The king looked down at Layana, who lay on her bed, her skin as pale as porcelain. Apart from that, she looked as if she was simply asleep. The guards had told him she had suddenly had a fit, but he knew she had probably used her powers, but what exactly had occurred that she had ended in this state? He walked closer to the bed, stroking her hair. The healers could make no sense of it and he was not willing to involve the mages… if they learned of her abilities… sighing deeply he stepped back, perhaps he needed to send a message to Catherina… He turned to leave, pausing at the door he looked at Zamira “make sure none visit her, including the princesses,” “Yes my king,” she said bowing deeply. The king left the room shutting the door behind him. Zamira walked to the balcony taking her place to stand guard for the night. A ray of moonlight shone upon the sleeping princess… ----------- Declan paced in his tent, night had fallen and whilst most of his men save those on patrol had retr
“My lady!” Halian one of her guards said seeing the princess stumble from her bedroom, dressed in a rather revealing nightgown. He glared at the younger guard James whose eyes had fallen to the princess’s well-endowed chest. Zamira exited the room behind the princess, draping a dressing gown around Layana’s shoulders. “I need to go to my father, now,” she said urgently wrapping the gown around herself “We cannot cause a scene… the coronation has probably started,” Zamira said curtly not forgetting the way the princess’s eyes had changed. Layana’s eyes flashed dangerously glaring at the woman, she really did prefer Melody… “Halian, this is a matter of life and death, my father is in danger, please,” she pleaded turning to the one she hoped would understand. Zamira’s eyes deepened, a dark aura surrounded her and Layana turned towards her in surprise, was she under The Dark Lords influence? The feel was different from the pure evil that emanated from Zephyr in the library but it was
The queen stood close to Zephyr but it didn’t look intimate, her hands tied in front of her, but Layana was sure they had heard the commotion from outside. Zephyr turned his gaze upon the princess, curiosity flashing in his eyes. He had been tense, for the last two days ever since he had felt the glowing powerful presence within Myra’s bed chambers. Someone had seen them together, and although he hadn't seen their face he had seen the immense power radiating off them and had been reminded of the child of prophecy. Now looking at the princess, seeing the rage clear in her eyes, he wondered why she was here. He had been glad to hear she was in a coma-like state. “Layana it's good to see you are awake… but you look horrifying… go change for the ceremony,” Myra said icily not missing the fact the princess did not bow to her. “I know the plan you two have hatched, to poison father?” Layana said ignoring Myra’s comment. Seeing the queen’s eyes widen in shock and realisation settling wi
Layana did not know how long they had been riding for, she felt weak and tired, the use of her powers and lack of food was catching up with her, it was pure adrenaline and determination that kept her going. The rain had stopped giving way to warm rays of sunshine, only making her feel sticky and uncomfortable, her bottom ached from all the riding. She had learned to ride a horse as a child but never had she ridden for so long. She did not complain, grateful that there were at least two promising companions to help her. Knowing that without them she would have surely been lost. “I don’t trust you,” Aren called out to Kayden, none had talked much - each lost in their own thoughts. The thunder of galloping hooves was all that had accompanied them for the last few hours as they had ridden away from Odairo and deep into the forest. A place where Kayden would be undefeated with nature at its strongest. “You don’t need to… If I wanted you dead, you would have been captured the moment you
It was the following night and the trio had finally found a small village; however, security was tight thanks to Declan, and they had no way of entering without passing the guards. Kayden and Aren had both attempted to find an opening, but both had failed. Surprisingly they had managed to get along for the last two days, although Layana was not sure if it was due to fatigue that the men did not argue or simply because they were beginning to accept each other’s company, she highly doubted it was the latter. They were huddled behind some trees, at a higher terrain than the village that was sprawled beneath them, looking at the wall that had been resurrected around it. Made of iron and stone and at least 7 metres high it was sturdy. The dim glow of lights that peeked over the walls were welcoming, the sound of some chattering and activity could be heard faintly. “There is no way to sneak in,” Kayden murmured his eyes glowing a dark green as he searched the ground for a way in. “You
Layana felt as if she had just been slapped, she averted her gaze, feeling her powers surge up, she closed her eyes taking a deep breath. Bella raised her arched brow sceptically. “Anyway, he was incredible, honestly the two nights he stayed here were nothing short of a dream,” she said taking out a ring of keys and unlocking a door. They entered a small bedroom with a small archway leading off to another room. “Did he… did any of the women get lucky?” she asked trying to phrase the question in a way that looked like she was simply curious. Bella’s face fell. “No. Many of us tried, but it seemed the princess really has done a number on him, it's not like we would have gone and told her we tried to seduce her man,” Bella huffed, “I even came to give him tea in nothing but a gown, but he slammed the door in my face!” A smile crossed Layana’s lips, a blush gracing her dirt-stained cheeks, she hid her face from Bella who looked very disheartened. “That’s a shame,” Layana said although
“Sir Eldran… I hope you are not harassing the young woman,” Liam’s deep imposing voice came, Eldran moved back and Layana closed her eyes relieved. “I was just a little concerned why she was all covered up in this heat, does she have something to hide?” “She is not an entertainment piece… she can wear what she wants,” Liam said curtly, turning his gaze on Layana who had her head down. He frowned slightly, something about this girl wasn’t normal, but he didn’t know what it was… “Come with me, Anna,” Layana bowed her head and walked over to the man swiftly, he gave Eldran a final scalding look and led her into one of the buildings, it took Layana a moment to peer out and realise she was in some sort of barracks. Liam led her through a side door and closed it after her and motioned her to take a seat, they were in what looked like a small office with many books lying around, a quick glance at one or two showed her they were spell books. Layana sat down slipping her hood back ever
Night had fallen, the air was oddly chilly as a bitter cold wind swept past them. Even the animals of the night were oddly silent as if taking shelter from the sudden coldness that had settled around them. “Something isn't right…” Kayden murmured, their horses were moving at a trot, the fields were vast and empty. “I agree,” Aren said looking around, it was too cold for a summer night, and it had come upon them suddenly “Stay close, let's speed up,” Kayden said, Layana nodded as they all urged their horses into a brisk walk. The lower parts of her legs that were exposed felt numb from the growing cold. Only a few minutes had passed, when she felt the hair at the back of her neck rise, making her tense in her saddle. The creepy feeling of being watched hitting her strongly. She glanced around, her eyes sharpening as she observed the darkness. “What is it Layana?” Aren asked, after being asked several times by her to stop addressing her formally, he had dropped the princess. She di