62. AURELIA

Chapter sixty-two

AURELIA

" D ad!" My scream echoed through the room as my father conjured a towering purple shield, reminiscent of the one encasing my tower. Stretching from floor to ceiling and spanning the width of the room, it formed an impenetrable barrier. The purple hue of the magical shield cast a hazy blur on the other side, separating us from the threat of the Deathlies. But in its protective embrace, it also sealed me off from reaching my father.

The violet shield continuously flowed with movement. The purple magic drifted and swirled in place like lasers through the room, not allowing us through.

There were Deathlies ramming into the shield, attempting to reach us. Their claws were outstretched, ready to have any contact with the flesh of our skin. Their sickly bodies crashed into it, rebounding backward from the force. The noises that erupted from their vocals screeched their desire to tear us to shreds.

I lunged toward the veil, my voice rising in a desperate cry as I pounded against the barrier, my fists pounding against the unforgiving magic. The urgency pulsed through me, driving me forward as I struggled to breach the barrier between us. Why had he shut me out just when I needed him most?

I hated him. I hated him for so long, but he only ever wanted to protect me, to love me.

Despite my own thrashes and hits, my body stayed on the other side of the impenetrable force field.

He came up to the veil, with Cora's limp body sprawled on the floor behind him, and the Deathlies roaring around the room. His face was twisted, tears on the brink of being released. Nearing the purple veil, he lifted his hand, meeting right in front of me. I raised my right hand, meeting his own.

My mother came up next to me, doing the same. His eyes glanced toward her, loving and full. The rest of the Scalebound colony, Damian, and Tobias were behind the both of us, waiting and supporting.

"Dyla, my dear," he said as a tear trickled down his cheek. The lines of age filled his face, the creases showing his story of life. "I love you. I always have and always will." My mother broke into sobs, her body doubling over at the thought of losing my father. My father then glanced at Tobias. "Take her away. Make sure she is safe."

Tobias followed his instructions, forcing my mother back, even through her cries and her pleas to have more time with my father. My other hand made its way to cover my mouth, covering the painful noises that erupted, understanding what was happening. As my mother and Tobias left, only the Scalebound colony and Damian behind me, I turned back to look at my father.

My father's face softened to a degree that I had never seen before. His cheeks flushed with red, the tears rapidly flowing, yet he remained calm and contained. "My little girl. I have always loved you so deeply, even if I never was able to show you properly."

"How? Why did you lock me away? I don't understand," I said, the events of everything swirling in my mind.

He sighed softly, weight gaining on his shoulders as he spoke. "I only wanted to keep you alive. You bear the burden of my curse. And I would never have been able to forgive myself if anything ever happened to you. Your mother and I have fought for years about what to do. For the time being, we wanted to keep you in your tower to keep you safe. We had heard of too many Scaleborne trades and didn't want you to ever be a part of them."

I thought of the underground bar–of men slicing my skin. I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Belle or Damian.

"Why not tell me? Why not help me understand?" I stuttered. The Deathlies continued to screech, their talons pounding on the wall, desperate to reach us.

"A child should never have their safety as their own burden. We tried our best to keep you safe. If I could go back in time to do it better, I would. Your mother had her own motherly instincts that we couldn't trust even our most trusted staff. We followed it." He glanced behind his shoulder, taking in the death of Cora. "She was right for a reason." A lump in my throat formed, a sob wanting to escape. "I was in a position to choose. You could either be safe and hate me while alive, or love me while dead. Although I regret other things I have done in the process of keeping you safe, I would never regret keeping you alive. I am so proud of you."

My voice faltered as I said, "But father, why? I haven't saved the kingdom. If anything, I have let you down." My thoughts jumped to being kidnapped, dying and having the wish used to save me, spending the time to train. But never saving the kingdoms from the Deathlies that were still so prevalent.

