AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kerrigan wasn’t so sure.
In one week, every member of the House of Dragons over the age of sixteen would be a part of the Dragon Blessed ceremony. Each Dragon Blessed would be selected by one of the twelve tribes and leave the mountain behind. For many of the students, it was the only way to advance in the world. Most of the Dragon Blessed had been left at the mountain like Kerrigan and being selected at the ceremony meant a new life—wealth, security, and a place in this world.
Helly must have seen the doubt on her face. She touched Kerrigan’s shoulder, and said, “When you’re officially a member of a tribe again, wearing their colors, living under their realm of protection, it will be easier.”
Kerrigan deflated. “I wish that I didn’t need protection from anyone to be… me.”
Helly gestured for them to begin walking again. “I hope, one day, that will be the case as well. You are too bright for everyone not to see the light within you. To judge you based on what you are rather than who you are.”
They remained silent the rest of the walk. At least Helly understood even if she didn’t understand. No one could really since they hadn’t walked in her shoes, hadn’t seen what it was like to be persecuted for a circumstance of her birth.
Finally, they stopped in front of the Society council chamber. The door was ajar, and she peered inside. Much of the twenty person high council were already assembled. They were the highest office of the Society governing body, the most coveted seats in all of Alandria.
“What’s going on?” she asked in confusion.
“We’re holding a tribunal to decide whether or not to permit Prince Fordham to compete in the tournament.”
Kerrigan’s eyes rounded. “Do you think they’ll allow it?”
“I don’t know.” The creases around her mouth and eyes said she was worried.
“But he’s not part of one of the twelve tribes. Surely, he doesn’t qualify.”
“Everything is different since the last tournament. I doubt he would come here from the House of Shadows if he didn’t have a plan in place. We’re here to see what it is.”
Kerrigan shivered. The House of Shadows. She only knew the haunting stories of the Dark Court, Fae who tortured anyone who crossed their borders. Dark Fae who slaughtered mercilessly on the battlefield and stole babies in the night. They were legend come to life.
“Helly,” she whispered, knowing that she had to tell her about her vision. “I… I had another one.”
Helly’s face snapped to hers. She drew in close and lowered her voice. “A vision? What happened?”
Kerrigan nodded. “I saw him. Fordham.”
Helly drew in a sharp breath. “What was he doing?”
“Just materializing in the tournament. Nothing more about him. I also saw a woman floating and screaming, some kind of crowd that had gotten out of hand, and a person in a… red mask.”
Helly blanched. “A red mask?”
Kerrigan nodded.
The Red Masks were an anti-human, anti-half-Fae hate group. Five years ago, they’d taken to the streets, burning churches and killing humans and half-Fae alike. Kerrigan had nearly been one of them. The Red Masks still haunted her dreams.
“I thought they were gone,” Kerrigan whispered.
“I thought so too.” Helly released a breath laced in fear. “I will speak to the head of security to keep an eye out. If the Red Masks are going to have a resurgence, then we need to prepare. Those were dark days. As for the rest of your vision, Fordham must be important.”
“Yes… but how?”
Helly looked grim. “I suppose we will find out. You remember to be discreet. Don’t tell anyone else of this.”
“Of course,” Kerrigan said hastily. She’d made that mistake once with Dozan. She’d never do it again.
“Good.” Helly straightened. “Now, wait here.”
“Here?” Kerrigan asked in confusion.
“Yes, oddly enough, I had already decided that your punishment would be to work with Fordham Ollivier.”
Kerrigan blanched. “What?”
“Whether or not he makes it into the tournament, you will be his escort.”
“But, Helly…”
“A force guides our hands, Kerrigan. We cannot ignore it.”
Then, Helly turned and entered the council room. The door closed behind her, and Kerrigan leaned back against the wall to wait. Wait to find out Fordham’s fate. Wait to see how tangled it would be with hers.
5
The Dark Prince
An hour later, the doors slammed open.
Kerrigan jumped. She’d been dozing against the opposite wall. Her head started to pound, and she had to blink away her blurry vision.
Then, Prince Fordham Ollivier was standing before her in all of his glory.
She’d thought he was beautiful in the arena from a safe distance. Terrifying but handsome beyond measure. Now, this close to him, she felt her body turn to jelly. He was not just good-looking; he was… sinister. There was something about his body that made her want to retreat. To curl into a ball and hide from the world.
