Chapter 10: We Must Continue
1045 Words
Chapter 10: Dante's POV
Before anyone could say anything, I quickly used the magical projection tool to amplify my voice in the castle for those attending the breakfast ceremony. "Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our fifteenth birthday breakfast ceremony! We thank you for joining us as part of the birthright. We all know that strange and unusual things happen as we absorb the power granted each year until we turn 21, when we finally get our strength and energy. With that being said, I seem to be experiencing something, which means we should take this celebration extra seriously so my brother and I can focus on becoming the strongest Alphas to rule the kingdom." As I said in the last line, there was an uproar of excitement from those attending this morning, which almost made me break out in a cold sweat just thinking how many people might speculate that I have a Menyaka now and will want to "test" my abilities. A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt slightly nauseous. I do not like conflict. I prefer to kill if it is the last resort and no other option is left. I would come close to death before I took someone's life.
"What if it was your family or your mate?" Kumu's voice nearly knocked me to my knees this time as I stumbled to grab anything close enough to me. I staggered and fell backward onto Desmond, who rushed forward to catch me. My breathing was ragged. He seemed to feel better since he wanted to keep this up during a significant day. "Of course, I would kill evil if they hurt the people I love! Only if their life is possibly in danger, though. I would not kill just because they asked me to do the deed for them." I thought about my answer carefully before I answered Kumu. "Do you know what evil is?" I paused before speaking from the heart, "Evil isn't what something is. It is what defines them as a character and as a person. Judging before establishing a person's actual characteristics would be unlawful, Kumu. After all, we know best that everything comes with a price tag, which is not always money or materials." I just finished, as Kumu replied, and took one final blow to my mind as I wrapped my arms around Desmond to save me from collapsing from pain. Kumu's voice echoed in my head as his last warning. "And THAT is why you have an extraordinary destiny, Dante Trinity Deathridge." As Kumu spoke, something suddenly felt wrong as he faded away, and I no longer felt my connection with him. My body shook, the blows of Kumu's powers subsided, and finally, my breathing started to even out. Even though I should have been getting better, an endless pit began to plant inside my stomach. I had no idea if it was just because of the birth ceremony or if I should be concerned about Kumu.
My heart began to leap like we were going for a marathon record. I could feel the cold sweat taking over my body as I stood there numb and confused about what had just happened. Realizing that everyone had resumed the party, the ceremonial part had ended before he ever made the announcement, and he could sigh in relief, at least for this moment. "Dante?" Desmond approached me with caution, just as he had before. Something inside my heart squeezed at the sight of his fear of me. "Why is Desmond scared of me, Kumu?" Silence, no feelings, no walls, just my thoughts floating to myself. "There has to be a reason Kumu became distant. He said our mate wanted to reject us. Does this mean that my mate is not the same as Desmond's mate? At least if they are only my mate, then I will only have to be on guard for myself. I will protect myself from my mate and reject or kill them first as soon as I find them."
So many thoughts were bouncing inside my head as Desmond lightly wrapped his fingers around my wrist. His eyes shone with sadness, and his lips were pursed tightly. I wish I could tell him everything was okay, but I could not even be confident that things were going the way he originally had planned. I weakly smiled at Desmond and spoke softly, "I'm not feeling well, brother, but I think we can still manage the ritual as planned. I do not worry that it will still work as planned as long as I take it easy during the garden lunch." I grabbed my handkerchief and swiped my face elegantly. After all, I had been brought up as a proper gentleman. Desmond reached and grabbed the handkerchief and dabbed my neck as he leaned closer, and he spoke lowly, "Please, if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know so that you do not have to push yourself today. We can both take care of the ritual and plan the barrier. You will tell me if you need me, right?" I nodded as he finished speaking and stroked my free hand over the hand that gently held my wrist. I took his hand off my wrist. "Of course, I will always tell you if there is something I need from you." I intertwined our fingers and gently squeezed his hand before letting his hand go.
"Kumu, you better just be playing games right now! I could use your help soon! I promise I will eat your favorite food later if you comply with the rest of the plans for today." I spoke openly but was only met with the silence of a library. No one answered or spoke back; a foreboding feeling was building underneath my skin. Desmond's voice broke me from my thoughts. "I'm worried about you, Dante. Please do not hesitate to ask for my help. I will always be here for you no matter what." Desmond's voice was firm but cracked in his last words. Knowing my brother would vow to help me anytime made my heart swell. "I will." I smiled and gave my brother's shoulder a firm pat as I stepped away from him.
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