*Eva*
Queen Lena and King Xander sat in their thrones high above the table where I sat. Across from , eleven won I’d never t before looked at with curious, calculating eyes.
Behind , Daphne and Rion stood by the door. Jasper was there too. I could feel everyone’s eyes on , and I felt like a child being scolded for spilling milk.
I was grateful that the rest of the kingdom wasn’t there to see on trial. It was rare to get a private trial, and I wondered if Daphne had pulled a few strings to make it happen.
“Eva, do you know why you are here before the King and Queen and the Kingdom Guardians?” The woman who spoke had a harsh, firm tone. Her eyes narrowed at . She sat in the center of the Guardians with five on each side of her.
“Yes, I know why I am here–to face the charges for the cris I committed against the Royal Family and the Dark Realm.”
“And are you prepared to accept the consequences and pay your debt to society?” Her hardened voice echoed around the cavernous throne room.
I winced and wrung my hands together in my lap, under the table. Quickly, I glanced at Daphne. We’d talked about this, but I still wasn’t sure I was ready to serve ti in a prison cell.
“Ah-hem.” Queen Lena stood up and ca up behind the harsh woman. She placed a hand on her shoulder. “Joline, Eva has already shown a remarkable desire to redeem herself. She helped return Daphne to safety and did not run or fight when we detained her.”
The hardened woman, Joline, arched an eyebrow at the queen.
“Did you have sothing else in mind, Highness?”
The queen looked at . She didn’t smile, but there was softness in her eyes. I breathed out a deep, relaxing sigh. That look told I wasn’t in any danger.
“Eva, do you know who the Kingdom Guardians are?” The queen motioned to the eleven won across from .
I shook my head. “No, Your Highness.”
“These won all have unique gifts, much like yours. Only, they were given the opportunity to learn about their powers and how to use them in defense of this kingdom. They are all very talented won.”
My mouth dropped open and I took a long look at each of them. Before the trial started, I didn’t know any of them had powers. All eleven of them were like ... only they were respected mbers of the Royal Court.
“It is an unfortunate fact that due to limited resources and detection abilities, we are unable to offer the sa opportunity to everyone out there with gifts like yours, Eva,” the queen continued. “Perhaps, your decision to partake in dark magic was a failing of our system and not of your own.”
Sighing, I looked at my lap. The queen was giving an excuse to claim I wasn’t at fault. It was a generous offer, but one I couldn’t accept, not if I was serious about winning their trust and gaining my freedom.
“I cannot say whether or not my life would be different if I had the chance to learn about my powers and attend school with other girls like . I don’t think anyone can say with certainty they would behave differently had they had other opportunities.”
The queen smiled. “Wise words.”
I lifted my eyes for a mont and nodded. “What I can say is that I do regret my actions. I’d like to be the type of person who doesn’t choose to behave that way. I’d like to learn about my powers and see what good they can be used for.”
“Well, Joline, what do you think?” Queen Lena asked.
Joline sighed, almost annoyed sounding. She rose from the table and walked around to my side. Like a vulture, she circled around behind , her piercing eyes never leaving . I felt them like little needles in the back of my head.
“She certainly has potential,” Joline drawled. “Do you want training to be part of her rehab?”
“Rehab?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
“The Guardians and I have discussed at length what’s to be done with you. Since you are quite powerful, Eva, we think it would be better to rehabilitate you rather than imprison you.”
My heartbeat ticked up and I fought the hopefulness growing in my chest.
“I’m more than happy to submit to training.”
“That’s not all we’ll be requiring of you. Even once you are fully rehabilitated and trained, you’ll need to complete a service term to the Royal Family and the kingdom. Though you won’t be bound to the palace, when we call, you’ll need to report in, lest you beco a fugitive again,” the queen explained.
“I understand. All this ti, I’ve had questions about my powers. I’m not going to give up the chance to learn or the path to my own freedom.”
“Good. Joline, I’ll leave it to you to decide who works with Eva.”
The king and queen left but I remained seated. Joline returned to her seat with that sa, harsh look in her eyes.
I could tell by the way the other won shifted and whispered that they weren’t eager to take on as a student. With the way Joline looked at , if it was up to her, I’d be locked in a cell.
She didn’t look like she had any desire to see succeed.
