14 Serein

Voting will be a revolting thing for silent readers. And for who made it till here...congratulations my flamingos- you shall now enter chaos.

The rest of the night I got pelted with a wad of information. Hann Slantis impersonated a brooding ghost by the corner, while Marlon Saga laid down a foundation of what my role demands me to be. I was to attend the University Of Esseth located inside the premise of the palace area, the addition of one more activity wouldn't have thrilled my fancy if Marlon wouldn't have mentioned the mandatory conduct for all the new aspirants from Found to do the same. It meant I get to see Dorin tomorrow and my very happy smile and glee was met by Marlons fascinated shake of head.

My celebration and mirth were short lived when the General advised that I must rest before the schooling night, Marlon agreed. In fact it was him who accompanied me into navigating the effortlessly forgettable path to the place we came from. Cutting it from the same corner of black floors and copper walls, it is when I realized that I wasn't provided with my own room.

Sure they don't trust me.

I wouldn't do that if I were them, it's wise.

But among all the other alternatives they chose to throw me into the most isolated and haunted region of Falls, The Ezdans den.

I wonder if they would allow me to be in the vicinity as same as their Heir when my identity is bare. A Helian girl with warnings that's so naked that with the exception of the Ezdan himself, none would be able to save me.

It was unfair to count him as my possible saviour. He plays my anchor and shoves me to drown when I have air enough in my lungs to survive. He behaves as someone who believes he has me perceived and known. And the scary thought is- he seems to know. Know what I don't.

It's a behaviour of a prey, not that of a well wisher.

And I am unfamiliar with many aspects of normal life to comprehend him. It begins with the standard of education that I couldn't receive on diplomatic strategies. But my lesson on patience got surprisingly initiated by his sleeping form on the mighty bed. He was in the same fit that I had seen him last with. His legs encased in boots were crossed by the ankle and his forearm slung across hiding his eyes from me, the manner his lips were part in slight and the rise and fall of his chest by the lazy half-unbuttoned shirt- it was evident.

He had collapsed.

I sank into the divan chair beside the little cliff of untouched food. I wait for a minute, then I pick and bite into one of the creamy fondants of cake. Then I scoff it down in a fashion so unladylike that the insufficient feminity in me is terrorised by it. Then I move to the meat, then the seasoned potatoes floating in a soup, because one can be poor and starving and yet prevail to be finicky.

I liked the potato.

Not the soup.

I also study the Ezdan under the lustrous hues his room is illuminated with, which is a proof of how good of a creep I could be if approved. His veins run across his arm, from the fold of the sleeve it disappears by the hem of the glove by the wrist. Though he is built with lean muscle, the proof is enough to accept humbly that one of his punches can take two of my teeth.

"You can summon a demon by how you eat"

Sounding like slumber and void, husky -he removed his arm from his face and stared at the ceiling. His long lashes soaked with sleep. He stared at his ceiling as if accusing it of hanging there disintrestingly. I chew while I hear him shuffle, his face angles to watch me with a lazy blink- a side of it pressed against the cushion.

I swallow the food, I also swallow the pride infected by a nonsense that sings me a ballad on his attractiveness.

"Failed to picture you as one who believes in demons" i dip my fingers in a dishbowl with clean water that's kept for the purpose of cleaning? The water is lukewarm and smells of citrus- it also strips away any form of oil and grease from the skin, rendering it supple and sterile.

It smothers me to be under his watch, so I watch him too. A careless smile forms by the corner of his lip as if he is delighted by the attention on him.

"How can I not believe in them" he says "Aren't you mine?"

I pause. I contemplate. I am furious.

"Your what?" my laugh is sarcastic to its bone "Devil? Demon? What did I ever do to you?"

He returns to be disappointed at his monolithic roof, and I trick my ear into not believing that he mumbled something brattily to himself. If he intends not to answer- I am not approaching him. He is stable while in bed and half vicious awakeness. It's the most harmless he ever looked.

"Let your hair free Tommy. Breath. Be what you are meant to be within the walls of this chamber" his eyes bore into mine, shadowed "No one comes here"

I think of his words. I search for his motive. Then I throw away the pinnacle of worry that nips at my skin and do as he suggested. I sigh when it comes undone, like soft waves of water it pools by my shoulder and neck. His eyes are a blend of mysterious devotion. As if he has dedicated and christened this moment to my name. To the girl, I am beneath the layers I hide.

He doesn't ask me about the meeting I had with saga and the General - but something else.

