Chapter Four
1843 Words
I gazed at the burning scar on the shoulder of Adrian, and my heart beat high.
A vampire mark. Silver and crescent-shaped.
“Aria—” Adrian started. He caught my hand and dragged me into a dark corner behind a bookshelf. His hand covered my mouth.
“Wait, please, wait,” he said to me.
Guards were charging past our hiding place, with the clang of their boots on the rocky floor.
“It went toward the east wing!”
“Don't let it escape!”
When the noises had ceased, Adrian released me gradually and withdrew.
“The mark on your shoulder--" I started.
“None of that,” he replied hastily.
“Look.”
He pushed aside his shirt, exposing me to his shoulder. Nothing. Just smooth skin.
I blinked. Had I imagined it? The luminous form had been so actual.
“You are stressed,“ Adrian said in an endeavor to be reassuring. “The ritual, the coercion of Morgana. Your mind is playing tricks."
Doubt crept in. Maybe he was right. Possibly I was seeing things.
“I’ll get you back get you back to your chambers,” he said.
“You need rest.”
At my door, he hesitated.
“Whatever you do tomorrow, Aria, I know. You don't owe me anything."
“Adrian—” I tried to speak.
“Goodnight, Aria.” He went away before I could answer.
In a moment Luna came through my door.
“What happened? A vampire got in but he was killed by the guards in the gardens. Were you near it?”
“I'm fine,” I said quickly.
Luna studied my face.
“You don't look fine.”
“I just… I thought I saw something. I don't know anymore.”
Luna sat beside me.
“You are falling in love with him, huh? Adrian."
I didn't answer.
Nothing wrong about that, Luna said mildly.
“He makes you happy.”
“But I barely know him.”
“Sometimes you just know.”
I reflected on the attraction that I had towards Adrian. The relationship that did not make any sense and was so real.
“What if he's hiding something?” I whispered.
“Everyone hides something. But the question is, can you accept it when you find out?
The following morning, trumpets were announcing the last trial: the Magic Trial. All of them congregated in the courtyard. A stage was placed in the middle on which each of the suitors would demonstrate their magic skills.
Morgana addressed the crowd. “Magic, The core of our kingdom. Your prospective partner has to be tough.”
The suitors one by one performed.
Ice sculptures were invented by Lord Marcus. Lightning was summoned by Sir Aldwin. Prince Dorian appeared to make flowers bloom.
Then Thorne went on to the platform. His hands were up, and black-purple enchantedness whirled round him. He made explosions to shake the earth and make shadows to walk like animals. The audience gasped and cheered. Morgana beamed.
“Magnificent! True power!”
Thorne looked directly at me. His words were easy to understand: Select me.
At last the name of Adrian was called.
He entered the stage, appearing jittery.
Any time you like, Morgana said in a cold tone.
Adrian raised his hands. Light shone on his fingers feebly in purple.
The crowd murmured. This was nothing in comparison with others.
He tried to levitate a stone. It rose a couple of inches, swayed, and fell.
Whispers spread.
“So weak.”
“Pathetic.”
Adrian's face flushed. He tried to summon water. A drop or two came and passed away. I felt as though my chest was tightening to see him struggling. Everything else in him appeared competent. But why was his magic so weak?
Probably that is enough, Morgana said in contempt.
I am not over yet, Adrian said in a firm voice. He shut his eyes and drew a deep breath. This time a little spark came out in his palm. It jittered and yet remained on--the minimum to make.
The frustration of the crowd was imminent. Thorne smirked.
How will such a weak man defend anybody?
Several people laughed.
Something furious arose in my heart.
It is not everything, magic, I said emphatically. “Strength comes in many forms. Fascism is brutality without benevolence.
Morgana's eyes narrowed.
“You defend him again. Why?”
Due to the reason he is the only one who does not treat me as a prize but as a person.
The crowd fell silent. Dark, his face flushed, Thorne with rage.
I was walking in the gardens that evening. Tomorrow was the selecting ceremony.
“Aria.”
Adrian was right behind me, with his face open.
“I know I lost today,” Adrian said, his face showing his sadness. “I am not the richest or the most powerful. I know I am not the one who had been with you all along, or the one who is trusted by your council. I know I am just a random stranger who happened to always be where you were at. I know tomorrow you may go in there and chose your mate. And trust me, it is fine if you do not chose me. I will be very happy for you, because you deserve the best. I am trying my best to be the best you deserve, but if I am not want you want… then it is fine. I will not blame you or hold this against you. But I want you to know that I appreciate and will forever cherish every second we spent together. If I have done something that hurt you before, please forgive me.”