"Oh, my little girl. Your strength and tenacity know no bounds." Confusion riddled my face. "Aurelia, you spent twenty years in a tower and were so bull-headed that you stole a map from the future king, memorized it, and then burned it in front of him and myself–not one king, but two. That takes guts that I have only ever seen in one woman and I married her." I thought of Mother. Was I really so much like her?

He smiled and then continued, "You have the strength, courage, and drive to prove yourself a worthy queen." My heart thudded in its rib cage. Worthy queen. He really thought I was worthy of being queen? "Anyone else who had been locked in a tower their whole life would not be back here, regardless of the situation. They would've left, finding their own freedom in life. Do you know why I am proud of you? Do you know what you have accomplished?"

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. "No, I don't."

"Not only did you find the dragon relic, and a group of people just like you, but you have found yourself. You have learned of your strength and your abilities and have created a path for yourself. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished in the last ten days. If anyone deserves that crown, it's you."

A tear fell freely down my face. I squinted my eyes shut, willing out the remaining of them. "I can't leave you here," I said, looking up at the Deathlies behind him, the swirling chaos that I had blocked out, putting my full attention on my father.

He twitched, pain emanating from his eyes. "Dad, what's wrong?" I begged.

"I love you. You are beautiful and strong, and I am sad that I won't be able to see how you rule this kingdom. You'd be a remarkable queen," he said. My heart stopped as he talked about not being with us anymore–about leaving.

"No. No. No," I said, shaking my head, refusing to let him go.

"You must go now to destroy the nest," he said, his pale and sickly hand leaving mine as he stepped back from the purple veil. "I know that there's more magic beyond what I hold keeping that nest alive." He walked backwards, his steps in slow motion.

"I don't understand, Father!" I yelled, my body becoming weak, threatening to collapse.

"Remember Scalebound and y amceeii 1 axuaeii 2 uama 3 ," was his only response as he turned around, being engulfed by the Deathlies.

What I saw through the swarm of Deathlies next would haunt me for the rest of my life. His hands shaking and frail, clenched the hilt of the knife that he was holding and jabbed it into his heart. The sickly sound of time frozen still and his heart pumping its last beats rang through my ears. The blood spilled over, creating a quick puddle beneath him.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

An animalistic cry released from my gaping mouth. My screams echoed in the room.

The room filled with Deathlies. Wind and rain poured in after them, following as they circled in the room with their wings and chaos. Their talons scratched into the flowy veil with no success.

I fell to my knees, gasping, crying, and sobbing. What was going on?

If only I could reach him, and let my golden blood touch his skin. But he blocked us out. I was unable to get through.

Magic erupted from his body, showcasing itself in black smoke billowing out of his stomach, soul, and life. It was what forged the Deathlies, gave them life, and continued to give them energy.

My father was the vessel, and he killed the vessel.

He killed the connection.

With his power diminishing, the life from him left his body. The purple shield would also fall within seconds. The Deathlies would have quick and easy access to us.

However, I was frozen in place, unable to move. I felt hands on both of my arms, forcing me up. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the horror. My father laid lifeless on the ground, with the friend that betrayed me right next to him. One soul to Ezu 4 and the other to Haxnau 5 .

"We have to go," Damian said, grabbing my arms, helping me down the hall alongside everyone else. I tasted blood, realizing that I had bitten my lip, my teeth aching from clenching them through my screams.

I glanced at Damian. Numbed. Confused. Terrified.

I thought about his fiancée, and about what he said, "You don't understand what it's like to love someone and have them die right in front of you."

His eyes reached mine, pain etched in them as he watched me almost crumble. "I understand now, Damian." He stopped in place, giving me a hug.

"I know, my Queen. And it doesn't get easier, but I am right here alongside you. We will get through this. C'mon. Let's go back to that nest."

1. Yamceeii (Yawm-say-ee): (Placed before the verb in a command)

2. Axuaeii (Ah-wah-ee): The verb to use

3. Uama (Wah-ma): Something to have/Theirs/Yours/His/Hers

4. Ezu (Eh-ooh): Heaven

5. Haxnau (Hah-nah-woo): Hell