Prologue. AN EXILE’S SECRET

—•—• Thirty Years Ago •—•—

“Any last words, Zarcos?” She sneers with envy as she yanks the ring from my index finger, our family emblem—a circle with a triangle emerging from its circumference. It’s the eclipse of two celestial bodies, light climbing over darkness, life overcoming death, inlaid in warm yellow gold. She slides it onto her hand, swallowing its meaning.

My meaning.

The clasp of Matajoran metal cuffs slam onto my wrists, shredding my skin. Powerless, they drag my ragged body from the bed where I brought you into the world only hours before.

I can still smell the sour sweat and burnished blood soaked into my now-cool skin. My nerves tingle—the aftermath of an ancient secret power that worked you through me.

The Kingdom Guard Aura—the unseen celestial spirit that chooses my soul as its vessel.

I barely caught your face, no longer imagined but defined, before they took you away. I was left with empty space.

A small hope lingers as I hear your first cry—piercing sharply through these thin walls, ruby and ivory like Flesh and Bone Stones from the Mineral Mines back home. This vessel’s structure is controlled by another Aura, a power meant to carry me away from my place of birth. 

Now that you’re born, I muster strength to begin my journey inside this vessel, meant to exile me to the furthest unclaimed astral system where I will spend my remaining days.

Katriana’s bodice radiates heat over me, her twisted smirk familiar and dark. Her white-gloved fingers curl around my jaw like a predator toying with the last cords of life before snapping sinews in half.

“Say something!”

The King’s voice pleads as his shadow emerges into the turquoise-lit birthing chamber. He runs his hands through peppered hair, regret clouding his slate-grey eyes.

Oh, Derreck… my heart sinks.

You were one of the good ones—until you chose Katriana over me.

Now the reason for your compromise will die with me.

All the secrets will.

Your cry pierces the silence again, and through the tears streaming down my burning face, a smile emerges.

There it is.

Your voice.

This is why I fall silent—to hear you one last time.

Crack!

The slap across my cheek stings.

Katriana’s hands were always firm and strong.

Now gloved, her flayed skin hidden from the world, is marked by an Aura’s rejection.

The emblem ring presses a mark on my jawbone. The clamoring nearly knocks me unconscious as multiple hands hold me down.

I don’t dare draw energy from the Kingdom Guard Aura, even as it forcefully offers itself. I must save it.

Crack!

The other cheek faces the same fate, whipping my head painfully in the opposite direction. My neck cracks under the force.

“Stop hurting her!”

King Derreck falters, demanding justice on my behalf.

“You lost the right to speak when you undermined her execution,” Katriana snaps. “Exile was your mercy. Don’t question the method.”

She flexes her left fist, signaling the Guardians assigned to my transport.

There are four—two females, two males—I know them well. Though no emblem rings mark them, their skin bears another permanent symbol. I should know. I put it there.

A Guardian’s knee pierces my abdomen, reigniting the soreness from when you slid out.

Eliezer. I breathe his name silently.

“Again!” Katriana orders as she cradles you in her arms. It hurts too much; I’d rather look away rather than see you held by her.

“My Lady—” Eliezer falters.

“I can’t go on.”

Bless him. I muster strength to look up.

“I said, again.” Katriana’s jaw clenches, seething.

Eliezer’s hesitation carries honor and respect still belonging to me. The hours spent etching my emblem into his skin—the intimacy of pain shared—holds more power than Katriana’s hatred.

His eyes lock with mine. I nod. He shakes his head, despair in his gaze as his knee plunges into me, again and again.

I focus on the birthing chamber’s entrance—its wide frame and oddly placed turquoise-lit arch keeping me tethered.

Katriana presses your fragile head to her chest, cooing only to taunt me.

A fresh stream of red spills between my thighs, the world slowing, darkening at the edges.

I gather what’s left of my Aura, drawing slow bursts of power to see your face a moment longer.

Silence and darkness—this is the transfer your power deserves.

Not Derreck’s shouting. Not his guilt. Not justice.

Just silence.

“I will name her Eradena,” Katriana calls.“For her name means an Irreversible Error.”

But I named you first.

I drown out the sound of that name to recite your true one—the name I gave you in my heart before you entered this world.

Your cries grow stronger as I grow weaker—almost there—the transfer of power you will one day wield.

May you…

The darkness consumes me, silence beckoning…

Reach your full potential.

 That Kingdom Guard Aura will unleash all its power…May it find…You worthy…

My sweet daughter.