“Given your past indiscretions and the importance of what is at stake with your training, I’ll take you on myself. I promise you, Eva, I won’t be an easy teacher, and you’ll be expected to keep up.”
I gasped and nodded quickly. That wasn’t at all what I was expecting. She looked like she hated . Suddenly, a twinkle entered her eyes and I swore if we were alone, she would’ve smiled at .
“I won’t let you down. I promise.”
The Guardians slowly filed out of the room. I remained seated until they were gone and Rion and Daphne ca over.
“Well, that’s a favorable verdict,” Rion said. He hugged when I stood up.
“Yeah, now I just have to go back to school. It’s the dream.” I rolled my eyes.
Daphne shook her head and laughed lightly. “School or prison?”
“I fail to see the difference,” I muttered. “They are both confined buildings where you have to ask permission to leave and use the bathroom.”
Rion and Daphne both laughed.
“Well, like I said, my parents aren’t unreasonable when it cos to these things. They can see your value. Now, it’s up to you to believe it too.”
“Thanks, both of you. I never thought I’d really get a second chance but now....”
Tears brimd in my eyes and I sniffled.
Rion pulled into his arms again. “I always knew you had a good heart. It’s ti to show the world that, too. You’re sure you want to do this? I an, Joline made it sound like she won’t be easy on you.”
I wiped away a stray tear and pulled back. “It’ll be okay. She isn’t as tough as she looks... I think.”
As we left the throne room, I caught Jasper’s eye. He winked at and my whole face heated up. I must have been red as a beet. For the first ti, I realized we had the chance for an actual relationship, if that was sothing he wanted.
I could never ask him to give up his life or freedom to stand by if I was going to be a fugitive forever.
With the second chance I’d been given, I had a whole new life ahead of , one that I could share with Jasper.
***
On my first morning of training, I t with Queen Lena and Joline out in the palace gardens. Everywhere I went, guards watched –no, they gawked at .
It was so obvious that I was still under constant supervision. Part of couldn’t bla them, but it still felt weird. It was one thing to think everyone was watching . It was another to know that they were.
“Right on ti,” Joline said when I entered the gardens. She nodded to .
The queen spoke. “Don’t be shy Eva. I’m just here to observe. I do have so experience in learning to control magical powers, but Joline will be your ntor and teacher.”
“O-okay.”
I looked awkwardly around the garden. It was a gray day, the threat of rain in the skies, but the air was comfortably warm. “Honestly, I’m not sure how this is supposed to work....”
Joline opened her arms like she was going to hug . “Why don’t you start by telling us about your powers? Between the two of us, we can use our experience to devise an appropriate training course for you based on what you can do.”
The three of us sat at a picnic table with iced drinks, and I told Lena and Joline about my powers and what I was able to do. The two of them listened intently and Joline took notes.
By the ti the sun was setting behind the clouds, they felt like they had a good basis to devise so kind of training program for . Joline asked to et her at the sa ti and place the next day.
I was dismissed and I headed back to my rooms, the palace guards still staring at with big, obvious expressions.
“How was the first day of class?” Jasper teased when I got in.
I rolled my eyes. “I forgot my number two pencil, but they didn’t give detention.”
He grinned. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“I was nervous the whole ti. I keep expecting soone to jump out and scream ‘gotcha’ in my face and slap so shackles on .” I slumped down on the bed and sighed.
Jasper crawled on the bed behind . He started massaging my neck and shoulders.
Like puddy, I lted into his firm, relaxing grip. All the tension dripped out of .
“Mmm.” I leaned into him. “And I thought I was the one with magic powers.”
Jasper chuckled. “I’m here for you, Eva, whatever you need.”
As I lay in Jasper’s arms that night, I listened to the steady thump of his heart and the soft, yet comforting, buzz of his snores.
My future was finally looking brighter than ever, but there were still fears that nagged at the back of my mind.
Rion and Daphne had a life of their own now and I thought they’d leave the palace soon, just like Daphne’s sisters. Would Rion leave behind for his new life?
Sighing, I nuzzled closer to Jasper.
The truth was, now that my future was so different, and without the palace hunting down, there could co a ti when I would be the one to leave the palace and leave Rion behind.
Would I really be able to do that?
Reviews
All reviews (0)