WILD SEDUCTION

●⁠♡ FOUR ●⁠♡

- SIX -

I groaned, waking up to the smell of scented candles. Medical candles rather. "How long have I been asleep?" I asked, trying to sit when my ribs ached.

"Six days." Ivar said, pushing his weight off the wooden pillar. "Saw you passed out on the road. What happened?" He asked with a straight face. Ivar looked at all the doctors present and signaled them to leave, which they did.

I sighed and he tucked a sack of feathers behind me. "Thanks."

He nodded. "I'm all ears Six. Talk."

I stared at my feet not knowing where to start. What do I say that doesn't make me sound stupid? "Where's that hair pin?"

Ivar nodded his head to the side, pointing at it. It's on a black scarf on a table. I sighed when I noticed the nearly invisible, red electricity bolt linking my feet to it. Can't he see that? Am I loosing my mind? "A dark magic like I've never felt before. Someone was out there. For once, I don't have words to describe it." I said but he was quiet and I folded my fists. "When's the coronation?" I asked, feeling irritated. I can barely move.

"In a week. For some reason it was postponed. Call it your luck. Or you'd have been dead." Ivar threw a dagger at me and I caught it. He knew about the contract. He also knows I'd try to burst myself out of here and train. "A piece of advice, rest. Your body needs it." He said and left the room.

As much as I hate to agree with him, he's right. But for how long? How can I relax after what happened to me? My throat is dry. A doctor walked into the medical room.

"What herbs are you feeding me?" I asked. My throat is itchy yet I can tell that I feel better.

"I am not permitted to disclose, but it will heal your wounds faster." The doctor said calmly and I sighed. I would rather not spend my time in a room when I have a mission waiting for me. Two per say. I need to find her. And I will.

"How soon doctor?" I asked, still staring at my feet.

"With your strength, I expect a full recovery in three days. But you must not overwork yourself within those days. Or your body would break down to zero and not even those herbs would aid to heal you faster than six months." He said. That's a warning and I'm not risking any chances. I laid back on the bed with a calm smile.

"Thank you doctor." I said, trying to sound as sick as possible despite my throat actually burning. "Can I have that hair pin please? Belonged to my great grandmother. I would hate to lose it." I lied but he was easily deceived and handed it to me. I don't know what I was expecting to happen when my body touched the pin but I certainly didn't expect my chest to be linked to the crystal on the hair pin instead of my feet. This is something to worry about.

"Can I have some water? My throat burns, itches and is dry at the same time." I croaked.

"Those are side effects. Your body is rejecting the venom, rest and let it work."

Venom? Was I poisoned? I laid down despite feeling uncomfortable. I have no choice. On the fourth day, I need to infiltrate the palace grounds and orchestrate a plan to have his royal highness killed. It's the only way I can save my family's honour. I closed my eyes and my brows creased. Like the past six days that I spent sleeping, when my eyes were closed, all I could see was space and the stars. I've read a lot of books to know it's the galaxy. A part of the earth man can't reach and people can only see with certain microscopes. I coughed but stayed still. All I need is four days to recover. Just four days.

* * * *

- ARTHAILIA -

I walked down the hall. Father requested my presence. Every four days before the coronation of a ruler, an oracle is consulted to bless the ruler with the next gift to protect her kingdom. Both of my parents are royalty, hence, they both were blessed with gifts. I wonder what mine would be. I'm eager yet worried. It has only happened once where a ruler wasn't granted any to aid her kingdom and no one needs to tell the tale of how cruel her fate was. I gulped as worry filled me. Hopefully, my turn would be different. It has to be. My brother and I might be in a good place currently, but I don't know what would happen to me if he's chosen. He wasn't trained to raise a kingdom. I was. It's my birthright till I die and pass it onto him, if I bear no children. Standing at the other side of the door, I inhaled. Father and the seven sacred heads are present. Fear of ruining something important really makes my body tremble but I have to remain calm and cool. Every queen should never show her weakness in terrifying moments. It only gives the enemies something to be confident about.

