I had barely slept. But this time it wasent because a strange voice was talking to me in my head. Or I had the vivid dream that was keeping me up. I was terrified.
Imagine being told your whole life is a lie. You are a witch fae half breed. And yet my powers remain to be seen. Well besides my ice powers that I can not control nor know how they work My Aunt Bea lied to me about everything. How could she, was she a magical creature to? And why isn't she here to save me.
I miss Ozzie. The horses. The animals . I missed the farm. I missed the simplicity of it all and the routine. How i wished I never set foot into that barn. I hope my real parents are out there somewhere. Don't even get me started on Kael. I thought and rolled my eyes
Soon after I was pacing around my room the guards came to collect me once again. It was time, my limbs were still stiff and my nightgown now wrinkled at the hem, feeling very much suffocating.
The servants came in and placed what looked to be my battle armor. There were a pair of black knee high boots, brown pants that I was able to tuck into my boot, and a plain white tee shirt that came off my shoulders. I brushed my hair taming the wild beast and decided to put my hair up in a half up half down style so I wouldn't get my hair in my face.
I was led through the winding corridor of the palace, my heart pounding with each step. The sound of the distant voices grew louder the closer we got to the amphitheater.
The arena floor was a circle of hard packed dirt and it was surrounded by stands of fae their pointy ears sticking out like a sore thumb, all most likely nobles and soldiers. They all turned towards me as I was now within watching distance. They all looked at me with disgust and a look of hatred. It felt like knives were cutting me.
To the far end of the arena was the fae king once again sat in his throne his expression much like his sons unreadable. Kael was standing right next to him like how he did yesterday in the meeting.
Once I made it to the center of the arena a figure in dark armor approached, holding a blackened staff adored with small inscriptions down the neck that glowed.
"Ember of the witches blood" , the figure intoned their voice amplified by magic as if he had a microphone built into him. "You stand accused of trespass, rebellion, and defiance against the fae kingdom.To prove your worth and loyalty you must endure The Trial of Thornes."
The crowed murmured, the tension so thick you wouldn't be able to cut it.
"I wasent trespassing I was taken in the middle of the night from my home!" I shouted. The audacity to even imply anything else. There is no way that the Fae would even believe it right? Does their hatred go beyond the truth?
"Lies!" He cried. And the crowd went wild.
They were shouting things incomprehensible I couldn't make out what they were saying but i'm pretty sure none of it was good.
I lifted my chin my voice ringing out clearly as I spoke. "I'm no traitor, and I owe no loyalty to you or your king!"
The fae kings lips curled up into a brief smile but he mummer nothing.
The crowd went wild once again shouting hateful things in an outrage. And the knight broke the silence. Raising the staff high the symbols lit up even brighter and the ground beneath my feet started trembling.
"The Trial Begins Now!"
A deep rumble echoed throughout the arena as throned vines erupted from the earth, twisting and colliding like serpents. They formed a labyrinth around my body, the sharp thrones shining in the light.
My palms started to sweat vigorously and my vision became blurred with tears. Please don't let me die! I murmured to myself.
My heart pounded at the sight of the maze.
YOU ARE READING
The Shattered Crown BOOK 1: CROWN OF ASH AND GOLD
FantasyEmber Valen has spent her life believing she was an ordinary young woman named Lola, she was raised by Beatrice, a quiet family friend with a mysterious past. But on her 21st birthday, Ember's world unravels. Strange magic erupts within her during a...
