CHAPTER 2
*The King's Summons*
As Soleil looks at the woman, she notices a familiar glint in her eyes. The woman's eyes are the same shade of red as Tarn's. Suddenly, it all starts to make sense. You're his sister, Soleil says, her voice trembling. The woman nods, and Tarn steps forward to stand beside her. Yes, I am his sister, she says. My name is Lys, and I've come to bring you a message from our father. What could this message be, and why is it so important?
Our father is the king of this realm,King Zephyros, Lys continues, and he has asked me to bring you to him. He believes that you have a great destiny, and he wants to help you fulfill it. Soleil is stunned by this revelation. A king? A destiny? She feels like she's stumbled into a fairy tale, but it's all too real to be a dream. Tarn steps forward, his eyes fixed on Soleil. You must come with us, he says. You're not safe here. Should she go with them, or is this all some kind of elaborate trick?
As Soleil hesitates, unsure of what to do, Lys speaks again. Please, there's no time to waste. Your life is in danger, she says. Tarn will take you to the castle, where our father is waiting. I must stay here to protect this realm. Soleil takes a deep breath and nods. She's not sure what she's getting herself into, but she knows that she has to trust Lys. With a final glance at Lys, she turns to follow Tarn out of the room.
As Soleil follows Tarn down the dark hallway, she can't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The castle is dark and silent, and the only sound is the echo of their footsteps on the stone floor. They descend a spiral staircase, and suddenly they are in a vast, torch-lit chamber. In the center of the room is a throne, and on the throne sits a man with pale skin and piercing red eyes. The man is the king, and Soleil knows that her destiny is about to be revealed.
As the king looks at her, Soleil feels a chill run down her spine. Welcome, Soleil, he says, his voice deep and resonant. I have been expecting you. Soleil can barely breathe, let alone speak. The king continues, I know that you have many questions, but I will answer them in time. For now, I want you to know that you are in no danger here. You are safe with me. Soleil takes a deep breath, and manages to speak. Why have you summoned me? she asks.
You have a power within you, a power that is both rare and precious, the king says. A power that can be used for good or evil, depending on the person who wields it. And I believe that you are the one who has been chosen to use this power for good. Soleil is speechless. She has no idea what the king is talking about. I don't understand, she says at last. What power are you talking about? The king smiles. I think you know, he says.