Treacherous Court - Book 1 of Infernal War Trilogy

Chapter 15 - The father's sin

I gasped. The room was suddenly filled with tension. Daemon walks towards the stage confidently and gracefully. Jehaerys didn’t smile nor frowned. He was just looking at him. I couldn’t read his eyes. I wish I could. So, I would know what he’s thinking of. The sword he casted with fire was lingering on his hand. Daemon halted in front of him. His black raven hair was neatly combed. Two heirs of different kingdoms, stand tall. Daemon didn’t need to wait for a command, he cast a spear made of steel. My heart was in my mouth. What was Master Gregory thinking?

“This is a good scene,” Dylan mutter, he was smiling deeply. I throw him a questioning look. 

“Are you crazy?” I said, incredulous.

“No. But, in case you didn’t know Jehaerys and Daemon are the two strongest students here in Enchanted. It’s a long time coming.”

“That’s your brother,” I pointed out.

“You almost sound like you care about him,” Dylan said.

Do I care about him? “He’s my intended.” I said, “How could I not care about him?”

This time he looks at me, his eyes softens. “He’s rude to you.” He mumbles.

“He is. Always,” I said.

“On your stand” Master Gregory shouted. His voice deep and husky. Though I didn’t know what he was talking about and what that meant. But, Jehaerys and Daemon walks on the center and faced each other. On their face nothing but pride.

“Begin”

They started rounding the stage, walking slowly. Watching each other’s step and movements. Daemon advances towards him, and Jehaerys took advantage of it and blow his casted sword against Daemon. He was too quick to cast a shield. The fiery sword splashed against the metal shield. He cast another sword made of fire, and they both dance against one another. Jehaerys holds his spear, and melted it. He cast another spear, but this time, it was made of furious electric thunder. Their swords smashing against one another in a beautiful dance. They both move so gracefully, and sharp at the same time. Jehaerys blows hard against him, and his spear splinter. Daemon stumbles back to the floor with his shield protecting him. Jehaerys took it as an advantage and raise his sword against Daemon who was already on the floor.

“Enough.” 

It was Master Gregory who halted the duel. But, Master Ben didn’t look satisfied and craves more.

“Thank you, your highnesses. You may go back to your seat,”

Daemon stands up, and pulled his garbs down. The shield he casted suddenly disappear in thin air. He returned to our spot with his head high. This was Master Ben’s subtle way to show the people and Daemon that Nister would never stand a chance against Vendetta. My heart was beating strangely as I feel the heat inside me ignited. It all started in my chest, as if my heart was made of fire. Daemon sat beside me with a straight face. But, his jaw was hard. 

“This is Nister’s work. They want us to look weak in the eyes of other kingdom.” Dylan said. But, he was careful so no one would hear us. Daemon gave a small nod.

“So, no one would ally themselves to us.” Daemon finishes it for him. It was true. The other students are staring at us with pity laced in their eyes. As if they could feel our doom already, when the war has not yet even started. I feel the weight of responsibility for the first time. The responsibility King Pol have bestowed upon me. I know he thinks that I could save Nister against the wrath of Vendetta. But, how could I do that? When I couldn’t even control my own power?

All of them left except for Dylan and I. “What are we even doing here?” I whined. He rolls his eyes at me and huff.

“Master Gregory will help you train.” He answers and throws his hands in the air.

“Aren’t he training us already?” I point out. He looks at me as if I have growned two heads at the same time.

“Yes. but, this time it’s a different training. ‘Cause you don’t even know how to control your powers, let alone summon it.” he said flatly.

I lowered my head and realized that he was telling the truth. I have no proper training. So, how exactly am I to save Nister? I’ve seen Jehaerys’s power, I don’t think I could stand a chance against him. I don’t think anyone can. As far as I know, magic is very limited in Nister.

“Daryl, you brought the lowborn with you.” Master gregory said. I know I have no right to get offended for I have always been a lowborn and no title should change that.

“Yes, master. She’s the one who needs proper training.” Daryl said. He didn’t even defend me and told him to stop calling me lowborn.

Master gregory took a step forward towards me. His eyes are a deep shade of blue. Making his skin even more paler. He looks at me in the eyes with confused expression on his face as he looks at me in the eyes.

“So, what can I do for you both?” he inquires.

“She needs to learn how to summon her power and how to control it,” 

His eyes landed on my ruby necklace, and grabs it. “You have to get rid of this if you want to learn,” he mumbles.

Has he gone mad? The last time I got rid of this necklace I almost burned down the black market to the ground until someone stabbed that was meant to kill me. Though I survived that stab.

“I can’t.” I mumble. Fear was laced in my voice.

“Why? Afraid you’ll burn this institution down to the ground?” He said.

Does he can read my mind and thoughts? How come he just answer my unspoken question?

I was about to open my mouth but he interrupted me, “I know how King Pol found you and I know how you just burned that market. That kind of power should be controlled in any other way, if you can’t. It’s either your enemy would kill you or that power will.”