"I need to know your name" he closes his eyes briefly, pushing his body up into sitting. He scrutinized narrowly at my silence "You must realise that I will find it out eventually"

I hesitate at the lively interest he asserts, he sat there patient- blinking his exhaustion away. And when i don't respond. His chest heaves in a lazy dissatisfaction, then he purposed me with an offer.

"What if I tell you something personal in return for it?" It was a sweet treat- to lure a child into trap. I take it- though there isn't much he could with a name.

"Iris," I tell him "It also Is the most impractical thing in my life. The name that's never taken. I might even fail to answer to it"

His look isn't speculative but faintly amused. And I am reminding my heart of the things he had threatened me with. He is nothing more than a manipulator.

"A name as beautiful as that shouldn't be neglected. Don't you agree Iris" I hate it. I hate how wrong I have been. The name, my name in his voice- it consumes me. It should be liberating to be known- to be seen. But with him, I am anything but that. Vulnerable. It's what he makes me. Weak and so so- confused.

But yet- I like it. I cherish it in my memory.

"I have waited for you" My eyes snap to his, he leans a little - holding my stare. "My whole life I think, has been about you. It's my personal secret"

I am all set and braced to be sick by his said intimate confession- but he continued

"I don't mean that to objectify. Not with what you could do or what you can be. Only you. Just. You" my heart speeds at the sliver of the frigid tightness in his utterance, almost as if he was mad at my angry face, at the gleaming display of my disbelief at his alleged truth.

Such a cunning manipulator.

"You don't know me" I gulp, he glowered.

"You think?"

"I have never crossed paths with you, not unless you have been to Ivyaki for your annual vacation since many visit the Isles and Glaze for some joyous near-death adventures" I don't yearn to stop and evaluate his movements, I tug at my hair- combing my fingers through with a tired smile "I have always been used. I am not complaining if that is what you would do. Falsifying a tale solely to get me to agree for-

"You like dandelions" he cuts through, sharp like blade "Despite not having seen or touched them, you like it because they are yellow and remind you of sun and heat"

A rush of something cold washes me. I pale at the confident arc of his brow. My lips part and my mouth parch. He uses it to his advantage- I stood up in abruptness. He doesn't bat an eye but raised it to follow my movements from his position.

"You think of sky and clouds when you can't sleep, it aids your restless thoughts. There is this habit where you lay your hand by your heart to hold you from crying and also this, where you detest when someone looks at your face for far too long. It agitates you or simply makes you shy" It falls around me like confetti. The facts, the truth that no one will ever know because these are habits. The most intimate moments of mine that anyone would ever notice. Because it's something impossible to be seen unless-

"I have felt it," he says, there's a breathy smile and I have abandoned my standing body- that for some reason stood up to defend itself. Spellbound I crack through with a fragile voice.

"What do you mean by felt Ezdan?"

There's a whip, so quick a change in him at the mention of his name, his blood. And it was gone faster than it came. He stood up this wise, intimidating my stature- but there was a cautious manner with which he spoke.

"It is said that there is a mystical link between a curse and the cursed" something in my chest violently broke and I had no time to spare at its pain.

"I am not- it's not- it can't be"

My pathetic stutters had no effect on him. Not that I search for empathy- but a restraint. I feel the bittersweet rage filling me. The kind of anger I am not accustomed to. My cheeks heat and my knuckles strain. And the scary wonder was- Does he know how badly I thirst to smack his face?

He could he feel? Feel what I feel?

"You- you parasite" I hiss a whisper. He blinked. Twice. "You can read my mind?

I gasp. Raising my fist to my neck.

"Get out of me or I will hit you. Very hard. I might do it to because I have been longing for it since the day I met you. The real you. There is nothing more I have committed myself to that this"

He stayed committed to his form and silence, his arms folds across his chest while I maintained my mousey posture. Was I entertaining him?

"Pervert"

Surprisingly this tickles a reaction out of him. A grunt escapes him and he closes my fist with one of his big hands, pinning it down to my waist. Meanwhile, I resist and fail from taking a glimpse of his beautifully long lashes. His eyes linger on me for some good time. I struggle to remove my arms from his grasp.

"I don't look for it. It comes to me regardless of my wish. And they are mere feelings and emotions, I don't see you or read your mind. Though I doubt I would find anything worth my interest in there" he stepped aside, I snort mockingly.

"I am a Helian. We are known for our beauty and charisma" I point a diligent finger at him, fiery spirit crackling around me "I don't require validation from any man. Let alone you" I trail off looking around the room then back at him "Why? Why am In your room? Aren't you afraid of me?"

He smiles. A very dangerous smile. Soft yet cunning "Just how much are you aware of our situation Tommy?"

