Chapter Ninty: The Bond between Enemies

Ember and Aurora's altercation had left both, speechless. Ember had done so much, and tried thousands of different strategies to fix the world itself and nothing she had done, had ever seemed to work. And yet, she remained relentless. And though some solutions seemed far easier than others, there were things that were beyond even her own control.

And though it felt to get things off her chest, Ember knew having these altercations would endanger Kara's wellbeing. And though it would be difficult, she would do all that she could to restrain herself.

Whilst doing her best to stay out of the way however, Aurora consistently did all that she could to stand in her way. Summoning her to her room, and offering nothing to say, claiming it to be a mistake. Having guards approach her and question her relentlessly even though she had been excused by Aurora herself.

The frustration had lasted for days before Ember would finally lose her patience and speak up. This had been a long time coming and even though she would have to control her anger, she would not be gentle in losing it on Aurora.

" Bursting through the doors of her bedroom, Ember made a direct line towards Aurora was trying on a new gown, surrounded by several hand maidens who were aiding her with the dress.

" I am tired of the games Aurora" Ember stood directly behind Aurora who didn't bother to even turn to her direction.

" I can assure you that I have no idea what you are talking about" Aurora began fluffing her hair with her hand, as Ember grew more impatient. " We both know damn good and well that you have been sending your goons to pester me. And if you keep this up. Then- "

"Then what? You will do what exactly? Hurt me? By doing so you would be hurting the child you are trying to protect" Aurora was cocky, but seemed to be plotting something that Ember could not quite place.

" You are safe as long as the child is inside you but that does not mean that you are going to be safe forever. Do not continue to push me like this" Embers threats were completely ignored however.

" if you have a problem with me then by all means, do something about it " Aurora continued to groom herself.

Ember stepped forward and grabbed Aurora by her hair, wrenching her head back but making sure to maintain her balance so that she wouldn't fall.

" Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, so allow me repeat myself" Ember leans forward so that she is near Auroras ear. " I am not the one that you want to mess with. And it would serve your best interest to not upset me" Embers voice was much deeper and darker than it had been previosuly.

" Because whilst I have grown tired of these cycles more than you could know..I could always put and end to you and this entire damn kingdom at my leisure" Ember let go of Aurora and dissapeared from the room, as though she were never there at all.

Aurora, was slightly shaken but kept the smirk across her face. She knew that she would never be able to take on Ember, but mind games were never completely off limits from their truce.

" I know that I am not loved or beloved. I have seen the cycles as well through her own eyes. And I know that no matter what I do, I am destined to die..deal or no deal. But, I refuse to go quietly. And I damn sure will not be intimidated for trying to do the right thing" Aurora spoke aloud though only to herself.

It had been a long time since Aurora had ever filled any form of competition or any threat whatsoever. Partially due to her self imposed superiority but also due to the fact that she had been the most capable Witch in recent time. Her wisdom, her intellect, her natural raw talent, her refined social skills..she was the pinnacle of what a Witch should aspire to be, in her own opinion.

Ember retreated back to her own space, a place outside the Kingdom walls, under a twisted willow tree. She released a long, stress filled exhale, having felt relieved that she had finally gotten her message across to Aurora though she had not said everything she had wished to say. But at least for the time being, she would finally have some peace.

The sooner that Kara was born, would be all the better for her though. " I know that I have made this easy for you " a voice called from behind the tree.

" I don't want to speak with you " Ember rolled her eyes as Aurora stepped out from behind the tree and took a seat beside Ember.

" Using your illusions is not impressive" Ember jabbed at Aurora who pretended to be offended by placing her hand over her mouth. " Oh how you cut so deep " Aurora weaped.

" I want to be alone" Ember repeated herself.

" I know what you want, but what I want, is to have fun while you are here. It's true that you could kill me, and you are really the only threat that I have. And I wouldn't be able to get rid of you even if I tried. So, I don't see why we can't be friends" Aurora spoke with a calming tone, a manipulation that Ember had expected to be used.

" We are not friends. And we will never be friends. Because you are a lying, manipulative, spoiled little brat. And whilst you have helped your people, you did so from selfish desires. So don't pretend that it's anything other than that" Ember knew all of Auroras tricks. She had heard them and seen them before. She would not allow herself to fall for it.

" Okay? And? You continue to go forward. There is nothing that I do, that stops you from moving. On the world, I matter to thousands. But to you, I am insignificant. My only value being my child and I have accepted that. But you are tired, and you want rest. You want to see this place become better and hoped that we learn from our mistakes because that would make things easier. But that is not the nature of people. It may be the nature of you, but not people. We love, we live, we make mistakes and sometimes..we learn. And I am selfish, I am many things and yet here I am, doing my part to make things happen. And you don't have to like me, you can hate me actually and you obviously won't be the first or the last. But I can assure you, that if ending the cycle means that somehow, there will be peace, I want that too. Because despite my selfishness, unity is something that is needed here or Noone survives. I've seen it because you've shown it to me. I've seen things..so many things. Things that I've never really wanted to see but at the same time, curious about. And now that I have seen them, I have learned some things. I've learned about what I've done wrong, and what I've done right. I've learned my mistakes and how to ensure that I never make those again "

Ember turns to Aurora whose smirk is even wider now. " And whether that ends up being good or bad for you..remains to be seen. But I want you to really understand, that you have given me a great tool..a very very great one. And I am prepared to take...extraordinary measures to make sure that I do remain for as long as I can" Aurora leaned closer to Ember.

" What are you suggesting.." Ember's voice was now growing increasingly nervous.

"I guess you will have to find out..won't you? " and with that, Aurora dissapeared into nothingness, leaving Ember all alone.

" Shit.."