“Ignite!” she whispered, feeling the coldness envelop her despite it being a warm night. Deep in the stone walls of the palace she felt cold. “Ignite!” she felt frustrated with the stone that remained dark in her hand. “It won't work, these passageways are probably made so no magic can work here,” Declan's voice came “Then how are we supposed to see ?” she replied trying to feel for the walls when her hand touched something warm, she froze realising she was touching Declan's chest and made to pull away “sorry!” “I'm beginning to wonder if you simply just wanted to get me alone,” he said mockingly gripping her wrist, something about her touch awakened something inside of him. “You wish,” she retorted jerking her hand free from his hold “Don’t think so highly of yourself princess, you are not my type,” he replied, thinking if he had a type she would be it. “Good, and you are not mine either,” she shot back not knowing why his blatant refusal irked her. “Well, since we’ve clarifie
It had been over a week since Layana had retrieved the book for Cordelia. Over a week since she had seen Declan. And over a week since she learned that war was nearing. It had hit her like a cold bucket of ice, once the initial shock had worn off, she pondered over the woman's words over and over trying to make sense of what she had meant. Finding barely anything, she started to find information on the dark lord, but all she found was short stories told to scare children. She rarely saw her father and to her relief queen Myra. Her father was busy in meetings for most of the day or stuck in his office attending to his work. The palace was becoming busier with more knights and nobles visiting whether it was for the meetings or other reasons. Her sisters placed it down Terania’s engagement that was coming closer, but Layana knew the truth, a truth she could tell no one about. She had noticed guards were thickening, and training for the knights had been lengthened and had been raised sev
“I ask for a wager, if I win, you will grant me my wish,” Layana said now looking at her father seriously, Evaan narrowed his eyes, “Very well, continue,” he said “For my eighteenth birthday, I wish to train to fight, then to challenge you in a duel, if I win you will allow me to ride into battle in your stead,” Layana said, her soft voice loud and clear in the garden. Evaans’ eyes widened in shock, of all the assumptions he had, this was one he did not even consider. “No! Layana this is not a joke, it takes years to train and to reach a calibre to lead and organise an army!” the king snapped at her incredulous request, “I do not need to lead. We have generals for that, I only need to be at the head of the battle-” “Never! You are a princess Layana! I will never allow my daughter to ride into battle whilst I sit at home like a coward” Evaan snapped “You gave me your word father,” she said quietly. Evaan frowned knowing he couldn't go back on his words, and it was not like she c
“You wanted to see me,” Declan said once he had entered the king’s office not caring to bow, the anger that rolled off him filled the air of the circular room thickly. Through the bars, the window was cracked open, the sound of distant sounds in the palace courtyards filtered into the otherwise silent office. The king looked at him wondering if now was the best time to put the proposal forward. But perhaps the offer would calm the man down... “Ah yes take a seat Declan,” Evaan said, it had been just over an hour since he spoke to Layana and had finally calmed himself down. Having sent the word that no one was to train the princess at any cost. He had then had a drink of wine before summoning Declan knowing he would be taking a break from training around now. Declan looked at the seat “I'm fine standing,” he said directly disobeying the king. Evaan frowned slightly but said nothing. If it was anyone else he would be punished. It was clear the Storm bloodline ran through the man befor
It was almost midnight and Layana was sitting on the floor, leaning against the open door of the balcony, her eyes trained on the night sky. The night was humid, and the air felt heavy, after the hot day the sky looked as if it may rain. The palace was almost fully silent, apart from the stray bark or meow of the palace pets. She scanned the starless blanket above her despite the turmoil of emotions going through her. She had sent one of her guards, Kilian to ask the general and a few of the captains about training, but apparently, they refused. Wondering why she had then demanded Kilian to train her it was only then he bowed and said the king had commanded no one was allowed to train the princess. Layana was beyond furious. That had been her condition to be allowed to train. When she said this to Kilian, he said she is allowed to, but the king had found a flaw in her request. He mockingly gave his word without keeping it. She had almost felt like she had a purpose, an aim, sure fema
She looked breath-taking, the colours she wore suited her, the way her hair was pinned back, her make-up only enhancing her beauty rather than consuming it. The bold red on her lips only making them look even more tempting. Her dress was not the most extravagant in attendance, but it stood out from all the others, hugging the goddess-like body she possessed, complimenting her creamy smooth skin. Nor was she wearing the most jewels, yet princess Layana made a statement above every other woman in the room. Declan's eyes did not leave her, something about her drew him in... She looked up suddenly as if sensing his gaze upon her, their eyes met, and Layana felt an odd sensation in the pit of her stomach at the intense burning gaze with which he was looking at her. Her heart hammered, her chest rising and falling noticeably. His face changed into a frown as he now glared at her, hating the way his heart raced, hating the way he appreciated the way she filled out that dress, hating the way
The evening passed by in a pleasant blur of music, chatter, and laughter. Layana returned to the gathering where Declan receded to standing in the corner with a glass of wine, and Layana joined Aurelia at the buffet chatting to a few women from high-rank noble houses.“Layana you really do set the trend for every season,” Angela of House Freymin said, a smile on her lips, she was a pretty woman with soft blue eyes and strawberry blond hair.“I don’t intend to, I guess it just happens,” Layana said smiling at the young woman who she did not mind, knowing she was rather genuine.“Come let us sit, my feet are hurting in these heels,” Aurelia said, the women laughed and headed to a nearby table, the four women taking their seats gracefully.“There are so many handsome faces around, has anyone caught your eyes Princess Layana? Father was saying his majesty wishes to see you and princess Cordelia betrothed,” Jameela of House Gardain said, she was another genuine woman who had a thirst for g
Layana did not sleep well, she was not able to rest knowing her sister was angry at her and she had no idea why. It upset her that she had hurt her and was ignorant of the cause, and when sleep did come, her dreams were consumed with shadows lurking in the darkness, whispering voices, and horrors of what may come. She had awoken early after informing Rina to wake her before dawn. Once she had washed her face and brushed her hair into a high ponytail, donning a pair of cuffed loose black pants, and a high neck sleeveless top, she headed towards the west side courtyard. Two of her guards escorting her through the luxurious palace halls. “The princess is up bright and early today,” Halian the eldest of her personal guards spoke, he was a handsome man in his late thirties, married and had two adorable children. He was also the most vocal of Layana’s guards “Yes, I am starting my training today,” she replied smirking slightly as the elder man almost stumbled staring at her in shock, both