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fifty-five

Thylas

W alking through the dark halls of Shaston’s castle has my magic flickering in anticipation and I’m doing all I can to control it. The magic hums inside of me calls to me, begging to be used. Next to me, Anara walks with her head held high, and I can feel the heat coming off her in waves. She changed into leathers instead of traditional Shastonian wear. Her vest does nothing to hide the fact that her shackles no longer adorn her wrists. I want to ask her to hide them, but there’s no point. Perhaps if Atlas thinks she can fight back, he won’t do to her what he did before.

Shache Ataiun stands outside of the throne room. He uses a leather tie to pull back his mix of blonde and brown shoulder-length hair. He is a monster of a man, but even monsters have their weaknesses — we just have to find them. His gaze immediately gravitates towards Anara who walks beside me.

“My favorite pet has returned.” Ataiun reaches towards her. “So Ereon decided to pass you off —”

A spark shoots from her hand and grazes his fingertips, cutting his words off. “Careful, Shache , this pet has remembered how to bite.”

The corridor is filled with the haunting sound of his deep, menacing laughter. “Oh ... the King won’t be happy about that.” He straightens up. “How did you arrive without announcement?”

“Tell King Atlas we need to speak with him,” I cut in, stepping in front of Anara. “It’s urgent.”

He spits on the floor beside us before he turns and enters into the room behind him. We sit and wait for his return, when suddenly both doors open to the chamber. I take a cautious step forward, walking into a situation I’m not sure how to handle but one I know I must. Anara steps in behind me and stays just in front of the doors as they shut behind her, her hands hiding behind her back.

Flames shoot from behind the dark throne and along the walls, trapped in sconces. There are no other guards or soldiers present but the Sache, who leads me to stand at the bottom of the dais.

His dark and twisted crown sits atop his black hair but it’s his eyes that look at mine, causing me to hold my head up straighter. My father. His eyes search mine as I reach the bottom of the steps and I don’t bow. He cocks his head before he turns to the Sache .

“You may go,” he says simply, before Ataiun turns and leaves.

The air is thick with tension and my mouth is dried out from feeling so nervous. I should have thought more about what I was going to say.

“King Atlas, the northern camp was attacked. I’m worried the kukhe will come here next.”

His lips twist into a sinister smile. “I know they will ... I called them here.” I look at Anara, who subtly shakes her head. She didn’t know this information. Atlas continues, “I was hoping they would find themselves useful on the way here, and maybe they have. Tell me, Ambassador, where is the lovely couple?”

“They are still fighting against the kukhe . We were sent here to warn you. How did you call the kukhe here?”

He stands up from his throne and takes a single step down, crossing his arms behind his back. “The same way I ordered the khind to terrorize Midaeliea. I’m a little disappointed they didn’t listen when they found your entourage in the pass, but …” He clicks his tongue. “Pesky goddess and her daughter. I needed her here, and the khind were supposed to at least kill a few of you. But tell me, why did Ereon send you and not return himself?”

“He is fighting with his men of —”

He cuts me off, “Let’s not start this off with a lie. I’ve been honest with you. But I guess it doesn’t matter anyway does it? Since he’s not the heir to the throne anymore.”

My eyes shoot to him. “I don’t understand your meaning.”

“I should have learned my lesson long ago. I thought the kingdom I had created would ensure the oppression of women. I often wonder why the pyu ningpi didn’t work. Even found someone from Minasa because I knew something was wrong. The old souls from Minasa, and their knowledge of the beginning, were extremely beneficial.” He takes another step toward me. “And when she told me more about the daughter of prophecy, and how her stepping on my sands would awaken magic — I thought that was the answer. I tried again ... and again. It was exhausting, honestly.”

“But then, thanks to the little fires all of you had to keep warm and cozy ...” He smiles towards Anara. “And oh, how the both of you did stay warm.”

Anara jerks her head up and looks at me, but I shake my head no. I don’t want her to play our hand yet, not if he doesn’t know.

“Don’t look so shocked. It’s the same magic you used to get here. Elements can be controlled for traveling, for spying, for your own personal use. It’s what we were all taught when the world was full of magic. If you can control the magic, then you can see what you desire. I can’t see everything, but what I can — it’s enough.”

He looks straight at me. “Reph didn’t kill the son I sired like he was supposed to.” He looks me over from the top of my hair to my toes. He turns swiftly and returns to his throne. It is at this moment I notice a glint on his crown I hadn’t before. A singular spot that's not corroded and dark. No, this spot is pure silver.

He sits down with a huff. “I knew it the moment my power barely touched Ereon and how pained he was. Then, you walked into this room. I could feel it. But watching you wield the flames against the kukhe , and having removed the bracelets ... it was confirmed.”

Atlas holds out his hand and his fingers shoot up bright orange flames while the fire behind him rages.

“Magic has its own rules, you know, much like twin drops. As soon as both of you were in her presence, I could pick up on the unspoken ripples among the three of you. I thought the twin drop had you fooled, boy. I’m glad to see you worked past that, at least. Interesting things, those twin drops, sharing magic between the two, but the connection can also open a path to so much more. Our father wanted to snake his way into her mind using the connection between the two of you. Tell me, did he accomplish it? I know he was using you to try to get to her, although I’ll never understand why.”

I say nothing as he moves his hand into a fist extinguishing the fire he held. He looks at me. “I’ll ask again, where is Ereon?”

“He’s not here.” A short answer, the only one I have.

“Hmm...” He looks at Anara and leans down, placing his hands on his knees. “And how long have you known?”

Anara looks up at him. “Know what?”

Atlas smirks at her. “That Ereon was never my blood.”