~Out of Control~

[Valerie]

“So…Viola is going to the Medeis Challenge,” I said casually over the breakfast table. The said person wasn’t present as usual.  Grandpa, and Nan exchanged worried glances while mom stiffened and Maia’s eating slowed down. I shovelled another spoonful of oats into my mouth to keep myself from saying something which would label me as childish and immature once again. 

“Oh…really? Good for her,” Maia replied with a shrug, uncaring on the outside. She had the ability to lessen the tension and normalize the situation. However, this time it fell flat. I did not bother to reply and that is how the rest of the breakfast went by. 

That afternoon, Elias asked me to stay back after class. I had yet again failed to show him my ability to control water. 

When everyone had retreated, probably to their own quarters which was a 15-minute walk away from the training building, Elias turned to me. He wore the familiar frown which I have named as you-disappoint-me frown. From that expression alone, I can guess where this conversation will go. 

“You will talk to me about what I said this morning, won’t you? Mom told you everything I guess,” I said, which was a kind of disrespectful, but somehow I always become defensive when my wounds, the figurative ones, are attempted to be ripped open. 

Elias crossed his arms across his chest while I avoided his intense gaze. “Well, it’s a good thing that you know the topic of our conversation but what I want to say is that you cannot get angry at someone who fully deserves to attend this competition. When you get stronger-” 

“And when is that going to happen?” I interrupted, earning another disapproving stare. 

“It will happen, Valerie. You are too young now. Give yourself a chance. Your sister did not attain this level in a day. She worked day and night to achieve this level.” I bit back my tongue to stop myself from restoring. 

“I…understand.” 

“I hope so, for your sake,” he said softly and even though my eyes were pinned to the ground, I could imagine his expression going back to that serene blank slate. I pursed my lips and nodded. Then, I said, “I managed to move water quite a bit the other night, you know?” 

I needed to push back the anger, the sense of unfairness and this…this feeling because it won’t do me good. Elias smiled. “Really?” He sounded like he didn’t believe me. He had every reason not to. 

“Oh c’mon,” I whined, falling back into the familiar and easier groove of being one of Elias’ favourites. Elias indulged. “Okay, show me.” 

I grinned and took out the sipper bottle from my bag. I untwisted the lid and tucked it into my hoodie pocket. Then I hovered my hand above and closed my eyes. 

‘Concentrate.’ 

The bottle suddenly slipped from my fingers. “What happened?” Elias’ voice broke my sudden trance. I looked at him, opening my mouth and blinking as I tried to figure out whose voice it was that I heard. It was so clear…

“I…I think…I heard a voice,” I whispered, my voice quivered from hope and trepidation. It was so strong, so clear. 

“Voice?” Elias parroted. I nodded my head and turned to him. “Like…like a werewolf would.” 

He sucked in a breath. “You…are you sure?” 

“Yes. I am at least, I think I am. I heard it first during the trial, then the night I managed to control water and…now,” I said breathlessly. Those were not only times I heard the same voice but I didn’t tell him because I was unsure about it myself. 

Elias nodded curtly, his expression thoughtful. 

“Okay. Let me know or let Erica know if you hear the voice again. For now,” He walked towards the bench where still a glass of water was kept and brought it to me. “Show me what you managed to do.” 

I bit my lip as my gaze flickered to the glass. Taking a deep breath, I tried to focus again. I closed my eyes and let my power gather in my palm. Wriggling my fingers, I imagined trying to control something with strings. And then I opened my eyes and…

I felt as if someone had punched me in the gut as I watched the water swirl and move and then the glass shattered. I yelped as the pieces scattered on the grassy ground. Elias who had been watching the act keenly was also pulled out of his stupor. 

I stared at my palm. The centre of my palm had become reddish, as if I had touched something extremely hot and then my gaze dropped to my other palm, which had small cuts but they were healing. 

“Are you okay?” I tore my gaze away from the cuts and nodded, still feeling a little dazed and a lot more perplexed. 

“How did you do that?” Elias asked. His voice filled with disbelief. 

“I…” Honestly, I didn’t know. I had never controlled water and created a disturbance in it to break the container; glass in this case. I shook my head. “I have no freaking clue.” 

“Why did this happen, anyway?” I asked, too strung up. 

“One possible reason is your pent-up emotions,” he said pensively. I frowned. Huh? What do emotions have to do with this?

“Or your powers are finally manifesting and surfacing.” Now, this was a more favourable and likeable explanation. I pursed my lips and then said, “Should I try once more.” 

Elias looked at me then and smiled. “Not today. We need to take this slowly. Tomorrow, in the class I want you to perform first.” I shot him a wide grin, looking forward to the next class more than anyone else, probably. 

~~***~~

[Clyde]

“Your Highness, the arrangements for the competition are almost complete.. Would you like to take a look at the arena?” One of the attendants, whose name I don’t quite recall stood at the doorway, bowing. I let out a quiet sigh.  Brenton roiled at the back of my mind. My scales surfaced before disappearing. 

“Lead the way.”

The task that would have been taken care of by my brother was being done by me. My brother, who was now in seclusion, has been in that state for the past 50 years. Till the last few decades, we had been living a peaceful life, a solitary life as our predecessors had led in the frosty peaks of Mount Verglas. 

But trouble glided in the form of my brother’s mate and now we have to take the lowly mages' help to keep our treasure safe. 

~~~

The arena was well-built, strong to sustain and endure the winds and the temperature was warm inside the arena for the sake of those who were unused to the extreme cold weather. I clasped my hands behind my back as I observed every detail. The day of the Medeis Challenge was approaching at a dragonling’s speed. 

“Is everything to the Lord’s liking?” a woman asked timidly. I nodded without sparing a glance at her way. What I was worried about was Brenton’s unease and restlessness. I rarely liked to let him out because the creature was frightening to many people in this Empire. 

I heard a gasp and turned to look at the woman who was bowing and waiting for my dismissal but now she stared at me fearfully. Before I could say anything, she knelt on the ground and pleaded, “Your Highness, please forgive this one. I apologize for the mistake I might have made.” I watched her tremble and remain in that position. 

Belatedly, I realized the reason behind her action. My horns had protruded and my scales had become prominent. It usually was a sign or indication to the subordinates that their King is unhappy. However, I wasn’t, and I felt ashamed of myself. 

I needed to calm down my dragon. 

Unable to say the actual reason, I murmured, “Please get up. I forgive you.” I was aware of the spectacle that I had created. I spotted Moran, my second-in-command, and nodded at him before leaving the arena. They would think I was unhappily leaving the arena when in reality I was running away.