Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(12)
“Whilst the members of each Dynasty have the inherent ability to influence all elements, each Dynasty has a particular affinity to a particular set of elements and seasons. The exception is, of course, daylight and night, which are the two most potent powers. Only the St. Tristan Dynasty can summon and influence daylight and only the Evenstar Dynasty can influence and summon night. These two sovereign Dynasties have always been the furthest apart in their powers.”
I struggle to keep up as Magnus condenses what seems like the legacy of an entire race into a five-minute explanation and I can’t help but feel overwhelmed.
I come across a section which looks like a scene of darkness and bloodshed. I can almost feel the tragedy emanating from the deep colors and the painting of a naked male figure falling into what looks like a never-ending abyss.
“This is the depiction of the fall of Adam and the banishment of his Dynasty—the Adonis Dynasty.”
“The story of Adam and Eve being banished because they had sex?” I ask.
Magnus shoots me a look.
Right. I forget that I’m talking to someone who is meant to be my grandfather. Talking about sex probably isn’t appropriate.
I feel puzzled as I stare at the scene, because it doesn’t depict that at all. Something occurs to me—in the stories that I’d heard as a child, both Adam and Eve fell, but Magnus had only spoken of Adam falling and that the Evenstar bloodline could be traced directly back to Eve herself.
“The human stories are wrong about the fall. Adam and Eve loved each other, this is true. But Adam became obsessed with power—he wanted to usurp the Evenstar bloodline, take the power for his own. Seeing his evil intentions, the seven Dynasties banished Adam and the Adonis Dynasty to Earth, stripping them of all power.”
A shudder runs through me as my eyes travel over the scene one last time before turning away.
Magnus continues to walk and I follow.
“Tell me again about what the hell this ceremony is about?” I ask, as we approach what looks like the center of the palace. I don’t know why I care, seeing as, for the most part, I still fully intend on getting out of here the first chance I get. But I figure that I might as well be prepared for whatever I’m about to get myself into.
“It is a ceremony to present you as the heir of the Evenstar Dynasty to the other six Dynasties.”
“Is this absolutely necessary?” I ask, unable to hide my lack of enthusiasm.
Magnus shoots me a firm look. “Yes. It is. You will find that the Dynasties have many traditions, all of them are of great importance in keeping the order here on Eden. The people depend on us to lead. These are your traditions now, Jazmine, your people.”
I don’t agree with him, but I don’t see the point in arguing, so instead I ask, “What exactly are you expecting me to do?”
“The heir of each Dynasty will be presented to you by the head of their respective Dynasty. Each heir will then pay their respects to you—all you have to do is stand. You can manage that, right?” Magnus replies dryly.
He gives me a second glance.
“And try not to swear.”
I crack a smile, despite myself.
“Nope. Sorry, can’t promise that.”
5
We reach the top of a large marble staircase and I feel anxiety prickling through me. From this viewpoint, I can see the vast hall before me, filled to the rafters with unfamiliar faces. Every one of those faces turn towards me and I can feel myself bristle in discomfort. I hate being the center of attention and suddenly, I’m wishing that I can open one of those portals right this minute and disappear back to Earth. Suddenly, my pitiful excuse for a life there seems a thousand times better than what I’m about to get myself into. If the reality of the situation hasn’t fully sank in before, it does now. I’m way out of my depth here.
Magnus notices my rigidity and takes my arm gently. I jump at the touch, because I’m not used to being touched. Not at all.
“It’s going to be fine, Jazmine.” I don’t want to feel any reassurance from his words, but the calm in his voice is contagious and I can feel my own breath slowing. Breathe. Just Breathe. I tell myself.
Magnus leads me down the sweeping marble staircase and I can feel my every move being watched. The silence is deafening.
The walk down the red carpeted aisle to the large platform at the other end of the vast hall feels like the longest distance that I’ve ever walked in my entire life. But I make it there. I put steel in my spine as I hold my head up and look out at the crowd. I decide right then and there, that as out of my depth as I may feel, I can do this. This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through. If I can withstand being ogled by a room full of sleazy men as I serve them wearing practically nothing but my underwear, then standing in front of this crowd in this finely-made gown, should be a walk in the park. I can do this.
My gaze sweeps over the front row and I can identify what appear to be the heads of the other six Dynasties easily. The finely made clothing and aura of authority is difficult to miss. Their expressions are neutral, but I can sense the quiet scrutiny. As if every breath that I take is being watched, observed.
My gaze falters, as it lands on what I assume are the six Dynasty heirs. They all seem to be around my age, but the way that they carry themselves, and the air of confidence surrounding them, is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I also notice that each one of them is impossibly good looking. They belong on the cover of a fashion magazine or on screen in the latest teen blockbuster. People like this don’t exist in real life. Normal people don’t look like this.