Black Flame

Mirelah;

I hold my breath as the guards push open the massive, golden doors, before me.

I roll my shoulders back and keep my head up in a desperate attempt not to look as nervous as I truly am.

Before walking into the massive hall, I search for every bit of confidence I can find in myself and gather it at the bottom of my guts.

This is it. My second chance to prove myself. Goddess help me.

The luxurious black fabric my dress is made of, shimmers under all the torches in the room as I walk into the grand hall, and I shiver at the opulence of the room. It's almost as beautiful as Goddess Nyzvara's temple back home. 

Goosebumps rise along my skin as I stare in awe at the meticulous beauty of the place. There are massive windows high up on both sides of the hall - all decorated with stained glass that cast a wonderful display of black and red lights on the room.

Golden chandeliers hang elegantly from the ceiling, while torches burn proudly with their gentle crackling creating soft music in the silence. My heels click against the polished marble floor as I walk further into the hall. 

At the forefront of the room, Are the council members from yesterday, and the Varkein family. The king and queen on one side, the brothers on the other, Kealith in the middle, and the council members in front of him.

My attention, however is not on them. No. My attention is on the massive sculpture on the wall at the far end of the hall.

It's an hourglass. One that looks so big, it could crush all of us in this room if it decides to fall. Inside it is thick, blackish-red liquid that fills the top, and empties into the bottom with painfully slow drops. I stare at the words engraved with black on the top of the hourglass, and I swallow.

The blood of the living fills the hands of the dead. All life belongs to Ozrith.

The words read, and an uneasy shiver runs down my spine.

"Princess Mirelah of Velmoria. Welcome. "The eldest-looking member of the council, who is wearing a black robe, says and finally, I avert my attention to the people in the room.

I curtsy, and when I stand back up, I see Queen Velnara properly from the corner of my eyes. I turn to look at her, and she smiles at me. She's as graceful as always, but this time, she has her hair up formally, like mine has been done. She gives me a look as if asking if I'm ready, and I give her a small nod.

"Today, you will take an oath with our divine king and become one of us. You are about to step into a new life and pledge your loyalty to the land, and to our god, Ozrith. The mighty god of death. Do you accept? "Another council member who is also wearing a black robe questions, and I hold my breath. I'm about to speak when the first council member interrupts me .

"Do not agree thoughtlessly, Princess Mirelah. If you do not wish to pledge your allegiance, you have the freedom to leave now. Any mistakes or misconduct in front of our gob Ozrith attracts severe punishment. Do not take this warning lightly. "He says with his voice once again booming through the hall, and fear begins to whisper into my ears. 

"Do you agree to pledge your allegiance? "The second council member questions, and I take a deep breath. Shaking away my fears and deciding to believe in myself.

"I agree. "I reply, and there is silence. The eldest member makes to speak again, but the sound of the door opening interrupts him. We all look towards the door, and I see Liriel rushing in. She's in a stunning outfit, quite similar to the one she had on yesterday, just that this time, It's all black. And her hair is also held up. I guess women can't let their hair down in here.

I watch as she walks briskly, and my eyes widen a bit when she goes to stand beside King Damarion.

I'm expecting a scowl from him, but for the first time ever, I see his eyes light up, as a bright smile claims his face.

"I'm sorry I'm late. "She whispers to him, and he scoffs with a dismissive wave of a hand.

"You don't have to apologize. Being here is enough. "He replies, and my brows shoot up in shock. He's being nice to someone!?

He seems to share a cordial relationship with her. Maybe because she was supposed to marry one of his sons. 

Besides, who wouldn't like Liriel? She is so nice. She stayed with me all through the day till I could recite the vow by heart. She's very sweet and funny too. 

She looks up at me and smiles encouragingly, causing me to smile back. Grateful for her miraculous appearance yesterday. If not for her, I…

"What are you doing here? "Queen Velnara suddenly demands with no emotions in her voice, and I turn to her in confusion.

"Velnara- "King Damarion begins, but Queen Velnara ignores him as she turns to face Liriel who is standing on the other side of the king.

"Only the council members and family are allowed to be present during the pre-wedding rituals. "Queen Velnara states. Firmly revealing how displeased she is by Liriels presence, and I raise a brow as I watch the scene unfold. 

Queen Velnara is usually very sweet. Why is she being mean to Liriel?

"Velnara, Liriel is family. "King Damarion retorts, and I watch in building confusion.

Queen Velnara and King Damarion seem to have very different tastes. They seem to like what the other hates. He likes who she dislikes and she dislikes who he likes.

Why wouldn't she like Liriel though?

"She is Kealith's friend- "Queen Velnara begins, but King Damrion cuts her off.

"Best friend. "He corrects, and my brows knot. Liriel is Kealith's best friend!? She never mentioned anything about that, yesterday…

"She's been his best friend since childhood. "King Damarion begins, and I watch him.

"She's more family than- "He continues, looking over at me in disgust, and Kealith's voice suddenly booms through the hall, cutting his father off.

"Father! "

King Damrion sighs before looking away from

me, and I turn to Kealith who is standing in front of the massive hourglass. His cape is black and flows to the ground behind him majestically. 

"Liriel is staying. End of discussion. "He says, looking at Queen Velnara, and when I turn to her, I see displeasure in her eyes. She sighs before looking away and when I look at Liriel she's smiling shyly.

Why didn't she tell me she's Kealith's best friend?

"Without further ado, come and take the vow, Princess Mirelah. "The eldest council member says, and I fill my lungs with air before gently picking up my dress and walking over to Kealith. 

I look up at him as I stand beside him but he has his gaze ahead and has that usual scowl on his face. This angle does his face good. He looks quite stunning. His hair is brushed back, and the orange glow of the flame in front of us illuminates his face. Making him look like something from a celestial dream. My gaze lingers on the black earring dangling from his ear, but my attention is rudely pulled back to the present by the council member's voice. 

"Strech forth your hands. "The second council member commands, and Kealith and I obey.

The eldest council member cuts a slit into Kealith's palm with a golden dagger. I wince as I watch the metal dig into his skin, and blood pools in his palm. But he doesn't even react to it. I watch him pour the blood into the flame, and immediately, the flame roars to life. Growing twice in size and turning blue.

The eldest member then moves to stand in front of me and reaches for my hand. I bite my bottom lip as he cuts my palm, and the pain almost causes me to scream, but I don't.

"It's your turn. Offer your blood, and say the vow. "He instructs, and I nod. 

With my heart pounding in my chest, I walk up to the flame and pour my blood into it. 

I take a deep breath as I stare into the flames, and I ball the fabric of my dress into the fist of my free hand. I can't mess this up. I need to say it exactly how Liriel taught me.

I take one more breath and shut my eyes before letting the words roll off my tongue.

"Ethari kaen d'rehsa, viath morvath ai'noshath. Thal'ven kaih varan, korthas ai'veneth."

The council members in front of me gasp, and I look up at them only to find horror on their faces. 

The flame explodes in front of me. Growing five times its original size, and turning black. I fall to the ground as it scalds my arm, and a cold wind from nowhere rushes into the room. Blowing out all the candles and torches, and my heart starts banging.

"Mirelah! "Queen Velnara yells, and I turn to her in fear. She looks mortified, and tears instantly rush to my eyes as I realize I must have done or said something horribly wrong.

I turn to Liriel in fear, but everything in me freezes when I see her smirking. She has her arms crossed across her chest, and a terrifying, knowing glint in her eyes.

Why is she… Why is she smiling like that!?