Her King Of Shadows

Chapter XXVII.

They were going towards the mountains. She watched as the hot sand was replaced by misty clouds and grey stones. She was tired because her mind kept racing. Trying to figure out what is going to happen to her. A part of her hoped that now would be easier. That she would not be harmed again. But then she would wake up from that dream. She couldn’t trust anyone. Especially not leaders or warriors. They would break her heart and leave her for dead. And Araphel was no different. She tried hard not to remember him as he was. When she last saw him at her father's home. She tried her best not to hear his last warning to her. His darkness will always be watching. She knew they were watching her from the front seat. Wondering what she will do and what her decision will be.

-Your father is going to be there. He was given the news last night.-Seth informed her. The mention of her family brought her hopes up.

-And my brother?-she dared to ask.

-He will not be present. This assembly is only for the leaders or their representatives. You will have a chance to talk to your father after everything is done.-he said politely.

-Please let me speak to him before. I have not seen him in years.-she asked. Einar took a deep breath.

-We could spare you a couple of minutes. But keep it to yourself. It is not a proper way to speak to anyone.-he agreed. They arrived sooner than she thought they would. The sun was beginning to set. It was wintertime, she reminded herself. This sanctuary was different. It was smaller but more secluded. Situated on a large cliff overlooking the ocean. She could smell the sea in the air and the cold wind when they exited the cars. Guards surrounded her once more while they entered the lobby.

-We have to wait for everyone else to arrive. It shouldn’t be too long.-Einar said, leading her to a smaller library with desks and a warm fire. -Have some rest here. Your father will be with you shortly. Seth will be waiting for you on the other side of the door. Once everyone is here, we will come to take you to the hall.-he said, closing the door after him. Shana was nervous. It had been a long time since she saw her family. And when she heard her father's steps, something in her broke. A piece of her was gone. Because when she saw Boris's face she knew what he would say to her. There was no feeling. No pain. A part of him seemed disturbed about having to be there with her. He had not seen his daughter in more than 3 years, but he still stood by the door. Not even embracing her. Asking her how she was.

-Einar told me you wanted to talk to me.-his voice was cold. Shana looked into her father's eyes.

-I want to go back home.-she dared to say. But they both knew he would never allow it.

-I have told you last time. There is no going back. You have left our family. You have accepted Araphel…-he gave all the same reasons. She stepped toward him trying to hold her pain.

-You have sent me away. You have given me to him. You have never asked me what I wanted. Now I want to go home. To the fort. I want to see my brother. I want to continue with my life away from leaders fighting each other to death. I want to live like a normal person, not being threatened and tortured all the time. Is it too much to ask? I am still your daughter. I am still your child. How can you deny me these things?-she demanded now. She was done with that. She wasn’t a princess. She was a scared child that wanted comfort and protection from her father. But Boris stayed cold like a stone.

-It is too late. Everything is done, Shana.-he said. She waived her head. No. it wasn’t done. Not yet. There was still something she could do.

-You will accept me back.-she whispered. Her grey eyes were filled with tears. She was begging him now. - Can you see how scared I am? Please accept me back. Tell them all that I am going with you. I have never asked you for anything in my entire life. Whenever you have decided something, I have followed you without a word. But this is the end. You are asking too much from me. I will not stand there and do what? If I reject, Rishon will find me and kill me. If I agree…-she stopped not being able to continue. Boris's heart was breaking to see her like this. He wished there was something he could have done. But it was decided a long time ago. More than three years ago. His home was never a safe place for her. And he didn’t want to see her die. Not anymore.

-You need to be strong. There is only a little which needs to be done at this point. You are a member of the world of shadows now. You need to start behaving accordingly. There shouldn’t be any fear or hesitation in you. I have raised you better than this.-he reprimanded her. That was his way. He never showed feelings. He never cared. Shana took a deep breath again. It felt like she was drowning.

-I will never forgive you this.-she said. He took those words as a goodbye. Einar carefully opened the door.

-They are ready.-he informed her. She raised her head, trying to be strong. There was still honor in her. She will do the right thing. She will make her father proud. And whatever comes after, it will be her ruin.

She was led to the middle of the hall feeling their eyes on her. There were more than 60 different leaders representing their families. And they all wanted to see her. She didn’t look at them. Her eyes were bowed to the ground. Einar and Seth had left her standing in the middle completely alone. Shana knew what she had to do. All eyes were on her. She took a minute searching for the emerald eyes. She felt him even before she went into the hall. He was close. And finally, their eyes met. Her black mist with his green mountains. But this time he didn’t say anything. There were no emotions in them. He just waited patiently like everyone else to see what her decision would be.

-Lady Shana, to which family do you belong?-there was a voice asking her. She knew it belonged to one of the elders. She shook herself, coming back to reality. Instinctively she looked for Boris. But her father's cold eyes had a threat in them. He was there to remind her of what needed to be done. He made a deal and now he had to make sure it was done. She closed her eyes for a moment. Heard her heart breaking again. How much pain could it endure?

