Throne of Burden

Chapter Two

They say our star is lost in space and is far from other stars by millions of light years. I asked if it could be found by others, and they said no that millions of light years is too far for someone to travel hence the star is said to have been "lost". I've always been a practical person for fear of the unexpected happening. I have always believed that something lost can always be found and if we can't find others that doesn't mean others can't find us. There could be others with far advanced technology; people who have lived longer than we have.

This is not a problem yet, when we get to that bridge hopefully we will work as one.

In this world that is ours, our lost star is called Vespera and in it, we found home; the kingdom of Vesta. Vesta has hundreds of covens under the sovereignty of King Redryn Valtor, others are yet to be discovered.

As I attempted to glide out from under the car after tightening the last bolt, I heard approaching steps, and I stopped amidst action knowing whose footfall it was.

" Thysera", she sings and I could imagine her hair bouncing around as she bounced on her toes.

"Guess who is coming", she sat on the car bonnet, her weight almost crushing me under.

" I don't care, and get off", my muffled voice tinged with annoyance.

She jumped down from the bonnet and I glided out from under the car. The moment she sees the dirty pullover and my blackened hands, her glabella pulls into a frown.

"It's King Redryn Valtor", she whispered. My hands paused for a few seconds before taking off the pullover.

My eyes blinked in confusion, wondering what brought him here from Tenebrous, the capital of Vesta. I turn to the car mentally noting the things that are left to work on.

" What could have brought him all the way here", Carlotta muttered to herself, but something tells me that she had a hunch, but she did not want to tell me about it and I have no care knowing either.

I fumbled around with something just to get her to leave, but she seemed to not get the memo, she hung around touching my things knowing fully well how much it annoyed me. The smirk on her face widened at the blankness on my face. "You are not leaving yet?

Carlotta giggled as she made her way out " He will be here by nightfall",

She turned to me "Be on time",

I walked towards the sink to wash my hands before making my way to the ledge. I sat with my legs dangling off it.

Here in Vesta, it's almost Winter although, there is almost no sun, but it's all good, our kind never gets cold. And our night time is longer than the day time.

I looked up at the endless cloud, down to the lush grasses, the waterfall, and the mountains that lay the foundation that is Vesta Noir; warmth in darkness or home we found in darkness.

I didn't know how long I sat there before I felt a slight probing of my mind, but I didn't allow her access to it. I knew it was Mother reminding me it was nightfall again.

I dusted off my trousers as I sat up before taking the elevator to my floor. If I didn't leave, I would not be surprised if she barreled her way in.

I was quick to take a shower before taking one formal gown from the walk-in closet. That thing always finds a way to restock itself. Standing in front of the wall-to-floor mirror, I quickly pulled my red hair into a low bun before applying eyeliner and lip balm. It is a family dinner, but our family dinner is always this way; fancy clothes with expensive dishes. My favorite part is playing dress up.

I felt another probing and I knew Mother was getting impatient, but what was the rush. Rather than wearing a stiletto, I opted for a flat.

I walk along the corridors that were built on the blood and sweat of our ancestors. There are times that I feel like I could read the shadows that tell their tales. Even if there are not many of my memories, I wonder if one day someone would be willing to read mine.

The moment I took the stairs that lead to the dining hall I sensed the presence before I saw them. There was a particular presence that called my attention, it had never happened before, so my curiosity was piqued. As I walked into the room, I saw their tuxedo-clad backs, and they turned to look in my direction except for the subject of interest.

" Good evening", I muttered as the butler pulled the chair and they all stood in respect. I looked towards the man that emits such aura and he was by far the most beautiful person that I've ever seen. His ocean-blue eyes, that straight nose, and his chiseled chin are all features that I've seen before, but somehow they seem to evoke something in me; something I find hard to explain. He is the tallest person I've seen.

I find myself wanting to look straight into his eyes; I want to find something others could not see.

He pulled his sleeve. I was a little displeased when he took his seat without looking my way.

Mother glared in my direction, but I paid her no attention.

"Thysera, you should not have kept the guests waiting", Father's soothing voice admonished.

I have never been the kind that shies away from apology " I'm sorry, Pa", I would not have kept them waiting if I had been told they would be coming, oh, Carlotta did tell me, but, I didn't deem it important.

"It's okay, Lothan, men always wait for the women", the mysterious man muttered. His voice was a deep baritone, and it caused ripples in the stagnant water that is my mind

Mother sent a thankful smile his way " I always tell him, Redryne",

How come I had never known about that.

That name "Redryn" sounds familiar, where did I hear that name from.

"My king, you have a call", the man with gold hair next to him whispered as if to remind me.

Redryn Valtor, the king of all coven, my left brow raised in surprise and as I looked up my gaze collided with Carlotta's, and in her eyes was a knowing smile. She knew me all too well.

Knowing that he was the king, my curiosity halved. It was probably because he is the king that I felt that evoking feeling.

" Is it important", the king's soothing voice muttered. No other person's voice has ever been soothing, except for my father's.

"Can be taken later", I seem to hear a sardonic tone in this brown-haired man's voice.

A few minutes later, the help cleared away the plates and we were ushered into the receiving room to have a chat.

I sat on a one-person seater and turned toward the see-through top-to-bottom glass window to watch the beautiful nature outside; the black mountain as the water falls and glistens it. The greens, vast varieties of flowers that I could never get tired of. I could see the moss along the walls of the mountain and how the living things in the waterfall strive to live; it's a very beautiful sight.

" I believe we all have an idea of what I am here for", King Valtor's voice broke the silence. Well, I seem to be the only one who doesn't.

"I am here to propose marriage to my beloved", he paused slightly.

The tension in the room was thick, but the excitement was palpable; definitely from my own family.

He allowed for a couple of seconds to digest his words.

Father cleared his voice " And who might that be?

"Carlotta", King Valtor replied without delay.

I don't know how I feel, but something dropped into the pit of my gut. It can not be spat out nor can it be swallowed.

The space gradually thinned out and I found it difficult to breathe; what was this feeling. I do not wish to stay in his presence any longer

Carlotta sprang from her seat and her face bloomed in excitement.

No sign of being surprised.

Our parents and my twin sister Loisa crowded around Carlotta and King Valtor. They asked questions, but it was Carlotta who answered it all, king Valtor remained in his seat as though all the excitement had nothing to do with him.

I placed my left leg over my right and my left hand splayed lazily over it. Loisa looked in my direction and frowned slightly before looking away. She is probably wondering why I am not sharing in their joy, but I the subject have no idea why.

Away from everyone's sight is my lazily splayed hand clenching my gown.

I felt fear and the piercing pain radiated all over my body. I struggled so hard to stop myself from falling over my seat. Has I watched the joy on my sister's face, I suddenly felt tired as the last of my energy left the very core of my being.

My eyes flashed and my breaths quickened as a gush of disappointment swept over me; I felt betrayed, and I have no idea why I feel that way.

I had rarely lost my composture before.

I was clueless, but I knew for one that this man who piqued my curiosity was a dangerous man who was undeserving of my attention.

Sealing my resolve I turned away from the joyous view of my family.

After all, nature was by far interesting.