I take a cautious step away-

"I am believing you," I say. Admit in the not spur of moment "I could be what you imply. Your ruin. But why are you doing this? Binding us into a future - and why do you get to know me? What kind of sorcery are you transpiring me into? I am flooding with questions Ezdan, and you will answer them"

I exhale, carefully.

"Fine"

I am astounded.

"That was quick"

He looked boyish with a mischievous charm. Very coldly calculated charm.

"Why are you being nice to me now?" I ask, genuinely concerned.

He sat back in his bed, tearing his fingers through his hair- taming it.

"I tried to intimidate you. But it seems i lose myself everytime I feel the fear you have of me. It changes now" His grey eyes are intense when he paused for a moment, he then smiles ever so slowly "Because you, my curse- is the closest thing ever that I have to a soulmate. And I protect what belongs to me"

***

Ezdan wasn't lying.

It was the first conversation I had with Marlon the moment he knocked on the doors to my bedroom. I had a space located within his room. A secret adjoining chamber similar to the one in the base where I was kept after trials. The Ezdan had inferred that I get some rest before the long day ahead of us.

Of us?

I was flustered. I was speechless and he wielded the excuse to his benefit and ordered me to leave with a subtle flick of his thumb towards a grandiose gold door that I was convinced would lead to his wardrobe.

"This place used to be his dresser-" exclaims a shocked Marlon who sized the area with his deer eyes. He tapped the walls, strolled the floor and took a tour of the adjacent bath. There are some books on a shelf, a firebox, some paintings of spring and summer, a desk, a couple of jars with delicacies- mostly sweet- I did try them last night and a trunk full of new clothes. Very- fashionable men's clothes for my use.

"When did he do this?" Marlon poked his head from the bath- then strolled back when he realized I was the least familiar person to them in the room. "Forget I asked. Let us focus on the uniform you have on-" he grins, lighting up in delight as he took my visage in. The suit I donned is the ensemble mandated by the university codes. Dark shirt and trousers with green- blue overcoat that buttons up to my neck in sophistication, it has me swooning in timidness. It might be tailored for boys, but it was elegant with a short cape to steal the show. It isn't just me, but the saga offered related thoughts on it-

"You look like a little Royalty"

A plain brown glove gets handed to me - I pull and tug them in. They were the usual ones, not the Ventims sheath. With a flex of my fingers, I eagerly hop into the forgotten stint of conversation.

"Sir Saga, you happened to be telling me more about the curse and its subject. Something about them being able to sense the other's weakness and strenghts" I draw out, fidgety on my feet as I exit my room to another empty one. The Ezdan has already left- it was excruciating to know how close he was last night- but the worry wasn't precise enough to meddle with my weary body. The sleep sinked me in faster than my approaching thoughts could.

"Why are you such a curious lad today Timo? Specifically about something that doesn't concern you" He gave me a doubtful stare as we walked. I had to jog to even with his pace.

I chuckle outside. I scream inside.

"If you haven't noticed yet sir, I happen to share the room with someone who is a victim of such situation. I would relish to know more of what I am dealing with" he stops. I do too. My spirit worries at Marlon's empty stare- then he broke. Laughed in a way that reverberated throughout the halls. I see people scattered somewhere far in identical attire as me, they turn to look at us. The attention tenfolds and I had my eyes fastened upon the maniac of a man beside me. He exhales grinning and clutching his chest.

"Call him victim at his face sometime. He will reward you, for sure"

Catching up to my displeased pose Marlon shakes his head.

"The curse is- it's simply a phrase lent to someone who brings destruction to our people. Imagine if the curse was born to a Rixilian blood and is bound to kill an Antarian prince. He is practically the hero of his realm, isn't he?" he paused, opened a door to another foyer that buzzed of students. They don't notice us yet- "But unlike an intentional assassination, it's nature that chose them for a cause. Perhaps it's the reason why both hosts aren't immune to each other. Almost like a musical tale of lovers if I say so. A game of cat and mouse until one wins the battle. But not much could be said because the last of such event took place when the world was in the brink of disaster centuries ago- when scholar Azriel Arran created the ring, his curse managed to kill him before he could destroy the balance with it."

Arran.

A name the Antarians learn before their own. He is taught, he is warned. He is used as an example of what one shouldn't ever seek. He was killed by his brother.

I hold the breakfasts gut in and stood presumptuously.

"So the brother was his curse? Could they have known each others minds?" I say breathlessly from the walk and truth. "Does it mean that His Highness and his thoughts can be equally exposed as well?"

