I half expected to see the crater left by my power, but it appears the field has already been magically restored. Instead, the same levitating platform is back, and I can see Damien and the Circle perched on it. So far there’s no sign of King Cimmerian, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he makes his grand entrance.
Looking around at the crowd, I wonder how many of them are aware that the king collects innocents and makes them his prisoners. If Damien hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known until it was already happening. The king has a way of twisting the truth to the public. Everyone is given only a sliver of information.
If only they knew the whole truth.
Just like clockwork, King Cimmerian arrives, riding in on Kane’s back. When he reappears in front of his throne, his fae wings flare out behind him. Everything about him radiates danger, but something about seeing the length of his wings makes him seem almost untouchable.
“Welcome everyone! I have invited you all here to bear witness to the death of a rebellion which has plagued our lands. Today, we take back our power and slay the dragon who tried to bring strife to the Great Six Realms.”
Just then, a Royal Guard appears with what I can only assume is the leader of the rebellion. The man bound in chains is built like a warrior. His silver hair gleams in the morning sun,and his statuesque posture makes me wonder if he was once part of a military unit.
“Today, we come together. Not as six realms, but as one. United, we renew the strength of our lands!”
The crowd breaks out in cheers. All around, people applaud and holler in support. His ability to manipulate the masses is perhaps his greatest power. How quick they all are to trust the man who would kill his own people.
The attack on the Sector has only solidified their allegiance to him. Now more than ever, he seems to have the support of the people. I know how he did it, and still I can’t fully wrap my mind around it. It was a perfectly crafted plan, and it was executed flawlessly.
The rebellion leader is forced to turn and face the king. It’s hard to see from down here, but I imagine the two men are staring back at one another with equal hatred in their eyes.
The king raises his hand, and the crowd falls silent.
“You are a traitor to the realms! You have disgraced The Mother and betrayed your people. Your treachery is unforgivable and punishable by death.” With his last word, Kane’s dragon head lowers, stopping just in front of the prisoner.
I know what comes next. I’ve seen it in my nightmares.
The bright ball of fire glows in his throat, and when the king nods, Kane opens his mouth, sending a torrent of molten dragon fire. The leader doesn’t flinch as the deadly flames engulf him, and I take it as his last stand of rebellion.
In the final moment, Kane’s nostrils flare and with a huff, the ashes of what remains of the man blow into the wind. The crowd roars below as the king mounts Kane and takes off into the sky.
Just like that, a rebellion that barely had a chance to fight back is dead, and the king who threatens the well-being of the Great Six Realms now has more power than ever.
“They’re coming for you,” I promise with a wicked smile. “You’ve lost.”
Kane’s golden dragon head reaches over the king but doesn’t block his view of me. I exhale one final breath, accepting my fate, before a ball of dragon fire engulfs me.
When I awake in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, I’m not the least bit surprised. After the events of yesterday, it makes sense the nightmare would return. I walk over to the bars to see if Kane has been brought back yet, but his cell is still empty.
It’s times like these I wish I wasn’t so empathetic. Just thinking about what Kane must be going through makes my heart ache. To have your body taken over by someone else, let alone someone as cruel as the king, is unimaginable. It’s a violation no one should have to endure. I’m sure it won’t be long before I experience it for myself. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already. I would imagine King Cimmerian can’t wait to get his hands on my power.
The things he could do… the lives he could take…
The sound of chains scraping against the ground when Slader stirs in his cell pulls me from my thoughts, and I’m thankful for it. It won’t do any good to think about those things now. Instead, I should get some rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Just as I’m about to fall back asleep, the door down the corridor creaks open. I’m not surprised to see Kane, but Iam surprised to see Damien. I would’ve assumed it would be Orien bringing him back.
Kane turns around, and once he steps into his cell, I see the void in his eyes. A spark of anger instantly ignites in my chest.
“You’re a monster,” I hiss through gritted teeth.
Damien finishes locking Kane’s cell before turning to face me. He looks back at me, not saying a word. His eyes are almost a reflection of Kane’s. There’s nothing behind them. No love, no hatred. Just nothingness. It’s as if he’s sleepwalking through life.
“Was any of it real?” I hate that I even asked the question. I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.
Still, he says nothing.
Anger flares into rage as the silence between us grows. My knuckles have gone white from gripping the bars so tightly, but it’s all I can do to keep myself from crumbling to the ground. Tears of frustration and grief begin to stream down my face looking at the man who was once my tether. Each second we stare at each other, it feels as if my heart is being torn in two.
Is it possible to love and hate someone at the same time?
