Laura woke the next morning, after having a very short night filled with turns and discomfort. She still couldn't get her mind over what was being requested of her. She played back the last years and her suitors' parade, the long line of requests and invitations just to be showed off and her worth determined. She hugged, hitting her bed harder till the frame shook beneath her. Elaine entered just then, an empty laundry basket in her hand and Laura remembered their conversation yesterday. Laura had been trying to glean more information about her mother and seeing as Elaine was always ready to tell her about her mom, she asked her about her mother during her marriage with her father. Elaine froze then, slowly turning towards Laura and searching her eyes. She probably didn't find what she was looking for because she bussed Laura's cheek and whispered, "She was beautiful." And she walked out, nervously glancing at Laura as she closed the door. Laura knew that Elaine was hiding
Banks walked briskly towards her, like he was determined to plow right through her till she became a brown mound on the floor. Sidestepping his advancement, Laura shrieked as he followed her movements. Then he stopped, right in front of her.Banks had always scared her, with his bushy black brows and inky black hair. He was always in white, never opting for a different shade than the snow white color. Currently, his hand rested on his bejeweled walking stick, another accessory that he didn't need but always kept by his side. She was very sure that the knob at the top housed a weapon, but she never voiced that out."What is it?" She asked, stepping away from his frowning self till she could comfortably look up at him without getting her neck in knots. "You have to be the most insufferable child on this earth. Your father needs you to stop being a girl and finally man up to the task at hand and you can not do that. He's provided another means that would enable this town not to fall dow
The bear shifters were known for their revengeful hearts, despite the fact that everyone knew they could shape shift to bear forms.Other supernaturals feared them and avoided them like they were plagues. Any offense picked with them always ended in some sort of blood shedding and lives losing battle, to which the offender had always been the loser.They were fierce, they were hateful and vengeful and honestly, kind of annoying. Nothing called 'diplomacy' existed with their king and their kind knew nothing called 'dialogue'. It all had to be death till death with them, hence, making them a non-ally to everyone. However, despite their love for war and death, they were also good hunters. They had many successful expenditures to their name, due to their stellar hunting abilities and tracking skills.They could smell a threat from a mile away, track it down and kill it before dawn even peeked behind the clouds. They were that efficient. It was the reason why every one was shocked when th
Prince Nicholas wouldn't stop pacing back and forth outside his father's study. After the new Gaston had told him, he could barely lay his head to rest. The young prince found it funny that his father was going to get shallow and marry him off just to keep him from ascending the throne. That had to be the old man's plan. He scoffed. If he had to battle the strongest Vampire in the Kingdom, he was going to do so till his last breath. He was the rightful heir and so his father had no right marrying him off to another kingdom. "When will he be out?" Prince Nicholas turned to Gaston, the frown etched on his face deepening. He needed to see the old man right away to set things straight. "Information getting to me... The king should be done with his meeting in two or three hours from now." "What?" Without thinking, prince Nicholas pushed open the door revealing the King and other high commissioners seated in a round table. "I need to see you father." "It can wait. I'm having an import
King Alok was not at ease. For some reason, he'd been unable to sleep, the burden of some matter he couldn't place his hands on was dragging his spirit down and refusing any thought of sleep. It was like someone was placing stones in his chest, rattling them around and creating discomfort. King Alok was, in plain words, weary.Having tossed on his bed for the twentieth time, he sat up, determined to find out why he was so restless and put an end to it. He needed his sleep, even though they came with nightmares as their special package for him. He needed rest because he was starting to look like a crazed man with all the late night planning and thinking he'd been doing for the past few months.His personal advisor had told him that he was using the kingdom matters as an escape from his growing and sinking depression. He was throwing himself into more affairs that concerned the Kayaans, were sending spies and working on the Intel he was getting late into the night, on an empty stomach j
True to the informat's word, Civil came crashing into the king Alok's chambers at the crack of dawn, an excited light in his eyes and holding a sheet of parchment like some medal.Without punishing the man for not knocking or for not greeting, king Alok shot out of bed and grabbed the package, skimming through it and smiling as he pushed the man out of the way, already thinking about calling council members when Civil cleared his throat."My Lord, there is more." Civil said in that even voice of his, making king Alok pause in his tracks and turn around, cursing at the fact that he was wearing nothing but the same pajamas bottoms as the night before."Speak up, Cival, I have a plan to make," king Alok impatiently said, surprising himself that he even remembered the messenger's name. Civil looked pleased at this fact before he realized that the king's patience was worn thin."The informant has said the information provided will be enough to help us strategize and plan as much as we need
