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“We were at dinner, The king, Myra and I, it was a very cold rainy day during winter. A guard entered the room and he looked rather perturbed, requesting to speak to the king urgently. Evaan simply told him to continue. He said a woman was at the door, saying she was looking for a man by the name of Evaan who worked at the palace, before the man could even continue Evaan got up quickly and left the room. Myra and I were curious, I was pregnant with Cordelia at the time and was 6 months along. We were young and we decided to go see who this woman was,” Azalea sounded almost guilty for spying on her husband, but Layana thought it was completely fair after all why was a woman asking for their husband. “Well, when we got to the hall the woman had her hood down and I could see she was beautiful, her hair was almost white, high cheekbones and exceptionally beautiful even Myra paled in comparison to her. She looked a lot like you, but I must say you are even more beautiful,” Azalea said and
Layana frowned, slowly peeping over the marble wall, but the woman was gone, she stood up scanning the grounds, before retreating inside. Should she go see if another note was left? Or try to find out who the woman was? Was there perhaps a way she could do so without going outside? She paced her room pondering on what step to take for several minutes before coming to her decision. She sat on the ground, closing her eyes she focused her mind on the woman in the orchards. ‘Who is she?’ she thought, frowning in concentration willing her ability to give her answers. She felt the familiar prickle and the surge of power, she opened her eyes and she was no longer in her room, but in front of the cloaked woman. The marble walls flecked with gold that caught the light, a clear indication she was still in the palace, the room was very dimly lit but Layana’s sharp eyes could see enough. The woman's back was to Layana as she removed her cloak casting it aside, her fist clenched, Layana gasped.
“I'm all ears,” Terania said knowing Layana would have some advice. “As the future queen, you are allowed to choose your own advisor, someone who can stand by you in court and advise you. No one probably told you thinking it isn't important, moreover at least father should have, it is the royal’s choice to choose an advisor, father has his own, Gabriel the Fire Mage, although father rarely needs him to give input, he asks him on many key matters,” Layana looked at her sister crossing her arms as she continued “All you need to do is find someone who is in your corner, have them appointed your advisor and voila your voice will be heard. Besides its temporary, father will not be leaving the palace, I am still going to challenge him, and I will be the one to leave for battle. It is simply until then, let them know you are not a pushover. Once they realise you know what you want, they will be forced to side you, as their future sovereign, they surely would not like to get on your bad side
Tension settled in the room like a heavy cloak, the tip of the sword a mere cm away from Gareth’s neck. Kayden smirked, the princess was rather… feisty… he liked it… his gaze fell to her ample cleavage that was enticingly on display from the tip of her pale yellow gown as she leaned over the table, her weight braced on one hand. “Layana…” Evaan said warningly “She does not need to know how to hold a weapon, the best of kings were those whom ruled without a weapon to instil fear. And if you need a weapon yielding princess, then she has me by her side,” Layana said coldly, passing the sword back to the startled man she had taken it from and took her seat, Gareth took a shaky breath, humiliated yet too startled to form a sentence. “I think the princess has a fair point… why can we not give the crown princess a chance?” Kayden said his eyes on the younger princess who was glaring at the man sat to his left. Her eyes shifted to him, his father had been involved in the massacre of Hou
“A prophecy that a female child would be born when the Adair bloodline was all but gone, born under a blood eclipse with royal blood within her veins. A child that had the power to destroy the world within her grasp… There were many versions of this old prophecy, changed and morphed with time. Despite House Adair trying to keep the secret prophecy safe and genuine. With time, parts of it were lost… But what we know is enough. Layana, you hold a power that could protect us or could destroy everything depending on how you use it. Your mother feared for your life. Although she knew the risk of bringing you into this world could only bring you hardship, she could end the pregnancy, not when you were living within her. Some foresaw her pregnancy, seeking out the child she carried. I kept her hidden away until she gave birth,” the king sighed heavily, remembering the pain and betrayal that reflected in her eyes when she found out he was married and a father already. He had met her around th
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
FIVE YEARS LATER…. “Aryan!” a woman's voice came, a child's laughter echoed in the halls of the palace. The boy who was not even five yet giggled as he hurried out through the open doors, past the guards who looked startled to see the young prince rushing through the halls. “Your majesty,” they said bowing to the young woman who was running after the prince. “The crown prince…” “Yes…” Layana said shaking her head, none of the guards could approach him without him zapping them with lightning. Like his father, he had inherited the bloodline of House Storm. “Aryan,” Layana said again her own eyes flashing as she stepped into the front courtyard, her pale pink dress billowing softly in the wind. The little boy froze from where he had been trying to escape, sensing his mother’s eyes on him. “I did not hear you calling me mother,” he said his large grey eyes looking innocent, an innocence Layana knew was not real, his dark brown hair fell in his eyes. “I am sure you didn’t,” Layana sai
A month had passed since then, winter had arrived and life in Ehlesaar was returning to normal. Layana and Declan had chosen their council together consisting of 20 men and a few women. A mix of nobles, mages and even a bloodline user, Layla. The palace had been rebuilt and the dragons were a common spectacle flying around above the palace. Layana had visited Halian and Rina’s families personally apologising for their loss and promising to take care of their families and always be there for them. Halian’s wife had not held her accountable and told her, he had died doing his duty. It still hurt remembering all those they had lost, but with time it was becoming easier to handle. Layana had made changes in certain laws and they had been approved by the council. She knew with the power she and Declan held, they were the strongest around and no one would defy them. But she wanted to rule with a fair reign, although perhaps in the future she knew their neighbours may begin to feel unrest w
