Chapter 5

Deon gave me a sympathetic look. " We'll find a way to lift this curse, Kaden. I promise." They all think that I was cursed, and there was a time when I had thought the same. But who would have done such a thing?

    His words gave me a somewhat of comfort, but the fear remained. As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but think about my grandfather's stories. He had always believed in the power of true mates, and I wondered if there was any truth to the old tales. If I had a mate out there, would she be able to save me from the darkness?

    Lost in thought, I barely noticed when we reached our destination. The Fire Kingdom's capital was a bustling city, its streets filled with activity. People went about their daily lives, unaware of the turmoil within their king. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I was supposed to protect them, yet I was struggling to protect myself.

    As we made our way to the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The streets were crowded, but there was an undercurrent of tension that set me on edge. Luka growled softly, sensing my unease.

    " Stay close," I whispered to him, and he responded with a low, reassuring rumble.

    The palace was a grand structure, its walls adorned with fiery motifs and its halls filled with the warmth of the element it represented. We were greeted by the Fire Lord, a formidable man with a presence that commanded respect.

    " Welcome, King Kaden," he said, his voice booming.

" It's good to see you again."

    " And you, Lord Darian," I replied, inclining my head in respect.

    We were led to a council chamber, where representatives from each of the elemental realms had gathered. The room was filled with tension, and I could sense the underlying currents of unrest.

    " Thank you all for coming," I began, addressing the council. " We have much to discuss, and I am here to listen to your concerns."

    The meeting was long and arduous, with each representative voicing their grievances and fears. The elemental realms were growing restless, and it was clear that the fragile peace we had worked so hard to maintain was at risk.

     As the discussions continued, I felt the darkness within me stir. It was a subtle shift, a whisper in the back of my mind, but it was enough to make me uneasy. I clenched my fists, focusing on the task at hand. I couldn't afford to let the darkness take over now.

    Deon, ever vigilant, noticed my struggle. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, grounding me. " Stay with us, Your Highness," he whispered. He only addressed me is ‘ Highness’ in front of others to show respect.

    I nodded, taking a deep breath and forcing myself to focus. The council needed me, and I couldn't let them down.

    The meeting lasted well into the night, but eventually, we reached a consensus. It was a tentative agreement, but it was a step towards maintaining the peace. As the council members dispersed, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

    " You did well, Kaden," Deon said, his voice filled with pride.

    " Thank you, my good friend," I replied, grateful for his unwavering support. " But the darkness is growing stronger. I don't know how much longer I can keep it at bay."

    " We'll find a way," Deon assured me. " There has to be a solution."

    I nodded, hoping he was right. The journey back to the castle was uneventful, but my mind was racing with thoughts of the darkness and the future of my kingdom. As we approached the gates, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Home.

    Once inside the castle, I made my way to my chambers. Luka followed me, his presence a comforting reminder that I was not alone in this struggle. I collapsed onto my bed, the weight of the day finally catching up to me.

    As I lay there, I thought about my grandfather's stories once more. If there was any truth to the tales of true mates, then perhaps there was hope. Maybe, somewhere out there, was someone who could save me from the darkness.

    But for now, all I could do was rest and hope that tomorrow would bring new answers. The fate of Valtor depended on it.

The next morning, I woke up with a restless feeling, like something was about to happen, but I didn’t know what. It was an itch I couldn’t scratch, a tension that wouldn’t go away. I tried to shake it off, but it clung to me, making me uneasy. Needing to clear my mind, I decided to take Luka out for a ride.

    Luka, my spirit animal, was a massive black lion, bigger than any human bear. His presence was always a comfort, especially when my thoughts were as tangled as they were today. We headed into the Earth Kingdom’s mystical forest, hoping the familiar paths and quiet might bring me some peace.

    As we rode through the forest, a strange pull started to guide me, like an invisible hand tugging at my very core. It led us toward the great stone wall that marked the boundary of the Earth Kingdom. I hadn’t planned on going there, but I couldn’t resist the feeling.

    When we reached the wall, I approached the guards.

“ Did anything unusual happen today ?” I asked them, the unease still gnawing at me.

    One of the guards exchanged a glance with the other before answering. “ We saw Merilla pass through with a young woman. She had snow-white hair and eyes as blue as the sky.”

    The description made my heart skip a beat. Who was this girl? Why had Merilla, Luka’s mate, brought her here from the human kingdom? How had she been able to pass through the barrier that separated our worlds? The questions buzzed in my mind like angry bees.