The Dark King (Book 1)

Chapter 13

It wasn't until nightfall that Flora and I finally return to the Marecia Castle. I say my goodnights to Flora as I make my way down the hall to Raidyn's room.

I hear feet echoing behind me. I turn around to see King Fridrik Marecia walking toward me. "Your majesty," I bow to him.

"Miss?"

"Lyra," I smile at him.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Lyra. You are part of King Rastifen's entourage, correct?"

"Yes, majesty." I look into his eyes. They are the same as the twins. "You're Astrid's uncle?" I fear I just overstepped. "I'm sorry, majesty. I didn't mean to be so upfront. You see, Astrid is my best friend."

"How do you know Astrid? Do you not hale from the Southern kingdom?"

"No, majesty. When I was younger I was taken along with Astrid and her twin brother to Craylle."

"Then you were one of the children ripped from this kingdom when Valdus ransacked the village."

I look at him wide eyed. "I think you have it wrong, king. I am from Craylle."

"Do you have magic abilities?" He gives me a pointed look.

"Yes, majesty. The power of invisibility, shapeshifting and scaling."

"Then you are not from Craylle. Craylle has no magic, there is none in the North."

"B-But that's why I was taken, it was because I was the only one in the kingdom left with magic." I stammer.

"This of the lies he has fed you, Lyra. That does not make any sense. Are your eyes part of your powers? I'm afraid I don't know of any people with violet eyes."

"They're a magic restriction." I frown.

"Such a pity." He shakes his head. "I hope you do enjoy your stay."

Just like that he walks away. Speechless I run to Raidyn's chamber knocking furiously on the door. "Open up! It's me!" I say panicked.

"What's wrong?" He swings the door open and looks down at me concerned.

I push past him and begin to pace the chamber. I wait until he shuts the door to say something. "I'm not from Craylle."

"You're not? Are you from here as well like Astrid?"

"He lied to us. To me, about my past, I-I don't understand," I run my hands through my hair.

"He enslaved all of you. He had no reason to actually give you information of who you were." He says softly and pityingly.

I laugh hysterically. "My Gods, are the memories he even shows me real? I feel as if I've gone mad!"

"Hey," He soothes and stops my pacing by standing in front of me. "You're not mad. This is real." He strokes my cheek.

"I don't even know what real anymore." I shake my head. "This is my home, my parents, my brothers are probably here!"

"We will find them then. We shall free you and find them." 

"You mean it?" I look at him sniffling.

"Of course I do, little dove." He promises.

I grab ahold of him tightly. "Thank you," I whisper.

"Don't thank me." He runs his hands up and down my back reassuringly. "I want to help you. I want you to be happy. I want us to be together."

"Someday soon, my king." I run my finger gently down his scar.