned the Umbra into fugitives, outcasts, and now you’re hiding behind me to keep your secrets safe.”
The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. I could see the cracks in their facade, the fear they tried to hide behind their stern expressions.
“I’m done being your pawn,” I said, my voice low but filled with conviction. “You want to keep this village hidden? Fine. But I’m not protecting your lies anymore.”
With a flick of my hand, I let my magic ripple through the room. The elders gasped as the walls shimmered, the protective veil that hid the village wavering under my control.
“Kiran, stop!” Marak shouted, panic seeping into his voice.
“Confess,” I demanded, my eyes blazing. “Tell the truth about what you’ve done. Or I’ll drop the veil, and everyone will see what you’ve been hiding. Solan will come, and they’ll see the Umbra for what you’ve made them. Do you really want that?”
Taina’s face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Kiran, please don’t do this. You don’t understand the danger—”
“I understand plenty,” I interrupted. “I understand that you’ve let this village live in fear for decades. I understand that you’ve been using me as a shield to protect your lies. And I understand that if you don’t come clean, the blood on your hands will only grow.”
Marak’s jaw clenched, his fists trembling at his sides. For a moment, I thought he might lash out, but then his shoulders sagged, and he lowered his gaze.
“You’re making a mistake,” he muttered.
“No,” I said firmly. “The mistake was trusting you. Now, confess. Or face the consequences.”
The room fell into an uneasy silence, the elders exchanging looks of defeat. Taina’s sobs were the only sound as I stood there, my magic humming around me like a warning.
For the first time, I felt the weight of my power—not as a burden, but as a weapon. And I wasn’t afraid to use it.