"Sire, your humble heiress has arrived on your request." I yelled so he could hear me. Silence reigned after so I pushed the door open. Two guards standing at both ends of the door, pushed each door of the double doors aside, allowing me to walk in. I'm dressed in an expensive, heavy lilac, royal ball dress. My hair is well styled and adorned with the best of jewelry and is packed up to reveal my bare neck. My wrists are covered with white gloves and even yet, choker bangles. I walked to his graciousness in elegance. My mother is seated by his side. That made me nervous and I gulped. I don't want to make that double throne a single one. I want to have a companion to lean on and rule with when I'm queen. Like an altar, the throne is three steps above the ground and by the right hand side are the heads of the seven guardians of Artiganda. By my father's left hand side are the oracle standing beside the seat that will seal my fate. Coated in gold and lava pumice, two ornate horns of a dragon were fixed at the ear of each stile, and the splat between both stiles was shaped like an eye with two sharp ends, connected to the stile with cross rails.

The handle of the throne was crystal clear, reflecting the lights of the chandeliers and like the horns of a buffalo, two four feet tall, golden horns were crafted at each side.

Only now did the throne seem fearful.

"Your majesty." I said and bowed before my father. "Her highness." I said to my mother who stretched her hand.

"Bless you, child." She said and I stood. I tried not to look at anyone else and maintain my composure but I'm failing at it. That's when Rohan communicated with me in my head. 'Relax princess. You're wavering. Stay calm.'

How? Father is here. He loves me but I don't want to disgrace him.

'You won't. If you need space, I'm always here to take you away. Far from responsibilities.'

I smirked. Rohan is misusing his benefits of being not only being a noble and a warrior but a respected prince. He's almost flawless despite what he does. People can tag him as the right hand man of the King.

Thanks Rohan.

I averted my gaze from him to my parents. A smile formed on my face. Mother looked at me calmly. I could tell she wanted to embrace me but couldn't. I hate the font we royals have to put on in front of others. It's so choking and annoying. "Let the ritual begin." Mother said to the oracle and I walked to the throne, stepping in a bowl of water. The oracle comprises four women. One of them is the oldest, Andrea. Legend has it that she's over five hundred years old and has blessed rulers before us. The youngest of the oracle washed my feet and sat me on the throne. What I felt was different from something I'd ever felt before. I felt a connection to the past kings and queens before me. To my mother, father. And with each generation, a shooting star linked us. My fingers twitched and for the first time, a flame brewed in my chest but I wasn't hurt. It didn't burn me like I thought it would.

Two wet fingers slid on my forehead and my eyes opened. A strand of my hair was plucked and an incantation was recited. My eyes were still closed and feet glued to the throne.

"Your majesty," An old yet excited voice called. "She's been blessed."

My eyes shot open as excitement bubbled within me.

"Behold, Queen Arthalia Natalie Pendragon the third. Our seer."

Seer? What am I, some kind of prophet?

"She's been gifted with the ability to see the future. It could be by revelation through dreams or a simple touch of something in the day. Welcome your highness. We have one who reads prophecies." The head of the oracle said.

I should be happy but I don't know why I'm not. I thought I'd be a flame user or wind controller. Maybe even the nature queen or something worth fighting for. But it's lame. What could seeing the future possibly bring to me? No one wants to know before hand if her kingdom would flourish or not under her reign, nor do I want to know when I'd die. I don't even know how my gift works. I forged a smile and stood, curtseying to my King.

Maybe I thought my gift would be good enough to fight wars, but I was wrong.

"I will use my gift to protect and strengthen our kingdom with all my might. I accept this power, your majesties." I said. My eyes are watery but I can't cry now. Not here. Blinking my tears in, I stood. "I shall take my leave sire." I muttered and exited the hall. Everyone seems excited for some reason I don't understand and it makes me want to order their execution.

Deep breaths Thalia. Later tonight, you'd understand how your gift will manifest. Besides, all I can do is train and be taught. I rolled my eyes, wiping my eyelids with my gloves. My brows creased. It makes more sense now, usually, royals start manifesting their gifts earlier than usual. I should've known those dreams signified something. I cleared my throat and walked to my room.

"Get me some wet towels and take this off me." I ordered both maidens by my door step and stood in front of my mirror with both of my hands stretched to the side. Wait. If I can see the future.... does this mean I'll meet him? Or does this mean I'd actually die by falling out the window?