Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 38

Kamau

“Acchhh!” I shot up from my bed for what seems to be the fortieth time tonight.

I race to the bathroom and spew out the contents of my stomach. My insides rip apart as if someone injected me with acid. I have had a raging migraine, and terror grips my heart.

It’s been almost two weeks since the Crown Princess and prisoner offered themselves as tribute. I stood by and did nothing. While the lion within roared and protested my decision, I did nothing. I couldn’t save Styliani…

Her small deep umbre hands caresses my face lovingly. “Hey.”

I refused to look into her eyes. Her star filled eyes.

“Kamau. Look at me” She pulls me back into her eyesight.

I cave in at the sound of my name on her beautiful lips.

“You and I both know this had to be done. There are millions of lives at stake, Kamau. Let me do this.” she pleaded gently.

I pull her hands together and kiss them softly. I then place them on my chest. We feel the steady, strong beat of my heart.

“This belongs to no one but you,Styliani.”

“You know that can never be. You desire for things I cannot give you, dear heart. Do not put your life on hold for the impossible.”

“Nothing is ever impossible. Until I’m blessed to be in the fields of Ayla, I’ll yearn for you.”

Styliani’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Oh, dear heart…”

I kiss her on the forehead before stepping back slowly. Her hands are in front of her before they curl within her chest.

“Goodbye, Kamau. Until next time…”

I didn’t break away when she stepped into that ring of heaven.

I dropped to my knees as she turned around one last time before she evolved into a body of light and shot up into the darkened skies.

It will be eleven years since I haven’t seen her face. Late Martrē of 5033 will mark the day Styliani’s martyr acts were in vain. And now I cursed with a mate who’s a killer? What have I done to deserve such bad luck?

I splash water on my face and stare in the mirror. Bleak and misery stare back at me. My storm gray eyes had bags under them. My dark ebony skin held pallor that hasn’t gone away for the past couple of weeks.

Both Hunters and Enforcers came back empty handed when combing Central City from skyscraper to the lowest dwelling there. Eros disappeared soon after, followed by Daxter and Stanley, the prisoner’s pet.

The witches couldn’t place a tracking spell on both the Crown Princess of Faelios nor the prisoner. It didn’t matter their personal belongings, the bespelled compass spun nonstop. The only clue we had was the gray-sorrel colored sand, and the Witch Queen refused to share what she knew.

I returned to SU soon after, with a little merriment that we were able to have two children under our safety again. They were too traumatized to give us insight of what happened, but I had hoped it would lead us to the newest missing persons.

My wrist device pings and I sigh heavily. I’m met with my mother’s stern gaze as I walk back into the room.

“Greetings, mother.”

“Hello, son. I would like to remind you of the meeting occurring shortly. Please make sure you and that wolf pup are presentable.”

“Yes, mother.”

Queen Esther begins to say something else, but thought better of it. “Until then.” she nods and logs off the chat.

A deep rumble vibrates from behind, and I see Naka staring deep within me. As my Soulbound Cohort, she knows better than most what my soul is going through. I found her when she was a dragonling. It was a little after I lost Styliani. I was trapped in a great sandstorm that raged in the lands of Algeos. I sought shelter at a nearby cave, but I wasn’t alone. I later found eggshell fragments and mucus that led me to a little dark gray dragonling. She was abandoned, hungry, and weak.

“Weak?!” Naka hissed. “A mighty female, such as myself, is never weak!”

I chortled and ducked when she whipped her tail at me. “Easy now. I don’t want to replace another bed because of your shenanigans.”

Naka places her enormous head between her talons, blowing smoke through her nostrils. “Your intrusive thoughts are insulting.”

“Then maybe you should stay out of them,” I retorted.

She snorts loudly, with plumes of smoke almost burning off my eyebrows.

“Are you ready to leave, dear friend?” I asked lightly.

“Yes.”

I place the saddle gently on her back and settle on it. We soon lift off and head towards Central City, in which the meeting will take place. As heir to the Algeos throne, it’s expected of me to make an appearance to these affairs.

I wanted to ignore the way Valeri’s curvy figure connected perfectly to mine. I couldn’t get her scent out of my memories. She left her bag when she offered herself to the mysterious enemy. I’ve held it close, for reasons I won’t admit. I have it now as we fly. I inhale the distant aroma. Honeyed peaches and cinnamon. A rather sensual fragrance.

I swallowed any initial guilt I had in letting her go. I remember watching from a distance as she danced with Daxter. They were a beautiful couple, but even he couldn’t keep her safe. Before tonight, I always thought her eyepatch was a rebellious fashion statement. What she was trying to cover was a past… a dark past. Why couldn’t I see it beforehand?

“Not even you can be that oblivious.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“It was an illusion. I smell faewitch magic on her. I couldn’t place it at first, but the more I observed and did a little research on my own, the more I concluded that is indeed faewitch magic.”

“That’s impossible! Faewitches haven’t been around since…”

“Since before the Apocalyptic War.”

“And if they are around, that would only mean…”

“That demonwitches are here.” We say in unison.

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