THE DRAGON QUEEN

The golden crystal sat at the center of the Forbidden Hall, judging. Everybody was seated for this very occasion. It was that time of the year where every child born of magic, both royal and ordinary, gets to determine their elemental gifts. Janaeya sat still, heart racing as she stared around the crowd. She could see her elder brothers, whose powers had already been tested, sitting together with their parents. They all looked so proud of this moment, and it made her more nervous. Every family member was present. Her father’s brothers and their children all sat at the front line of the hall. The crystal loomed like a colossal giant, towering over everyone—tall, gleaming, and intimidating, as though it could swallow someone whole with a single glance. "Touch it, young one," the Seer said to the next candidate. His demeanor made it even worse, his gaze sharp, no smile whatsoever. The girl took a confident step forward and placed her hand on the crystal with a smirk. In no time, it shimmered in silver, making the environment shake a little. "Magnificent," said the Seer. "She is an ice mage, the rarest of her kind." The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs. Many had come to see the General's children showcase their new abilities. "Ice is among the rarest elements of life," a voice rang from the crowd. "An ice mage, truly?" "Savannah has always been a special child, she was born for this," the crowd murmured among themselves as the hall rained in applause. "Behold! Savannah Blackstone, daughter of General Thomas, from the Eastern Division of Salsa, representing the Water Clan. Gifted with Ice magic!" The Seer announced, lifting Savannah’s right arm as he showcased her to the crowd. "Next, number two hundred and seventeen, Young Master Kevin Kingston" A good looking, tall boy with green eyeballs stood and marched gently to the stage. He was one of General Robert Kingston’s sons, the leader of the neighboring nation of Elmore. Janaeya stared at him, waiting patiently for her turn. Kevin stood firm. He glanced at the crystal, then back at the Seer. "You know what to do," the Seer said. He nodded gently, then placed a hand on the crystal. In a few seconds, it shimmered with both green and black light. Everyone gasped, anticipating. "Incredible," the Seer murmured. "Behold! Kevin Kingston, son of General Robert, from the Western division of Elmore, representing the Earth Clan. Gifted with both Earth and Metal magic." "Earth and Metal magic? Even greater than his father!" "I wish that was my son. I’d be the proudest mother in the world," a voice rippled through the air. Janaeya sat in her chair, sweating. She was next on the list. She looked up at Kevin as he gave her a wink before heading to his seat. "Number two hundred and eighteen. Young Mistress Janaeya Blackstone. Step forward, please." The name sent a chill across Janaeya’s spine. She swallowed her saliva so hard it hurt a little, her throat was completely dry. She felt like she could piss on her underwear at that very moment. The cold eyes of everyone waiting, judging, staring like wild beasts made her hesitate for a second. "Janaeya Blackstone? Is she here?" the Seer asked, looking around the crowd. Janaeya stood up as she heard her name for the second time. She began to take slow steps to the stage, her heart racing as if it would burst out any minute. She could feel their predictions on her as she marched along. Janaeya stood before the crystal, staring at it, hesitating as several thoughts ran across her mind. "Touch it," the Seer said, his voice low. Janaeya took a deep breath as she stretched her hand. She placed it on the crystal, expecting a red glow like her father’s fire, or maybe blue like her mother's lightning. But to her greatest surprise, there was nothing. Not even a spark. "What happened?" she asked, shocked. "This is strange... touch it again," the Seer muttered as he walked around the crystal, checking what might have gone wrong. She did as instructed, but there was still nothing. No light. No shimmer. No spark. Janaeya glanced at the spot where her family was seated. She could already feel the looks of disappointment on their faces, especially her father’s. His gaze was so underwhelming. "I can’t feel anything. No magic at all," the seer said. The crowd erupted in gasps. Everyone was shocked. This had never happened in the history of the Blackstone family. Magic ran through their veins. It was almost impossible to have a Blackstone ward with no magic. "Check it again. Maybe it’s broken or something," Janaeya murmured, her words broken, her voice trembling. "I can try again, Seer." she placed both hands on the crystal, touching it again and again, expecting something new, but there was nothing. "Do something!" she growled at the Seer. "There’s nothing I can do, child," he replied. The sentence struck her like a heavy hammer right to the chest. "We don’t have all day." Janaeya couldn’t believe her eyes. This is impossible... this is so impossible. She thought to herself as she stared at her hands. "Janaeya Blackstone, daughter of General Aivo, from the Northern Division of Salsa, representing the Fire Clan. No elemental affinity detected," he echoed across the hall. His voice lowered to a whisper. "I’m sorry, child. You may leave." Janaeya nodded, biting her lower lip. The looks from her family already told her what she needed to know. "This is impossible. A Blackstone with no magic abilities?" a man asked among the seated crowd. "Not even a warrior at least?... Maybe she's adopted." "What a waste!" "She’s a Cursed Heiress! Poor General Aivo." Cursed Heiress. The words followed her to her seat like bullets. Maybe she was indeed cursed. That would explain why she had no magical abilities, not even the most basic ones. "You disappointed us," Orion, Janaeya’s oldest brother, murmured as she took her seat among her family. "It’s not my fault," she cried out softly. "Then whose fault is it? Mine? Or perhaps Father’s?" Marcus, her other brother, fired back. "I tried my best, Marcus" "How are you even a Blackstone? You’re an embarrassment to our family," Orion sneered at her, as Elvis her youngest, and closest brother chimed in to her defense. "It's not her fault, Orion," Elvis yelled slightly. "I... I don’t know what happened, my..." "Enough!" General Aivo murmured, his teeth clenched. "Not here." Janaeya looked at him as he returned a face full of disappointment. She looked at the crowd as the Seer continued to announce new mages. She couldn’t help it, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She tried so hard to compose herself but failed. Gently, she wiped her tears with her thumb, then looked at her mother who was seated beside General Aivo. Her mother offered a faint smile, in an attempt to keep her calm. Janaeya swallowed, staring down at her hands, the thoughts lingering in her mind. The Cursed Heiress.