The wingless king, p.28
The Wingless King, page 28
He smiled. “She was.”
“I’ve never seen you smile so much,” Mila said in a hushed tone.
“You once told me that smiling suited me,” he said. “I guess I figured I should aim to please my princess.”
Mila rolled her eyes, but he could see the curves forming at the corners of her lips.
As they moved across the floor, every step held the weight of his mother’s teachings. He guided Mila with the same tenderness and care his mother once bestowed upon him. While dancing with Mila, he felt an inexplicable sense of warmth. It was as though his mother’s spirit danced alongside them, guiding their steps.
While the two of them continued to dance, twirling and spinning in perfect harmony, he could feel the stares of Sisters upon them. However, Seren paid no attention. The room seemed to fade away. All he could focus on was Mila’s presence and the rhythm of their sway.
“Who are you really?” she murmured.
He brought her closer to him, her breath on his face. “I’m afraid to tell you.”
“Why?” Mila breathed, her lips dangerously close to his. “Do you not trust me?”
“It isn’t that,” he said, pulling away. “I can’t. Not now.”
After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting second, the song reached its crescendo. Mila nudged him gently, signaling the end of their dance.
“I see Lana,” Mila said, her voice filled with urgency.
She grasped Seren’s hand, dragging him behind her. They weaved through the Sisters until Mila’s hand landed on a woman in a green dress. Lana turned around in surprise to see the princess, her eyes briefly grazing over Seren before she bowed politely, a genuine smile on her face.
“Your Highness,” Lana greeted, her voice filled with respect. Her eyes dragged over Seren a second time, almost looking smug. “And the Beloved.”
Mila leaned in closer, her voice barely audible. “Did you take care of it?”
Lana quickly glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, before nodding. “Yes, it was quite easy. It seemed he had fallen ill and was no longer suitable as a progenitor. He was due to be disposed of, so I took it upon myself to intervene.”
Relief washed over Mila, a smile of gratitude spreading across her face. “Where is he?” she asked anxiously.
“Lumina, as requested. I left him on a church doorstep,” Lana replied. “Though I must admit, I’m exhausted. I’ve never had to use a portal to travel such a distance before.”
Mila’s shoulders relaxed as she sighed in relief once more. “Thank you, Lana. You will be rewarded generously for this.” She turned to Seren, her face beaming. He had never seen her smile so sincerely before. “Jude is safe.”
As Mila and Lana exchanged celebratory words, Seren couldn’t help but feel a pang of realization. He had been so caught up in their dance and shared connection that he had forgotten Mila’s true quest. Jude was the one she longed to be reunited with, not him. He was the one who was supposed to be here with her.
Mila’s hand touched his shoulder. “Seren, what’s wrong?”
“I’m worried. What do you think your mother is planning?” he said. “Shouldn’t the trial have started by now?”
“I’ve been wondering that myself,” she replied softly. “Just be on guard, okay? And if you don’t mind...” Mila smirked. “Let’s dance again. I enjoy seeing that angry look on her face when we act like we’re in love. You’re quite the performer. Which reminds me…” Her fingers lightly brushed over her lips.
“I’m sorry,” he said with an awkward smile. “I shouldn’t have said that last night. I wasn’t feeling myself. And I’m sorry for not warning you before the trials. I hadn’t planned on kissing you.”
“It’s alright,” Mila said with a grin. “Next time, a warning would be nice.”
Next time?
The two of them resumed their dance, twirling and swaying gracefully together. Mila’s laughter filled the air, her smiles, and playful gestures suggesting a world where it was just the two of them again. But beneath the facade, Seren’s heart weighed heavy with a sorrow threatening to consume him. Even if he passed the trial, he couldn’t prevent Lilith from bonding with Mila, leaving him once again as the one who failed those he cared for. He was going to lose her.
“You look like you’re in pain,” Mila teased, noticing the shift in his demeanor. “What happened to your enjoyment?”
Silence hung between them as he struggled to find the words. Instead, he surprised Mila by pulling her closer, their bodies moving in sync. With a gentle yet firm grip, he dipped her lower than before, their breath intertwining.