“We wish for Her royal majesty Layana of Ehlesaar to be our Queen but with a condition,” Gabriel said with a small smile on his face, it was a rare sight and Layana almost stared in shock, yet the weight of his words kept her serious and focused. “What is the condition?” she asked, Declan frowned he didn’t really agree with her letting the people decide on whether she should be queen or not. Yet he knew how the people loved her and knew she would be chosen. “The condition is for our supreme commander to rule by your side as King,” Elian said smiling at his student. Declan raised an eyebrow despite feeling shocked at that. He kept it hidden, did they really want him to be king? Layana smiled, “That would be a given,” she said looking up at Declan, feeling proud, from being a man who was hated and looked down on, he was being chosen as king, not even settling for prince consort. “Then, to our new king and queen!” Gabriel said, everyone, stood and bowed to the couple “Long live her m
Five days had passed and most bodies were accounted for, however, those who had fought for The Dark Lord had not been identified within the charred bodies of Orcs, Dagorath’s and other beasts of darkness. Therefore many families had been told their loved one was unaccounted for, although they sided The Dark Lord, it was partially by the influence of darkness more than their own will that only bought the evillest part of a human to their forefront. Funerals had taken place and three days of mourning had taken place for the kingdom to honour their fallen soldiers and knights. To remember those innocent victims of a war that had riddled the kingdom. Today was the day Layana would address the high-rank nobles and after this, if all the powerhouses of the kingdom approved of her rule, she would take up the role. The sun shone through the windows of Layana’s bedroom and her eyes fluttered open when the light hit her eyes. She smiled softly at the rays of coloured light that sent pretty pat
From far behind them, Kayden’s eyes widened in shock as he watched them fearing what may come upon them. Layana rushed to Declan, his eyes were closed a deep frown on his forehead. “Fight it!” she said cupping his face, her hands were shaking from fear, not even wanting to think about what could happen, the darkness grew, its putrid stench of evil and death filled the air, weighing down and cutting off the very air one needed to breathe. Layana staggered back as she heard the manic laugh of The Dark Lord. Layana stood up she needed to reach him! This couldn't be it; this was not the end- she refused to believe it! She fought against the blasts of power that were rolling off Declan as The Dark Lord tried to take over, she had seen something similar happen to Declan’s father in the vision. But he had allowed it, to sacrifice himself for his kingdom, but Declan would fight for the kingdom, for her and for their baby. She shielded her face as she pushed forward using a shield around he
The Dark Lord looked at them coldly “I have lived far longer than any of you, what do you think? That you can defeat me, you are simply exactly where I wanted.” He hissed. “Think what you want but you will die by my hand,” Layana said softly her eyes blazing as she readied to fight, Declan raised his hand “Layana… let me handle him until he’s within an inch of his life,” he said coldly, Layana frowned sensing the anger that was radiating off him, something had happened… “Declan…” “I can handle the scumbag,” Declan said his eyes crackling as he raised his hand drawing his sword that now sizzled with electricity. He rushed forward not even waiting for Layana as he struck out at The Dark Lord, “Come, let the anger take over, how did his death feel?” he hissed, Layana wondered who he meant as Declan rushed forth, running with ease despite the rubble of the destroyed palace littering the ground. “Don’t you dare even talk about him!” Declan shouted coldly, sending a bolt of lightning
“Let’s do this Dragina,” Layana said softly stroking the scales of her dragon’s neck. She saw Myra raise her arms - the darkness spreading like smoke from her, bolts of pure darkness were shot at Layana who blasted them all aside as the sky illuminated with her dazzling power. Layla looked up at the sky seeing Layana facing off against The Dark Lord himself, where were the others who were needed for this plan? The plan was to isolate and trap him. She just hoped everything went smoothly as she used her own power killing orc after orc. Suddenly the darkness seemed to grow, the ground erupted beneath them and she tumbled back, their army looked ahead seeing the riders of The Dark Lord now coming to the forefront as the strong darkness that rolled off them only grew. Beasts of all shapes and sizes jumped out from the cracked earth attacking anything in their wake… Declan motioned for them to fall back, letting the mages and bloodline users now step to the forefront. Magic and power were
“When will my coronation take place,” Cordelia asked Myra who was standing on the highest balcony at the front of the palace seeming to be looking far off into the distance. Cordelia had felt her anger over the last two days, ever since Aurelia and the Fire Mage had escaped. It was a move they hadn't anticipated, but the fire mage turned out to be smarter than they had predicted. The Dark Lord now wished he had killed the man when he had the chance. “In time, they are coming.” Myra said quietly “How do you know that? you said I will be queen, I demand to sit on my throne,” Cordelia said. Myra turned her eyes flashing dangerously, Cordelia felt her blood run cold seeing the red glowing embers that now looked back at her from Myra’s beautiful face. “I know a lot, daughter of Ehlesaar… if you ever wish to see that throne, I would be very careful with how I speak,” she hissed the darkness emanating around her. Cordelia’s heart thumped, so this was the truth… The Dark Lord was within Myr
They had set out early the following day, moving faster, Kaloran had called to the animals around and they had been able to retrieve some horses. Although Layana knew Declan had hoped to find Pedro so far it seemed that it was a futile wish, they were long past the point they had left him. However not once did Declan mention it. He now rode upon Drakayaan, a dragon that refused to let anyone else take control of him apart from Layana and Declan. Something that had made Aren pout like a child, Layla and Marilda rode behind her on Dragina. “Slow down…” Declan called motioning to Layana, they had been flying for a while, slightly ahead of the rest scouting out the area.“I sense it too,” Layla said, the smell of smoke, burning flesh and the putrid smell of something rotten. It took Layana a second longer to catch the smell that made her stomach churn. She looked at Declan who motioned her for to say up in the air, whilst he went lower his eyes scanning the ground spread below them. He f