Finding Peace

A story about letting go of what keeps you chained and embracing who you were always meant to be—believing in the dreams that empower you.

Cinders – The Sage Ruler

Chapter One

Cinders' days of battle seem to be behind her at last. Yet, she knows many struggles still lie ahead. She must reunite a kingdom torn apart by her father’s greed and corruption.

After the bloodshed, she must find the strength to live with her freedom—despite the unbearable price she and her friends have paid.

And yet, she would do it all again.

With the King buried and her own tedious coronation complete, exhaustion weighs on her. The crystal crown resting on her head feels heavier than any armor she’s ever worn.

Leaning against the cool stone of the castle wall, she closes her eyes, letting the moment of peace settle over her.

That’s when Shadows and Red finds her.

Shadows nudges her in the ribs. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty! The Sage Queen, asleep on the job on her first day? What will people think?” She bursts out laughing.

Cinders cracks one eye open, her voice dry. “Remind me why I’m paying you for protection?”

Shadows grins. “Well, first off, I haven’t seen any riches yet. And secondly, a wise ruler keeps experienced, loyal, and, well, likable friends close. That means Vander and I get to keep you safe.” She folds her arms smugly. “The way we do that is by making sure our Queen sleeps under our guard.”

She leans in with a playful smirk. “Dare to argue?”

Chapter Two

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Spiteful Stepmother

Red yanks Cinders away, her gaze silencing any protest. "Vander, you're coming with us. Shadows, clean up and meet us in the castle dungeons."

She sighs. "I'll admit, our forces were a bit... rigorous with the prisoners, but war is messy." A pause, then a wry smile. "In 1940, an Austrian psychologist named Fritz Heider coined the phrase: 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Whether he borrowed it from the Bible is debatable, but it's a principle we live by."

Cinders blinks. "Red, I know you’ve been around since the birth of planets, but are you seriously telling me the nineteenth century exists?"

Vander chuckles. "Better not show her my birth certificate, Mistress."

Cinders narrows her eyes. "Something tells me you're not joking... and that my security detail owes me some honesty."

As they descend the steps, Red's feeling of unease deepens. Almost immediately the stench of death hits her, and her dread deepens. Vander hears Red's voice in his head "Steady now, I need you to stay human!"

"Wait here," Vander growls through his teeth at Cinders.

Red overturns the command. "The Queen is a warrior; she can handle herself. I need you to find Shadows now. Tell her to bring the 'Arena of Blades'—it's in my chamber. Hurry."

As Red enters the dungeon, she immediately spots the open door. Cinders rushes to the guards she stationed. "Poisoned! But how?!" she exclaims. Red's hand flies to her ring finger—the ring the wicked woman so admired. It's gone.

"It seems your departed father permitted Dark Magic, Cinders," Red remarks. A powerful force but never without cost. The fresh memory of nearly killing that woman replays in her mind. So much for mercy.

Then, the full horror of the previous night unravels. Cinders trembles, her breath shallow. Tears streak down her face as she looks at Red. "This happened under my rule," she whispers—then, with rising fury—"This happened under my rule!" she screams.

Chapter Three

Vander returns with a hastily dressed Shadows, unanswered questions in her eyes as she takes in the scene. Red just shakes her head. "The box. The 'Arena of Blades.' Now."

Shadows hesitates before handing it over. "Whatever you trapped in there has been screaming in my head," she mutters. "Ask Vander. And he doesn't even have our psychic hearing."

Red glances at Vander, impressed by his subtlety. He knows exactly who's been banished and why.

"Shadows, my dear, there's still much to explain. Inside this box is your tormentor—the warlock who bound you. If you cannot face him, we'll understand."

Chapter Four

As Red finds a place to open the Arena. She wonders about the wisdom of her decision. She has a gut feeling about this. If who she is about to release has been able to escape the madness that comes with being isolated, he might be their one hope.

As she sets about opening the Arena she murmurs an incantation, a prayer of sorts. "Warlock, young twisted soul, I know your secret. I bind you to do what is right. You must find the mother that abandoned you. Decide on her punishment, make sure she never returns again."