“You look beautiful, Mila.” And as he looked into her lovely brown eyes, he wished he could kiss her one last time.
Mila’s face flushed at the unexpected compliment. Momentarily taken aback, she couldn’t find her voice to respond. But he didn’t give her a chance anyway. He spun her around, and the Queen’s eyes met his. He could see something brewing inside of her. Something dangerous.
Mila clutched his shirt tightly as he pulled her in closer.
“Seren…I….”
But she was quickly cut off. As if the Queen had read his mind, she rose from her seat. She held up her hand, motioning for the music to halt. The hushed whispers and melodic notes ceased.
“The gala has come to an early end,” she announced. “According to our customs, only the heir is to meet Lilith.”
Iris, who must’ve slinked behind them, gripped Seren from behind, ready to guide him out of the hall. But the Queen’s next words froze them in their tracks.
“Not him,” she declared, a malicious smile forming. “He will stay. He still has one more trial to face.”
Dread coursed through Seren’s veins. His heart hammered in his chest like a drum. Even Iris couldn’t hide her surprise as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. However, she didn’t dare to challenge the Queen’s orders. She released her grip on him and bowed her head in deference. One by one, everyone in the room followed suit. They filed through the massive doors, leaving Mila and Seren alone with Omaira. She resumed her seat, her velvet dress cascading across the throne.
“The Devil’s Hour is near,” the Queen said calmly. “Although, we do have a bit of time to spare. Princess Ata, come here.”
As Mila heard her true name, she involuntarily stiffened beside him. He could hear her breath quicken as she reluctantly obeyed her mother’s command. The Queen drummed her fingers impatiently on her armrest. Every step on the marble echoed ominously through the chamber. Finally, Mila stood before her mother, fear dancing on her features.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve reigned?” Queen Omaira asked, her tone dripping with entitlement. The snake on her shoulders slithered off her, wrapping itself around the legs of the throne.
Seren remained silent and unmoved, knowing that any response would only further fuel her anger.
“A long time,” the Queen answered on his behalf. “And I had no intention of relinquishing my throne any time soon. But then, fate led me to encounter her father.” The Queen’s voice turned bitter, her tongue clicking with annoyance. “Of course, I was oblivious at the time. How could I have known? He was a direct descendant of Adamus, the sole reason Kamilah was chosen to be Queen. And why should I be forced to surrender sovereignty to a pathetic little brat who doesn’t even want it?” With each word, her fury escalated, punctuated by the violent thud of her hand slamming upon the armrest. “She even dared to think she could kill Lilith.” The Queen revealed Mila’s glimmering dagger, pulling it from her garments. She waved it in front of Mila’s face. “And all these years, you dared to defy her? To defy me?”
The madness lurking within the Queen’s gaze sent a shiver down his spine. She stood up, holding the dagger high into the air.
“Even as your true name escapes my lips, I sense your defiance. It has always been there, lingering beneath the surface. And naturally, Lilith would never allow me to end your life. No, she desires you. But she has bid her time, patiently waiting for this day. The day that you are finally of age to take the throne. It’s maddening. She knows my every thought, every move. She predicted that the love you felt for Kamil would be your ultimate downfall. Your weakness. And she was right. I managed to take control, making you plunge that dagger into his heart. Your true name belongs to me, and I must hand it to Lilith. That’s her command to me.”
A deranged scream erupted from the Queen’s lips, followed by chilling laughter. “All I am permitted to do is weaken you, to assist in binding you to her will. What a waste.” She grasped Mila’s shoulder. “Princess Ata, from this moment forward, you will obey every one of my commands. You will kneel before your Queen.”
“Mila!” Seren cried out, his voice echoing through the room.
“Stay still!” the Queen bellowed. “Unless you wish to fail your final trial now and meet your demise.” She forcefully grasped Mila’s hair as she fell to her knees. She thrust the dagger forward, severing a handful of Mila’s hair. “Have you ever asked her how she got her scars, Beloved?”
“Please, don’t hurt her,” Seren begged.
