Chapter 2 INVITATION

NYMERA

Air came rushing back into my lungs. I could finally breathe. Slowly realization dawned on me.

I jerked my hand from the lady's grip. My lips parted but words couldn't form. Fear crept its way down my spine at the sight before me.

I was no longer in the iron square.

We were somewhere deep in the woods. Only Aunt Gwen and I knew about this place. The trees were my favorite hideout whenever I tried to escape. But how was this possible? What did she do?

The lady wore a bored expression. Her brown hair was neatly tied into a bun. Completely unbothered, she brushed away dirt from her leather tunic like this was all normal to her. My eyes traveled lower and they fell on the crest on the left side of her leather tunic suit right above the swell of her chest.

The crest didn't belong to Galdrian soldiers. They belonged to Thyrrossian riders.

Everything hit me at once. The Bathyrax dragons. The crest. I was standing before the enemy.

I instinctively took a step back, shifting into a fighting stance. I raised my fist, and a new course of pain shot through me. Only then did I realize I was still chained, obviously defenceless before her.

Yet I stood my ground, “How?” I tried to sound as intimidating as possible.

She said nothing, just empty stares.

“How did we get here?” Ignoring the pain, I asked through gritted teeth.

She shrugged. “Recall.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It’s my soulgift. Bound with a dragon and you might be lucky to get one.” She answered.

I blinked. I couldn’t understand anything she had said.

Catching on with my confused stares, she rolled her eyes, “Your aunt helped me mark this place. That is why you are here.”

My stomach tightened. Aunt Gwen knew this place, but what does she have to do with a Thyrrossian rider?

Before I could ask another question, a familiar voice broke through the trees.

“Nymera!”

I turned sharply at the voice, “Aunt Gwen.”

She ran until she slammed her body into mine. My stamina wasn't enough to keep us both standing, and we fell to the ground.

I groaned loudly. She got off me and pulled me up so we were both sitting on the ground.

She scrambled around searching for the nearest rock she could find, and she began breaking the lock on my chains.

I watched carefully, her movements were gentle so she wouldn't hurt my wrist. When my hands were free she reached for her hair taking out the pin holding up her messing bun and strands of grey and black hair caressed her face.

She used the pin to unlock the chains around my neck and when she was done she finally looked at me.

I smiled at her worried expression, “I should get myself into more trouble if it means I get to always see a sweet Aunt Gwen instead of the cranky old hag.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, she pulled me into her arms, her hand stroking my short hair that stopped right above my shoulders.

“Foolish child.” Her voice cracked. “I have never been good at expressing what I feel, so please forgive me. I did all that because the world doesn't care about what people like us feel. It might be too late, but I want you to know that I have always loved you and always will.”

She was right. The world didn't care. I had learnt how to hold back my tears when I was little because nobody cared, but I knew she always came to my room to stroke my hair whenever I had cried myself to sleep at night. My hands patted her back, “I know. I love you too.”

We had completely forgotten about the stranger beside us until she cleared her throat.

“I think that's enough time for a goodbye.”

I shot her a brow as Aunt Gwen helped me to my feet. “Who are you and what are you on about?” I asked.

“Thank you for everything, Warden Morrow. You can take her now.” Aunt Gwen said.

The Warden flashed Aunt Gwen a quick smile, “I'm only doing my job. And I prefer you call me Jade.”

I glanced between the Warden and my Aunt confused. “Aunt Gwen, what's going on? Do you know her?”

“You don't have to worry, child. We have talked and she's here to save you.”

Aunt Gwen's words did nothing to ease my spiraling thoughts. Then the Warden faced me. She brought out an envelope from a small pouch strapped around her waist.

She stepped forward. “You've been invited to Thyrrossia and summoned to Veyrath Academy.”

I cautiously took the envelope from her. It was a black envelope with a subtle sheen that had the feel of thin metal to the touch. There was nothing special about it, but on the front was my name written in full.

‘NYMERA BRIAR’

I was nothing but a thief, why would an academy as prestigious as Veyrath know my name? I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. Inside the envelope was a small flat shiny dragon scale almost the same size as my pinky.

“Keep that safe. You'll need it to authenticate your invitation when you get to the academy.” Warden Jade said, her face void of any expression.

Jade stretched out her hand, “Place your hand on mine, we need to leave now.”

My brows furrowed as a scowl made its way to my face, “Aunt Gwen?”

“She'll explain everything when you get there. For now you need to go with her child or you'll die. The council will find you no matter what.” She walked closer, took off her cloak and draped it around me.

She cupped my face.

“But before you go, I want you to promise me something.” Her voice trembled. “Stay alive. Don't go looking for trouble. And whatever happens, Nymera, don't come back here.”

I shook my head, tears burning my eyes, but I couldn't let them fall. “I can't just leave you.”

“You have to.”

“But they'll come for you.”

“I'll manage.” She forced a smile, though tears continued slipping down her cheeks. “I've managed this long, haven't I?”

Her hands tightened around my face. Then something flashed in her eyes, fierce and confident. “Let them hate you, mark you, label you, scar you. Prove to them that you are and will always be Nymera.”

I shook my head violently, and her hands fell from my face. “No. None of these makes any sense. You don't know what you're saying.”

“You want me to leave to a kingdom that has been at war with Galdria for gods knows how long? What do you want me to prove? That I'm a lowly thief? A weak bastard?” My voice rose with hurt.

My eyes bore into hers, “And what about you? Who's going to take care of you? Who's going to take all you silly tantrums?”

“That’s enough! You'll escape this hell hole and that's final.”

She grabbed my wrist and dragged my weak body to where Jade stood.

“Let me go old hag.” I yelled, my frail body struggling against her grip.

She placed my hand on Jade's, “Take her with you.”

Warden Jade didn't let go either. I glared daggers at Aunt Gwen, my chest rose and fell as I watched her shed more tears.

Then it happened again. My body went rigid. The last thing my mind registered was the sadness in Aunt Gwen's eyes. And my heart stopped.