“Adrian—” I opened my mouth to speak.
“But what I do really feel about you is real,” he said. That is the thing I can guarantee. My feelings are honest.”
My heart hammered.
“I do not mind your magic,” I said. “I don’t care about power.”
“What do you care about?”
“This.” I stepped closer.
“This feeling between us that I can’t explain.”
His hand cupped my face.
“You feel it too?”
“Every moment. Like you’re meant for me somehow.”
“If you choose me tomorrow,” he said softly, “I promise I’ll spend every day trying to be worthy of you.”
“You already are.”
Then his lips were on mine. It was a desperate and passionate kiss. I felt the heat burn through me, and my magic sparked in new ways I had never known before.
As we separated, we were both gasping.
“Choose me,” Adrian whispered.
“Please, Aria.”
Footsteps came before I could respond. A servant appeared.
“Lady Aria,” the High Council calls upon you.
Adrian kissed my hand once and released me.
“I'll see you tomorrow.”
I trailed the servant to the apartments of Morgana. She sat behind her desk, cold.
“Sit.”
I remained standing.
“What do you want?”
“To give you advice. Tomorrow you will select your wife. Choose Thorne.”
“And if I don't?”
“Then you will have a great enemy.” She leaned forward.
“I am not going to allow some stupid girl to ruin my plans.”
“This is my life!”
“Your existence is part of this kingdom. You have a duty.”
“My duty is to decide on a mate. It does not mean that I must make your choice.
Morgana's eyes flashed.
“You will have a repercussion should you select that poor tradesman. For you. For him.”
I got away before I said something I would regret.
I was waiting in my chambers with Luna.
“What happened?”
“Morgana threatened me. Said I had to pick Thorne or get into trouble.
“What are you going to do?”
I thought about Adrian's kiss. Of the relationship I could not deny.
“I will do what will make me happy,” I said.
“Not what makes them happy.”
Luna smiled.
“Good. In the meantime I’ll go practice some self defense spells, we gon need em now that we going against Morgana.”
That night, I barely slept.
The following morning, servants assisted me in dressing up in the ceremonial gown. Silver embroidered white silk.
This was it. The choosing ceremony.
I held the magic crown of flowers in my shaking hands. The person upon whom I would put this would be my husband. The magic would chain us right away.
“Ready?” Luna asked.
I took a deep breath.
“Ready.”
I entered the large hall in which hundreds of people were present.
Across the room my eyes met those of Adrian.
He was frightened and despairing. I'd made my choice.
I had only hoped that I was prepared for whatever was to happen next.
People crowded into the grand hall. All the nobility in Lunaris had gathered to see me pick my wife.
In the ceiling were crystal chandeliers, which cast rainbow light over the marble floors. There were flowers on all surfaces. In the corner there was soft music by musicians.
It should have felt magical. Rather, it was as though I was walking to my execution.
I was in the doorway with the magic crown of flowers in my white ceremonial dress. My hands would not cease shaking.
You can, you can, Luna talked into my ear. Once she squeezed my hand and sat down. I was alone now.
All the suitors were lined up in front of the hall. Lord Marcus. Sir Aldwin. Prince Dorian. Thorne. And at the end, Adrian.
Morgana sat on the high table, her countenance assured. She was supposed to pick Thorne. Everyone did.
The High Priestess danced forward and lifted her hands. The music stopped. Everyone fell silent.
Today, Aria Moonshadow is to select her mate, and the priestess said so.
The magic of the crown will make them husband and wife. The bond cannot be broken. Choose wisely.”
I could feel my heart beat so violently, and I thought everyone could hear it. I took my first step forward.
Furthermore, I was walking down the aisle in the presence of the crowd. Every eye was on me. Judging. Waiting.
I reached the line of suitors.
Lord Marcus knelt down at my approach. He was too old, and his eyes were cold and never smiling. I walked past him.
Sir Aldwin was erect and stately. Handsome but emotionless. He gazed at me as though I were a business.
I walked past him.
Prince Dorian smiled excessively. Everything in him was counterfeit, his allure and his praise. I walked past him.
Then I came before Thorne. He looked confident. His hand was already reaching for me as though he anticipated the crown.
- Writer
