Chapter 3 The Test Of Truth
Elara pressed herself against the wall her chest tight her wrist burning The shadow in the doorway moved closer She could see the shape now a palace guard tall and broad He stepped inside the room his eyes cold and hard
“Elara” he said his voice low but serious “the king wants to see you now”
Elara’s heart jumped She shook her head “No please I did nothing wrong I am just a servant”
The guard frowned “You do not have a choice Come with me” He stepped forward and grabbed her elbow firmly
Elara yelped and tried to pull back but he was stronger She glanced around the room but it was empty The other servants had gone She had no one to help her Not even Draven
Her mark on her wrist pulsed bright She hugged her sleeve tighter but the glow escaped just a little The guard saw it His eyes widened just for a moment He narrowed them quickly and did not speak
Elara felt panic curl in her stomach “Please I did not do anything wrong I swear”
The guard said nothing He motioned for her to follow He walked through the corridors the torches flickering shadows dancing along the walls Elara tried to keep her head down but her wrist throbbed She could feel the magic calling She did not want it to escape
They passed the kitchen the dining hall servants stared at her Some whispered “Did you see her hand” “She is cursed” “She has forbidden magic”
Elara felt fear coil in her chest Her steps quickened She tried to breathe slowly but the panic would not let her She was being led to the throne room She could hear voices faintly far ahead The king’s voice strong and sharp
The guard opened the large double doors of the throne room and pushed her inside Elara stumbled She looked up and saw the king sitting on his throne Kael stood to the side his face tight with tension Liora lingered near the back her eyes wide with triumph
“Elara” the king said his voice deep and commanding “A guard tells me he saw your hand glow with forbidden magic Is this true”
Elara’s stomach turned She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out The room felt huge her heart hammered Kael’s eyes flicked toward her a mix of confusion and suspicion Draven was not here She felt completely alone
“I-I” she stammered trying to find words “I do not know what you mean I swear I did not mean anything”
The king’s eyes narrowed “Silence You will answer truthfully”
Elara swallowed hard She could feel the mark on her wrist pulsing under her sleeve Her fingers twitched She wanted to cover it but it was too late The faint glow leaked out a little just enough for Kael and the guards to notice
The room gasped Some courtiers whispered others stepped back Kael’s eyes widened slightly but he did not say anything The king’s face went pale with shock and fear
“This cannot be” the king said his voice rising “A servant with forbidden magic How could this happen How could we have missed it”
Elara’s heart pounded She wanted to run She wanted to hide But she was trapped She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her She felt the glow getting stronger She tried to control it but it pulsed like it had a mind of its own
Kael stepped forward “Father please I can explain She did not do anything wrong”
The king turned his glare on him “You dare defend her Kael Do you not see what this means She is dangerous She is marked She has the forbidden power”
Liora smiled from the corner her eyes sharp with hate “Your Highness she cannot be trusted I saw it myself”
Elara’s throat was dry She wanted to cry She tried to explain again “I-I do not know how this happened I swear I did not mean it”
The king slammed his hand on the armrest His face red with anger “Enough You will be locked up until sunrise We will question you further then Guards take her away”
Two palace guards stepped forward Elara’s heart jumped She tried to struggle but she was weak She felt the mark burning hotter than before Her magic wanted to rise She pressed her hands over it Her fingers tingled with energy
“Wait” Kael said his voice low but urgent “Father please be careful She did not start this”
The king shook his head “No She is dangerous Until we know the truth she will stay locked away”
The guards grabbed Elara’s arms They pushed her forward She stumbled through the corridors Her hands pressed against her chest She could feel the magic inside her pulsing stronger She wanted to run but they held her tight
The palace felt different now Shadows seemed longer The walls darker The torches flickered with strange light She could feel whispers following her in the corners of the hall She imagined the glow from her hand spreading like fire She pressed her sleeve tighter but it was not enough
They reached the cell A small dark room deep under the palace The door was heavy and cold The guards shoved her inside She hit the stone floor hard
Elara gasped She looked around The walls were damp The floor cold Her mark burned under her sleeve She pressed it against her chest She wanted to scream She wanted to run She wanted Draven She wanted someone
The guards slammed the door shut The lock clicked She was alone Her heart thumped in her chest The torches outside flickered dimly The sound of footsteps faded The silence was heavy
Elara pressed herself against the wall She could feel the magic inside her pulsing like it wanted to escape She hugged her sleeves tighter She could not let anyone see She tried to breathe slowly but her chest hurt She felt fear twisting in her stomach
She thought of Kael His face confused yesterday His eyes sharp now She wondered if he would believe her She thought of Liora smiling She knew she would never forgive this She thought of the guard who brought her here His eyes hard and cold She wondered what he had really seen
She felt the mark pulsing stronger and stronger Her fingers itched She tried to control it She pressed her palms together She felt sparks inside her Her body shivered Her hair lifted slightly She whispered to herself
“I did not do this I did not do this”
But the magic was alive It wanted to rise It wanted to be seen It wanted freedom
The cell was dark Her breath quick Her heart thumping She hugged her sleeves tighter but she knew She could not hide it forever The guards had seen something They had reported it The king had ordered it
The magic pulsed like a drum inside her It filled the small cell It wanted out It whispered to her It called to her She could feel it vibrating in her blood She pressed herself against the wall trying to stay small trying to be invisible
She heard a faint whisper from somewhere deep in the cell Or maybe from inside her head
“Elara… you cannot hide anymore”
Her eyes widened The mark on her wrist glowed brighter than before The cell walls seemed to shake slightly Her fingers tingled Sparks of light danced under her sleeve She hugged her arms around herself trying to keep it in
She sank to the floor Her back against the stone wall Her eyes wide in fear She knew tonight would not be quiet She knew the king would question her She knew her magic would not stay hidden
And somewhere deep in the palace Someone was already watching her