"Most certainly. Not entirely for sure. But some things are powerful enough to radiate. Though I highly doubt Lian will give such benefit to anyone" the students see us. They see Marlon. They drop in greeting as the silence takes over. My palms are clammy with sweat and the glove is suddenly heavy on my wrist.

"So it's like a fate they can't escape?" I ask foolishly, it must astonish him of how unaware I am.

"Oh they can," he says and hopes lits my heart. He smiles at people ahead "It will depend on who gets killed first"

***

I could be living with my potential murderer. Eating the food he serves, sleeping in the bed that he provides and even poking into depths of the deepest worries I hide. I want to rip something apart, it could be my hair or the cape of the girl who stood next to me with occasional flirtatious glances passed across to the boy on the other side of me.

I yearn to hold on to something and never let go- and that's when I see him. Dorin- he stood by the centre pillar among many students who crowded around. My legs carry my desperation and when he felt the burn of my gaze- he does the same.

And once again we are reunited in an embrace that I had longed for.

It was years in days and he smelled like him. Like spring. Like home.

"I want to dunk you head I a crater of floating dead fish" his voice shakes and I bury my nose into the plush gatherings of his uniform. He wasn't wearing a cape, but the rest of what I wore- he did too.

"You stink like dead fish?" I chuckle.

"It's better than smelling awfully pleasant like the Royals" he paused, his brow knit as he inhaled pessimistically "It's odd that a couple of good clothes and you effortlessly seem to fit among them. It's scary"

Silence.

The buzzing atmosphere travels in waves. I push back annoyed at the baseless accusative tone of his. He sternly took account of our vicinity, grabbing my arm he makes me walk alongside until we were don'tuflaged behind a safe wall- away from the prying stares.

He pins me with a stare, a dent by his jaw as he clenched his teeth. Hard. He was sedating me with distress. I have hidden too many things from him to be blaming it on his attitude.

"Do you want to tell me what it is? " He asks, I have kept him in dark for far too long to have remained unseen. He knows something is wrong- it has been unravelling for a time now. "You have been gone for three days and the last I saw you were with the three high borns, and then you disappeared after the attack. And so did the Heir. I was told that you were secure with him- but why we're you with him in the first place? Do you realize what kind of a worry you put us through? I haven't slept in days Timo"

My tongue laxed as he weaved the puzzle, not that his mouth gave way for me to intervene.

"The aspirants are making up rumours on your cause, they are angry at the Elite treatment you have been receiving from the officials" I am wrenched in a soft shake as he held my shoulders in what I presume is comfort. But he warns me nonetheless "This is not a good sign. These people are ruthless- and they are convinced that you are being favoured"

I watch the top of his head and not his eyes. I can't meet his disbelief when I tell him the truth.

"They are not mistaken" I swallow, his clutch on me goes stiff "There's so much that had happened Dorin. And i- and i-

"And you and the other aspirant need to get back to the foyer where the ceremony is to commence soon" Yanked aside by Dorin at the surprising call, I see a girl no older than us smile- she had her costume fashioned similar to us with a skirt and brooch to clip the velvet cape by her collar. But the colour varied- while ours were celestial blue- hers was bronze beige, a shade accustomed to worn by Curators. Her nose was slightly crooked- and a thin scar cut through her brows- her dark skin glowed against the sunlight and her face fell when none of us replied.

"I am sorry if I startled you," she said, her voice was unique- deep and warm like honey, but wide with authority "I monitor the premise and you both will undoubtedly get in trouble if late"

I shift to sneak a glance at the unusual quietness by Dorins part and I regret it immediately. He still held my hand I felt a surge of fuzzy heat in the pit of my stomach. And I am suddenly attracted towards the girl in front of me- so wild that I sigh at the modest lips of hers.

Then I gasp- my eyes widen and in a brittle flinch, I jump away from Dorin. Who looked at me in confusion- but his pupils remained dark and hazy. A man's gaze. And Dorin was one- and I unconsciously had a stroll in his consciousness. A very immoral consciousness.

"We should listen to her" I croak, the tension decapitates as I look at him with guilt. His questioning stare was never getting answered. Not unless I want to embarrass him in future or if the situation calls for some harmless blackmailing "Will you take us Miss? I think our group had left without us" I watch her smile wider, specifically a lingering one at my friend beside.

"It's Fluer" she extends her gloveless hand at me and I notice the lack of it on her. I meet her greeting and Dorin does the same. I refrain from theorizing what might still be flaring in his mind and hastily fought against it. Fleur -the monitoring senior does what was asked- requested of her. Escorted us to the cardinal grounds of the university and I am unnerved by my decision to have kept my belly half empty.

