The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒩𝒾𝓃ℯ

↞･:*✵*:･↠

The preparations for Velut's departure were made that night, and by the next day, he was gone. It had been decided that it would be easier for Velut to leave sooner rather than later, for then he would be able to start his search immediately and not have to worry about Colton's allies stepping too far into his path.

It made me full of sorrow to see him go, but I knew it had to be done. I knew we could not win this fight without others at our side. I told Velut to write us as much as he could, and he had promised to do so even though both of us knew it would be difficult.

I watched him ride into the distance atop a horse from the royal stables, a crow calling out as he vanished. I had insisted that he take Lullaby, but Velut had merely shaken his head at the offer, telling me that he couldn't risk being seen flying. Still, I continued to prod, telling him he would be safer with her around, but he still declined the offer, making me all the more aggravated. Why wouldn't he just take my help?

But by the way he looked at Lullaby, it was clear he wasn't exactly fond of the relagudre. Or, perhaps, he didn't mind her, but he despised the idea of flying so high in the sky where he could easily fall to his death. Either way, I respected his decision as best I could, even if I thought it was idiotic of him to not take her on the journey.

Paxton, the head chef, was there when Velut left, shaking his hand and giving him a swift hug before retreating back into the palace, going to his chambers to sleep, no doubt. Though how he had learned about Velut's leaving and why he cared so much as to come and wish him safe travels eluded me. I was too tired to elaborate on the subject anyhow.

I had hugged Velut as tightly as I could before he left, trying to not show how downcast I was by his going. He was easily one of the only friends I had in the palace—besides Gale. But I really didn't have a clue where Gale and I stood anymore, our relationship always an on and off course as we dispute only to get along later. With Velut, things were easier. I always had someone to talk to. In Velut, I had more than an ally. I had a friend.

How odd it seemed that the man who had once made me want to rip my hair out with his witty remarks was now my closest confidant.

Turning my back on his receding figure, I tried to put Velut out of my mind and returned to the palace that had been my prison for what felt like forever. The crow made another call, and I couldn't help but wonder if the bird understood what was happening.

Walking along the hallways I knew too well, I started up the stairs towards my chamber, telling myself that sleep would ease my aching heart. The halls felt so empty now, and it hadn't even been more than an hour since he'd left. How was I going to survive weeks? Months?

We had a map tracking the order of places Velut was going to visit to recruit the other test subjects—like ourselves—only we weren't sure how many setbacks he'd experience. Sure, we had a rough estimate of where he'd be and when, but his treks could always be delayed or quickened. To send letters was a rough gamble.

As I pushed the door to my room open, I groaned, the small effort draining me of the little energy I had left. I let the door shut behind me and listened for the click before plopping face-first onto my bed, closing my eyes as I willed sleep to overtake my body. When it refused, I frowned, irritated. Of all the times my body chose to avoid sleep, it had to be now. It had to be the one time I welcomed it.

Rolling over onto my side, I noticed a glassy rose sitting on my dresser. I frowned, reaching forwards, touching the rose gently, only to rip my hand away. The flower was freezing cold. It was made of ice, no doubt, and I already knew by whom.

Anger boiled within me as I glared at the rose. Picking it up and slamming it on the ground, I stood from my bed, and watched the delicate flower shatter into two.

He was still courting me. He still had the nerve to do such a thing. I wanted to have pity for him, whose heart was so full of love towards me, a freak of nature—yet I couldn't find any. He didn't deserve any. He was the reason all of this had started. He was the one trying to take an already distant Gale further from me. He was the reason Velut had to leave.

I hoped he was looking through my window right now to see my rage, to see how much I despised him. I wanted him to feel my rage . I wanted to grab him by the throat and choke him until he begged for mercy. I wanted him to leave me alone, to leave everyone alone.

Staring down at the broken ice that had once been a full rose, I felt my hands ignite with sparks, yearning to strike, determined to find a target, wanting vengeance. And I was willing to give it to them, to let my lightning reign free, if only for a moment. It had been so long since I'd used my ability to its full extent; it felt as if I was keeping a part of me away, shutting out one of my greatest attributes.

I slammed open the doors to my balcony. Reaching out, I gripped the railing, watching the cold metal sizzle as the electric sparks surrounding my hands made contact. The metal hissed, but I ignored it, staring down on the gardens that looked like an abyss of darkness during this time of the night.

Allowing all of my fury, all of my emotions, to forge together, I felt the power burn inside of me, pushing to escape, eager to destroy. In a sudden surge of anger, I shouted out into the night. A great bolt of lightning illuminated the night sky as I did so, hurtling towards the ground in slow motion as I watched.

The energy in the air around me buzzed to life as the bolt hit the stone ground of the gardens. A sickening boom shook the palace as an afterthought of the lightning. I absorbed the electricity within the air for another moment, the hairs on the back of my neck standing upright before it died down ever so slightly. My eyes were glowing a bright shade of blue, no doubt, as they always did when I entered a state such as this.

It felt good to release the energy within me, it felt like a relief, as one of the many burdens upon my back fell off once the lightning struck.

It felt so relieving to finally be able to let my true nature run free, even if for just one night. I needed this; I needed a reminder that when it came to lightning—to the electricity in the air and the storms that could be brewed by my commands—I was in control.

I had complete and absolute power.

And I was going to make sure Colton knew that if it was the last thing I did. I would die if it was to prove to him that I was powerful. I would sacrifice myself by overloading my senses if it made him back away and leave everyone alone. Hell, I would use up all of my energy and force all of his army away if it meant everyone else was kept safe.

For one thing was for certain, I was not going down without a fight. And I did not intend to lose.