Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 8: Breakfast Feast

Chapter 8: Dante's POV

As I glanced at my wristwatch, the screen flashed 1095; I clicked on the next timer, and the second read 1460. I ran my hand lovingly over the watch's surface as I remembered the engraved writing I had etched into the back. I will never forget. I will fulfill my duty as Prince Deathridge and follow my destiny in the light. May the light be with me and my brother! Suddenly, my chest felt tight, but only for a few seconds. I grabbed my ceremonial robe where my heart would be. Rapidly it hammered against my chest. I looked at Desmond, who looked like he would break out in a cold sweat, but why? The Sermon for the breakfast hall was almost completed, and the priest would finish their part. I will have to ask my brother what his problem is later.

I knew I needed to hurry with my part of our task before the sermon finished. I slowly lifted the locket and dropped a few drops of the contents from the Ville of red substance into the open locket-shaped light, a giant heart, one side white and the other black, representing yin and yang. I carefully set the Ville down and proceeded to stir the blood in the chalice. My lips felt tight as I cleared my voice and focused on my intentions for the spells I would cast. I once again began to think of all my love for my family. I let their love and light fill me as I took meditation breaths, and as I counted to three, I steadied my body, heart, and mind, preparing for the protection spell.

Gently, I lifted and poured a few drops of the content from the chalice into the locket. I looked around to see that everyone was still fixated on the sermon or their business. "Earth to Mother, From Mother to Father above, Heed my call. Answer my prayers to be the king of them all! Fill me with love, light, and energy! Give me what is rightfully mine as my birthright, and as the future king, I, Dante Trinity Deathridge, claim my power!" *Distant BOOM!* I paused as I heard a faint thunder roar in the distance. "Protect our people. Light brings us peace, happiness, and truth. Share in our light what it means to be united! A barrier placed by me that will stand the test of time. This is my will, so mote it be!" As I finished the spell, I could not help but feel disappointed because I did not feel any power, energy, or shift in the air from the spell I was just cast. I waited momentarily as the sermon seemed to come to an end, and the final prayer was spoken: "May the mighty powers of our future kings flow to them effortlessly, quickly, and bring them clarity." A slight sense of doubt filled my heart as the man at the podium spoke and finished his words. Did it work? I did not sense any magical barrier in place, and my face slowly dropped into a frown, thinking it was unsuccessful.

I chanted the spells correctly and perfectly. Why did it not seem to work? Thankfully, no one in the dining hall seemed to have heard the distant boom other than myself. That means it was further away than I expected it to have landed. Is that the very thing I was looking for? I sigh inwardly, pick up the chalice, and swirl it between my long, slender fingers. Watching the tide pool inside the chalice reflecting at me, almost taunting like my Menyaka does when he knows we cannot escape our destiny. Even though I have tried to talk him around it many times, he says avoiding it is useless. I spend most of my days trying to enjoy what I can with my twin brother because our Menyaka's both warned us our destinies would leave us separated. My Menyaka looks like it has a parasite, like something corrupted his very being from the beginning, and I never had a chance to save him. My Menyaka's name is KumugWe. He is a god of healing, wealth, and the Ocean. My Menyaka would frighten others even if he were a parasite-free beast; he has a unique diamond-like pattern and coloring that most Menyaka do not own, so he is my best-kept secret yet. I call him Kumu as his nickname. "Finally, trying to see things from my side, are you, Dante?" His voice hits me like a landslide, and I am almost disoriented by his power simply from just his voice. Kumu chuckles and then reaches out to me again, purposely not caring if he knocks me unconscious. "Are you ready to accept the fate that awaits us today?" His gravel laugh would be almost contagious if it didn't leave me with a pounding headache and the power of a freight train draining my body when we spoke.

"Not now, KumugWe. You know very well I have plans for today!" I wheezed as I tried to catch my breath. Before I opened my eyes, I felt dread wash over my soul. I closed my eyes tightly as I spoke to Kumug. "Please be on your best behavior. Everyone is present today for the ceremony! You promised you would help me today, remember?" I began to try to collect myself once again.

Nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, and, worst of all, a gut-wrenching and unfamiliar burn graze across my chest. I did not know what was happening before I nearly fell onto the dining table while holding the chalice I had been swirling in my long slender fingers. I gripped the locket in my other hand, closing it tightly so my efforts were not wasted because of my Menyaka purposely trying to gain control. The sermon had ended, and when I glanced over at Desmond, I could see he had been watching me and had concern on his face. He had pushed Annabell off to the side of him and was beginning to approach me slowly like I was a wild animal, his eyes wide with worry. I got a sick feeling that was dull and in the back of my mind screaming at me that something was wrong, and my heart began to race as I looked around and noticed everyone was looking directly at me for some reason.