The Lethal Air (Royals of the Realm Series #2)

Chapter 10

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain

(Five Centuries Ago)

Witch Kingdom
Northern Section
The Wiccan Court

Heaven's POV

The baby girl was snoring softly as she sleeps peacefully on her crib. The parents stared down at her lovingly, eyes sparkling with unspoken glee. The baby looked exactly like her mother, but her features were truly Wiccan; silver pools, cream skin and tar black hair. The complete opposite of a normal witch's appearance; brown eyes, brown locks and tanned skin. My stare remained on the baby's face, already knowing how beautiful she'll be someday.

"She's perfect. Our baby girl is loved by all." The mother spoke, eyes moving to look at her husband who became troubled and sighed heavily.

"The Northern Witches do, but not the Council. I have a feeling something bad will happen in our kingdom, something that concerns our angel. Another strong witch from the north will cause an uproar in the council."

"I know, what we are about to do will defy the natural law but I will do anything to keep her protected." The mother touched the baby's chest and it glowed softly, as she began lifting her hand a glowing bluish-white plasma structure came out of the baby's mouth and hovered above her mother's palm. The man smiled and offered her half of his magic. As they combined both elements it solidified into a crystal egg. The mother placed it beside the sleeping baby, "Your brother will protect you when we failed to do so." She kissed her goodnight and that's when the vortex sucked me in again then throwing me in another memory.

This time, Artemis was in the great hall of her parent's court. A winter dragon was with her, chasing a lunar ball she created. She was giggling uncontrollably while watching the dragon play. When atlast he caught it, he landed in front of her, tail wagging like a puppy.

"You did it!" She jumped enthusiastically, the dragon catching her with ease using his wings. The dragon made a sound as if speaking, making Artemis smile sheepishly. "Sorry Ahba, I won't jump on you again... Although I know you'll always catch me in time."

The dragon rolled it's eyes just as the doors opened. Old witches with robes stood at the doorway forming a V, and behind them stood a royal air elf I will always remember.

Father.

I saw another familiar face beside him, wearing a black robe. Trevine looked saner here than he really is in the real world. The witches in robes smiled at the little girl and the dragon.

"Are you Artemis, child?" The head of the council asked. She nodded in reply, calming the dragon who became tensed.

"Are you here to see my father?" She asked them.

"We're here to see you actually. Would you like to come with us for a while? Your dragon friend can tag along."

Artemis stared at them unsure, shaking her head. "No, but thank you." The eight-year-old kid answered politely, turning her back at them to look for her dad. That is what they're waiting for. The witches threw enchanted nets but the dragon froze it immediately with a roar. The startled kid screamed for her father who appeared right away in the stairs.

"Hanes! What the hell is this?!"

The leader of the council summoned a wave of magic in his hands, "Your bloodline is tainted by the gods. If we want peace in this kingdom, everyone must be equal. We can't be at peace knowing that one day, the Wiccans might rule our kingdom just because they can... just because they are more powerful than the rest."

"This is genocide, Hanes. Innocent people will get killed." Arkas pulled his daughter closer to him and Ahba stood beside them in a defensive stance. Little Artemis caught something glinting from behind them and she turned to look at it. Her eyes widened and she screamed, but it was too late. It was like the whole world stopped, the arrow traveled through space and making its mark right through Arkas' heart. Her scream and the dragon's roar mixing as Arkas' lifeless body fell with a thud. I followed the path of the arrow and my heart clenched, confusion and guilt battling.

King Hallin Aer. The reason of my vengeance.

"Papa!" She cried, trying to wake him up. The council stopped momentarily, still in doubt about killing the Wiccans. They shifted and schooled their expressions nonetheless.

"The girl," Hanes nodded at his comrades. This time, the winter dragon was prepared. He blew shards of ice as they summoned a wall for cover. Another arrow fired, nearly impaling Artemis. Trevine threw his element at her, knocking her across the room. Thana Valentine portaled in, snatching her daughter from the scene but Trevine managed to follow through the vortex she created. This time, no more bounds to keep him from summoning feeders. No laws against dark magic.

They reached the Blood Moon forest, and he followed the trail of the mother and child. They had a headstart, entering the Crescent Pack's boundary where a lycan stood waiting in the shadows. He emerged, wordlessly taking the girl in his arms.

"Take care of her, please. Don't let them find her." Thana's pleading voice was full of sorrow and fear.

The lycan growled softly before sniffing her neck one last time, "I will."

Artemis held her mother's hand tighter, giving it a squeeze she let go. "You'll come back for me, right? You and Ahba?" That was blind hope speaking, but she hang on to it.

"I'll try, baby. Be a good girl, okay?"

Time once again seemed to stop as the wolf ran away with her in his arms. The last thing she saw was the horde of feeders circling her mother's form. There was no scream and she thought for a moment that she'll find her one day. But days turned to years and the hope vanished as the centuries passed, leaving a lone witch in pain.

I was pulled back again by the vortex, but this time I didn't fight it. When I opened my eyes I saw her silver eyes glistening with unshed tears, searching for something, anything, as she stared into my eyes. The pentacle in our enclosed hands dissolved into thin air, and I wasted no time engulping her in a warm embrace.

God, my queen doesn't deserve all of that.