Morael  

 I had been sitting at her bedside, waiting with bated breath for this strange soul to wake up. I had to admit, I was taken by her beauty, even in her tattered state. And what was more—she was glowing, a sort of pulsating throughout her entire body. I had no idea what to make of it, what was going on inside this otherworldly stranger.

She lay on her back in the black canopied bed, her black and white wings spread around her. The white of her hair took on a pink hue from the red moon peeking in through the window, while the black seemed to glisten and absorb the darkness. She was delicate, with small hands and feet, a small nose, and full lips that I had no doubt would be rose red under different circumstances. Her cheeks, usually kissed with pink (I imagined), were now pale as well. Her black ethereal gown, now ruined, hung on her body in rags after her rather violent entrance into my kingdom.

But despite her ragged appearance, her ghostly glow made her the most, radiant, beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my reverie.

Thazzen opened the door a crack, then turned to me. “It’s Douma, Your Grace. Do you want me to let her in?”

“Have you lost your mind, Thazzen? Of course he wants to let me in!” Douma’s voice, like a blade on flint, exploded into the quiet. She shoved the door open and waltzed in, her red hair and red flowing gown a stark contrast to everyone else in the castle, who were clad in all black.

“I heard you had quite the—oh ye gods, they were serious! She is a Nephalem! How in the Nine Realms did you manage that?” Her crimson lips spread as maniacal laughter spilled from her lips. “And why is she…glowing like that?”

I sighed, annoyed. Douma could be a lot to handle on the best of days. I wasn’t in the mood for her irreverence now. “I don’t know yet, Douma, I’m just waiting for her to wake up now.”

“You’re familiar with Nephalem mythology. How powerful they are. She should be chained in the dungeon before she wakes up and kills us all with her rage magick.” Douma looked the girl over, touching her two-toned hair, fingering the fabric of her gown. “She’s a pretty little thing. Not as gorgeous as me, of course, but pretty.” She sniffed defiantly, waiting for me to agree with her. I didn’t.

“Well, I’m sure you have some minions to order around, Douma. I don’t need you now. I’m trying to keep this room a quiet space so when she wakes, she’s not completely terrified. So, if you don’t mind,” I said, gesturing to the door, being held open by an impatient Nakir.

“I can wake her if you want me to. My fiery blood will make sure she sleeps no longer.” Douma’s flame-red eyes glinted wickedly as she turned and made her way to the door. “Let me know if you get bored watching your sleeping beauty.” She rolled her eyes at me before she exited the room, the darkness in the hallway swallowing her tall, lithe form.

Nakir closed the heavy door, bolting it. “Thank the Emperor, she’s gone. She has a way of getting under my skin.”

“She has a way of doing that to everyone, Nakir. She’s insufferable, but she is my sister. I cannot exactly exile her.”

“That’s too bad. She will do anything to gain the crown. I don’t trust her,” Thazzen added, switching his halberd to his other hand.

I nodded in agreement. “We need to keep her out of this room, and away from this beautiful creature. Douma is toxic. She’ll destroy her.”

No one can destroy me.

I jumped out of my seat as I heard a woman’s voice. Douma??

“Who said that??” I cried, peering over at the girl, who was still prostrate on the bed, unconscious.

“Who said what, My Liege? I didn’t hear anything!” Nakir asked, opening the door and peering into the corridor, firelight dancing in the darkness from the torches in the wall.

Your minions can’t hear me. Tell them to leave.

My eyes widened in disbelief. She was communicating with me. And her glowing had stopped.

“Nakir, Thazzen, leave us.”

Without question, my knights left the room, closing the door loudly behind them.

When I turned back, the girl was hovering in front of my face, with a furious fire blazing in her eyes.