Luna's POV
I was flung back so hard by the magic explosion that I struck the dungeon wall and saw stars. Everything hurt, and my ears were ringing. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Queen Ember standing above me, her eyes blazing with rage. She grabbed me by the collar of my servant dress and yelled, "You little monster!"
"Observe what you've accomplished!" I felt as though I had swallowed fire when I attempted to speak. The dungeon was utterly demolished all around us. There were large fissures in the walls and pieces of stone all over the place. Prince Kai was unconscious close to the rubble pile where Princess Stella had been flung, and Captain Rex was assisting wounded guards in standing up.
"Where is my father?" I croaked as I desperately looked around. "Where is the Shadow Beast?"
"Gone," said Queen Ember icily. "When your magic went crazy, it vanished. And good-bye."
"But he's my dad!" I attempted to get to my feet, but my legs were not functioning properly. "He was attempting to assist me!"
"Your father?" The sound of Queen Ember's laughter was not one of joy. "This kingdom was cursed by that monster. Similar to you."
Two guards hurried over to seize my arms as she snapped her fingers. I could hardly stand, but they pulled me to my feet. Queen Ember commanded, "Take her to the high security cell."
"Trip the locks three times. No guests. No food until I give the order."
Captain Rex hobbled over to us and said, "But Your Majesty." "The girl may be hurt. Don't we—"
"Everyone in this palace is in danger because of the girl!" The voice of Queen Ember reverberated through the shattered walls. "That Shadow Beast was brought here by her. Her wild magic almost killed my son. She poses a threat that must be controlled."
I muttered, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen," but Queen Ember didn't hear me.
"Lock her up," she repeated. "And they'll join her in the dungeons if anyone tries to help her."
I was pulled through the castle halls by the guards. I thought I was going to get sick, and my feet hardly touched the floor. As we passed, nobles and servants paused their work to gaze at me. Some appeared frightened, while others were furious. No one showed sympathy for me.
"Please," I pleaded with the guards. "I must know Prince Kai's condition. I must learn more about my father."
One of them said roughly, "Shut up." "You've already caused enough trouble."
They led me to a previously unexplored area of the dungeon. The air was damper and colder because it was deeper underground. Strange symbols that radiated a sickly green light were plastered on the walls.
"What is this place?" The guards didn't respond when I asked.
They threw me inside after opening a heavy metal door. There were no windows in the small cell, and the door had a tiny hole through which food could be passed. The glowing symbols that covered the hallway also covered the walls.
One guard grinned cruelly and explained, "Those are magic-blocking runes." "From inside here, you won't be using any spells."
I heard three separate locks click into position as the door slammed shut. Then I was by myself as their footsteps stopped.
I pulled my knees to my chest as I sat on the chilly stone floor. My heart ached more than anything else. My father, the Shadow Beast who had been keeping watch over me my entire life, was on my mind constantly. Now that he was gone, I couldn't tell if he was alright, if he was hurt, or if the curse was making him angry once more.
What about Prince Kai? He was unconscious when I saw him in the wreckage. What if he was harmed by my magic? What if I was to blame for his death?
I broke down in tears. Big, unsightly sobs that rocked my entire body, not just tiny tears. I wept for Prince Kai, for my father, for all that had gone wrong. I sobbed because I was afraid, isolated, and unsure of what would happen to me.
Hours went by. Days, perhaps. Without windows, it was difficult to tell the time in the cell. No one came to bring me water or food. No one came to see how I was doing. My voice merely reverberated in the deserted hallway when I attempted to call out.
I felt weak and ill from the runes on the walls that blocked magic. The runes would glow brighter and I would feel pain every time I attempted to use my water magic, even if it was only to make a few drops to drink.
I heard footsteps in the hallway just as I was beginning to believe Queen Ember was going to abandon me here forever. I tried to see who was approaching by pressing my face against the tiny hole in the door.
Master Orion was there, using his wooden cane to walk slowly. He appeared much more worn out and older than I remembered.
"Luna," he said softly as he arrived at my cell. "Are you okay?"
"Master Orion!" For the first time since being imprisoned, I felt hopeful. "How did you descend here? "No visitors," said Queen Ember.
"I have my ways," he smiled sadly. However, I can't stay for long. I came to share a crucial message with you.
