Chapter 24 PRINCESS ATHALIA'S DAUGHTER
Neraya stared at Haven with utter shock. Her eyes were definitely playing a trick on her.
There was no way Haven could look like their former princess, but she did. Except for the fact that she had auburn hair, she was the exact copy of their Princess.
Auren cleared his throat and stretched out his hand. “Come over here, Haven."
His voice was soft and compelling, and for some reason, Haven found herself walking towards him. When she got to where he was seated, and placed her hand in his, he pulled her unto his lap.
“Lady Neraya, I'm all ears," he said bringing the fae's attention back to him.
She bowed and cleared her throat. “Apologies, Your Grace. I just got a little carried away by the Lady's striking resemblance to our princess.”
Auren nodded. " So how may I help you? I assume you must be desperate if you left your hideout to come all the way here.”
Neraya nodded. “My people sent me, Your Grace. Vaeleria is where magic lies. It may have been hidden away, but it's still somewhere in the forest. With the villages around the forest destroying it one step at a time, it won't be long till they destroy our magic essence. Our race will extinct for good.”
" That's terrible,” Haven whispered, then turned to Auren. " You can't let them do that.”
" What do you want me to do? Your wish is my command.”
Haven thought for a while. “Can the villagers be told not to cut the forest anymore?"
“You heard the queen," Auren said, turning to one of the guards. “Have this message delivered to the various villages in question.”
The guard bowed and stepped out. Neraya's face brightened and she smiled. “Thank you, My Lady. I'm beyond grateful for this good deed. My people and I are really grateful."
Haven got down and headed towards Neraya. When she got to the fae, she took her hands in hers and a strange connection flowed between both of them.
Haven saw flashes of images. A land burning, A woman holding her baby, trying to escape the fire before it got to them. She could hear screams in her head, like the chaos was taking place inside her.
" No, stop,” she sobbed, letting go of Neraya's hand and clutching her head. The pain was too much to bear. The screams in her head didn't help make things easier as well.
She dropped to the ground, her head throbbing in pain, memories that weren't her own flashing in her mind. The pain was severe, so severe that she couldn't take it.
Auren rushed to her side instantly, and picked her up in his arns.
“Get the healer!" He barked heading outside, for their chamber.
Draven headed towards the the infirmary while Neraya followed the king to his chambers.
Auren placed her on the bed, his body panicking slightly. All the while Haven kept on writhing in pain, clutching her head with one hand.
“Please," she cried, voice hoarse from the pain. “Please make it stop. I can't stand it."
Neraya stepped forward, cautiously and gently tapped the King on his shoulder. " If you don't mind, Your Grace, I'll love to see what I can do for the Queen. I might be able to help her.”
Auren stared at her skeptically. But when Haven let out another cry of pain, he knew trusting the fae was his only option. He nodded and Neraya stepped closer to the bed.
She placed both her hands on Haven's forehead and began whispering in a strange language. Her hands suddenly glowed, a white light surrounding Haven's entire body. By the time the light disappeared and Neraya stepped back, Haven had gone still.
The only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of her chest.
“She should wake in four hours," Neraya said and bowed. “I'll take my leave now, Your Grace."
Auren simply nodded and she stepped out.
He moved to the bed, sat down and took Haven's hand in his. " My Little Flame, who are you? You look so fragile, yet possess so much power.”
\~~~
“Well, Your Grace, I analyzed everything that happened recently and that, put together with today's occurrence boil down to one theory. Princess Athalia," Imogen said as he fiddled with the pages of the book he held.
Auren narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. They were currently in his private chambers, where he received important guests.
As soon as Neraya left, he spent an hour by Haven's side before heading out to find Imogen and demand some answers.
Imogen was younger than he was, but studied under the best scribe in the continent. As such he had a vast knowledge of so many things, magic included.
But right now, Auren had his doubts if Imogen had any knowledge regarding Haven's condition.
“What does the former fae princess have to do with my wife's situation?”
" Well,” Imogen began slowly. " Your Grace, do you by any chance recall the Great battle? The war that destroyed the fae realm and sent the few survivors into hiding?”
“Yes?"
" And do you also recall what caused the war?”
Auren frowned. " The fae princess Athalia, in a desperate attempt to save her dying lover, travelled to the Caesarean temple far East where she somehow found a way to control the forbidden magic. But the magic was so strong that as time passed it consumed her, turning her into a monster. The war was fought to stop her from destroying the entire continent.” Auren stopped and shook his head. " How does this have to do with anything?”
“Do you recall how the war finally ended, and what did Athalia say in her last moments?"
“For fuck's sake, Imogen.i was part of the team that defeated Athalia and sealed her away in Eurion," Auren replied, his patience wearing slowly. “She had said her daughter would inherit the curse of the forbidden magic and will either destroy Elaria or save it."
Imogen nodded with satisfaction.
" That's crazy. Athalia never had any children.” Auren said, already sensing where Imogen was heading to with his questions.
" That's where you're wrong, Your Grace," Imogen said. " The Queen is the daughter of Princess Athalia.”