Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 21

"Are you even trying?" The guardian asked her. Celeste was struggling to feel the magic within the land. She insisted it would be easier to practice in an outdoor setting, but the guardian enjoyed quiet buildings. She could feel its presence, but it was weak.

She had come to learn he wasn't as powerful as he once was, but still more powerful than all of them. Celeste found it hard to focus with the sound of scrolls rolling and books snapping shut. It made him angry that she couldn't jump back into her previous abilities, but it had been too long for her. It didn't matter she spent much of her time near the aether.

She tried hard but to no avail. She groaned in frustration. Celeste used to be able to do these things with the flick of a wrist. It made her feel weak.

Throwing her hands up, she yelled. "This is pointless!" She did not know if the magic punished her now for betraying her country. Perhaps for lying about the current position of the queen. She slammed her head down onto the wooden surface.

Many eyes watched them concerned, but the guardian brushed them off. "Try harder." Celeste took in a deep breath.

Her brows furrowed as she examined the tall shelf stacked with documents. She hated that place. Celeste was disappointed it had not burned as well. The guardian found it peaceful. To her dismay, she would rather be in a loud area that the drop of a pencil wouldn't catch her attention.

Light footsteps passed them. Two women chatted away without paying them any mind. "Did you hear someone found a way to restore our memories?" The guardian became rattled from her words. He knew that if memories returned, it would include any and all times someone died. Many of which had fallen to fire before.

Celeste watched him, choosing not to speak. She had decided at that moment not to address it. Her mind wondered at who found the potential antidote. Many would not behave the way they did now if they knew the truth.

As if snapping back into reality, the guardian told Celeste to relax. She needed to focus and clear her mind. "Think of something you mind is calling you to." His words were soft but still caused her annoyance.

She had been trying for the last hour to get into the right mindset. She couldn't stop herself from sneering at the guardian.

He gave Celeste a stern glare causing her to huff. She closed her eyes to find somewhere to center herself. It was hard for her, as she did not have anything pleasant to latch herself.

After a few moments passed, Charles was all she could find. Celeste did her best to push him aside, but he was her anchor. It terrified her that he still had some sort of hold on her. He was no longer the man she once knew. Full power did not suit him well.

She could feel the guardians' eyes on her. She knew once she managed to complete the spell, he would see what she saw. The idea of someone in her head made her shift in her seat.

He already had his suspicions of her, and her mind block just furthered his feelings. "Just breathe." Every time he said the words to her, she grew more annoyed.

Her mind flashed white as her neck twitched. She struggled to maintain control. Glimpses of the red bay consumed her before she reached the red sand and pebbles. It was the Blood Islands, a sight she had not witnessed in such a long time.

A feeling of homesick resided in her stomach. The sensation didn't last long before her stomach clenched. She saw Charles and Ryella.

He was seated, running his hands through the sand as he watched the waves crash into the shoreline. It was something he often did when worried. Celeste knew something was wrong. She should not have been there.

Charles looked at Ryella in confusion. "Do you feel it?" Ryella nodded to him while avoiding eye contact. "Celeste?" He called for her as he looked around. He could not see her, but she could see him as vivid as the sun in the sky.

"I need to tell you something, my king." Ryella cleared her throat in an attempt to remove the raspy tone.

Charles looked to her with curious eyes before he rose. "Spit it out then."

Ryella looked at him sorrowfully. "She's back." Charles' mouth opened to question what she meant, but Ryella continued. "I apologize for not telling you. You needed to focus on the country with no distractions, so I thought." Ryella knew that she had done wrong.

His face scrunched before speaking. For a second, he could not find the words. He stared at Ryella before she looked away again. "Go find her, now. I didn't do what I did for nothing. I promised her." His voice snapped.

The black bloods were the only ones who had their memory and knew of Celeste's importance. Had he not stripped everyone of their past, someone may have come forward sooner. He was in disbelief that Ryella kept that from him.

His tone made Celeste open her eyes, and her chest rose and fell heavily. She shook her head in denial, but from the pity in the guardians' eyes, she knew. Charles is who got her out of Hollowbane, but to what cost?

Her lips quivered as her hands trembled. She rubbed her hands against her face in hopes it would help. She didn't want it to be true.

"Are you alright, Celeste?" She shook her head. She wanted that moment ripped from her memory. She was far from ready for him to know of her return.

She couldn't control the tremors taking over her body. Charles knew she was back, and he knew she didn't come for him.

The guardian was not a sympathetic person, but he tried his best. "It'll be okay."

She laughed at him. If everything were okay when said so, the world would be a much different place than it was. "You know that's a lie. We mustn't lie."

Celeste looked to the door. She could run but to where? The only place Celeste was safe from Charles she would still be in danger. She should have fought harder not to return. Earth was so glorious, regardless of the challenges she faced.