-17
AURORA’S POV
I looked around the hall, everything was exactly where I had seen in the memory; my favorite horse, slide, swing, the couch… except for my parents…
I exhaled deeply and sat on the couch. I tried to remember playing here as a child. The only thing that came to my mind was Celeste’s memories.
“Glad that you made it.” Celeste’s voice sounded as she walked into my view. I stood up respectfully and smiled at her.
After we were seated comfortably I fired the question that was disturbing me the most. “Why can’t I remember anything about my parents?”
“We decided to wipe your memory to keep you safe.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Those were dark times for witches. The king of the dragons had issued a decree to kill all the powerful witches.”
“Damn! But… I was just an infant Celeste.”
Celeste let out a deep sigh. Her eyes glazed over as she said, “You were very powerful even as an infant, Aurora. The Dragon King wanted you dead.
When the dragons attacked they handed you to me. I placed a bondage spell to block your magic and placed you in an orphanage.
When I returned your parents were already dead.”
It was difficult to digest what Celeste was saying especially when I didn’t have my memory to complement her claims. “Why didn’t you come to meet me?”
“I didn’t want my magic trail to lead them to you.”
What she said made sense but I had this nagging feeling from inside that it wasn’t true.
“Why try to reach out to me now?”
“You are already stuck between the werewolves and dragons. It is only a matter of time before they find out the truth. If you learn how to control magic you will be in a position to deal with them when the time comes.”
The offer was too tempting to pass on. I had seen Zarina use her magic to keep Tyson in his place. If I could do the same, I would no longer be at his mercy.
“If you agree to stay with me, I will remove the bondage spell I had cast on you as a child and teach you to wield your power.”
I gazed at her face. She couldn’t just be doing this to help me. “What is the catch?”
“There is no catch, dear. I just want to help my niece.”
“Are you sure? If there is something you want, tell me right away. I don’t want to jump into something without knowing all the details.
Exhaling deeply, she said, “Seems like Tyson has rubbed off you. I have nothing else to say. Tell me when you have decided.”
She left me alone and went to do her own thing.
Maybe she was right, I was being paranoid just like Tyson. This was not me…
TYSON’S POV
“Ricco, any news of Aslan?”
“Sorry, my liege. I send my best spies all over the world but there isn’t a trace.”
“Useless, all of you are useless. Fifteen days and yet you couldn’t find one man. Such a shame!” I roared and turned the table upside down.
Anger started building like hot lava inside me and before I could realize I had set the table on fire. The fire spread from the table to the couch and then the curtains.
Ricco grabbed my hand and tried to pull me out of the room but I shoved him away. I didn’t want any help from a useless bunch of idiots.
“Go ahead, run away… and leave me all alone to burn in the inferno… leave your King to die…” I roared when I saw Ricco and the other guards run out of the room.
“My liege, please come with me,” Raina said trying to pull me out of the room.
“How dare you!” I roared, shoving her away. She stumbled and almost got scorched by the fire but I gripped her hand at the nick of the moment.
Aslan would ask for her once he returned. Letting out a deep sigh, I carried her out.
“Thank you, my liege,” Raina said, bowing to me.
“Did he try to contact you?”
“No, My Lord. If he tries to contact me, I will let you know.”
“Hmmm…”
“I haven’t seen Aurora since Aslan left. How is she doing?”
Raina’s question hit me like a thunder-bolt. In my frenzy to figure out Aslan’s location, I had forgotten all about her. I got my feet and almost ran to her room. My hands shook as I tried to open the lock as fast as possible.
“F***!” I cursed as the key slipped from my hands. Instead of picking it up, I melted the lock with my power and threw the door open.
“Aurora!” I called out, walking inside the room. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the empty bed.
My heart pounded against my ribs as I opened the bathroom door. It was empty too.
Where did she vanish? I didn’t even know if she had escaped of her own will or if she was being held captive…
I tore my hair in frustration and slumped on the bed.
“Don’t worry, we will find her,” Raina’s voice sounded as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
I exhaled deeply and muttered, “What are you doing here? You should leave me alone too…”
She kneeled in front of me and looked into my eyes. “My loyalty lies with you, Tyson. It is in my blood. My parents served your father and died for him. I will never leave your side; not for power, not for love.”
“I am such a failure, Raina. I drove Aslan away and now Aurora…”
“Aslan is your brother, Tyson. I am sorry…My Lord… I meant…”
“There’s no need for formality. You can call me by my name when I am not in the courtroom…”
“Aslan loves you a lot, Tyson, He will return sooner or later. We should focus on finding Aurora.”
“Why didn’t you leave with Aslan?”
“I did leave with him Tyson but…umm… I wasn’t comfortable with their conversation… Can we leave it at that?”
Anger and frustration started building within me at her obscure reply but I forced myself to calm down. I didn’t want to lose the only person standing by me…
.