"Sometimes the things in our heads are far worse than anything they could put in books or on film"
- C. K. Webb
I was taken to another room to get changed back into my normal outfit. I was told that tomorrow I would get my uniform, badge and my stamp.
I stepped outside in my normal dress and found the guard and the man that won the fight with his rivals standing there.
"my apologies to keep you waiting" I said with a bow as the guard bowed back in respect and led us towards the royal hall.
"I'm Evander" a deep voice announced next to me.
I looked at him to see a black haired boy who seemed younger than me. He had freckles across his face with brown eyes. I tilted my head to figure out what he is.
He awkwardly smiled "I'm a centaur"
Centaurs were half human and half horse. They were skilled bow warriors. Just like wolves, they could shift into their other form. But normally they had a normal body like everyone else.
I smiled at him. He seemed decent.
"I'm Signy"
He tilted his head "I'm just a human" his eyes widened as he tried to hide his surprise.
I smiled at him reassuringly. I think I'll get along with him. I almost immediately felt like I had a younger brother when I looked at him.
The guard stood in front of the royal hall as he knocked loud enough for it to echo into the hall then a second later he opened the door.
Both me and Evander kept our gaze down as we walked in.
We were stood in front of the throne. All I could see in front of my gaze was his royal mantle and clothes they wore in royalty that I had no idea what they were even called. I never had an interest in fashion.
A melodic velvety voice with authority rang out through the hall "Congratulations, you both deserve the title that are now upon you. Be sure to use your authority and power well and in interest of our people and their protection".
We both knelt in front of the king on one leg to show our gratitude. I felt an intense gaze on me, but I didn't dare to look up.
"You can stand now".
We both stood up at the same time. King Cian stood from his seat as the royal guard presented him with the hot iron that was used on wrists for those that became leaders of the warriors. He first turned to Evander as he put the piping hot iron on his wrist. It sizzled a bit as I heard a grunt of pain that could barely be heard. Evander was trying to compose himself to not look weak. However, I've always thought a show of weakness if something hurts you is the evidence of that you feel. And feelings were something I was a stranger to and in constant conflict with.
I envied Evander. I couldn't tell if I was envying him for having feelings or if I was envying him that King Cian reached to him first. Either ways the feeling was new to me and it made me uncomfortable. I was never comfortable around emotions. I had an odd relationship with it. I couldn't react to pain, but at the same time there were things I felt that were worse than pain. These are very hard to describe and too complicated for any to understand.
I then heard king Cian turning to me. He was there holding the iron in his strong hands. I caught my breath when I accidentally looked up to see him already staring at me while being so close. My personal space was envaided by his intoxicating and breathtaking scent. I was caught mesmerized by his beautiful brown eyes that swirled with what looked like emotions. I didn't know the king could look so passionate up close.
"I apologize for doing this to you my love" he whispered in my ears low enough for me to be the only one hearing it.
My eyebrows furrowed as I heard what he called me. He held my wrist in his big, rough and strong hands. I felt a shock of electricity go up my arm leaving a tingly sensation.
I knew what this was. Only your Soulmate could make this happen.
I quickly looked down. He is still royalty, I don't want him to feel disrespected.
I heard a small yet heavy sigh from him causing me to look up again through my lashes. He was staring down at me with an expression that made me blush.
I've never blushed in my life. I was calling this blushing because I felt embarrassed by the way he looked at me, my face was burning to feel his brown eyes on me.
I felt his grip tightening a bit as he pressed the iron on my wrist. I felt the pain shot up through my arm. The only way for me to not react was to think of the sorry excuse of a father I had. The torture he put me through was worse than this. My body is full of his scars. I wasn't going to let this win over me.
I kept a straight face throughout the pain. He lifted the iron as he looked at my wrist with a perplexed gaze and worry in his eyes.
I smiled at him to reassure him and did something that surprised us both "It's going to be alright" I whispered so low that even I doubt he heard it. But he seemed to have heard it with the small smile on his face. It looked like he was holding back from grinning that I had talked to him. But I quickly looked back down to make sure no one heard us or felt us looking at each other. This was too complicated to be known right away.
"Majesty, their personal chambers are ready"
King Cian reluctantly turned around. I looked up to be the only one noticing that his shoulders were a little slumped. Everyone else was too afraid to even look up. The guard bowed and led us to our assigned rooms.
My brother is going to be pissed to know I'm going to live somewhere else all alone.