MAGE CHRONICLES: The Beginning.

KING DARIAN.

I watch from above as the leaves settle revealing Rhysand and I must admit, he looked better than I thought he would.

I didn’t really think the girl would be able to break him out; only the wretched woman could undo the spell holding him captive in the library, or so we all believed.

I had learned that lesson the hard way; after sending my most trusted commander with instructions she had practically gloated one night during a drinking binge… hers, I was just a forced participant. In hindsight, I should have known better than to think she would make such a slip-up, drunk or not.

Ricarrd had walked into her trap and had been obliterated, in the following days, his entire family down to pets and slaves were found dead in the most horrifying ways.

Needless to say, I had not tried to free my friend and bonded brother again. I had also taken explicit measures to ensure no one ever tried to break him out. He hadn’t liked it, but he’d understood.

Who knew what a spit-fire little girl would do; I’m not one to have futile hope but I prayed for her family to be safe from the subsequent curse either way.

Khalil and Rhys reunite in a heart wrenching embrace; the two had been closer than brothers, even Keon, the unfeeling bastard looked emotional, I would have been part of the reunion but my actions had created a divide among all of us. The whole scene feels bitter sweet, emphasis on the bitter.

They were right to hate me, I wince, remembering the anger and hate shining in Keon’s eyes when he came for the girl. It makes me hate her and myself more, would I ever be free?

Now even my ‘daughter’ was dead, though it had only been a matter of time. She had threatened them after all, as punishment after I forced Mahina to enter the trials hoping it would keep her safe.

Unable to help it, I wing a little closer to the group just as Eliane joins them, my heart breaking all over again. She had been Meagan’s best friend. This would have been my family if everything hadn’t gone to shit all those years ago.

As if sensing me, Khalil suddenly looks up searching, his sudden movement causes the rest to follow, staring up quizzically. Wishful thinking had me wishing they’d see me but I knew they couldn’t. I was incorporeal, there was no way any of them would see me unless I willed it, only…No way!

I stare aghast not believing my eyes. Mahina was staring straight at me as if she could see me hovering above them. I’m about to sift out when I notice her gaze was quizzical, curious, I waited to see if she’d alert the rest but she didn’t.

She looked so much like her, I muse, especially with her head tilted and that expression on her face.

It had been painful when I first saw her, but that lasted until she opened her mouth.

My Meagan was a stickler for decorum, she wouldn’t have been caught dead speaking like the girl did, especially in public.

This is not the time for this Darian, I scold myself trying to summon the will to leave. I had brought this on myself.

Mahina must see the change in my expression because her own softens, and then with a nod, she turns back to the rest before they notice.

I should head back home, the distraction I had left for my sons, so they could make it to faery wouldn’t hold long.

Those hot-headed boys! I was going to explain everything to them, but with everything that happened, I knew they’d be in no mood to listen.

It had pained me to see them bond with their ‘sister’ and I had tried my best to keep her from them several times, but that only cemented their protective nature.

I was the villain and she was the victim. If only they knew.

Now she was dead, one less problem to deal with.

I opt to fly back instead of sifting, even though I knew it won’t trigger the wards. Despite all I did, all my sins against them and against our bond, they hadn’t made sure my signature wouldn’t be allowed back. They hated me, but maybe not beyond hope,

I didn’t deserve them, at all, but at least I had sort of helped them.

My guilt doubles almost crippling me, but I fight back shoving all my memories down. I should go back and face the consequences waiting for me in Bright, from her, from my sons, and that damn council. I force my thoughts to settle and focused on enjoying the breeze in my wings, and my hair.

I make it back to Bright faster than I wanted; though true, the thought adds to my guilt.

I shouldn’t be thinking like that, I had made this my home for my sons, and to keep her away from everyone else, but it had grown, I had citizens now; despite my efforts to avoid the same and I had responsibilities.

I land next to the library where I see my sons helping some of the knights injured during the scuffle with Keon.

Dain sees me first, but before he could say anything, Cain sees me too.

Face red with anger or exertion, I wasn’t sure but knowing him, definitely the former, he strides purposefully to where I am hands fisted.

Would he do it?

I brace myself for the punch from my son but it never comes.

“This is what makes me angrier,” he snarls his voice drowning in disgust, “This! Your willingness to accept punishment, you’ve accepted our anger though justified with no repercussions which is crazy enough. What the hell father? What is going on?”

Before I can answer him, Jain speaks up, “Where have you been, you all but disappeared earlier and then Dolly went all grim reaper on everyone.”

Grim reaper? I told her no casualties, she must have been madder than I thought, they did hurt her dragon though, so they kind of had it coming. No one touches that stupid green dragon, especially when Dolly is around.

“I followed them hoping to catch them before they made it back, you were holding me back.” I answer.

“So” starts Dain, “Did you?”

“No, I didn’t, they had already entered the wards when I caught up.”

Silence reigns as Cain scans me again.

“Why aren’t you sad? I know you didn’t love her that much, but she was still your child, and she got killed, you don’t look torn up about it,”

Everything almost comes out as I stare at my Cain. For the first time in a long time, his tone towards me wasn’t angry or condemning but curious. It takes everything in me not to spill anything. They would be in danger, I had hot-headed sons, and they would definitely do something stupid.

I go to answer something that will rile him up, when Garian butts in. Where did he even come from?

“Careful there your highness, we don’t want to make things worse.”

His expression tells me that’s exactly what he really wants.

His words capture the attention of my sons who stare quizzically, I had to do something.

Walking closer to him, I strike out fast, hitting him behind the knees and yanking his hair back as he falls to his knees.

“Gary, Gary, Gary, what did we say about knowing one’s place?” I ask feigning disappointment.

Before he can answer, Dolly lands next to us, not her Eiffel tower self but a downsized version.

She huffs blowing smoke towards us, and my sons the smart boys move away.

The idiot I was holding however, doesn’t know how to read a situation and opens his big mouth.

“What, you think your overgrown lizard scares me, she cannot do shit, she’s on the same lea…arghhh!”

His words die in a scream as Dolly fries his hair.

“You stupid shit, you ruined my…”

Oh, the idiot,

Dolly opens her mouth to do more damage undoubtedly but sadly enough I cannot let that happen.

I’m already in deep shit with his master, as much as his corpse would please me, the consequences would be a pain in the ass.

“Don’t waste your energy here Dolly, let’s go make the councilmen pee their pants.”

Placated, she disappears in a whoosh and I watch her tattoo slide down my arm settling with teeth bared, she had the cutest smile, my Dolly.

I turn to leave before my sons think to take apart whatever Garian just blurted.

“Wait what do we do with him?” Jain asks pointing at the writhing Garian, Mahina called him Chad and I was beginning to think she had a knack for naming.

“Whatever you want, just make sure he’s still alive.” I answer.

The responding smirk on Cain’s face and the resulting grimaces on his brothers almost makes me feel bad for Chad, almost.