Connected to the King

Winter Solstice

A few weeks have passed, the renovations were completed, and the Winter Solstice Festival brought the villagers and castle occupants together for the feast and games. Festivals

"Oh, lady Aurora! You have done such wonders." Heather squealed as we ventured around the castle. "This place has definitely lightened up since the renovations."

I smiled deep down inside as we rounded the corner toward the garden. It had been a while since my last visit, and I had no idea how the flowers were doing. "It was too dark, and cold and I just needed a change of scenery without actually changing the scenery." I replied to her.

Mariam and Heather, both accompanied me these days as we were nearing my birthday. The boys have kept to themselves, but Marcus and I still shared a bed chamber. He left me to do as I saw fit without much of a fuss as I knew he wanted to keep an eye on my brother since the vision.

My left eye displayed an image of the training grounds on the other side of the castle. I stopped for a moment and watched as Marcus spoke to someone in a hushed tone regarding my brother.

“Don't let him out of your sight.”

“I wasn't planning on it. He's a witch for all I know, and those guys are always bad news.”

“You know, Aurora is a witch too. So, you're going to respect his presence until we can figure out what his real motives are.”

“Yes, my King.”

My vision returned. I clenched my fist and continued to the garden. That son of a b***h, I thought to myself. Don’t you dare treat my brother like some sort of criminal. My anger building as I threw open the door.

"Aurora, is everything okay?" Mariam's voice invaded my ears. She placed a hand on my shoulder causing my anger to temporarily dissipate.

I quickly turned to face her, "No, Marcus is ordering someone to keep track of Bash." I whispered to her. I couldn't have Heather listening in. "I need to talk to him about this... or it could become a problem." My eyes scanned the garden as I turned my attention to it. The trees were bare, the flowerbeds had died. No one had tended to the garden since the first snowfall. Everything had withered away.

I gasped, bringing my hands to my mouth, "Oh no. Why hasn't anyone…" tears brimmed my eyes as I rushed farther into the room. “Wasn’t anyone assigned to tend to these?”

“Not usually, Aurora, we are supposed to tend to it during the spring and summer months. We were told it was useless to even try with the snow on the ground.” Heather lowered her head in shame.

Dropping to my knees I pressed my hands to the dry soil and whispered a chant, "Evetora, lipase, molitisu hevanté."

A bright white light glowed beneath my hands and pulsated into the ground as the plants slowly came back to life. A chorus of gasps sounded from behind me, but I paid them no mind as I watched the color return to the flowers, their buds blooming one by one. The leaves on the trees sprouted from their branches and the small pool that was previously empty had filled with clear water.

I let out a heavy sigh as I rose from the newly green grass. "Much better." I dusted my hands and turned around to a crowd of people gawking at the sight. "Where did you all come from? This is a private place" I mumbled to myself.

One of the villagers that had followed the crowd, began screaming and took off down the hall. A few guards that I hadn’t met before, had lost color in their face as the remaining group had stared on in amazement.

I shifted my gaze to Mariam and Heather who both stood unphased by the event and shrugged my shoulders. "Well… this is… weird." I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"What is going on down here!" A familiar voice echoed from down the hallway. "What is all of the commotion—" Marcus paused in the doorway as his eyes scanned the garden. "About?... Aurora, is this your doing?" He pointed at the flowerbeds and turned his gaze to me.

I nodded and clasped my hands together, "Yes, it was. Is there a problem?"

“There is a reason we don’t let anyone in here.” He sneered.

I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him to raise his voice at me. "Well then, care to share what that reason is? Or are you going to continue keeping secrets from me?" I placed my hands on my hips.

Marcus' lip flattened to a straight line as he held his glare. I raised my brow, challenging him.

You realize that ability works both ways. I sneered.

What are you talking about? He replied, seemingly confused.

You're having someone keep tabs on Sebastian.

How did you—

Don't even start with me.

You told me he was in your visions, of course I'm going to keep tabs on him, Aurora.

The least you could do was run that by me first instead of taking initiative to do everything yourself.

You said you wanted me away from you. To give you space. The moment I do you're mad at me for what I do when you're not around?

At least send someone to deliver a message to me…

You're unbelievable.

Marcus clenched his fist and stormed out of the garden. All his men quickly followed. The maids stood staring, still in shock.

"Ladies, you already know I'm a witch…but I'm not here to cause anyone harm." I raised my hands in a non-threatening way and watched their expressions unfold.

A few were put at ease as others shook their heads and shuffled out of the garden with haste.

I slouched my shoulders and groaned. "This day honestly couldn't get any worse." I mumbled. "Let's go join the others outside. We need to get everything set up for tomorrow."

Mariam and Heather both nodded and shuffled in place behind me as we exited the garden. "Ladies, go back to your stations, we have much to do today." I ordered the remaining maidens.

"Yes, milady." They spoke in unison as they too disappeared.

I turned to Mariam and shook my head, letting out a long uneasy breath. "I'm already at my wits end with it all."

"Of course," she smiled and turned to Heather. "Go fetch our coats and meet us in the foyer."

"Right away milady." Heather bowed her head and rushed off.

