Dark

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2021 Thayer King

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0388-6

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Audrey Bobak

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book the all the fans who wouldn’t let the character Dark, well, just fade into the dark. You encouraged me to keep finish this book. Enjoy!

DARK

Thayer King

Copyright © 2021

Prologue

Colony 21

Prince Raven Dark woke from the nightmare, his cries of horror and anguish clogging his throat. He bolted upright in bed and shoved the tangled bedclothes from his legs. The darkness of the room seemed to close in on him, choking off his supply of oxygen. His chest rose and fell as he struggled to get air. With a wave of his hand, the wall sconces flared to life.

He stumbled out of bed only to collapse to his knees. He tore at his hair as though he could tear the dream from his head. Sweat poured down his body, soaking his sleep pants. He closed his eyes, but the moment he did, the images flooded his mind again.

Blood. So much blood. Screams of pain. My parents, my brother, my sister… All of them dead. Gagging, his eyes snapped open.

No, he rasped, willing himself to believe it was only a dream. But he knew it wasn’t. He didn’t have normal dreams.

How could anyone do this? Why would they do it? His parents were fair and kind rulers. They had raised his brother Prince Parker to be a worthy successor. They were beloved by the people. His sister Symphony was adored. So, why—

The answer rocked him back on his heels. These assassins had been coming for him.

Him. This was his fault.

It was because of him that his family was gone. The people feared him, hated him. They had done so since his birth, and that damned fortune-teller had predicted he would lead them to the destruction of their world. The whispers and unrest had only grown as he’d aged until finally his father had sent him away.

They’d annihilated his family. Treated him like a pariah his entire life. He’d never done anything to deserve the vitriol directed his way. All because of a prediction that may or may not have ever come to pass.

He shook with fury—all of it directed at the citizens of Dark Sphere. He felt as though his body was burning from the inside out from it, steam rising from his flesh. His family was always sacrificing for the people, putting their welfare first. His parents hadn’t wanted to send him away, but they’d done it to ease the minds of their residents. His mother and sister had been in tears on the day of his departure. As emotional displays weren’t the way of his people, the depth of their distress had been clear to anyone in residence.

How dare they do this? His family was innocent of any crime. And Symphony… He choked on a sob. She was only a child. Five years his junior, she’d just turned ten. How could anyone purposefully hurt someone so young and pure of heart? In his dream, he’d felt her terror and her pain. He’d experienced each of their deaths as though he had been there. He wished that he had been. Even if he’d been unable to save his family, perhaps the killers would have been satisfied with his death. If not, then at least he could have died with them instead of living with this guilt and this anger.

The damned people. He hated them. He’d never imagined the people would turn against his parents or his siblings. They’d been universally loved. Yet no one had stepped forward to save his family. Nor had they protested this vicious act.

Were they really so afraid of him that they’d be willing to commit any atrocity? He was only fifteen, large for his age, but he’d never hurt anyone or anything. Never even had an altercation or spoken an unkind word.

And the treatment he’d received in return? People turning their backs on him, refusing to speak to him or acknowledge his presence—if he was lucky. When he wasn’t so lucky, they called him names, warded themselves with signs of protection over their chests, or ran from him. He’d lived with this behavior since he was a small child. It had hurt him deeply, and he knew it’d pained his father as well when he had to explain to him why people treated him so differently.

He’d suffered through it, buried the hurt. He’d learned to keep to himself, rarely leaving the castle to avoid the hatred and to avoid unrest amongst the citizens. Even so, he’d known he would have to leave Dark Sphere one day.

However, he’d believed his family to be safe. They needed to pay for this. All of them. It infuriated him that they would escape punishment. For, who would dole out justice? No one. They were all guilty in his eyes. They were selfish, small-minded murderers! And they should suffer for their crimes.

His rage was a literal river of lava that flowed through his veins. That heat radiated from him like a wave. His skin burned hot with it. Tilting his head back upon his shoulders, he released an enraged roar. The sound filled his room and quaked the foundations of the stone beneath him. The room shook, and dust rained down from the ceiling.

As he released the bellow, the fire went with it until his skin cooled to normal temperature. He fell forward, his body suddenly weak and trembling.

The door burst open and Gaedrian rushed to his side. Placing Raven’s arm around his shoulders, he lifted him from the floor and guided him back to his bed. You know, he stated. We just received word, but I am not surprised that you already know.

Raven collapsed onto the mattress, emotionally numb and physically exhausted. His eyes fluttered closed. Now that the heat had left him, he felt chilled. A heavy, frigid weight settled over his heart.

You have my condolences, my friend.

Though he wished to thank him, no words passed his lips. His throat tightened. Gaedrian was his only friend—the only person outside of his family who didn’t fear him.

If you need to—

Gaedrian! Chaldor’s frantic cry reached them before he skidded to a stop in the open doorway.

Gaedrian straightened and crossed to the guard. What is it?

With a glance in his direction, Chaldor bent his head to Gaedrian’s. He whispered in his ear. Then, as one, the men turned and stared at him. Gaedrian stepped forward. Dark, there has been a new development, Gaedrian began haltingly, addressing him by his last name as everyone here on Colony 21 did. On his home planet, the surname was shared by members of his family. His ancestors had ruled for so many generations that their planet had come to be known as Dark Sphere.

Gaedrian took two steps toward him and stopped. He lifted a hand, his finger pointing at Dark’s chest. What is that? Where did you get that necklace?

