Chapter 29

Aboloft’s words stirred up a storm of confusion and fear in me. What did he mean by confronting my fears? And how was a candle and a matchstick supposed to help me do that?

I didn’t want to confront my fears. I already did that every night in my dreams.

“H-how?” I stuttered, my gaze fixed on the wax candle before me.

“You’re going to light this candle with the match,” he explained, placing the box of matches in my hand.

“N-no.” I shook my head vehemently. “No, Aboloft, I ca-can’t do that.” I tried to pull away from him, but he was faster. Wrapping an arm around my waist, Aboloft held me close, my head resting on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Bina. Don’t be scared, I’m here. You can do this,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“No! I can’t do this! I-I don’t want to do this, Aboloft, please.” Tears welled up in my eyes, and a sharp pain pierced my heart, making me wish for the end.

Why was Aboloft doing this? Was this another form of punishment?

“Bluebell, you need to learn to confront your fears. I can’t just stand by and watch fear extinguish the light in your eyes. Bina, you’re strong. You can do this,” he insisted.

“No, Aboloft, I’m not strong. This fire…this fire is going to kill me, just like it almost did eight years ago. I can’t do this. I’m going to die. This fire is going to kill me.”

Tears streamed down my face, soaking Aboloft’s robe.

“Nothing is going to hurt you or kill you. I’m right here. I promise I won’t let anything harm you. Why don’t you trust me, my beautiful goddess?” Aboloft ran his fingers through my hair.

~Because I’m scared you’ll leave me just like everyone else did.~

“I can’t do this, Aboloft. Please, don’t make me do this,” I begged.

“I need to make you strong, Bluebell, stronger than you already are. My queen needs to be strong, fearless,” he declared, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

“You can’t…I can never be strong. And I can never be your queen. A queen is supposed to be the king’s strength. How can I be your strength when I can’t even support myself? No, Aboloft, I can’t be your queen,” I countered.

“Mark my words, my beautiful goddess, you will be my queen, and you will be strong. I will bring back my old Bina. I know she’s still in there somewhere. I’ve seen glimpses of her.” Pulling my head back, Aboloft kissed me, making me forget my fears and worries, transporting me to a place where he loved me.

I felt myself being gently pushed until the soft bed met my back. His lips moved over mine as if they were meant to be there—absolutely perfect.

“Aboloft…,” I murmured.

“Shh, go to sleep. You’re worn out, my sweet,” he said, kissing the corner of my lips.

“Bu-but what about the candle?” I asked. Even though I was relieved he wasn’t forcing me to light a fire, I still wanted to know why he’d changed his mind.

“Don’t worry about the candle. You’re not ready yet.”

Was that disappointment I heard in his voice? If so, Aboloft was another person I’d let down. The realization made me hate myself, my weakness.

“I-I can try,” I offered, looking at the candle with dread.

Aboloft shook his head. “No, Bluebell. You’ve been through a lot. Your mind and body need time to recover. I just realized that pushing you to confront your fears when you’re clearly not ready was wrong.”

No, no, he was giving up on me. He was giving up on me just like my father did all those years ago. Would Aboloft try to kill me just like my father did? Would he ignore me just like my father did?

“Y-you…you’re giving up on me.” I didn’t care if I sounded weak or desperate. I needed to know what Aboloft was really thinking.

“No, Bina, I’m not giving up on you. I know you can overcome your insecurities and fear. I know it, and I believe it. But forcing you to confront your fears when your mind is still so fragile isn’t right.

“So, calm down, my beautiful goddess, because I’m not leaving you. I’m not giving up on you,” he assured me.

“Wha-what if I can’t overcome my fears? Will you leave me then?” I asked, searching his eyes for the truth.

“My sweet, I promise you with all my heart that I will never leave you. But if you’re so scared of me leaving you, then I have the perfect solution that will put your heart and mind at ease forever,” he said, kissing below my eye.

“Wh-what solution?” I asked.

“You’ll find out soon. But for now, I want you to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day,” Aboloft replied.

“Why? What’s happening tomorrow?”

“Two of my close friends are finally visiting us. I want you to meet them,” he informed me.

“Close friends? I thought King Bancroft was your only friend. Who are these other two?” I asked, suddenly curious about these new people.

“These two are kings of two kingdoms. And they’re visiting us tomorrow. Bancroft isn’t my only friend. These two kings are also my friends.

“My parents formed alliances with three kingdoms before they died, and these two kings are just as stubborn and ruthless as Bancroft.”

I stored this new information in my mind.

“Did they…did they help you…get better?” I asked. I was asking if the other two kings helped Aboloft recover after I left him.

“They did,” he answered, his response curt, shutting down any further inquiries about the events of eight years ago.

“Then why haven’t they come to see us until now?” I asked.

“They’ve been tied up with their kingdom affairs. But now they’ve found some time, and they sent word through their servants that they’ll be visiting us.

“So get some sleep. You’ll need your energy for tomorrow,” he said.

“So…they know everything about you?” If they knew all about Aboloft and his past, then these kings would despise me. They’d want me dead, just like the people of Wilsden.

“Yes, Bluebell, they know all about me, and about you too.” His answer made me want to crawl into a corner and never come out.

Suddenly, I could see what tomorrow would bring: the icy stares, the harsh, biting words. Aboloft’s friends would make me wish for death all over again.

“Maybe it’s best if I stay in your chambers. Your friends might not…like me,” I suggested, my gaze shifting to the flickering candle flames that cast a soft glow around the room.

“They’re going to adore you, Bina. You have no idea how excited they are to meet you. They would’ve come sooner if they could, but they had to wait until now to see you,” Aboloft reassured me, planting a kiss on my forehead.