I grabbed Mariam's arm and pulled her out of the garden in haste. She followed along without any complaints until we were out of sight of any onlookers.

"Start talking, Aurora what is going on?" Her worried tone caused my anxiety to spike.

"My mother might possibly know where I am. I don't know what to do. She might send Theil. I can’t have him and Sebastian lurking around here for very long." I mumbled.

Mariam sighed, "It was to be expected, I guess."

I rolled my eyes as Heather came into view.

She's too quick.

Indeed, she is.

There's something with this one but I can't put my finger on it.

I'm beginning to sense that. But no matter.

I had forgotten that Mariam was a witch, and we chose to speak through telepathy rather than out loud as we grabbed out coats from Heather.

I gave her a smile, "Thank you for grabbing this. Now let's head on outside." I slipped my arms into the sleeves and secured the clasp shut.

The three of us walked in silence as we headed for the front gates. The field just outside of those gates is where the festival was to be held, booths and tents were constructed quickly by Marcus' men and some of the villagers.

Clasping my hands in front of me I stopped and watched in dull amusement at the hundreds of people before me as they rushed around with various objects in their hands, working quickly to finish their tasks.

The men gathered around the largest stack of wood and prepared to light it, signifying the start of the Winter Solstice Festival.

The crunching of snow sounded from behind me and based off the aura I was caught off guard for a moment. "Bash, where have you been hiding?" I kept my voice low while continuing to look on ahead.

Mariam interlaced her arm with Heather and dragged her away from us as Sebastian moved to my left.

"Well, dear sister, I was having quite the chat with Marcus and regards to that vision. You told him, didn't you?" He snapped, his tone equally as low and laced with anger.

I nodded and pursed my lips. "Indeed, I did. If you don't mind sharing, what did you two converse about?"

"You know there are hundreds of ears out here listening. Especially now that I have this… leech of a human attached to my backside at all times." He casted a glance over his shoulder at the man standing a few feet away from us.

Well, that's inconvenient.

You're the one who told him.

I sighed.

Maybe I should just kill him instead and go live with Luthor. I joked.

I'd rather you not. Since he was the one who killed Meredith.

It's not surprising. What exactly did mother get out of that? And why do you work for him anyway?

A hand in marriage in exchange for protection. Which then turned into a sacrifice. You should remember, we were both there and the reason I work for him was so I could figure out his ties to Nedget.

My eyes widened. Protection? What the hell could possibly scare a High Witch? Is she insane?

What the hell does a coven with a High Witch need protection from? Does Luthor have something he's hiding? I glanced up at Sebastian, his stoic expression told me everything I needed to know.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the chilled air. "This can't be happening. If he is working with Nedget who knows what that man is going to do once he returns." I grumbled to myself.

"What can't be happening?" Marcus appeared before me. "What are you guys talking about?"

I shook my head and turned to walk away. Marcus grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop. "Just follow me." I interlaced my fingers with his and pulled him away to the tree line in the distance.

"Aurora, stop, we are far enough. Now tell me what's going on?" Marcus pulled his hand from mine and placed them on his hips.

I shifted my gaze to the seemingly untouched snow. "Do you know about the warlock in the far south?" I asked as I turned to face him.

Marcus scoffed, shaking his head. "The crazy man that claims he's a thousand years old. Yes, what about him?"

My bottom lip quivered as I spoke, "He is not a false legend. My father locked him away when I was a child. He...he's going to be coming back. Do you want the truth as to why I ran away?"

"Of course, I do. But I didn't want to push you into telling me. I've already caused you enough harm in the last few months and I'd rather not…" Marcus' gaze shifted behind me as the soft crunching of snow appeared behind us.

"The reason she left is because she is selfish and has no sense of honor." A man's voice snapped behind me.

I turned to see that it was none other than my old coven mate, Theil. The one I knew would spill my true intentions pertaining to why I had left.

"You wouldn't know what honor is if it slapped you in the face." I growled. "They wanted me to marry Luthor so he could use me as a blood sacrifice to keep the chains on Nedget. Just like he did with Meredith." I refrained from using the word tyrant around Marcus as I did not want to trigger another rampage.

"He offered your coven protection against him, yet you decided to come here and hide from them all." Thiel smirked.

“Theil, what exactly are you doing here?”

"I could ask you the same thing, Aurora." The man's scarred lip twitched, his tanned skin was riddled in sacred magic, one that had to be earned through practice and his own achievements. His blue eyes stared into my own.

I clenched my fist and shook my head. "I had my reasons, but you, you're going to—"

"—tell the coven that you’re here in Lyceiar and not wanting to fulfil your role in protecting us from Nedget’s return? Your mother at that? Yes, I am. Because you already know where you're supposed to be tonight and by the looks of it." The man glanced over my head. I was unsure of what or whom he was looking at. "You're not going to come willingly, are you?" He scoffed.

"Theil, I think it would be best if you left." I turned toward Marcus who stood with a deadly glare directed at Theil. "Tell my mother I will not be going to that man, Theil."

"Aurora. I thought you'd know better than to turn your back on me." Theil spoke softly and knowing that tone he was going to cause a scene.

