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nAn hour later, the Aztec king was with his wife on the Rochnan Mountain plateau. She had changed into black slacks and a gray cowl-neck cashmere sweater over a black bra. Last time when she was here, it wasn't as chilly but even though it was afternoon, cool winds blew whipping her hair across her face and shoulders. Brantley was standing behind her watching the scenery with his hands in his pockets. His gaze settled on his wife's hair and then on her nape. He leaned in and smelled her hair and nibbled at her neck.

"I want you to finish this task and come back to me,

" he said against her skin.

"I am at permanent unease nowadays.

"

nBianca turned to face him. She craned her neck to look at her tall husband and cupped his face in her palms.

"I want to finish it soon, darling,

" she said softly. On the inside all she wanted was to gut Kar'den for trying to crack her husband's skull with an axe. There was not a day when she didn't remember that scene. It was so painful, it was so agonizing that it wrenched her heart. And she wanted to see Sedora—and kill her too.

nHe took in a deep breath as his gaze darted in between her eyes and her lips.

"Then let me teach you the basics.

"

nShe smiled.

"I am ready.

"

nBrantley walked away from her. He plucked a wild red bloom from a bush and gave it to her.

"Close your eyes and focus on this bloom. Let your thoughts run wild. Free yourself. I am there to bring you back. I will watch you closely, so don't hold it.

" He tucked her hair behind her ears.

"If you feel trapped, call me, okay?

"

nBianca pursed her lips. What did he mean 'feel trapped'? The phrase scared her. She gulped. In order to shirk that nasty feeling, she loosened her shoulders. She held the red flower in front of her eyes and memorized every detail about it. Then she closed her eyes and blocked every other sensation she felt. Slowly, the world started disappearing. The noise of the gusty wind, the splash of the waterfall, the susurration of the wild blooms and tall grass, and the constant cawing of the swans—everything receded in the background. Her mind was on the flower. It was bigger than usual. It's color so red that it was as if it was made from blood, as if someone had painted it on a canvas with blood. Fine black lines cracked in its petals starting from the center to the end.

"No!

" she rasped. But the lines thickened and suddenly the flower exploded… into blood. Bianca brought her hands to cover her face.

"Brantley!

" she shouted.

nAll at once warm hands surrounded her to protect her. She opened her eyes wide only to see that every red flower around them had exploded into red blood? She shrieked. What had she done? She started breathing heavily as her forehead covered with sweat. She thrashed out of panic in his arms, but he picked her up from the ground to allay her fears. Bianca doubled up in his arm when she saw blood splattering everywhere as one after the other red flower exploded. As if in slow motion, the whole mountain till she could see, had the effect. Had she destroyed what she had created? Tears ran from her eyes.

n

"Shh.

" He soothed her.

"It's just red dew, not blood.

" He kept on holding her until she leaned against his body, spent with sadness, not exhaustion. Brantley sat down on the ground with her in his lap. He smoothed her hair and wiped her tears. His little wife had so much potential, had so much empathy that it overwhelmed him. And this little soul would be facing Lore's greatest evil—Sedora. He rocked her and rubbed his hands over her back and arms. It was such an irony that she carried the blood of Sedora. He removed her sweater, letting the cool breeze lull her panic.

"Bia…

" he called her name in a whisper, as if in reverence. All he ever wanted was to protect her…

nOnce Bianca calmed down, she looked around her. The red blooms were all gone and the mountain was now covered with blue and yellow flowers.

"Will they ever grow?

"

n

"Yes sweetheart. Only the flowers have gone, not the bushes. They acted upon their queen's wishes.

"

n

"But I never wanted to destroy them,

" she said, biting her lower lip.

n

"You didn't know the consequences of your actions. However, until you know what you can do, what you can command, how will you control it?

"

nShe furrowed her brows.

nHe waved his hand around.

"This nature is because of you, love. It will always listen to you. It will always be at your service.

" His lips tugged up.

"You are my lovely queen. Accept this reality, sweetheart.

"

nHer eyes became wide. This was too much power and she wasn't ready for it. Suddenly she felt weary.

"Brantley, teach me what is essential…

"

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"That's what I am doing, love,

" he replied.

nOver the next few hours until it was evening, Brantley taught her to explore her powers relentlessly. A sucker for knowledge, Bianca sponged it up. Though it wasn't enough to teach her everything in such little time, he gave her a few basic tips on how to control her sorcery. While teaching her, he realized that she was a vast reservoir of power that was best left untapped. She didn't need that part of sorcery awakened in her because it would only make her life all the more difficult. He decided to tell her only that was necessary for the battle against Sedora and how she would command the army of the souls.

nBianca was highly tempted to dive from there to the pool below just like last time, but she was exhausted. With a sigh she said to herself,

"Rain check on that…

"

nAs if understanding what she meant, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said,

"This time I will take you from behind. In that pool!

"

nShe bit her lip to stop herself from blushing, but the pink on her cheeks gave way to her desires.

n

"Fuck, I love it when you are so lusty for me,

" he said and turned her face to kiss her.

nOn their descent to the valley, Bianca noted that there were tiny buds in the bushes of the red flowers. And her mood lifted.

nBrantley remarked,

"See how they respond to your command?

"

n

"I love them so much,

" she replied as she inhaled the sweet fragrance of the wild blooms.

"They are so bright and striking, yet delicate.

"

n

"Hmm. Just like you sweetheart,

" he said as he squeezed her hands.

nShe laughed and laughed. Her husband thought that she was like a flower.

nInstead of returning to the meeting chamber they walked back to their bedroom in order to take a bath. It was Bianca's idea to freshen up before meeting people. And Brantley loved it. How could he leave such a fantastic opportunity? However, just as he was about to follow her to the bathroom, a heavy knock pounded on the door.

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"Your Highness!

" breathed Holly.

nHe gritted his teeth. These people had the timing!

n

"What is it?

" he growled.

n

"Prince Ileus arrived here an hour back and seeks your counsel.

"

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