Baba Mbari helped Lily decorate her mask. The new commander busied herself with sharpening her arrows, trying to ensure all the edges were pointy enough to annihilate their enemies. They had to be prepared for whatever was to come. Today, they were finally going to put a stop to the bear shifters. Leading the soldiers to war was her first duty as commander. Usually, after the feast, the new commander was to go into every cave seeking for the people's blessings. It was believed that she was legitimately ordained by the people and their blessings meant a blissful reign. Lily couldn't wrap her head around the fast that she had to lead the war all by herself. Everytime she joined them at war, it was being allied to another kingdom and their protection was guaranteed. This was the first time she was ever hearing the Kayaans were at war.The commander stood from her stool, making her way to where her guardian was seated. Baba Mbari decorating her mask brought back memories. She always rem
"Is he dead?" Sarandi asked.Everyone one moved closer to King Alok who was lying still on the floor. Lily was lying next to him struggling to breath and a banging head. Achio crouched down to check his pulse, he held Alok's wrist trying to see if he was alive. "Is he dead?" Sarandi reiterated, chewing her lower lip. She was ignored as everyone waited to get the news from Achio. Baba Mbari who three the stool was still standing, leg frozen to the ground. The old man was still stunned that he almost lost his precious Lily and his heart was still banging in his chest. Achio looked up at his council members. "He's alive." A look of horror came upon their faces. They started to step back, worrying for their lives. The evil king had gotten into the throne room and had seen Damien, forcing the old man to take him to the others. It was at that moment the elders knew the end had come for the Kayaan kingdom. They had tried their best but it seemed destiny had other things in store for them
Lily could feel the sombre mood that settled on the castle when news of Laura's death spread. She knew that she should feel at least, terrible about what had happened, but she couldn't bring herself to grief like the rest of the kingdom. She barely knew her and although, she felt bad that her sister was gone before she knew her well, she didn't feel as bad as she had expected herself to feel.She had expected the news to hit her hard, weren't twins meant to feel each other's pain? She barely felt anything, except, maybe guilt. That she didn't feel that connection with her even if for a little.So while others mourned her twin, she mourned the relationship she never had, that they never had. She watched as the King - she hadn't gotten around to call him her father yet, moved around the castle aimlessly and felt bad that his child had died so young. Lily tried to get into the mind of her sister and figure out why exactly she died? It couldn't honestly be because of what had happened so
Laura had never known heartbreak if it stared at her in the face before but today... Today was very much different than any other day she could have imagined. She had been through a lot but still survived because she believed her love for him was what would save her from all the figure she endured but now, been here... Hearing this. She would much rather be dead.Nicolas never loved her, Nicolas never even cared for her but Nicolas loved her and Nicolas cared for her, she kept on asking herself 'what did she have that I didn't ?' it was a terrible question to ask because she knew she was really beautiful despite the scar but she still didn't understand why he would choose lily over her. She was beyond sad and somehow even angry a big and it was justified. He didn't think their marriage was that much of something worth saving, he looked at their marriage like it never happened and like it was a skillful sacrifice. In more ways than one, it was a sacrifice.She buried herself between he
"Thank you so much, my love." Princess Laura hugged her husband. When the hug tried to linger for longer, gently, he pushed her from his space. "All thanks to the commander. She offered to get the kaayan healer to try restore you father's vision. Clearly, it worked." The princess couldn't contain her excitement from knowing her father could see now. She was sad he didn't have his sight during her wedding ceremony but now she was happy he was going to get to see all his grand children and he was going to be able to nurture then with extra love and care. Laura smiled, taking Nicholas hand. "I'm happy our love could stand all the tests of life. Our marriage is still standing firm after all we've been through." She went on her tiptoes and place a peck on his lips. Nicholas knew he had had to break the news to her now. He didn't want to keep letting her fall deeper and deeper with him. He loved someone else and she deserved to know that. It was important she knew he didn't feel the sam
