BLACK OUT
Freda’s POV
“Now your turn.” A voice uttered. I was startled a little bit. I raised my head above to see Damien and a few guards as well as Christie, my assigned maid and Kieran Damien’s favorite uncle all looking purposefully at me.
“Freda your turn!” Damien says firmly this time. And my heart skipped a beat. I was very perplexed about what exactly was going on as normally I would watch Elara teach and I’d practice mine solely in isolation to see if I’d gain any momentum and all. But today was different.
“Show what you’ve learned so far,” Damien says with a stern look on his face. His expression appeared hopeful but his countenance had no trace of happy emotions.
“I-I....... I wasn’t expe....” I staggered but a voice interrupted.
“Still do something. Say something. we all want to hear it. " Damien says standing firmly on his words with a royal robe on his body. He was very precise today and the other wore a purple royal robe as well with their armor sheets by the side. The guards came to the enclosure where my training was stationed and positioned what looked like a target board. It had a spiral drawing with numbers and marks on each spiral and a bright red on the center of the board as if it were some kind of archery target.
The guards on Damien’s instruction kept the huge target board in between myself and my trainer Elara.
“Freda, your job is simple. Based on the lessons you have been taking an arrow will be shot by me to that target board. To prove you have learned considerably you are to flame the arrow up before it reaches the target board just like you are about to witness now.” Damien yelled out from the elevated position he was standing on with his uncle and my personal maid alongside other staff of the Castle.
“You there Jon, bring that crossbow over to this point. “
“You there, take the green and red apples to where your future queen and her witch trainer are standing and pin the apples to the walls of the target. spin it to add some motion and fun to it.” Kieran says as he gestures to the guards and instructs them.
I was dumbfounded and for a second I thought those apples were going to be pinned to my head and be used as a podium for the targets. Kieran took the crossbow from the guards and brought them to Damien. Damien aims, drags, and releases the arrow. The arrow pierced through the middle of the red apple, his first target.
“Focus now Elara”
“On my call, you flame it up,” Damien instructed Elara.
“On three, two, one, pheeewwwwww” Damien released the arrow.
“Barakahh finiessàderhryaaá magnus”
“Barakahh finiessàderhryaaá magnus”
“Loudus massa Louiy dry”
Elara cried and instantly the arrow engulfed in flames before hitting the second target apple. One more fresh apple was left pinned on the target.
“You are next, you can do this,” I said to myself. fiercely squeezing my fist and squinting my eyes.
“Freda your turn,” Damien says with a smirk hanging loosely on his lower chin.
“On my call, you flame it up,” Damien instructed.
“On three, two, one, pheeewwwwww” Damien released the arrow.
“Barakahh finiessàderhryaaá magnus”
“Barakahh finiessàderhryaaá magnus”
“Loudus massa Louiy dry”
I cried but nothing changed. The arrow flew past the middle of Elara and I before hitting the target arrow but no flames engulfed it. I was sad.
“Everyone dismissed,” Damien called.
On my way back to my room from the intense training. I had replayed possible scenarios of him hurrying after me to pet and reassure me. I was bent on learning this spell and proving to everyone I could be useful in many ways to the kingdom but being Damien's queen was not one of them. While walking past the hallway heading to my room, I overheard two guards talking about an upcoming announcement of me as Damien’s mate and queen.
“She’d just enjoy all the benefits of the older generation of young queens who fought tooth and nail to ensure a particular bloodline flows through the throne. to safeguard its future for master witches and noble ones.” Jon a guard says.
Hearing this, my mind raced and my palm made a fist. I was bitter and very upset. I let out a disgusted hiss and stormed the courtroom of the castle. I hoped I’d see Damien there and I was determined to storm his chambers if he was nowhere to be found in the court rooms or the gardens.
“Damien.” I yelled
“Damien, where the heck are you?” I kept shouting at the top of my voice. No response came. I decided to go straight to his bedroom.
“Hello ma’am I’m sorry you can’t be here at this_” I gave the guard a stern look, I wasn't happy he could see that on my face, I didn't care if I couldn't be there and he moved aside and shut his mouth.
“Krrrrr h buuuum” the sound of the royal bedroom door flying open as I gave it a solid push with my hands. “Where are you God dammit?” I cursed, following the passageway of the room to his inner chambers and bed. As I kicked the doors wide open, my eyes met with a full-blown naked Damien standing in front of the bathroom door still drenched in water and soapy foams and soaked feet.
I was flabbergasted. Standing in front of Damien completely naked my mouth dropped and my brain couldn’t process the entire scene. Damien took two steps forward to exactly where I was standing and held my waist with his bare wet hands. He pulled me closer to him and I could feel his body pressing mine, he cupped my bosom with his hand while lifting me to his face.