-Araphels family.-she whispered. But everyone could hear.

-What is your position in that family?-the same voice demanded with more threat.

-Eandil.-she answered as if in a dream. This shouldn’t be happening. Her heart begged her to stop. She will get hurt again if she gives her freedom away.

-Where are your marks?-a question has arrived with more power. She looked at Araphel again. This was the moment everyone was waiting for. If, in the three years she had spent in the desert, she had betrayed him in any way, darkness would reject her. Darkness will kill her. Everyone was waiting to see what the result would be. Is she going to survive? She took the silver chain from her neck. The black stone was shining brightly again. There was a tall candle next to her. She put the stone on the open flame. Just a second later, the entire hall was bright with symbols of his family. There was a gust of wind entering the hall. Shana felt her hands and back burning like fire. She fell to her knees as one after the other black letters came back to her hands and shoulders. She bit her lip from releasing any sound. Taking the pain. She put her hand on the floor, bracing herself for the worst of it. Soon it was done. She felt weak. Empty. Scared. She heard the leaders exiting the hall. Everything was done. She was still alive, and they were all left disappointed.

-Get up.-she heard his voice. That voice. Commanding her. Bringing her back to the reality of her situation. She raised her head to look at him. He stayed behind. Only him. Slowly she stood up, bracing herself for whatever he was planning to do. Because in her heart she knew that wasn’t the warrior she knew three years ago. This was some other Araphel now. Much different and more dangerous than ever before. They looked each other in the eyes. She didn’t bow to him any longer. She didn’t feel the need to. This leader failed to protect her. Failed to look for her. Failed to find her. She didn’t owe him any loyalty.

-Are you done crawling down the floor?-he asked with such hate in his voice.

She took it. Accepted it. There was no hiding from her fate. He had to notice how different she looked. Taller than before. And much skinnier. Her eyes were still the color of a coming night. The black hair was long and shiny. Her face was pale. Tired. Haunted. He could see that she didn’t have good treatment in Rishon's home. There was fear hiding in her eyes. But she tried to appear strong. She made an effort to look him in the eyes.

-I am done.-she said. There was a note of sorrow in her voice. He wanted to get closer but he hesitated. He would not show her any feelings. She was nothing to him.

-Maybe you are accustomed to being on your knees now.-he insulted her deliberately. He wanted to see how she would react. Shana stood silent. Words could not hurt her anymore. Not even if they were coming from him. If she was expecting any kind of compassion from him, she was wrong. She saw it now. There was a dangerous and painful path in front of her. A path filled with pain and regret.

-Send me back to my father. I do not wish to stay by you.-she said completely honest. Araphel was surprised by those words. She wanted to leave him. She demanded to be free. She saw him approaching her. There was hate in those dark orbs of his. So much hate that she trembled. She took a step back, not wanting to, but her body betrayed her. She recognized the way he was coming toward her. She has experienced it for the last three years of her life.

-What did you say?-he asked her to repeat her words in a menacing tone. Still, she was brave. She kept looking at him. Even stepping back all the way to the wall. There was no space to pull away anymore. He was only a step away from her. One step was separating her from his rage.

-I want to go back to where I was before you came into my life and destroyed everything I know.-she was scared but confident.

Araphel was in front of her now. And he seemed even taller and stronger than before. As if he blocked all light from the room. There was nothing to be seen but him and his rage. He took that last step. His face was close to hers. She could feel his warm breath on her skin. His emerald eyes never left her face. His long black hair was tied to his back. It had been years since she saw his face. Heard his voice. Spend time in his shadow. But now she realized she didn’t want it. Not anymore. He put a hand on the wall next to her head. Making sure that there was nowhere for her to run.

-The only place where you can go free is the top of the tower where I will personally push you off. And this time there will be no darkness to catch you. Do you want that, Eandil Shana? That is the only place where you can go back to.-he meant it. Why did he hate her so much? What did she ever do to him to cause such feelings? His fist slammed the wall next to her, making her raise her hands in defense in front of her face. It was an instinct. And he realized what she did. She thought he would hit her. And he had to ask himself how many times she had been hit. How many times did she fail to defend herself? And such a thought made his rage rollover. -Answer me!-he demanded. Shana felt her feet becoming weak. It was hard to stand but she pushed herself. She lowered her hands, looking at him again. Who was this warrior in front of her?

-Maybe being dead is better than being with you.-she whispered. He turned his back to her, trying to control the urge to grab her by the neck and throw her away.

-You are so weak it disgusts me! I do not see what Rishon saw in you to want you back. Maybe I need to consider if you will go back with him or not.-he left her with those parting words. She looked after him, trying to calm herself. This was a good first meeting with a leader. Maybe next time it will be better. But she knew it could only get worse.