𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𖥸 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨

011 | Turmoil in the Palace

Kyran couldn't help the shudder that ran down her spine the moment the crow fluttered off into the grey sky. It was cloudy and dark, obviously about to rain any second.

     Asteria had long since left and Kyran had decided to spend a little more time in her room before she went to guard the Queen personally. She wanted some time to think and clear her head.

     The argument with Ciaran was still fresh in her head and everytime she thought of it gave her a huge headache. How could he be so cruel? It hurt a lot that she wouldn't ever be accepted here.

     She should have known better. Why would they accept her of all people? They were the Queen's court, wealthy and strong people who have trained with each other for years. She was just some orphan taken off the street with nothing to give to the Queen expect for protection.

     Kyran didn't even know why Asteria chose her. Perhaps it was because of how quickly she had saved the Queen. Or maybe it was because she didn't trust the guards. Either way, Kyran was honored to be in such a position.

     She didn't know what to think about the whole Cormac situation and she was frankly surprised that Asteria knew her cousin. Were they once friends? Whatever they were, she was curious to find out how they met.

     Kyran was more worried about the raven who showed up with an omen. Death will surely come, but who will be sacrificed? Would it be her? The Queen maybe? She was afraid and unsure what to do. What could she do after all? No one could stop death, but it could be prevented.

     She had learned out in the streets that if she wanted to find an easier meal, look to the sky for crows. They would lead her to a squirrel, or anything that could be roasted over a fire and provide a decent amount of food. Always crows, never vultures. Vultures only ate decaying meat. Crows looked for the fresh kills.

     That was why she knew that ravens always knew when death was near.

     Sīdereus gave a soft hiss and brushed against her thigh, smooth scales beginning to coil into a ball in her lap. The gesture brought a smile to her lips and she gently ran a finger down the reptile's scales. He must have sensed her frustration because before she knew it, he was pressing against her and trying to offer her comfort.

     Kyran let out a deep, shaking sigh, hugging the copperhead close to her body to relieve herself of the tension in her body. She could feel the strength of their bond flowing through her veins and linking their souls together like a strong piece of string. It was their connection. One she never wanted to break. Such a link to another creature was so rare, and was not to be taken for granted.  
 
     The Serpent didn't struggle in her grip, only hissed softly and allowed his girl to hug him close. Kyran was glad she had at least someone in the cruel world she was living in. Without Sīdereus, she wouldn't have made it this far.

     The girl would have long since thrown her life away, having nothing else to live for. Bryan was dead, her family was most likely dead, and without a spirit animal, what else was there for her to live for? What would have been her purpose?

     She had none. No purpose. Even now, with the snake at her side, she had no true path in life.

     With a shaking breath, the girl pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. She knew there was no purpose letting the tears just run freely down her cheeks, so instead she brushed them away with the back of her hand. Frankly she wasn't even sure why she was so emotional at that very point. It could have been the pain she felt in her neck, or the heart stopping feat she felt when she thought of Ciaran's glare. Why did he hate her so much?

     Throughout her entire time spent here, she did nothing to him and yet he still decided to threaten her life.

     Good thing she had a few threats of her own.