Laura heard a shout from her father's room and dashed inside, sidestepping Lily who stood in front of her. Elaine rushed inside as well and they both closed the door. Laura walked slowly to his bed, watching as the healer hefted him up to a sitting position and made him rest against the headboard. The healer turned, her huge fur coat obstructing their view of the king as she spoke. "It's done, Princess. Why don't you move closer?"Laura couldn't help the apprehension that skittered down her back. What if he'd turn his face away from her? What if he'd look at her with hate? She had brought about the destruction of her people after all. Laura sniffled a bit, hating how she felt. She was shocked when she saw a head pop around the healer's white coat. Her father.He smiled widely at her, his hand weakly lifting to the healer's elbow and moving her out of the way. His strength was non-existent at this point, so Laura knew that the healer moved all by herself.She ran towards him when he
"How long has he been in darkness?" "Ever since I got into the werewolf kingdom." Prince Nicholas answered. All the leaders were in the dining hall having dinner in the werewolf kingdom. It was in celebration of their victory. Lily put a forkful of chicken into her mouth then sipped from her wine. "How did it happen?"The prince recounted the whole story and the commander gave desolate sigh."The doctors?" She raised an eyebrow. "Have you taken him to other kingdoms? They could have the antidote." Lily ended with a shrug, watching princess Laura feed her father.Nicholas took a sip from his wine. "We've called all the doctors, magicians and healers we know and there as been no change. " Lily felt pity for the werewolf king. She couldn't imagine being a leader and not having her eyes working. She wouldn't be able to lead the war if she was blind. "The kaayan healer could be of help.""Lily, we've had a lot of doctors come in from different kingdoms but there hasn't been any changes
Everyone bowed before the commander. The kayaans, the fairies, the werewolves, the witches, the vampires, the angels and the gnomes were all faced down paying homage to the commander. Despite the lives lost, they bowed before her singing her praises and celebrating her leading them to victory. The commander was standing next to the prince. Their hands were intertwined, both staring at each other. The people stood up cheering and dancing in victory while Nicholas engulfed her into a hug. He smiled when he got a whiff of her lavander scent. The scent had a mix of foul odour so he grimaced in disgust. The groaning coming from Lily made them pull out of the hug and etched on Lily's face was a wide smile.Prince Nicholas skimmed the commander's body taking in the bruises on her skin. Some parts of her skin were swollen and she had a black eye. "Thank you." He breathed out, holding her hands. Lily gave a smile and he added, "I should still come take the fighting lessons though." The both
They had broken out of the woods and were now crouched in the bushes, just outside the palace. Thanks to the excellent tracking skills of the bear shifters, they were able to navigate the woods, be treated to a very nice meal of roast meat and be protected from wild animals by the fairies. The trip had done alot more than Lily had expected. It had created some sort of bond between the kingdoms and there was no doubt that after this war, there would be a lot of strong allies to be called on.Despite the tense situation where they found themselves, Lily was feeling awfully good. It was a refreshing feeling, very different from all the adrenaline she usually felt before a match and she was finding it a good break. It didn't matter that Nicolas was even there, she didn't care. All that mattered was the euphoric feeling she was feeling."One of my fairies just came back with info," the fairy king announced, drawing Lily's attention to the now crouching fairy that had appeared out of nowher
The fairy king had come a long way on such a short notice but a war was on the brink of time and he had no choice. It was a mystery that he could find the crowd in the forest as they made their way towards their mission.A whole lot of his soldiers were just in front of him, guiding him from any attack that was peonw to happen if they were not careful enough. Lily and the others had stopped walking and waited for their arrival as the priestess had already told her that they were not far away from where they were nestled.It didn't take long before a buzzing sound was heard followed by a gentle sweet breeze. A signature entrance by the fairies. Everyone was on their feet, alert as always and anxious, Lily didn't know about anybody else but she was anxious. The soldiers all lined up, their fingers in a twist position for defense and their king at their center. He walks out as graciously as he could manage, it was a wonder still tahg he could still think of grace in this position and at
Lily was gazing faraway, thinking of Him, again. She had moved further away from her warriors that were training on the plain and sat, surrounded by a parchment of wild daffodils, overlooking a swords clashing and grunts could be heard afar off from her warriors as they trained rigorously. They would be there till mid day but, it was always worth it. They were the undefeated Kayaans and she meant for it to stay that way. She picked up a smooth stone from the soft earth, brushing off leaves and dirt around it. She tossed it in watching as the waters formed larger ripples from the place where the stone had landed. She felt like that was the way her mind worked at the moment. A small thought or sight would trigger her thoughts, making her to loose focus. These days, it seemed he was all she could think about. She had already resolved in her heart that she would focus only on protecting her people and dealing with the Vampire King. But, everytime she saw Nicholas, since he joined forces