"Is Prince Kai all right?" I asked hastily.
"He is not conscious, but he is alive. He should awaken shortly, according to the healers." The voice of Master Orion was soft. "But that's not why I'm here, Luna."
"What do you mean?"
To make sure no one else was listening, Master Orion glanced around. Then he bent toward the door. He muttered, "I know what happened in the dungeon." "I am aware that the Shadow Beast said he was your father."
"It's true," I uttered as new tears began to fall. "I sensed it in my heart. However, he's gone now, and I'm not sure how to save him."
Master Orion said gravely, "Luna, you need to know something about your father. Something that transforms everything."
"What?"
"He isn't your typical Shadow Beast. His name is Prince Daemon Brightwater."
My heart stopped beating. "What did you say?"
"Luna, your father was a prince. The legitimate successor to Pyrethia's throne. Which implies..."
"Which means what?" I was beginning to understand, but I still asked.
Master Orion muttered, "Which means you're not just the Phoenix Heart." "You truly are this kingdom's princess. In order to take the throne, Queen Ember also murdered your parents."
The words struck me like a blow to the body. My mind spinning, I stumbled backward in my small cell.
"That's not possible," I muttered.
"I'm afraid it's accurate. There's more, Luna. Queen Ember is aware of your true identity. She is always recognized."
"So why didn't she murder me?"
"Because she needed you to survive in order to maintain the strength of your father's curse. However, she can no longer control you now that your Phoenix Heart abilities are emerging."
I was lightheaded. I was lying about everything I believed to be true about my life.
"Master Orion," I uttered urgently, "what am I supposed to do?"
However, he was gone when I peered through the door's opening. Once more, I was by myself, but my thoughts were racing.
Queen Ember was not only my captor, but also the murderer of my parents, if Master Orion's claims were accurate. Furthermore, Prince Kai wasn't truly a prince. Yes, I was.
I heard something that chilled me to the bone as I paced back and forth in my small cell, trying to decide what to do with this knowledge. Steps. Many of them. Descending the corridor.
Queen Ember was approaching my cell when I put my face against the door's opening. She wasn't alone, though. Six armed guards stood behind her.
"Open the door," said Queen Ember.
"Your Majesty," one of the guards said uneasily, "she will be contained by the runes that block magic." We don't have to—"
"Open it!" Anger pierced Queen Ember's voice. "Enough trouble has been caused by the little princess. It's time to put a permanent end to this."
My heart pounded in my chest. I was going to be killed by her. Now, right here.
The door swung open as the guards unlocked the three locks. Dark magic swirled around Queen Ember's hands as she entered my cell. She smiled cruelly and said, "Hello, Princess Luna." "Did you truly believe that I was unaware of your identity?"
My voice was trembling as I said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, but you do. Didn't Orion, that snoopy old fool, tell you the truth? Regarding your dad. Regarding what I did to your parents."
The dark magic surrounding her hands intensified as she moved closer. "I killed them both," she said nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather. "Your father was very courageous, and your mother was very lovely. They put up a fierce fight to keep you safe. However, they both died yelling in the end."
My chest exploded with rage. I could feel my Phoenix Heart power attempting to escape despite the magic-blocking runes.
"You monster!" I yelled.
"Oh, my dear," Queen Ember chuckled. "So far, you haven't seen anything. I've been preparing for this moment for sixteen years, you see. Ever since I made the decision to let you live."
"Why?" I insisted. "Why didn't you simply murder me when I was a baby?"
"Because I needed you to survive in order to maintain the strength of your father's curse. After all, curses cannot be anchored by dead children. But it's too risky to keep you alive now that your abilities are emerging."
Dark magic crackled between her fingers as she raised her hands. "But I want you to know something before I kill you," she said. "Prince Kai, your beloved? He won't recover from his wounds. I ensured that."
"What did you do to him?"
"Let's assume that he had a minor poisoning incident. In an hour, he will be dead."
The world appeared to revolve around me. I was solely to blame for Kai's death.
"It's time to join your parents," Queen Ember said, pointing her dark magic at me.
However, an amazing event occurred just as she was ready to cast the death spell. Suddenly, the runes on the walls that blocked magic cracked and went dark. And I heard a roar that filled my heart with hope from somewhere deep within the castle.
My dad had returned. And he was furious.