I sighed heavily and turned my head to face him, "Thiel, you should know better than to address the daughter of the High Witch, let alone, remember what my father did to you for casting forbidden magic.” I pointed to the scar on his lip. “And I'd rather not cause a disturbance during this festival. Especially on my birthday. So, I am going to ask you nicely to leave and never come back. I am not going to Luthor. Especially after what happened with Meredith."

Crunching footsteps caused me to shift my gaze once more. To my surprise it was Sebastian and Mariam.

"What is he doing here?" Mariam's face contorted in disgust.

"He wants me to go with him to Luthor." I simply answered and began walking back toward the festivities with my head held high. "But I have other plans. Come, Marcus, let's go light the ceremonial fire. I'm sure we could all use the warmth right about now."

Kill him, I thought to Sebastian.

Theil? He replied with a piqued interest.

Yes. Please. I don’t need him spilling information to our mother dearest.

You realize Theil is more experienced than I am right? But I will get it done if not I will die trying.

Thank you.

I smiled to myself and continued back. "Marcus? Are you coming?" I shouted back at him trying to change the mood as I hopped through my previous indents in the snow.

Marcus quickly caught up to me, his arms wrapped around my waist as he lifted me like a child. "I think it would be easier for me to carry you. The snow is almost as tall as you."

"Oh really? I think it's the fact that you just like touching me. I rolled my eyes at his comment.

"Well, I can crank up the heat if you want." He kissed the top of my head.

The heat rose in my cheeks. "Oh, not right now! That's not fair." I whined.

As we approached the large pile of wood, I shifted my gaze to the villagers who stood with their mouths agape. Some had smiles plastered on their faces while others bowed their heads.

"Marcus, they're staring…" I squirmed in his arms. "Put me down please." I whispered to him as I glanced up to see his honey-colored eyes concentrated on me. "What? Is there something wrong?"

I grabbed a strand of my hair and twirled it between my fingers only to see that my white tresses were now red. "What is this?" I grabbed more of my hair and watched as the white slowly shifted to a shade of deep crimson. "So, it has begun."

"Did you know this was going to happen?" Marcus asked as he gently placed me on the ground.

I was at a loss for words. Granted our magic immensely increased on our thirtieth birthday but I never heard of the changing of hair color. "What color are my eyes?" I looked back to Marcus.

"They are still the same. But I must say." he leaned down to my ear and whispered in a husky tone, "This new color looks good on you. Makes me want to take you back inside—"

I pressed my finger to his lips and turned my head, "Maybe tonight but not right now. Stop trying to ruffle my feathers." I smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips and turned to the onlookers, clasping my hands together. "So, who's ready to light the torch?" I asked.

Cheers broke out amongst the crowd, causing my little smile to form into a toothy grin. "Let the Winter Solstice Festival begin!" I shouted as I turned to the tall stack of wood. With my hand extended, I watched as Sebastian poked his head out from behind the pile, a smile plastered on his face as we both chanted.

"Elvator, flaminecta."

Flames engulfed the wood as it was brought to life with a searing roar. I added a little pop to it as Marcus' wolf insignia jumped out of the flames. It tilted its head to the sky and released a beautiful howl followed along by a stream of fire into the sky that quickly dissipated into the air.

Marcus chuckled at the sight, "That was amazing. I'll give you that."

Gavin, Emmret and Maxwell appeared beside me with smiles plastered on their faces.

"Yep, that settles it then." Marcus stepped in front of me with a toothy grin on his face and drew his sword.

I narrowed my eyes at him as Sebastian's figure stepped between us only for Marcus to drop to a knee in front of me. Collective gasps broke out through the crowd in waves.

I placed my hand on my chest as my eyes scanned over the crowd before shifting back to him. "Marcus, what are you doing? Get up!"

"All hail the queen!" He shouted.

I moved Sebastian out of the way and gazed at Marcus with widened eyes. "What did you just say?" I shifted my gaze up at Sebastian then back to Marcus.

All the men knelt before me as the women bowed their heads. My eyes volleyed over the crowd as the rows of villagers and castle occupants followed the unspoken command of those before them.

I brought my hand to my mouth as tears of joy brimmed my eyes. "Everyone… no I-I can't accept it. This is too much."

"You've won the hearts of your people. Don't disappoint them." Marcus rose from his knee and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to him.

"And, it's your birthday!" Sebastian playfully shouted at the top of his lungs.

I facepalmed and international groaned.

"Don't worry they already knew." Marcus smiled down at me and kissed my forehead causing my heart to flutter. "Someone has a big mouth."

We need to talk later. I thought to Marcus, anxiously.

Before or after the feast.

After of course, we have another blood exchange coming up so…

Ah yes, and I get you to myself for the rest of the evening.

Marcus!

Aurora.

I covered my cheeks to hide the pure look of embarrassment as everyone began shouting.

"Long live the queen! Long live the queen!" The crowds cheering rang in my ears repeatedly.

Taking in a deep breath I couldn't help but shed the tears that clouded my eyesight. "You are all too kind, really! Now please get out of the snow and let the first day of festivities begin!" I jumped with joy.