Chapter 11 - Freedom

The journey back was my best moment in Eldoria. Twyla, Einar, and I spent the night in a village near the sea, at a house where Twyla's friends lived.

Since emerging from the sea, I felt that something had changed. Although I still didn't know my other magical personality, knowing I was a sea witch brought me confidence, as if I were finally fitting in.

As the day dawned, I went to the sea, spending hours contemplating the vastness of the water, the infinite ebb and flow of the waves. It's so grand and powerful, hiding so much within.

I entered the sea again for a bath. It's incredible how, within the sea, I can focus on myself. Since I arrived, I've concentrated on Soren, Malachai, on what Twyla expects from me. But within the sea, I feel every muscle in my body, sense my organs functioning, aware of how alive I am.

The time to leave seemed to come too soon, but I must return to Eldoria to request my freedom.

Einar helps Twyla and me onto a carriage, pulled by six winged horses. The golden harnesses adorned with precious stones make me think they belong to Soren.

We traveled along dirt roads for over two hours. Einar mentioned that we could go faster by flying with the winged horses, but I asked to travel part of the way by land. It's been so many months since I left the castle, and everything around me seems interesting. We pass through other villages as we move away from the coast.

The sight of forests and animals along the way makes me happy. I feel there's so much to explore, so many places to go, and magic to learn.

Later, Einar decides that we need to continue the journey through the air. When the horses spread their wings and started to take flight, I felt an unpleasant chill in my stomach. I can't look down, even though my travel companions insist that the view is beautiful. I feel a mix of intense emotions.

"Everything okay," Twyla pats my back as a form of comfort. "Sea witches don't usually feel well at heights. And air witches don't like being at sea."

"Is that so?" I decide to close my eyes to reduce the discomfort of the flight.

"Yes. Soren has never entered the sea," she speaks louder, the sound of the horses' wings getting louder as the flight speed increases. "He doesn't like going to the beach. So, Soren is an air witch. Our powers are exactly the opposite of each other."

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Being back at the palace now seems dull. I'd like to return to the sea and the open sky. However, being back becomes especially unpleasant when we cross paths with Obsydian in the rose courtyard.

"Our young sea witch," she positions herself, blocking our path. "Congratulations on the discovery."

"Thank you," I say, despite hearing the sarcastic tone she uses to refer to my powers.

"Back to the king's engagement?" Those words hit me like an electric shock. Is Soren getting married so quickly?

Obsydian notices that I'm shaken and opens a wide smile.

"Soren won't get married now, Obsydian. Thundervale's chimera is only eighteen. It will take years for her to reach maturity. Besides, we still don't know if she's really the woman we're looking for," Twyla responds coldly. Obsydian's smile falters for a moment.

"And how could she not be?" Obsydian asks softly. "Are you saying that because you don't want to see Thalassa disappointed? She needs to accept it. Soren is not for her."

"And even less for you. Although it's no secret that the King would very much like it to be Thalassa," Twyla's words kill Obsydian's smile once and for all. "I don't want to hear about you bothering Thalassa. Or Soren will know about it."

Obsydian gives Twyla a dismissive look.

"You really should leave me alone, Obsydian," I warn. "Hating me won't help. Soren doesn't belong to me. And avoid being unpleasant with his chosen one. None of us had the right to choose, not even the King."

"But Soren will never love this girl," Obsydian retorts. "So I can deal with her."

"Stop wasting time, Obsydian. The King's lovers never last long. Get on with your life," Twyla pushes Obsydian away as she drags me away from there.

"What a detestable creature, Obsydian," I vent after a few minutes.

"Don't let her take up space in your mind, Thalassa. She gave up a lot to be with Soren, and now she's jealous."

"You said that Thundervale's chimera is only eighteen?"

"Yes, she hasn't even reached adulthood. She'll stay at the palace like you and complete the basics of magical education."

This thought bothers me, but I'll have to figure it out. I'll dedicate myself so much to learning and developing that, after a while, what I feel for Soren will be a thing of the past.

