Kaltain
LeiyaHelion immediately let go of me. The fear in Calin's eyes showed he was being completely honest. Kaltain was supposed to be safe. Completely safe.“The forcefield," Helion mumbled in horror. “It's weak, I haven't done the ritual since the last time."My head instantly connected the dots together. Shortly after he performed the ritual, I got myself in trouble with Lyle. He was probably occupied with trying to find me and handle matters of the kingdom. When he finally found me, I left again shortly after.m, taking him in another hunt for me. Kaltain was under attack and it was my fault.Helion turned to me, gripping my shoulders with fear in his eyes. “Go to your chambers and wait for me.” It was more of a warning than an instruction."No,” I shook my shoulders out of his grip. “Kaltain is also my kingdom.” I mumbled. "I would rather die by your side than hide in my chambers like a coward.”“Leiya," he growled in frustration, running hisValinor Nayla After Leiya left, it took a few more days for Xerian and I to completely settle back into our previous life as prince and princess of Valinor. To announce the returning of his only son and future king, the royal informat was sent to every corner in the entire kingdom. The night we returned, a big fire was lit in the town square. There was loud singing and vigorous dancing. By the next day, King Raslin threw a large feast for the entire kingdom. The castle gates were opened for everyone, both adults and children, to come welcome us. Xerian and I sat on the royal table in the courtroom, waving and smiling to everyone who came. And gifts. The people brought a lot of gifts. From fruits, to vegetables, to meat, to wine, our table was filled with them all. The day after that, the king threw another feast to celebrate our arrival. This time it was not open to the public, only other royals were invited. Kings, queens and their children from far and wide honored his invitati
“They're coming, Your Majesty.” Geiya’s eyes shone with fear. Beads of sweat dripped down his face and neck. I turned to look at my father at the head of the table. His eyes held no emotion. I looked at my mother, her eyes screamed with fear. I looked at my little sister, so many tears had gathered in her eyes, that they were almost rolling down her cheeks. “Leave us Geiya.” My father finally spoke. He didn't look up, he didn't flinch. I had never seen him like this. Was he scared? No. My father was never afraid. He fought multiple battles in his time and always emerged victorious. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Seconds later, the door closed leaving the four of us alone. We all sat in dreadful silence. No one dared to touch the food on their plates. Outside the door, you could hear the clicking together of swords. The groans of men in pain. You could smell the blood oozing out of their bodies. You could almost taste it. “I'm scared Father.” I looked up at Nayla. The tears had travelle
Nayla and I were forced to walk through King Degar's town. Our hands and feet were bound in chains and we were pulled forward by a man on his horse. Men, women and children booed at us as we went. Some of them spit at us. Others cheered, commending their King and his men for their victory against our kingdom. Anger boiled within me but there was nothing I could do. I looked at Nayla beside me. Her head was lowered and she dragged her feet. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. She had been crying since mom and dad were killed and the tears just kept coming. She was too young for all of this. The suffering. The pain. The humiliation. I would give anything to give her a normal life. Our walk of shame went on until we reached the gates of the castle. It was huge. Twice the size of ours, now lying in ruins. King Degar unmounted his horse and the crowd cheered even more. He whispered a few words to the guards in charge of our chains and seconds later, we were being pulled into the castle. I
The little window in the room allowed only a small amount of light in but I could tell that the sun had risen completely. Nayla slept peacefully beside me. The bed was small so she slept fifty percent on the bed and the other fifty percent on top of me. Mudra and Taera had been taking care of us since we got here. They would come everyday with our food and make sure we were clean. Nayla was getting a little more comfortable. She would laugh at their jokes and eagerly listen to their stories. They always had stories to tell her and she was beginning to look forward to them. Mudra was a widow with two children. Taera was still married but with just one child. A daughter of about Nayla’s age. A guard would also come to check us once everyday. We were fed just once and left to ourselves until the next day. All we did was sleep. I turned my head when I heard the locks on the door. Nayla also moved. I knew she was excited to see the two women. The door opened to reveal the two women as
Kaltain Kingdom Leiya I rubbed my eyes and opened them slowly. I noticed a candle lit chandelier, directly above me. My brain felt a little fuzzy and I couldn't remember anything. I slowly sat up and my eyes widened when I noticed the things around me. It was a bedroom. A big beautiful one. I started to rub my temple with my thumb, hoping that my memory would come back. It didn't take long before it did. The memory of kissing Nayla on her forehead, promising her that I would be back soon, flashed through my eyes. The events that followed started to come back in bits and in no time, I remembered I was brought here against my will. I jumped off the bed like I had seen a creature on it, and headed for the door. After a few futile attempts to let myself out, it took me a moment to realise I was trapped. I had only one option. Scream. I started to bang my fists on the door, and scream really loudly. “Let me out.” I yelled the words louder each time. “Are you trying to bring my c
Kaltain Kingdom Helion “I feel like a bad guy, keeping you in here for days.” I stood in the middle of Leiyas's room. She didn't flinch when she heard my voice. I suppose she had gotten used to me appearing at random times of the day. “What do you want?” She grumbled, facing the right side of the bed, with her back to me. How rude. She didn't even acknowledge my presence. “I came to see how my guest is doing? I'm not all bad Leiya, I can be good you know.” I heard her scoff as I walked closer to her. I was feared far and wide, but this girl scoffed at me. “If you're good, you would let me go.” She mumbled, with a touch of sarcasm in her voice. I chuckled softly at how smart she thought she was. “I'm not that good Leiya.” I let my myself laugh out loud this time, and I noticed she rolled her eyes. I plunged casually into the chair metres away from her bed. I was now able to see her face properly. Her eyes were puffy, which only meant one thing. “Have you been crying?” Th
Kaltain Kingdom Leiya My eyes slowly opened and I was immediately attacked by the throbbing pain in my head. I tried to lift my arm to rub my temple but I realised soon enough that I was too weak to move. “You're stubborn Leiya." I heard beside me. I slowly turned my head to the left and noticed Helion sitting in the chair a few metres away from my bed. “An attribute that is mostly associated with being brave,” His lips formed into a smile and he chuckled slightly. “But also being stupid." I wanted to roll my eyes at his demeaning tone but I just wasn't strong enough. I didn't understand why my body was so weak. It was like I was struck down by a thousand horses, one after the other. “What happened?" I managed to whisper. I felt even weaker after the words left my mouth. He immediately cackled, making me regret using up my energy to ask. “You hit a wall. My wall." He said plainly, throwing me into a state of confusion. He noticed and laughed again. Deep down
Hepthan Kingdom Nayla I made my way down the aisle amongst the piercing eyes of every member of the Hepthan King's royal house. Before I was left to walk alone, Taera whispered to me that the King lied that I was one of his children so I could be married off. She told me that even though he acted like he was good friends with the other king, who I learnt was called King Raslin, he hated the man and wouldn't let any of his children be associated with him. Which is where I come in. I was the perfect scapegoat to serve as a fake link between both kingdoms while Degar kept his children under his watchful eyes. As I walked, I kept my head dead ahead. I fought within myself to suppress the urge to run away, but I knew it would be a useless and futile effort. I was a small, malnourished twelve year old. I wouldn't get far before I am caught, bound up in chains and thrown somewhere dark and smelly. As I got closer to the altar, my eyes caught sight of the husband I was getting marri