I laughed and sprayed him with water again. I swam away but at the speed of his movement he immediately caught up with me. We're near the coast, enjoying the seawater with the bright moon watching us from above."You don't play fair!"He just chuckled and hold my waist."I don't play fair when it comes to you."I hooked my arm around his neck. With my fingers, I traced the droplets of waters from his neck down to his chest. He followed with a look what I was doing."What are you thinking? Hmm?"He pulled me closer. Our bodies stuck together under the water. He rested his nose in my temple and caressed my back. The breath is calm."I just wonder ... will the time come when Devon will apologize to me?""Only time can tell, baby."I sighed."Don't think too much. And even if she will apologize, I'll never forgive her. I can't forgive her even if you're her twin. She inflicted you so much pain. She almost killed you many times. I'm sorry , but I prefer her rotting in jail. ""It's not tha

A solemn, sweet melody from the citharas enveloped the palace. One signal from the chamberlain and I glided through the silk curtains, toward the grandiose hall.Poise. Calmness. Confidence.Three things I've learned from the mistress of imperial performers. The years of practice taught me the perfect stance, moves, and all the gracefulness I needed.Dancing for the royal court's entertainment has been my life ever since I reached puberty. I've long accepted the life fate had offered me. This is my fate. To be a slave, to be caged in this palace forever.The Kingdom of Eravia is where the mages rule. It was where my mother lived throughout her life. She was also one of those less fortunate people who was born as a slave, but not as unfortunate as the commoners, for she was a royal entertainer with imperial privileges. But to me, it wasn't privileges. All those years, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy whatever the palace could offer me. It felt as though I was always chained, someone wh

"Oh!" I reacted with horror. I forgot about that! I looked around, panicking, and was about to find a place anywhere out of the public's sight, when I felt something over my shoulders.I turned and my eyes widened when I saw who was standing tall beside me, putting a black cloak over my shoulders.Even he was meters away when I first saw him, it's impossible to not recognize him, nor mistake him for any other man. His crystal clear, pitch black eyes were like no other. And how could I forget how he looked at me that day?"Wait... your eyes," the man muttered in a low baritone. "Perhaps, are you from-""I-I beg your pardon, sir. Thank you for the cloak but I have to go..." Before he could move an inch, I turned away and walked as fast as I could.What if he recognized me? Will he bring me back to my kingdom? And where am I even? If that man is from Eravia, then does that mean I'm still around the kingdom?No, you're not. I guess we're in Solterra, Raja interrupted my haywire thoughts.

I don't understand. Every element knows how to recognize their masters, and so does fire. What did that mean?The palace will collapse anytime soon. You should be out by that time. Hurry now, Ophelia.I have so many questions but the voice was right. I should leave the palace first before I get buried alive."Is this really true? Fire won't burn me?" Though I can see it in my own eyes, I found it strangely fascinating that I couldn't believe it. It's too surreal and impossible. I mean, no one in Eravia can do this kind of sorcery-if this can be classified as one.Move now, Ophelia, the voice demanded.Without further ado, I leaped towards the blazing stairs. I was doubtful at first, scared that the spell or whatever magic is happening to me has a time limit or something like that. But all the uncertainties were washed away when I felt something different in my body. The heat coming from the fire brought me the kind of warmth I never thought I'd feel in this kind of situation. It was a

I looked around the interiors of the tavern. I never had seen one before this, but I've read and heard about it before. It was forbidden to go outside the palace so the only thing that can connect me to the outside world was-books. Reading became my some sort of hobby to ease boredom and to somehow marvel around different things through imagination. It was the only thing I could do.The woman who introduced herself as Thiara, looked symphathetic and horrified as I went in detail with the story I've made up. She seemed really kind so I felt a little guilty telling her those lies. I just really pray that the deities would spare me for that. After all, I do not have ill motives against anyone."You've went so much hardships, Ophelia. I cannot imagine going through that alone!""Thank the heavens I was lucky enough to survive," I said."I could not agree more. Here, eat. You must be hungry all this time," she encouraged as the servant brought us a tray of food.My mouth watered as I smell