Chapter Five : A Warlock’s Loyalty

The warlock stands before them, his presence twisting the air like a heatwave. His release comes at a cost—his loyalty to Cinders.

Red watches, arms crossed, as Cinders meets his gaze. There's hesitation, resentment, perhaps even fear. But she lifts her chin, voice steady.

"Swear it."

The warlock tilts his head, amusement flickering in his ember-like eyes. "Swear? My dear Queen, you demand restraint, yet refuse to be bound yourself."

"Then consider this your first test," Red interjects. "Your survival depends on it."

A long pause. Then, he kneels. A slow, deliberate movement.

"I swear to you, Queen Cinders. For now."

The unspoken but for how long? lingers between them.

Chapter Six: The Hunt for the Ring

Vander doesn’t hesitate. The moment the warlock is released, he’s already moving. The stolen ring, Red’s ring, holds too much power to remain in the wrong hands. He must retrieve it.

As he flies through twisting corridors and shadowed halls, his quarry has a head start, but Vander is faster. The scent of fear clings to the air, mingling with the metallic bite of blood. Footsteps echo ahead ahead, uneven, desperate.

Then, silence.

Vander slows, instincts razor-sharp. A trap? Almost certainly. A fight? Undeniable. His claws catch the dim torchlight as he rounds the corner—just in time to see a cloaked figure vanish into a hidden passage.

A low chuckle rumbles in his throat. "Tell me, Warlock, are you actually going to be useful this time, or should I handle this myself?"

"Still pretending you have a choice, mutt?" The warlock’s voice drips with disdain. "I don’t take orders. Unlike you, I’m not some obedient little hound. I’m here to make sure my dear mother understands exactly what she’s unleashed—on me, and on the world."

What happens next is unusual. Though they trust neither each other nor fate, instinct tells them cooperation is their best option. With a simple nod to the left, the warlock vanishes, leaving Vander to cover the right and ensure their prey doesn’t double back.

Mutt? he scoffs to himself. Still better than a bastard son.

A woman’s scream—sharp, then cut off. Vander pivots toward the sound, his pulse quickening. What he sees defies belief.

"What have you done?" he growls.

The treacherous queen lies at the warlock’s feet, his hand not just around her throat but somehow inside it.

"Stop. Now," Vander commands.

Meekly, the warlock obeys.

"High as a kite," Vander mutters, repulsed.

Gently, he lifts the old woman, rifling through her petticoat until his fingers brush cold metal. With a quick snick, he removes Red’s ring. At least she had the sense to hide it.

Now, all that’s left is to toss her into the ravine’s fast-moving waters. Whether she survives is uncertain. Unlikely. But in his experience, the wicked always have allies, while the good mostly stand alone.

Some things never change, he muses.

Chapter Seven: Red’s Farewell

Dawn breaks over the kingdom. Red stands at the gates, wind tugging at her cloak. She has done what she must.

Cinders approaches, her expression unreadable.

"Must you leave so soon?"

"For now." Red's smile is faint but real. "You have a kingdom to rebuild. A family to protect."

Cinders glances at the warlock, her newly gained stepbrother. An uneasy alliance, but one that may yet grow into something more. And soon, her nephew will be born.

Red places a hand on Cinders’ shoulder. "I’ll return when the time is right."

Red walks alone into the unknown, her steps steady, her purpose clear.

The Council of Immortals awaits.

She will return.

ƒin

~ As written by Resigner Luth, Bounded by Blood, The Blood Battle (Part three) © March, 8, 2025.

🪝Please keep reading at https://resignerluth.space or https://ultraviolet.ink

Resigner 💜

#justmoveforward

A poem to send you on your way dear reader:

The Unyielding Path

Through shadowed halls and bloodstained stone,
she walked a path she’d call her own.
With duty’s weight upon her spine,
she chose the dark, yet sought the light.

The wicked falter, the good stand tall,
yet kindness bends, it does not fall.
A kingdom lost, a world undone,
yet hope still rises with the sun.

The past may whisper, wounds may sting,
still, courage is a steadfast thing.
Though roads may part and storms may swell,
she walks ahead—she will return.

As always, the words and the art is mine, I extend my deepest gratitude to other creators for sharing their content🖤