A few days before the party...
"You must understand Jay. This is your future."
"Yes, I understand mother, but why does it have to be within four weeks? You know that is too short of time. I cannot possibly find four women that I am willing to spend the rest of my life with?"
"We understand that this is very sudden for you son, but your are the chosen one, and if you wait longer it will be too late for you. And producing a heir it of utmost importance." The king sat behind his grand table, looking at Jay with a peculiar face expression.
Jay sighed. Was this really all his life was about? "Fine, I'll look around."
At the ball...
Tulip was just a little awestruck. There we so many people here and lots of grand beautiful dresses in all kinds of different styles. Tulip loved the food here, it was all very mouth watering.
Suddenly the crowd turned quieter and she could hear nervous and excited tittering. She looked up at the grand staircase where everyone else was looking. It felt like time suddenly stood still as she gazed at the most handsomest guy she had seen yet. His black hair was perfectly styled, his suit looked magnificent on him (and extremely expensive), but his eyes where the most captivating, and he was looking straight at her.
Tulip felt nervous just at the thought. Breaking his gaze she walked over to the table where she could get water. Why would that guy notice her?
***
Jay studied the crowd. The people at the party were all dressed to their best. It was a big crowd though, since every noble had been invited, from Grand Dukes to Earls. He had to keep his eyes open and aware for any girls that catch his eye. So far only one girl had caught his eye. Immediately upon entering his gaze had fallen on her. Other then that he had no luck.
Parties like these had always been boring. But at least this one had a purpose. A purpose he was not at all happy with.
A few days after the ball...
"Have you decided on any girls yet?"
"There was one girl that caught my eye. She is the daughter of Baron Arthur Snyder."
"A Barons daughter shall become queen?" Damon asked incredulously. "Couldn't you choose her to be a concubine rather then a queen?"
"Father, this is my choice. You get to pick who the other queens will be. But if I don't like them I will send them away."
"Yes, that's fair enough." He rifled through papers and slide one over to Jay. "What do you think about the state Wulwa? Should we send over soldiers yet?"
After planning out state affairs Jay walked into the training yard needing some fresh air and exercise. His sparring partner Ruben grinned at him as he walked up to grab his sword.
"Another hard and boring days practicing becoming king?"
"Shut up man, before I kick your butt on the training grounds."
"Haha like you could do that."
"Don't make me have to prove it to you again. You know I've beat you a billion times."
"No way! Just a hundred times or so." Ruben knew that Jay was not someone to mess with. After all, his skill was that of a legendary Camino's and Ruben was glad to call him ally, except for the few times when Jay lost his temper.
After sparring Jay practiced his archery skills for a while. He let his mind wander while his hands grabbed the arrow in a fluid motion, aiming with his senses as he was taught to do, and released the arrow smoothly hitting his target dead center.
"Are you going to stop showing off anytime soon?"
"That's what you say even though we both know that you are the biggest show off of us all."
Ruben smirked. "Duh I'm a show off. How else would I warn everyone to not go on a suicide mission and try and kill our handsome crown prince" Ruben said sarcastically. "People need to see my skills and tremble in fear."
Sometimes Ruben was just too much to listen to. Jay walked towards the palace. Exhaustion slipped in, weighing heavy on his limbs. The hallway leading to his room was dimly lit by lamps.
Suddenly the lights flickered or maybe that was just in his imagination. Jay kept walking and his guards followed him a few paces back. The lights started flickering again and then went out.
Closing his eyes he imagined a bright flame. He opened his eyes and turned around letting the bright flame in his hands shine on his guards. A guard stepped forward with a candle and lit it with the flame in Jay's hand.
"Are you feeling alright your highness?" His friend and guard Hunter asked him quietly. Worry shone in his eyes.
"Yes, yes," Jay replied hastily. He didn't want people to worry that his power was getting out of hand. If people knew his struggle they would surely use it against him. Only the people closest to him knew about the great struggle. It was slowly wearing him out. Lately he had a lot of killer headaches that didn't go away no matter what he did.
Flames randomly went out and Jay knew that it was because of his tiredness. Since he was a little boy he had been practicing creating flames, making things combust, and manipulating flames. But lately his power was starting to wear on him. If he wasn't able to overcome it, it would truly end up being disastrous.
Jay flopped down on his bed. He could barely keep his eyes open and it wasn't even that late yet. How did his father overcome this? Perhaps because he had mom at his side? Jay groaned in frustration. Opening his eyes he looked at Hunter. "If anyone asks for me, tell them I went to bed early."
Hunger nodded his head before retreating out the door. Blackness engulfed Jay as he drifted away. Slowly his vision was filled with blue eyes that gazed up at him curiously. Tulip. He truly couldn't wait to meet her.
***
"Do you truly think that the daughter of the Baron is the answer for our son?"
Mariana gazed thoughtfully at Damon before answering, "Yes, I truly believe and hope that she will be the one. If not then we are hopeless. We cannot let Jay succumb to the power. I am already so worried as is, the signs are starting to show, exhaustion, headaches, and trouble maintaining poor random flames from being sucked up."
"Well, you helped me overcome my curse. I am sure that Jay being your son, will also overcome his," Damon assured her gently.
"And yet still, I am worried. Jay has always been so focused, and lately he can't seem to even focus for an hour." Mariana worried for different reasons too.
About a decade ago...
"Don't think that you can stop me, Mariana. I will do what I want, and controlling this land is what I want. What better way to do this but to infiltrate the king from inside."
Cold fear washed through Mariana. "No. Stop. I will not let you gain any more power. You have already caused enough damage in this world."
"Then try and stop me. Nobody will come and help you, and we both know you are simply too weak to stop me on your own. Even with your powerful human husband, the king by your side you cannot stop me. And please don't hold out hope for the Infinities, they have abandoned you long ago, especially Brooks." His voiced held evil satisfaction as he told her that. Of course he would take the knife and twist it. He couldn't stop at trying to ruin her future, no, he had bring up her past too. Mariana's heart ached. Were Max, Marci, and Maria safe and happy?