Dark dropped his gaze to the cold spot on his chest. A silver chain held a thick, flat oval pendant. Though it was monochrome, he could make out the shapes of landmasses and bodies of water. It was a perfect replica of his home planet.

As he watched, clouds moved across the surface. Then he understood. This was no copy. This was his home planet. It’s gone, isn’t it?

Chaldor swore.

Dark, what have you done? Gaedrian asked, his tone stunned.

Dark recalled the fortune-teller’s dark prophecy that he would be the cause of Dark Sphere’s destruction. He couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened had she kept her prediction to herself. The people wouldn’t have feared him, hated him, murdered his family. In the end, it mattered not that he hadn’t done it intentionally. Slowly lifting his gaze from the necklace, Dark answered truthfully, I’ve avenged the slaughter of my family.

Chapter One

Killer. Monster. Abomination. Dark knew what they said about him. He could hear it even when they didn’t say it. The whispers, hell, even the thoughts tormented him. He had no peace. They were right. He was evil. He should have been the one to die. Not his family. Dark stood in the corner of his chamber, stiff and unmoving. The older he got, the worse it seemed to get. His shields were strong, but his powers continued to grow. It was an inferno burning him from the inside out. Sometimes, he felt like he was going to explode into flame and destroy the universe.

He bumped his head against the unforgiving stone wall. And then again. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth as he wrangled with his inner demons, pushing them deep down inside. Flames of energy licked at his face as he tried to contain his magic. Tears ran down his cheeks.

Everyone thought him cold and unyielding, but the truth was he was a boiling cauldron of emotions. Anger, hate, frustration, and fear tumbled end over end in a dangerous cyclone bent on destruction. If he didn’t maintain a tight-fisted rein over his emotions, he feared he’d lose control of them all. And he couldn’t let that happen. Not again.

Today seemed to be worse than most but not as difficult as some others. Growling, he pushed harder until he was once more in control. With angry hands, he wiped his cheeks. He swore and closed his eyes until ice replaced the lava in his veins. When he released his next breath, he could see frost in front of his face. He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror opposite him. His eyes were icy gray, a vast void of cold wasteland.

There was a knock at his door. He smoothed back his black hair before crossing the room.

Dark, you have guests, Gaedrian announced. His expression was grim. Aside from Gaedrian and his queen Whimsy, known to Colony 21’s residents as Queen Gaedriana, he didn’t have friends. That Gaedrian came in person instead of summoning him or sending a messenger was unusual. Hell, anyone wanting to see him was plain odd. He’d seen only twenty-two summers, but he was feared and known as a destroyer of worlds. Turn one planet into a medallion before you’re legally considered an adult, and that shit kind of stuck with you. It would be best if you were to follow me.

Dark did as his king asked without question. Gaedrian led him through the castle halls to an informal sitting room. Whimsy sat with his guests, her hand resting naturally over her distended belly. Twins. A boy and a girl. They will be named—

Dark cut off the thought. He worked hard to suppress visions of the future. His rein was tight on the ability, but sometimes knowledge slipped through the cracks. Of all his abilities, it was the one he detested the most.

A man, pale and gray, stood at their entry. Lilia, his fiancée, a fair-skinned girl with silver hair and light-blue eyes, made her way to her feet. Gaedrian crossed to Whimsy and placed his hand on her shoulder. Do not, Dessert, he whispered to his wife so that no one but she and Dark could hear. She was well-rounded. The task of sitting and standing had become an ordeal for her in the last month.

Prince Raven, I am King Tor of Light. Though Lilia, accompanied by a chaperone, had been sent to meet with Dark once a year since he’d reached the age of eighteen, this was the first time the king had accompanied her to Colony 21.

Dark nodded his head in acknowledgment of King Tor’s greeting.

And then he turned his gaze to his betrothed. He felt her gaze on him, traveling his body from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. Her blue eyes shone with admiration of his physical attributes, but when their gazes met, she shivered and looked away.

Let us sit, he said, for he could guess the purpose of this visit. He sat next to his queen, opposite the father and daughter.

Once again, I would like to offer my condolences on the loss of your … family. King Tor cleared his throat.

Dark said nothing. His family had perished long ago. Too long for Tor to bring it up now. It would be the same as if Dark consoled him on the loss of Lilia’s mother who had died in childbirth.

As you know, your father and I were great friends, and we’d hoped to unite our two worlds in a pact that would give strength to both of our kingdoms. He gave a brisk nod and Tor continued. But that is no longer possible as you have no kingdom to speak of.

You wish to break the marital agreement? He saw no point in dancing around the purpose of this visit. This was perhaps his last chance at marriage. No other woman would marry him. Not with his reputation.

Surely, that’s not what he’s saying, Whimsy said. She patted his hand.

King Tor made a small distressed sound. I’m afraid we must. The arrangement was dependent upon it being beneficial to both our planets. While I sympathize with your situation, Prince Raven, I cannot allow my daughter to enter a marriage with you.

Whimsy gave an outraged gasp. Gaedrian, do something. They can’t do this.

Perhaps something could be arranged. We think of Dark as family. An alliance with our planet could be forged.

Tor glanced at his daughter. She bit her full pink lips and shook her head, her hair floating about her beautiful face in a soft cloud. "There is a second reason as to why we cannot go forth with the