Ignoring his words, the Queen cut another chunk of hair away with a swift swipe of the knife. “Here is an idea: will you still love the princess when she is no longer beautiful?”
Mila remained frozen as her mother relentlessly cut away chunks of her hair, the locks falling to the ground. A sadistic smile played on the Queen’s lips as she lightly grazed the knife against the soft skin of Mila’s cheek. Blood ran down her chin, flowing down to her collarbone.
Seren balled his fists at his sides. “Please, stop.”
“Of course, I would have to rid her of that pretty face, too,” the Queen sneered. She sliced deeper into Mila’s tender flesh.
“Stop!” he cried.
He lunged forward but quickly froze as the Queen held the dagger menacingly above Mila’s eye. Mila trembled as the tip of the dagger hovered dangerously close.
“Now, now,” Omaira warned. “Don’t you want to pass the final trial?”
“This is wrong,” he choked. “Please, stop. I don’t care if I fail the trial. Kill me if that is what it takes.”
The Queen gritted her teeth, her grip faltering on the dagger. “You would sacrifice yourself for her?” she spat. Seren flinched as she slammed the knife into the marble tile, allowing it to clatter away.
“Yes,” he said. “I’ll do anything to end this.”
The Queen’s hands ran across her face as she paced the floor. “Wrong,” she argued. “You’re selfish. A liar. A coward. You won’t!”
“I will.”
A bloodcurdling scream suddenly erupted from her lips, an unholy, rage-filled sound that pierced the air. She clawed at her face, writhing hysterically before them. “No!” she shrieked. “No! No!”
Mila stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock and fear, as her mother’s torment unfolded before them. And somewhere in the distance, the haunting chime of a clock echoed.
Seren, too, stood frozen in sheer horror as the Queen’s legs grotesquely morphed into a monstrous serpentine tail. Her once human eyes rolled back, only to reveal menacing slit pupils. Her flowing hair transformed into a mass of writhing black snakes as if under a spell. Her crown fell from her head with a resonant clatter and tumbled down the stairs. The Queen’s deranged screams transformed into maniacal laughter.
Seren took a step backward, cold sweat trickling down his neck. “You’re Lilith?” he mustered. “I don’t understand.”
Disregarding his feeble presence, her scaled fingers glided across the trail of blood staining Mila’s face. She brought her fingers to her lips, savoring the taste upon her forked tongue.
“We finally meet, little Princess,” she crooned. Her words had an eerie, hypnotic quality that chilled him to the core.
“Stay away from her,” Seren warned, his voice barely concealing the fear coursing through him.
Lilith turned sharply toward him. A malevolent smile twisted her features as she slithered closer, the snakes in her hair hissing. “You,” she hissed. “Omaira sensed something peculiar about you. So, I had to see for myself. Yet, all I find is a trembling little boy.”
He could not deny that he was afraid. Mila was out of his reach, and he was defenseless.
“The Queen isn’t Lilith?” he uttered in confusion. His voice came out quiet, certainly comparable to a child’s.
Lilith’s shrill laughter reverberated through the chamber. “You foolish child, we are forever intertwined. Bound by an unbreakable pact. Omaira reminds me of the original queen, both reeking of desperation. It happened centuries ago, and the memories linger in my mind as vividly as if it were yesterday. Can you imagine it? A queen willingly venturing into the Veil, driven by the betrayal of her unfaithful husband and thirsting for revenge. It was poetic as if the Gods themselves had bestowed her upon me. She begged for power and her own kingdom. And after patiently waiting within the depths of the Veil, the day came when I could finally break free. Through a fateful pact, she and all who followed her became forever bound to my every command. And soon, your beloved princess will meet the same fate.”
Large, multicolored snakes slithered from corners of the room, swarming together across the floor.
“Though the blood of Adamus grants the princess resistance to my influence, it is of no consequence. In the end, she is just a mortal being. Her power is unmatched. And together, we will be great. The blood of corruption runs deep within her, calling the dark forces of magic straight into her very being.” A red snake coiled its body possessively around Mila’s wrist. “Child, you are aware of it, aren’t you? Your very name now belongs to me, Princess Ata. And soon, our souls will become irreversibly intertwined, and the Queen will move on into the Veil.”
