Kiara's POV
" Mira??? What is she doing here? "
It had completely slipped my mind that she was in that neighboring country as an exchange student. In running away from her, in keeping her safe, I had in reality, brought the Dark mages, right at her doorstep.
Like an idiot I ran.
There were a lot of them. And I was not the Kiara who was one of the best warriors that Chemora had. I was weak, I was vulnerable, barely a notch higher than those average humans.
I ran harder, even though it was difficult with my feet bleeding and the thorny vegetation scraping my skin.
I could feel her.
She was just a few feet away from me. And I could feel them as well, swirling around the spot, scattered for the time being, for some reason.
I ran and ran and then finally I bumped right into her.
We both fell on either side of the bush.
" Mamma? " I heard Mira's voice as I tried to get the dirt off my face. " Mamma... is that... is that really you? You came for me??? Mamma Aaaaaaaa! " She fell right on top of me, tackling me in a bear hug, rolling on the grass, getting my face dirty all over again. " Mamma! I was so worried! " She gasped.
I finally looked up and found two more boys standing there. One supporting the other. They looked almost my Mira's age, human age I mean.
" Hi! " the one supporting the other boy waved at me. I smiled at him sheepishly as the other one, who was kind of drooling, tried to acknowledge my presence as well. I smiled and nodded at him.
" That's Kian and Xen, Mamma. You know, they are from Chemora as well. Why did you not tell me anything? Mamma? Why did you not talk about this place before? "
How was I to explain to my sweet little daughter the despicable truth behind her birth? Not to forget the loss of my own powers accompanied with prolonged amnesia.
" Now is not the time. I will explain later. You guys need to get out of here... This place isn't safe. There are Dark mages after you.... "
" After me? Who is after me? Why? " I knew I screwed up.
" Are you talking about those creatures with eyes borrowed from hell? " She asked.
The exact description of a Dark Mage.
" Yes! It's them. There is an entire flock of them, lurking around this place. " I confirmed.
" Don't worry Mamma! We just dealt with them. But we can't leave without Braze. He is somewhere here. We need to get to him. But...." She adjusted her collar as if she was having difficulty breathing. " But I am so thirsty, Mamma. It's like my organs are drying up. I need something... I need something to drink. "
I saw the veins on her body slithering as she tried scratching it. I knew this thirst. I understood what she was craving. It was a bequest from her damned father. A curse running in her vein.
" Did you, ummm, use your power? I mean did you burn something up... I mean by mistake? " I had to ask.
" Oh yeah! She burnt the shit out of those things! They ran with their tails between their legs. " The boy named Kian, narrated enthusiastically.
" Oh! I see. That explains your exhaustion. Here! Come! Have a bite! " I uncovered my wrist and offered her the drink that her body craved so badly.
She looked at me, puzzled.
" You want me to do what? " she asked.
I took a deep sigh.
" Come here. Sit! " I tapped on my lap as she obediently sat on them.
I bit my skin off, to show her my oozing crimson liquid. It did its work, she could hold it back no more. She grabbed my hand and began suckling as I patted her back, just like I used to suckle her, when she was a little babe.
But this took me back to another intimate moment. A moment that I used to cherish, with her dad.
He used to lay on my lap, gently playing with my hand and then he would pull my head to his ear and whisper, " Kiara, I am so thirsty... May I??? "
He would ask.
Could I ever deny such a sweet request?
Calex and I were both exceptional at what we did. We were the best in our trades. Yet, not being part of the Influential Tribes of Chemora made us see hardship wherever we ventured.
I will admit that it was humiliating and frustrating.
We found each other, companions, in this struggle.
" I promise Kiara! I will make a land of us some day. You and me. A place where we will not have to bend to the rules of these stupid clans. We will create a new world together. Just like Adam and Eve. "
He used to say. And yeah! We at Chemora, believed in the primordial couple as well.
I used to dream about that land where we would rule, side by side, a kingdom for ourselves, where there would prevail , no discrimination.
But little did I know there was no kingdom, it was all ashes.
My hopes, my trust, my faith, everything fell on the ground and shattered, scattering all over the place like pearls.
Little did I know, I was just a pawn, a stepping stone in his bigger game.
" Mamma! I am so sorry! '' Mira let go of my hand and sat up with a jolt. A look of horror on her face as she saw a teardrop escape from the corner of my eye.
" Did I... did I hurt you? Mamma? Why did you feed me your blood? Am I.... am I a monster? Mamma, are you alright? "
She cupped my face with her hands and begged for an answer.
" You are my sweetest angel, my love. We all have our weaknesses. This is yours. It doesn't make you a monster, your choices do. "
Little did my angel know that those tears were tears of regret, not physical hurt.