The King Trials.

Light tingles and airy kisses. Awoken by the north winds of Armathis, I peel my eyes open and heave my torso upright. My senses awaken, heeding to the roar of rushing waters, a salvo of sound that pounds an endless crescendo. My body on automatic; I crawl out of the silky embrace of my bed and my feet meets the cold platform. I glide down the glazed steps of the circular staircase, my crimson satin gown trails behind me in long wavy draws.I walk straight ahead, the domed ceiling that looms high above leads to the hemispherical part of my chamber. Mounted on the ledge, there are four Ionic columns

The evening shadows of dusk fall on the iron gates of the Regnum of Valwa. As per usual, the maidservants have been slaughtering away in the kitchen, preparing choice food. By the time my family and I are beckoned to dine. The elongated table of furnished wood is laden with silver platters.Father walks in first, mother struts behind him at his righthand. Never at his side. Routinely they riven off and they both claim a seat at the head of the twelve-seater table. Seliah and I sit directly at the centre, opposite each other.

The day dawned crisp and clear. The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene.This time this spectacle is not witnessed from my chamber’s ledge, but outside. The Regnum crowns the obsidian, and on an attached annex is an open courtyard that flanks the edifice like an oversized, high waisted-railed, balcony. Floors of dust-swept sandstone, spacious and empty, which is why all of my practical training is done here.

Today is the day.Afore the break of dawn. The world outside is quiet.Unlike the inside of the Regnum.All my luggage, dresses and gowns, shoes and perfumes are all packed and ready to be uploaded. Insid

I take a moment to soak in his features, searing them into my memory. His dark tousled hair with sickle shaped eyebrows and a shapely face that accentuates his arched cheekbones. He has a patrician nose and mirthful eyes despite the sorrow it bears.“Aurora I—”“You what?” I snap. “You’re sorry? Clearly years worth of friendship means nothing to you or else yo