The Marked Phoenix: Little Red Bird - Chapter 12

Emerine tried to understand his perspective for once. She stumbled for a reply to his words, the words of a soldier whose heart was hardened by murder. Her jumbled thoughts forbade her from thinking logically. Finally, after what felt like forever, she managed to utter, “I see…”

Kalesin couldn’t even force a smile at her attempt of feigning calmness. He tilted his head up towards the sky. While she saw a beautiful canvas for painters to marvel at, he saw ugly splotches hindering the darkness of the night. Nothing was more beautiful than a starless sky. He hated the glowing little things. Little balls of hope, she used to call them.

“The palace is under attack. It’s not safe to wander alone.” Kalesin stretched out a hand towards her, gloved and covered with blood. She stared at it and with each passing second, her face paled.

“Kalesin, whose blood is this?”

He tilted his head and inquired, “Whose do you think it is?”

“I’d like to think it’s the people who tried to harm me,” Emerine whispered before taking a step closer to him as he took one step back.

Kalesin pondered over her words before smiling the slightest bit, “I’d like to think the same. Come, Emerine, we must leave this place.”

Emerine stared at him for the briefest second, her face unreadable for once.

Kalesin thought she was analyzing him for any suspicion with guarded eyes. Until, she gave him a response he could never fathom. She smiled. Adoration, hope, and kindness reflected in her amethyst eyes. It glistened as any gem would under direct light, except there was none over her. She saw the light in him and it reflected deeply within her eyes. A light that he didn’t think he could ever possess. A light that he desperately tried to find.

His hand flinched when she placed her palm over his. Her delicate fingers were soft from privilege and white from wealth. Blood tainted the fingers but she did not seem to mind.

“Yes. Let’s leave this place,” she whispered with understanding before taking another step closer to him, her other hand gripping his sleeve. It was as if she understood something, but couldn’t utter the thought out loud. “Where shall we go?” Her patient words and understanding tone bewildered him.

Kalesin was at a loss for words. He had expected her to throw a fit over his dirty gloved hand. But she didn’t. She accepted the grime and filth, the blood that would stain her fingers for a day or so. His hand shook because he couldn’t force himself to close his fingers over hers.

“Kalesin?” Emerine’s voice was delicate, docile even. Her eyes, large and curious, were so clear, he could see his own reflection.

If his thoughts were as clear as her eyes, then perhaps, he would’ve realized, this was the exact moment he fell in love with — all over again. Perhaps then, he would realize his next words would be the only thing he regretted in life. It was the very thing that destroyed everything he was building towards. “The forest.”

“Pardon?”

“The forest will keep you safe,” Kalesin breathed out, his glassy eyes turning in the direction of the dark trees behind him. The thick and luscious trees were slowly wilting without the essence of the king whose life was slowly dwindling in his room. But it was still strong enough to conceal its princess, shielding her from the dangers that chased her.

“I don’t understand.”

“The forest was your father’s domain. Any trespassers will be lost within the maze of trees, but you’re the Crown princess. You shall be safe, as long as you never look back.” Kalesin dropped his hand and retracted his body when Emerine tried to grab him.

Realization dawn onto Emerine, just when horror filled her eyes. “You want me to leave by myself?” she whispered, her eyes widening. She was so lost in the moment, she didn’t even hear the approaching footsteps of soldiers. Nor did she spot the soft glow emerging in the distance, the glow of torches from tens, if not, hundreds of men ready to swarm this place.

“Yes.”

“But Kalesin, I can’t survive on my own. I can’t—”

“You will have to learn Princess.”

“I can’t survive without you.”

“You will.”

“No, I can’t live without you.” Emerine frantically shook her head, refusing to believe the cruel reality.

“You must.”

“But I—”

“You must,” Kalesin emphasized. It took everything within him to not hug her and reassure her everything would be alright. He couldn’t lie to her, for nothing will ever be alright after tonight. When the sun rises in the east, this kingdom would be plunged into chaos. A river of blood shall spew and all of it was for a silly chair made of solid gold and a purple cushion the deep color of Emerine’s eyes. A chair that called for her name, but would never see the day that she sat upon it.

“Kalesin, please,” Emerine pleaded, reaching out for him and without warning he pushed her towards the direction of the forest, her small body tumbling. She would’ve failed had she not caught her own footing.

“Kalesin—”

“Pray for goodness, pray for the Queen, her Royal Majesty, the spring of Westron.” Kalesin drew his sword, the clang of metal forcing her to flinch.

A chill went down her spine when he turned towards her and said, “Goodbye. Emerine.” It was the last thing he said to her before her legs moved on its own and sprinted towards the forest. Her body betrayed her as it moved against her will.

An image was forever engraved into her mind: Kalesin surrounded by his comrades, his soldiers, all of whom were armed with a sword coated in blood. Whose blood it was, she did not know. Whose blood would be next, she did know.

While her traitorous body carried her deeper and deeper into the forest, she made the startling realization that Kalesin possessed an affinity: bodybender. The ability to bend a person’s body against their will, the ability to move another person’s body. It was this very same ability that guided her down the hallways, and it was this very same ability that was forcing her into the forest and towards her unforeseen future.