I didn’t believe him. King Bancroft was still furious with me for leaving Aboloft. He even ordered his men to capture me for Aboloft. No, there was no chance the two new kings would accept me, not after I abandoned their friend.

“You should sleep now. They’ll be here early in the morning.” With that, Aboloft lay down next to me and pulled the blanket over us.

Not knowing what else to say, I turned on my side and closed my eyes. I let out a sigh when I felt Aboloft’s strong arm wrap around my waist, pulling me closer until my back was pressed against his chest.

“Good night, my beautiful goddess. Sweet dreams.” The last thing I felt before sleep claimed me was Aboloft’s lips brushing against my temple.

***

The next morning brought a whirlwind of emotions. A sense of dread mixed with anticipation made it hard for me to get out of bed.

Today was the day Aboloft’s friends would arrive. I hadn’t even met them, and yet I could already feel their hatred searing my soul.

“Good morning, Bluebell. You slept in late,” Aboloft noted as he walked into the room, a smile on his face.

“What? How late? What time is it?” I asked, sitting up.

“It’s quarter to ten. My friends are here. They’re waiting to meet you.” His answer left me gasping. Quarter to ten? Aboloft was right. I had overslept.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” I asked as I got out of bed.

“You had a rough night. I thought it was best to let you sleep.” His smile didn’t fade as he spoke.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have slept so late. I’ll meet your friends in a few minutes. I just need to get dressed,” I told him.

“No need to apologize,” Aboloft replied.

Fifteen minutes later, I was ready. Aboloft gave me a soft smile when he saw me, then took my hand and led me out of his room.

With each step we took, I tried to hold onto the calm that was slipping away like sand through my fingers.

“Why did you wait for me? You should be spending time with your friends,” I said.

“We’ll spend time with them together.

“But if you want to know why I stayed and waited for you to get ready, it’s because Eldon and Mavon told me not to come down until I brought you with me,” Aboloft explained, stopping in front of a massive, heavy door.

Two guards stood on either side of the door, as still as statues.

Aboloft pushed the door open and led me inside, then let the door close behind us with a loud thud that echoed off the walls, making me flinch.

“Finally. I thought you were going to make us wait forever,” a voice filled with amusement commented.

I had to fight the urge to run as I looked at the three kings sitting regally on the sofas.

King Bancroft sat next to a man with brown hair and the softest baby blue eyes I’d ever seen. Across from them sat a man with dark blond hair and cold, calculating gray eyes.

The chill in his eyes reminded me of Aboloft and contrasted sharply with the warmth in King Bancroft’s and the blue-eyed man’s eyes.

Just by looking at the three men, I could tell they were kings. There was something about their aura that hinted at their power and status.

“She needed to get ready, so we took a few extra minutes,” Aboloft explained.

From their relaxed postures, I could tell they’d been here for a while. They weren’t wearing their robes, but they looked as comfortable as if they were at home.

The blue-eyed king stood up and walked over to us. He stopped right in front of me, his closeness making me grip Aboloft’s hand tightly.

“Hello, dear. It’s about time we met. I’m sure Aboloft hasn’t told you about me, but don’t worry, I’ll fix that right away.

“I’m King Mavon, but you can call me by my first name. No need for formalities,” he said. His voice told me he was the one who’d spoken when Aboloft and I entered the room.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lo—”

“Uh uh, what did I say about formalities?” he interrupted, sounding disapproving.

“Don’t scare her, Mavon. You just met her,” Aboloft chided his friend.

King Mavon chuckled. “All right, as you say, Aboloft.”

“Over there is King Eldon,” King Mavon gestured towards a man with piercing gray eyes. “Try not to engage him too much. He’s got a temper, much like Aboloft.”

With a playful wink, King Mavon sauntered back to the couch, taking a seat next to King Bancroft.

“Nice to meet you, King Eldon,” I greeted, trying to ignore the way his gaze seemed to promise punishment.

“Bina, let’s sit,” Aboloft suggested, leading me to the couch and pulling me down next to him.

“How are you, Sabina?” King Mavon asked. “Bancroft and Aboloft have told me about you, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

“I’m doing well, thank you.” I felt uncomfortable using his first name, so I decided to avoid it altogether.

“Did your punishments tame her, Aboloft?” King Eldon’s question sent a chill of fear through me.

“I think it’s best if we discuss this when Sabina isn’t here,” King Bancroft suggested.

“Why? She should know her punishments were justified,” King Eldon countered.

“Enough, Eldon! We’ll discuss this when Sabina isn’t here. Keep your hostility to yourself for now,” Aboloft commanded.

This was my fear. I knew the kings wouldn’t easily accept me. I knew they’d lash out.

Aboloft had punished me, caused me so much pain. But now, his friends were going to punish me. How much more pain would they inflict?

A knock on the door interrupted our tense conversation. The door swung open, revealing two maids with their eyes cast downward.

“Sorry to interrupt, my lord, but there’s an urgent matter that needs your attention,” one of the maids informed us.

Aboloft rose immediately, leaving me feeling abandoned. “Lead the way,” he ordered, following the maids out of the room.

Once the door closed behind them, I found myself alone with the three kings. This was a mistake. Aboloft shouldn’t have left me alone with them.

I felt exposed, vulnerable. How was I supposed to defend myself against their palpable animosity?

“Now that Aboloft is gone, let’s clear a few things up,” King Eldon suggested, a malicious glint in his gray eyes.

I turned to King Bancroft for support, but the coldness in his eyes told me he wouldn’t help. King Mavon’s eyes held the same cruelty and contempt as his friends.

I was alone.

I was trapped.