The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑜

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No more important details needed to be run by me for the rest of the day. I knew because I sat trapped in the library until it was dark out, reading books on magic, medicine, art, and everything else I could find. Somehow, I'd found a book in the library that was a romance written by an author unknown to me. I'd decided to take a look at his work, seeing as I'd had nothing better to do.

The only problem? I was sucked in minutes later, living in the world of the main character as he went through rises and falls, love and turmoil. By the end, I was overcome with emotions, and a single tear threatened to slip from my eye, although I wiped it away before it could fall, looking around to see if anyone had noticed; the action was absurd, as it was both dark out and the only other people to come into the library were Gale and Velut, who were asleep.

Standing shakily, I left the finished book on the table near the window, along with the other stack I'd scanned throughout the day. Making my way through the hallways of the palace, I started up the stairs, yawning. As I entered my room, I shut the door as quietly as I could before slipping out of my clothes and pulling on a nightgown.

I took my hair out of the ponytail it was in and slipped under the covers of my bed, allowing the mattress to hug my lonely body as I drifted off to sleep. The dreams were soon to take over—I knew that was for sure—but for now I cared not as I allowed myself to succumb to the unrestful sleep that awaited me.

↞･:*✵*:･↠

I jolted awake, my face dripping with a cold sweat as I gripped the covers, holding the warmth of the blankets close to me.

This usually happened. It wasn't uncommon, and I'd learned to deal with it. But somehow it had gotten worse. Now, the dreams seemed so real, so authentic. It was like each decision I made within each dream affected my life. Panting, I felt fear overcome me as the image of the nightmare still burned in my mind.

A stray tear left my eye, and I sniffled, pushing the remnant of the sadness away while I still could. Finally having calmed myself down, I prepared to head back to sleep when a tapping on the door to the balcony caused me to jerk my head to face it. When I saw no one there, I frowned. I was sure that I wasn't dreaming. Shaking my head, I started to lay down again when another tap was heard. This time, slightly louder.

It was then that I realized the door to the balcony was open, and my eyes widened with horror. Scrambling out of bed, I ran to the door, closing it, recoiling as the handle was incredibly cold. I blinked, staring at the door, now noticing the small snowflakes growing along the handle.

This wasn't normal. No, this was definitely not normal. It was only fall; so how could there be any trace of snow? As I was about to turn back towards the bed, a hand cupped around my mouth, and I jumped, elbowing behind me reflexively, a shot of electricity emitting from my elbow. I heard a grunt; the hand around my mouth disappeared, and I heard the thud of a head hitting the wall.

Turning, I faced the attacker, a man, who was now standing by the wall he'd previously been thrown into. He was tall, with a muscular build and chiseled face. His deep-set eyes gleamed an icy color as they scanned me over, his mouth curled into a lopsided smirk. His dark greasy hair was pushed back messily, although it stayed down fairly well, almost slicked back by frost. The man took a step towards me, and I clenched my fist, strong bolts of electricity bouncing off of my hand as I raised my other.

I had yearned to use my abilities for so long, and now, when given the chance, I wasn't going to let them down. They would flourish—if physical attacks were necessary.

"Stay back," I ordered, eyeing the man darkly, determined to not waver or show any signs of weakness in his presence.

"Ah, I see you've changed a lot since I've last seen you, Ariane. But still, I must say, you do look radiant," the man grinned, unfazed by my harsh gaze. I narrowed my eyes, the sparks along my fists intensifying.

"How do you know my name?" I asked him, curiosity suddenly allowing itself to pose a question before I could deject.

"Really? You don't remember me?" The male asked, his expression reflecting hurt. "And here I was, thinking you'd run into my arms," he chuckled, walking towards me slowly. "Come on, there's no need to be afraid." He was a foot from me now, his eyes surveying me as he spoke. He extended his hand, taking it in my outstretched one and lacing his fingers through mine. I jerked my hand away from his, looking up at him in horror.

"You're a madman," I breathed out in shock. He merely shook his head in response.

"I'm afraid not. I'm far from, actually," he gave a small laugh at the thought, leaning forwards so he was even closer to me, before gently placing his index finger under my chin and lifting it so he looked into my eyes. His touch was ice cold, and the very contact of his skin against mine caused a sudden chill to bloom across my face. "You've gotten very beautiful, you know. Your eyes are quite entrancing. They spark like your abilities," he commented, causing me to falter. He knew of my abilities? So then why was he not running? Why was he so close?

"Do I even look familiar to you?" He asked, cocking a brow as he gazed down at me. At his question I took a moment to look him over a little more thoroughly before finally answering.

"Yes. You do, actually," I spoke, my tone almost a whisper.

"Brilliant," he smiled, leaning in towards me, his lips coming closer to mine. I pushed him away before he could do anything else, still uncertain about this new character in my room. "Ah, I see, you don't remember much. Well, do tell, does the name Colton sound familiar?" he inquired.

"No," I shook my head. "It does not; is that your name?"

"Indeed it is, I was named after being given my powers, too," he spoke casually, before opening his palm slowly, a lone snowflake glimmering in midair above his hand. I marveled at the sight, watching as he closed his fist and the ice disappeared, before looking back up at him.

"You have abilities?" I asked, my eyes wide. "This is great! Crostia is trying to find a way to make people believe that all those with powers are good. If you stay, then you can help us-" I paused as Colton laughed, shaking his head.

"You know how much I love when you get excited," he grinned, before continuing. "But I'm afraid I can't help you. You see, people don't need to believe we're good," he explained. "They need to fear us. They need to be put into their place so they'll finally stop trying to wipe out the competition. Let's face it. You and I could kill anyone and everyone here if we wished to, correct? So why try and come to peace with them? Such a thing will never be accomplished. It's better to put them where they belong now rather than have a few years of prosperity before the normals decide they've had enough," Colton stated as if it were a logical assumption.

I watched him with confusion, a frown across my face as he spoke. "I see you have your doubts, but it's because of the people here, isn't it. What's keeping you from doing everything you love? Everything you long for? It's those who fear you, who fear what you're capable of!" He hissed. "When I manage to take control, we will not fear being outcasts any more. People will bow to us. To me, to you. Wouldn't you like that?" Colton inquired.

I thought for a moment, remembering how Gale had been as a Prince. How, even then, he'd seemed uptight; and how—even after I'd gotten him out of his shell--he'd retreated back to his stubbornness not long after he was crowned King. The thought of myself doing something like that made me uneasy, to say the least. I didn't want to change. No, I didn't want that lifestyle.

"No. I wouldn't," I answered Colton, shaking my head. "I wouldn't do a good job. Rulers do not gain their popularity by creating fear. They earn the respect of their people through governing that's right and just. I'd need far more experience. I'm not cut out for such things," I spoke truthfully. At my words, Colton seemed slightly taken aback, but he masked the emotion, nodding slowly.

"Alright. Suit yourself. But you know what?" He started. "Since you're clearly not in your right mind, I'll give you time to think about it. I'll let you go over my offer and if you agree the next time I come back, I believe you'll make a beautiful, wonderful queen. If you don't," he shrugged. "There are other ways of persuasion." His words were casual, but daunting, nevertheless. Swooping down and kissing my cheek, Colton then brushed past me, walking onto the balcony. "Until then, my love," he gave a short bow, before turning and leaping over the railing, leaving me alone.

I don't know how long I stood there. Seconds, minutes, hours. All I knew was that something was happening. Something bad. And somehow, I was now tied into it.