Rise

Calore

I haven't seen Kira in over a week, she looks exhausted. The bags under her eyes are prominent and the look of defeat on her face is almost unbearable to see. I hesitate, stopping to stare at her for as long as possible.

"Kira, Kira why did everyone go silent?" The woman next to her speaks louder, her eyes shaking the crowd. Does she dare speak in your presence? That should be a form of treason itself. Let alone being one of the only Shivers here.

I point to her, not daring to take my eyes away from Kira any longer. The guards take the blue-eyed girl from Kira, but she fights back, twisting and contorting out of the guards' grip, sprinting in any direction. My guards to chase after her but I stop them, holding out my hand. With a flick of my wrist, a gun is placed in my hand. Kira will never forgive me for this. Kira isn't the goal anymore. Your crown is what you should be thinking about. I take a deep breath, aim the gun and pull the trigger. Behind the sound of the echoing gunshot, I could hear kira let out a small whimper.

I never was one for guns, why use them when my ability is just as dangerous? My mother told me to make them fear you, not the object, but something took over me, making my own weapon a second thought. The minute she hit the floor I knew she was dead and something inside of me died with her.

"You're a monster!" Someone screams from the crowd. I quickly turn back around, someone pushed their way to the front. Mia Sano stands tall and angry, but her hands shaking at her side tell me something different, she's scared. Good.

"Just the woman I was looking for. You know Mia, your whole family is causing me a lot of trouble back at home. I hope you will be in your right mind enough, to sum up any of their concerns." I slowly walk up to her, inches away from her face.

"In my right mind enough?" She repeats, a small smiles creeping onto my face.

"Oh I'm sorry, I guess you didn't get the message. Let me send it again." I speak, hitting her in the temple with the but of the gun. She falls back into Kira's arms, staining the healer's white shirt with her blood. I eye the crowd once more. Most are Ignians, judged by the color of the clothing. A stupid rule made by our ancestors to show support for their countries.

"I hope that message went to all of you as well. Do not disrespect your king." Kira scoffs at my words.

"King..." she mutters, her hand is placed on Mia's forehead, healing the cut I made. Her eyes meet mine before she speaks again.

"You are no king of mine." Kira spits, her eyes piercing and cold. It makes me sick to see her act this way, but it also heats me with something I can't explain. The way she carries herself, it's different than when we were at Soevia or even after we were taken by Rise. She's bold, dangerous.

"Restrain them all, this one comes with me." I point to Kira. Her face curls into a small snarl, cutting out my heart once more before I turn away and begin to walk to my convoy hidden behind a pile of rubble. Why Kira, why couldn't you just go to the base and never come back, why here? The memory of how I found this place replays in my head. The day after me and Mave had our little... conversation, in the throne room, she pulled me aside the next day.

"Cal, guess what" She rushed up from behind, wrapping her arm around mine.

"I don't have time for this Mave and don't call me that. Address me formally." I muttered, trying to free myself from her grip but she held on tight.

"Oh, do you don't want to know where Adara is hiding? Okay! It was wonderful to see you again, Your Highness." She spoke, bowing lowly before walking a few steps forward to some ladies of house Lavi and house Fentra. I strode forward and grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her into the closest empty corridor. She squirmed and tugged against my hand.