Iris opened her eyes, blinked a few times and peeled the book off her face. She looked around the tent and scrubbed her face with the palm of her hands. She had fallen asleep whilst reading the book. The low chatter from outside the tent tickled her curiosity, but she decided to stay inside it. She didn't want to see anyone or hear the exact words over again
She had to find a way to bring Ian back. She had no idea how but hoped the books might give her an answer. She decided to return to the Seven Seas realm after Azra's anointing ceremony as the new Guardian of Ellora. She pushed herself off the bed and made her way to the table in the tent. A purple dress lay on the chair's backrest, with silver cuffs and embroidery. She picked up the dress and threw it back on the chair. She was in no mood to preen herself for anyone. She knew she probably looked like she had rolled in mud but didn't care. The only thing that mattered was to find a way to bring Ian back. He deserved that much. Even though there was little hope, she still had to try
A beam of light burst through the tent, and she had to cover her eyes at the suddenly blinding light.
" The ceremony will begin shortly! Get dressed!" Lund coldly ordered her, and she lowered her hands to look at him.
" After the ceremony, we will return to Zandar, and you will come with us!" Lund brooked and walked out of the tent.
Iris sighed and buried her in the palm of her hands." Fuck!" she hissed through gritted teeth.
" I'm a fucking grown woman! I've lived and died and come back to this !" she snorted and let out a chuckle of disbelief.
She glared at the tent's entrance, and for a moment, she wished that everyone would disappear, so she could be alone and focus on her task. Get Ian out of the Hollow at all costs!
Another burst of light sobered her up, and when the flap lowered. In front of her appeared Gaelin. She rolled her eyes at the thought of another conversation with the same useless topic.
" How are you feeling, Princess?" he politely bowed, wearing the same measured smile.
" I'm fine!" she waved her hand at him and didn't bother to return the smile.
" I'm happy to hear that you're feeling better! Azra is ready and is already waiting for you to hand over your responsibilities!" he politely informed and approached her.
Iris nodded, stood up and ran her finger through her tousled hair to loosen the knots and brushed her clothes.
" I have prepared a dress for you!" Gaelin pointed to the purple dress on the chair. His tone remained the same and betrayed little emotion. His well-groomed demeanour was innerving and frankly a little out of sorts.
" No, thank you! Purple, it's not my colour!" she lied and rubbed her face with the palm of her hands.
" I see! What is your favourite colour?" Gaelin curiously asked and picked up the dress on the chair and looked at it for a moment.
" Green!" she curtly answered, not bothering to spare him a glance, and packed the books in her bag and threw it on her shoulder.
" Are you going somewhere?" He followed her with his eyes rooted in his spot.
" I'll be returning to Seven Seas once the ceremony is complete!" she replied without looking at him. She couldn't be bothered.
" I see!" she heard Gaelin from behind her.
" Does His Grace know of your plans?" he asked and halted his steps next to her.
" No, but I'm sure you will tell him!" she glanced at him sideways and stepped out of the tent.
The bright light and the heat were unbearable. The four suns on the Ellorian sky were burning the devastated realm. At this rate, nothing will ever grow or survive in this realm. Gaelin followed her while she made her way to Gaerfyrddin, where everyone had gathered for the ceremony.
She wiped the sweat off her forehead and fanned herself, but it didn't do much. The air was so hot and sticky her lungs burned with each breath she took. Gaelin cleared her throat and halted his steps, reached his hand to her, and Iris looked at him askance.
" I will hold the bag for you while you attend the ceremony!" he offered with a smile.
" There is no need for you to do that!" she retorted, trying to keep her composure, but the man was getting on her nerves. She couldn't shake off the feeling behind that well-orchestrated facade. Something dark and unsettling was hiding.
Gaelin nodded " Very well!" he smiled and bowed.
Azra was waiting in front of Arkathira with Lund and a group of people she had never seen before. She had assumed that they were part of the Elden Council that Azra spoke of. They didn't look much older than her father, so he told the truth about Zandar and how time flowed differently there.
Iris halted her steps in front of Azra and glanced at Lund and the Elden people, who bowed and smiled at her. All full of pretences, she thought. Underneath those masks that they wore, there was nothing else other than self-interest.
" Mother!" Azra called and waved his hand to take her place before him.
They stood within the drawn pattern, and the Elden Council surrounded them in a semicircular way.
" Put your hands on the source!" one of the Elden Council members said, and she and Azra followed.
She would be free once Azra took her place. Free of all burden, no more running. No more fighting with all-powerful beings. Peace. She would be free to do whatever she wanted. Her lips curled up in a smile at those thoughts, and Azra smiled back.
" You may begin!" another member of the Elden Council said, and they all began chanting.
Iris looked at Azra " Repeat after me!" she said, and Azra nodded.
" Ith merus heliath pardun panthar Arkathira lien alif Azra," she spoke in an ancient language.
The tendrils of light coming from Arkathira wrapped around her, and she felt the power leave her body and return to it, while another tendril of light wrapped around Azra as he began chanting the exact words she did.
Azra burst into a bright light and rose from the ground, and got pulled inside Arkathira.
She took her hand away from the source and looked at the Elden Council with questioning eyes. It was a disconcerting feeling that gripped her heart. That hadn't happened to her, not that she remembered.
" This isn't supposed to happen!" she exclaimed in surprise, that morphed into anger quicker than she had expected.
The Elden Council opened their eyes and nodded at her.
" Azra is both part A'Khina and part sithrian! We have to wait and see if the source accepts him as its Guardian." one of the Elden people said, and she looked back at it. Even more worried. What would happen if it didn't?