The institution was a massive extension of Falls palace that doesn't seem to have a boundary or end to it. The buildings themselves are old, the walls made of stone and glass with wooden pillars. To memorize a pattern would be futile and hence for the cause we were stacked with a map and a guide after the ceremony- which was a blaringly long summary orated on the history of the greatest educational territory we were blessed to be harbouring in.

The Antarians liked to boast about themselves a lot. I noticed.

The words of a flashy-dressed chief's head rushed above my head the moment my eyes met that of General Slantis who stood behind the head chief on the grandly elevated platform. His gaze strayed longer at me than necessary- only to sweep over the rest in a classic coldness. Maybe the General dislikes mornings or maybe he detests my face. But I am joyous as he appears to be having a monotonous bad day.

That makes two of us.

A sour taste fills my mouth, my lips twist at the prospects of being knotted by fate to the Ezdan. And Hann Slantis is a man appointed for the cause, he won't stumble a thought before piercing his sword through my heart. For the rest of the excursion, I keep my shoulder slouched- hiding among the shadows of my group, shrinking with numbness inside and mumbling a reply for everything that Dorin asked.

Most are some whispers regarding my well-being or how I looked in likes of a wet rat.

I could be breaking into cold sweat- but I am too immersed in the present. The students from every single group were made to enter a domed arena entirely made of white stone- they altered and separated us by what I assume were ranks, divided the students into columns and rows. I think I saw Castle and Slate sent somewhere to the back- but Dorin was beside me- in a row peripheral to mine. From where I could see him, reach him.

Our stares are even- composed and calm for this circus. Officials in suits spill in, seven of them, the silence in the room was loud, prominent enough that I heard a girl tattle her teeth apprehensively. A woman takes the centre- her grey robe hemmed an inch above the ankle glistened with her actions, the almond-shaped eyes, identical to that of Marlon squints at the sturdy parchment clipped between her slender fingers.

And then she picks out the aspirants chosen by the trainers.

My stomach dipped.

It's the selection.

Initially, the drafting began with five students named to a single trainer- I vaguely recall Marlon explain the proficiency the comes with ranking higher than the others. The ones with less impressive strength are bunched in groups, the number of candidates condenses as the grade increases- and soon the system fits in place.

"Castlena Birch, Fluer Madezza, Slate Willows- assigned to the Ambassador Of Diplomat" the lady tilts her head in discomfort to watch as the three aligned together, forming their trinity "Lord Marlon Saga" she announced.

No sooner than the name left her lips, beads of uneasy shuffle swept through. They spin, peek and crane to look at the three who were accepted by a Highborn. The numbers began to lower with rest of the list. And soon it was the turn of the last six of what they deem as Aces.

One mentor- for One.

One of Us.

The front row remained intact. I could feel the hot stare of Dorin on the side of my skull, but I don't return the look. This is a disaster in progress. I might not get to see such drama unfold for a long time in future. So I devote my attention.

"Calla Zen- to train under Armin Ophelia Amani...

"Elmer Verne- under the guidance of Curator Rowen Larton...

I am beyond famished when I see the fourth Ace step forward with his hands clasped back- he was the serpent boy from Found. The poison weaver- one of the most deathly powers to be born with. Evander Hollin is what he got addressed by. He somehow managed to pass by and throw a dirty glance my way simultaneously.

Silva Coven- the spirit of storm smiled at the anchor when it was her turn, her curly blonde mane bounced at the pride she walked with. the image of her ruthlessly impaling her instigator- a three-headed mongrel with a strike of lightning wakes in my memory. But I don't have enough time to bask on it as I hear them call for Dorin.

"Dorin Rixen-

He took his spot-

"- will train under the guidance of General Hann Atlas Slantis"

This wise the resilence breaks. like beads falling to floor- a racket of chatter arose. With the General selecting the second Ace- it leaves me with a surprise. But was it a surprise for me though? Ezdan has been been vocal about his intentions since the day I woke up in base. I merely wait for his name to be taken with mine. The woman's stare lingers on my face, her unsaid judgement hangs atop of me like shrilling bells of warning.

"Timothee Kasper- you are to assemble under the guidance of

I claw at my wrist- I freeze with my breath.

"The northern defender- Lord Erix Meir Morana"

Sooooo...its not our man huh? We shall welcome Lord Erix in next chapter with some popsicles.

Tell me what you think of characters so far...theories are most welcome. Have a fun day-

P.s unedited :)