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Chapter 1
Theo
10 years ago
The harsh sunlight beams down, illuminating her pale skin. She looks like a beacon from the gods calling me to worship. The threads of fate wrapped tightly around my heart hum at her close proximity, seeming to rejoice.
Sweet jade-green eyes lock with mine, and my racing heart freezes. Lily looks away quickly and fidgets with a strand of her long, curly red hair.
“Theo, are you even listening to me?” Juniper’s teasing voice calls from beside Lily on their shared boulder.
I rub the back of my neck, trying to recall her question but failing. Junie glares at me with a knowing smirk. Her bright-blue eyes are even more striking with her stark-blonde hair twisted back.
“Um, what was your question again?” I reply, sheepishly.
“I asked if there were any girls you had a crush on?” she asks with an arched eyebrow. Her eyes flick between Lily and me.
Lily. She’s the only one who has ever made my heart sing—the only person who makes me feel happy and whole. For years, I’ve longed to tell her how I feel, but the fear of rejection stops me.
For a moment, the only sound between us is the water lapping against the rocky shore of the river. I swallow hard as my cheeks heat with embarrassment. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
Junie leans into Lily, whispering into her ear. Lily shifts uncomfortably on the rock as her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink.
Boots click on stones behind me, and I turn to see Breton taking long strides toward us. I let out a huff of irritation as I cross my arms on my chest.
“Princess Juniper and Theodore, your fathers have summoned you both to the throne room for monthly court. They will start shortly, so we need to be on our way,” the captain of Lux announces.
Junie simply nods. She takes her role and duty as princess of Lux with the grace of a stoic future queen. She pulls Lily into a tight hug before bringing their hands together on her lap.
“I’m sorry I can’t spend your birthday with you, Lil. I tried talking to my father about not going this one time, but you know how he is. After dinner, we’ll eat dessert under the stars. Just the three of us, like we always do for our birthdays.” Junie brushes her thumb lightly over the back of Lily’s hand.
“Your birthday will be different this year, though. Won’t it, Juju? Your sixteenth is going to be a huge celebration. I doubt King Leopold will let you spend time with us.” Lily’s voice is soft, as if she’s holding something back.
She’s right. Divinus, or the god-blessed, descend into their powers on the day of their sixteenth birthday. King Leopold has waited patiently for his only heir to show a glimmer of our goddess Astra’s lightning power. He likely won’t let Junie out of his sight until she shows that she wields his same power.
“It will be, but afterward, everything will go back to how it is now,” Junie assures gently.
“Except you will throw lightning bolts out of your hands whenever you feel like it,” I reply sarcastically.
“Maybe then I’ll get you to listen to me, Theodore,” Junie replies playfully.
I laugh, shaking my head.
Junie’s smile falters as she releases Lily’s hands. “I’m ready for it. I can feel my power pulsating within me, but it feels locked behind a door, waiting to be released.”