Tears streamed down Mila’s anguished face.
“No!” Seren shouted, desperate to save her. But his attempt to reach her was thwarted as serpents tangled around his ankles, constricting him in their grip. He fought against them as they slithered up his legs. “Set her free!”
Laughter escaped Lilith’s lips, echoing throughout the room. “And why would I listen to an insignificant little cockroach like you?” she sneered. “You failed your second trial. You have not been bound by the Covenant since then. So, why don’t we play a little game before our official coronation? Princess Ata, I want you to kill your Beloved.”
Mila didn’t move from her position.
“Oh yes, that’s right,” Lilith murmured. “You aren’t her Beloved because she doesn’t love you.” She smiled in his direction. “Shall I rephrase? Princess Ata, kill that trembling boy.”
Mila rose to her feet, tears streaming down her face. Lilith’s laughter continued as Mila took hesitant steps toward the gleaming dagger on the floor. Panic surged through Seren as he watched her hand steadily grip the weapon. He tried to fight against the suffocating grip of the writhing snakes, but his efforts seemed useless.
“Mila, please.”
It was useless to beg. Mila succumbed to the demon’s command and possessed no free will under her control.
She advanced with the dagger poised above her, her eyes clouded with darkness. Seren thrashed against the serpents, yelling with all his might, determined to break free. But all his fighting only seemed to make their hold tighter. Realizing this, he relaxed his body. But it was no use. The snakes tightened further, and the largest launched forward and struck. As the fangs sank into his side, the snake recoiled quickly. Its body went limp, and the others followed suit, falling one by one onto the floor.
“What?” Lilith said, baffled. “Attack him!”
The snakes slithered around Seren, but their intentions were unclear. However, there was no time to ponder their motives.
Mila lunged at Seren, the razor-sharp blade of the knife narrowly missed his neck. Instinct kicked in, and he rolled across the floor, narrowly avoiding the dagger’s deadly plunge as it struck the ground with a thud. Fear clenched his chest, but nothing could compare to the shock that pulsed through him when Mila turned the dagger on herself. She sliced a deep, crimson-laden gash down her arm. The sight of her blood seeping onto the floor made his stomach turn.
She flung the dagger aside, her hand tensing with hidden power. In the blink of an eye, blades made of her own blood were launched toward him. One sliced into his thigh, causing searing pain to shoot through his body. He cursed as blood trickled down his leg. There was no time to dwell on his injury. Mila’s control over her actions was lost as she unleashed another blade of blood, its sharp edge barely grazing his left shoulder.
“Mila, fight against it!” he shouted. He breathed heavily as blood poured across the marbled floor.
She paid no attention to his pleas as she conjured an arrow of blood, hurtling it straight toward his head with deadly precision. He dodged the projectile, his heart pounding in his chest. The slickness of his blood splashing on the floor nearly caused him to lose his footing. At the perfect moment, she sliced into his arm, blood now trickling down his fingertips.
Determined to break through to Mila, he locked eyes with her, willing her to resist Lilith’s influence. Yet, he could see no hint of struggle against the demon’s control. She summoned another blade of blood, poised to plunge into his chest. Lifting her hand, she prepared to deliver the blow.
He felt a jolt of electricity go down his spine. With speed he didn’t know he had, he rolled out of the way, the blade only scratching his shoulder. He balled up his fists, feeling a strange vibration inside his body. Without thought, he dashed toward Mila, hoping to subdue her. He wasn’t fast enough. Mila commanded the blood into a whip, lashing it at him with remarkable speed. The whip coiled around his neck, cutting into his skin. Desperation filled him as he tried to grasp the formless blood, but it slipped through his fingers. He dropped to his knees, feeling the pressure on his throat intensify as Mila crushed his airway.
Instinct compelled him to persist in trying to grasp the whip, even though it proved futile. Blood flowed down his arms as he writhed against the suffocating grip.