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Lumina and Veridian are ecstatic to see me enter the room. They both run and hug me.

"A sea witch!" Lumina celebrates.

"We always knew you were special," Veridian adds.

I don't even know what to say. It's so good to see the two of them celebrating my success. Twyla and Einar were also happy for me. I've never had people like this in my life before. My eyes well up with tears at the thought. Yvonne and I never had much to celebrate before, let alone people to be happy for us.

"We're all very

happy. But now Thalassa needs to get ready for the celebration dinner."

"What celebration dinner?" I ask. No one told me anything about this.

"Of course, the King wanted to host a banquet to celebrate the recent events."

Twyla tries to hide a mocking smile.

While Lumina and Veridian prepare a bath for me, I approach Twyla.

"Why is Soren hosting this dinner?" I ask, and her smile breaks free. My face burns with shame.

"You're a chimera, and Soren needs your support. Get used to being treated as someone special," she takes a strand of my hair. "Besides, we can't pretend that Soren and you aren't attracted to each other, can we?"

This is definitely embarrassing. Still, I need to continue.

"I always thought you didn't support this," I look at her, trying to read her expression. She raises her eyebrows.

"I'm not against it. But no one knew if you were Thundervale's chimera or not. Soren designated me as your guardian," she stared at me with a serious expression. "I couldn't allow you to get hurt."

I look out the window to avoid looking at her because I certainly got hurt.

"Soren is a good man, and I can say that we've been friends forever," she puts her hand on my shoulder. "I know that Soren's great love is Eldoria. As much as he likes you, and I admit that I've never seen him like anyone as he likes you, I know he would give up everything to join Thundervale's Chimera when he finds her."

The mere thought of being abandoned by Soren hurt brutally.

"Soren will do anything to achieve his goals, even if he has to go against himself," Twyla continues. "Eldoria is his soul. I can't decide for you, Thalassa. But I needed you to understand this before getting involved with the King."

Even after Twyla left, it took me a while to think about it. Should I, like Obsydian, be one of the King's lovers? Even knowing it will be temporary, and that Soren will eventually marry Thundervale's chimera?

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Lumina and Veridian did an excellent job getting me ready. I feel truly beautiful in the blue dress with a neckline that goes down to my navel. In other times, I think I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing this, but now I feel good about it.

Draven appears to escort me, along with Einar. We descend through the castle to the hall where the dinner will take place. As we approach, we find a trail of enchanted lights. The lights hover over us, blinking alternately. It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. There are moon orchids in beautiful arrangements, mixed with twilight flowers. Everything is so beautiful!

When we pass through the arched door at the entrance of the hall, I see that several guests are already there. Aria and Phyrus Aetherius chat with Twyla and Sylvana in one corner, Rudolph Zev pays attention to Rowen, who speaks softly, a beautiful girl is next to him. Eldritch seems to tell a story while holding the attention of Soren, Obsydian, and Yvonne.

I immediately feel out of place. Draven makes a gesture that attracts Soren's attention, who excuses himself from Eldritch and comes to us.

He gives me a charming smile, and I am disconcerted by his gaze on me. For goodness' sake, this man has already kissed me intensely. Why do I feel so embarrassed when he pays attention to me?

"Congratulations on the recent discovery," he takes my hand and brings it to his lips, depositing a gentle kiss. "The first sea witch in two hundred years. I think the last one was..."

"Queen Marina Nocturna," I complete. "Twyla is excited about it. I think I ended up learning everything there is to know about Marina Nocturna in the last few hours."

Draven and Soren laugh. Indeed, when it comes to important witches, Twyla knows more than anyone.

"I am sincerely happy for you," Soren looks at me again with his beautiful amber eyes. "Without a doubt, you have great potential."

Before I can thank him, his gaze shifts to the corridor behind me. I imagine it even before turning to follow his gaze. And when I turn, I see her coming toward us.