In Shadows of Night

The Purpose

Cora

"We go tonight, Theos. You and I both know my vision is on purpose." I crossed my arms over my chest. I tried to swallow the pain, but it was far too much. I crumbled back to the bed.

"You go nowhere until you're healed." He quipped.

"You're not my father." I snapped. "And you're not my husband. You get no say. None." My face was burning, and white hot anger rose in my stomach. His eyes filled with compassion and frustration, but he stood strong, firm in his answer. His voice softened slightly and he sighed.

"But I am your half-soul. If you die, I weaken. If you live, we live, we thrive. These people need us, my queen." He knelt in a sarcastic bow. "You will be queen of our people; this world is all yours. I am all yours. You cannot leave them with no queen."

"And, as your half-soul, your QUEEN, it is my responsibility to fight alongside you. I will not send people to die in a battle I wouldn't fight for myself." My voice calmed.

"I know I look banged up and a little rough-" She started. I scoffed in response. "Ok a lot banged up." She continued. "But my vision was clear, WE strike tonight. My people fight WITH me." I tried to remain quiet and reasonable.

"Your vision, huh? And who was in this vision? Who told you to risk your life, OUR lives?" He snapped.

"Thedia." I smiled. "She's a communicator. I told you she was special. It is her and I's responsibility to continue the bloodline of our people. She told me the company I keep will fight alongside us." I sighed. "I'll stay back, Theos, but I won't stay home. I will be part of this."

"So be it." He started. "But if you die, I die." He frowned.

"Theos, if I die, you raise Thedia as your own." I demanded. "And I want to see Birthryn. It's time she explains herself." Theos turned on his foot to walk away.

Birthryn walked in almost immediately after he left.

"Sit. You have a lot to explain."

Birthryn

I sat on the bed and put my hands in my lap, trying to find the words. How do you explain to your brother's half-soul, his queen, MY queen, that I had to kill her to save her? To save our mom? My mind raced.

"I want to know your why, Birthryn. Why is powerful, it's smart. I don't care how shitty you feel right now. I care about your choice. Maybe then I can understand why you betrayed us so harshly." Cora started.

"You already sound regal, Cora." I smiled.

"Don't fuck around. Flattery doesn't help." She quipped. She's fierce. I like it.

"When Theos and I were young, our father was a very corrupt individual. My mother learned of his corruption and threatened to take Jace and I away. Father told her if she did, he'd kill all 3 of us. He told her, In exchange for our lives, and hers, he'd banish her to the far forest and tell the kingdom she and I died. When Theos was born, Mother wasn't even allowed to nurse before he sent her off. I was so young, I believed she died, too, and I was sent off to be raised by a soldier and his family. I was just told I was adopted and never knew where I came from. I forgot all about Theos' and father until I was 18. I met with a communicator to learn about my birth parents and that's when she told me that I was royal. She helped me find my mother in The Far Forest. When I found her, everything else kinda fell into place. I requested to serve Theos from then on out." She stopped.

"Thanks for the history lesson, I guess, but why did you bring me back to Jace?"

"Well, when you came along, I knew you were his half-soul. I could feel a shift in the Palace. I knew father was back, but I was going to leave him alone, until I heard Jace crossed. I begged him to leave it be, and tried to reason with him. When he found out I knew about him and his plan, he told me he'd kill Theos and Mother if I didn't help. I had to. I thought I was going to be able to keep everyone safe. But, I underestimated Jace. I had no idea his brutality ran that deep." She stared at me with the most peculiar look in her eyes.

"His brutality only runs that deep for me." She paused. "I forgive you, Birthryn, but I do not trust you. That forgiveness is for me. Earning my trust back, that's on you."