Beneath Shadows and Secrets

♔ 𝕿𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶 - 𝕾𝔦𝔵 ♔

I don't know how to stick to a schedule. I think bc I'm so anxious for you guys to read what's coming.
Have another weekend update.

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♔ 𝔑𝔦𝔯𝔞 ♔

Guards wish to escort me to where the others have settled, but I ignore them, needing time on my own. To think. To understand this situation. I take myself to the balcony, doors free to be opened from the main corridor. The early afternoon is clear, and almost silent, and that is what I need.

All of this time, I have considered Fae an enemy of mine, never knowing that I contained the blood of one. A Royal, no less. It is hard not to feel lonely now, knowing I have been lied to my whole life, deceived by the family who I thought were the only ones I could trust. Played, yet again, by the very male I call father.

It hardly matters. Whether I was due to have settled or not, I doubt the past few months would have varied much anyway. If I had of known my heritage, it would have only been used against me. If King Ozias had known that I was not wholly human. If Zaire had –

I lift my head up, staring out blankly with realisation. He might well have known. Or, at least, suspected. Ezekiel is hardly able to keep secrets from his Lord, and after I confessed to him that I was curious after my conversation with Hella...

I nearly laugh. The Dearg Due knew. Had an inclination. Suggested it.

It is not worth baring much mind. It makes no difference. Not really. I am Fae now, regardless of whether the possibility ran through my blood before. A more powerful one at that. A single being, honing the power of ten individuals, so quickly adjusting to my power, it will not be long until I can see if they are truly as limitless as they feel.

To test such theory, I extend a palm, watching as the vines of the dead plants that have secured themselves to the castle walls reach towards me, desperate to feel my touch. They weave together, fighting against one another, grappling to be the first to reach the tips of my fingers. When it does: dust. As though torched to ash, it drifts away, dancing among a gentle breeze, until even my eyes cannot see it. The other vines stop, for I have clenched my hand shut.

Hardly a grain from the mass of power welling in my chest.

I breathe deep, enough that the fresh air makes me dizzy for a moment, before returning inside. I follow the way I came, hoping to see Calix or my brother, or at least a Guard that can direct me to either, but I stall when I heard the rush of conspiratorial whispers. Voices I recognise that do not wish to be heard.

I trail the wall, moving towards the door, and loiter outside. There are no Guards – an oversight, considering it is the King in that room. And his heir. One of them.

I let my head lay against the wall, closing my eyes to focus entirely on the voices from within the walls.

"You don't understand the problems with her being here." My father says. He is pacing, the smack of his feet against the solid floor moving towards me, and then away. Anxious. "It would be different if she was not Fae – but she is powerful. More so than you. She could challenge you for the throne."

Darin scoffs. His voice is steady when he assures, "she would not do that."

"Are you so sure? She looked prepared to do just that when she barged in here earlier." My father argues.

"Da, she's your daughter. My sister. We are her family, and Dee is loyal to that."

"My daughter? I hardly recognise the woman – the Fae – she has become. She was always explosive, but never quite like that." His footsteps stop, close to me, and I hold my breath, how he taught me, until they move away.