Page 1 of Rising Out of the Darkness
Prologue
When death stares you in the face, your reaction can go one of two ways. One, you choose to spend your final moments full of regret over the risks not taken, life not lived. Or two, you decide to embrace what few moments you have left, making every last one of them count.
Those are the moments in which we truly learn what it means tolive.
Unfortunately, time was not a luxury that Queen Lenora and Prince Keir could waste any longer. They’d decided to meet their fate head on, meaning they would need every precious moment to secure the future of their kingdom and all those who lived within it.
Shadows from candlelight flickered against the cold stone walls of the room as a fog of dread loomed over the two souls inside.
Almost as if time itself had stilled, each shallow breath that Queen Lenora took became increasingly difficult. Heavy footsteps paced back and forth across the wood floor behind her and rang in Lenora’s ears as she waited for the hot wax seal to cool. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she released a precious breath over the wax to help expedite the process.
After a few moments, the queen turned in her chair, meeting the tormented gaze of her older son. Keir extended a hand to help his mother up from the blue velvet chair at her desk. Clutching the letters and satchel, Lenora stood, and they both walked towards the living room of the royal suite.
As she lingered near a small, ornately carved side table, her eyes were drawn to the crystal vase holding her favorite flower, peonies. As she caressed the petals, it awoke memories of happier times.
Being an Empath, Lenora had lived her life deeply feeling every emotion around her, including her own. She’d learned that nature was the best way to keep her soul grounded, calm, and most of all in control of her dynamis. Inhaling deeply, she sighed as her hand drifted to her side.If only I could walk through the gardens one more time.
Meanwhile, Keir resumed pacing.
A rattle against the door disturbed them. Lenora’s heart thrummed inside her chest as Keir made haste towards it. His fingertips curled around the handle, and he opened the door just slightly to see Queen Lenora’s lady-in-waiting peeking through the crack.
“Your Highness.” Eloise gently bowed as she slid into the candlelit room.
Keir closed the door behind her as Eloise rubbed her delicate hand over her chest. Lenora sensed the endeavor that lay before them all weighed heavily on Eloise’s heart.
“Good evening, Eloise.” Lenora spoke gently as she handed two pieces of parchment and the small satchel over. “I know that I need not remind you of the precious cargo and task that I am entrusting you with.”
Eloise slid the objects into one of the deep pockets of her dress. The usual brightness and warmth of her features had been replaced with somberness and creases of worry between herbrows. “I will guard them with my life and ensure that they are delivered safely, my queen. You have my promise.”
Lenora’s heart ached as Eloise brushed soft, brown curls behind her ear. Eloise bowed her head. “You don’t have much time, my queen, Your Highness. He is coming.”
“Eloise, I…” The normally composed queen stuttered, trying to free the words from her mouth. “There are no words to express the love and gratitude that I have for you. You are more than just my lady-in-waiting, you’re my greatest friend.” Lenora tried her best to withhold the sob in her throat and wrapped her arms around Eloise. “But you’ll always be like family to me.”
A trail of tears slid down the sides of Lenora’s cheeks as she murmured into Eloise’s hair. “May the light always guide you, and the gods surround you.”
Eloise turned on her heel towards the door. Lenora saw the determination in her face as her friend tried with all her might to hold back the tears. Keir extended his hand to her shoulder, causing her to pause by the door. He retrieved a small silver dagger from his side and placed it in the pocket of her apron.
“Just in case.” Prince Keir whispered, brushing his knuckles across her cheek. Tears trailed over her flushed cheeks. Eloise took one more longing look, then exited.
Keir closed the door, staring at the space that Eloise had just vacated, running his palm through his thick, chestnut locks. It slid to his neck to rub the tension creeping behind it.
“I hope those letters find their homes swiftly…and safely.” Keir’s throat bobbed as he gazed at the empty space where Eloise had once stood. “Yesterday’s assassinations have sent the city into panic, especially now that Father has put the blame on rebels. We both know that isn’t the truth, and they do as well.” He gestured toward the roars of protest and the clash of metal that rattled through the open window. “They’re tired of being lied to, just as we were.”
Lenora nodded in agreement. The High Priest had been attacked in his carriage yesterday morning. He’d perished alongside his wife and son-in-law. Finn had been well known for his views on how Lenora’s husband had begun to treat the humans in their realm. Finn hadn’t agreed with the brutal campaign that had been launched against them, just for inheriting small traces of dynamis without going through Ascension. Many Elysians had begun to believe that he had been murdered for his views, and possibly even for his closeness to the king.
Keir smoothed his hand over his face. “If anything happens to us here today, and they never receive those letters, or…”
“We must hold faith that Eloise will get them delivered safely,” she interrupted as Keir nodded solemnly.
“I wish you’d gone with them. However, I’m glad to not be alone. I love you so much, my sweet son.” Reaching up, she brushed back the pieces of hair that had fallen into the prince’s face. “No matter what happens tonight, I hope that you know how proud I am of the man you’ve become.”
His eyes fluttered with a hint of warmth once again. “You know that I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you.” He leaned in to give his mother an embrace.
“Gods, Keir,” she whispered into his shoulder, “I just hope we’ve done enough to set everything in motion. Our people deserve a chance for a better life.”
“This all started as a response to the violence. They’re tired of being lied to. Tired of being suppressed.” More angry yells seeped into the from the courtyard below.
“We’ll do this together, like always. I’ll be right beside you, no matter what happens when he walks through that door.”
