Leaving

Chapter one - Leaving

*Five years ago*

"You should have come to dinner tonight, Balor. Mother is starting to worry about you." Nesrin's voice was soft and concerned as she leaned against my door frame. I continued to stare at the ceiling above my bed. The orbs of light changed colour as they danced around me. The harp I had been playing stopped as soon as she entered my room.

"If she is that worried for my well-being, then why is it you here instead of her?" I muttered as I turned my gaze to her. She was the spitting image of Imelda, and it made it hard to look at her. The only thing different was that her jawline was a little more stubborn, her nose tipped up a slightly higher, and her eyes were of our mothers, matching mine perfectly. Nesrin let out a huff of air as she walked closer to my bed and began fiddling with my harp.

"She is busy with the council. Since Imelda has accepted her position as Queen of the underworld, she will have her coronation in one week's time. Mother has to make sure the union of the realms and the underworld runs smoothly. You know that." Hearing her name out loud stung. I had to force myself to keep my lips from curling up in disgust. She gave too much for this family and still got shafted in the end. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

"She is her own person Balor, just as you are." My wolf grovelled. I pushed him into silence. I didn't want to hear it.

"Tell mother not to worry. I will be at breakfast tomorrow."

"You will?" I slowly sat up, turning my focus to the floor before looking up at Nesrin. She was the perfect example of caring and selflessness.

"Yes, I have some things I need to say before I go. Mother and Father need to know I am almost an adult, and they can no longer hold me here. I will be leaving to live in the human realm." I explained. Nesrin's lips fell into a slight frown.

"Why are you so persistent about leaving us behind, Balor. You have been working toward becoming a blacksmith. You are quite good. Moreover, you are a prince and can thrive in Gardenia without a job."

"Gardenia is a prison, Nes. It eats away at you until you are nothing but its obedient servant. I don't want that, so what? I'm good at slamming a hammer on molten steel or sitting quietly on a throne. A monkey could do that. I want to live and not be turned into some love-sick pup who does as they are told in hopes of finding a mate or starting a family. You may be okay with a simple life, but I am not. I crave adventure. I crave a bigger purpose. I don't want to turn out like Imelda. Giving up my life to please the rest of the world. I want to make something of myself, leave a legacy behind."

"She didn't give up her life, Balor. She has her mate, and they will have a family of their own one day. You can't hold a mate bond responsible for her leaving us. She had a duty, and she accepted it. She was rewarded for her sacrifices." I gritted my teeth as I held back my anger.

Imelda was not gifted for her sacrifices. She had more taken from her than anyone knew. I wanted to snap, tell them all the truth, but I promised her I wouldn't. So instead, I stayed in my room and pretended it never happened.

Suddenly the room felt too small, too hot. I rubbed my hands down my face letting out a frustrated sigh. Then, not wanting to argue and risk the chance of me breaking my promise, I stood up.

"You're right. How foolish of me. Bless the goddess above for giving her such a divine gift." Sarcasm laced every word that left my mouth. Nesrin rolled her eyes, but before she could speak, I headed for the door.

"Keith needs a hand with making a few swords for the new trainees." I lied as I walked out into the hallway. I heard her mumble under her breath, but I was too far to hear it. I rushed down the hall and out of the palace before anyone else could stop me.

The village was busy as always, the market full of merchants looking to sell the finest furs and produce. I continued through the crowded walkways until I was outside Keith's workshop. He didn't need my help tonight, but beating the crap out of some metal would help subside the anger for now.

I walked in and put in my apron. I tied my hair up into a bun and rolled my sleeves up to my elbows. The familiar sound of steel hitting steel filled the air, along with the unforgiving heat of the flames. I grabbed a sword I had been working on yesterday and placed it in the forge while prepping my station.

"It's a shame you are leaving kid, really enjoyed having the company. You also make a mean sword, such talent we lack around here." Keith spoke. He always was able to pick up someone before they even knew he was around. He was Fae, so I imagined it was some form of magic, but sometimes I wondered if he had sight like I did. Hearing someone walk around was almost impossible between all the smashing of metal and the roaring of flames.

"I'll make sure to come by once and a while to keep you on your toes." I laughed as I turned my sword over.

"How the folks take you leaving?" He asked as he dipped his blade in oil. A sizzling sound filled the air. His silver hair was pulled back like mine. I guess that's where I picked up the style for long hair. A scar ran down his chin straight down his throat, his fingers littered with burn marks. I always asked him why he never magicked them away. His excuse was that they reminded him of where he came from and how hard he had to work to get there. He was a nobleman, and I liked that about him.

"Haven't told them yet. Planning to tell them in the morning at breakfast. Worst case, they say no, and then I leave a few days sooner than planned." Shrugging my shoulders as I pulled out my blade and started pounding it.

"You're nuts, kid. You see the human world a handful of times and you're ready to jump into their arms. But, of course, it's not what it seems, there may be less magic, but there is plenty of crazy and trouble there."

"Crazy sounds fun," I said, looking up at him. He shook his head as I gave him a smirk. We laughed and talked some more, working well into the night.

By the time I returned home, the sun was starting to rise. I quickly headed to my room, washed off, changed into fresh clothes, and headed straight for the dining hall.

It felt odd walking in to see Imelda's seat empty. No table setting was arranged for her. So I took my usual seat beside Nesrin, staring at the empty space in front of me. Even though she was gone, it felt wrong for anyone else to sit there. Our parents talked about something I didn't care to listen to, and Damon and Nesrin were quietly bickering about some prisoner they had.

"Good to see you're still alive." My Uncle Drake laughed as he nudged me with his elbow, giving me a wink.

"We will see for how much longer." I laughed as I turned my attention to my parents. I cleared my throat, gaining their attention. Everyone stopped their conversations to look at me.

"Ahh, the protocol son has decided to grace us with his presence." Damon mocked as he gave me a smirk.

"Don't worry. I won't steal your light for too long." I teased.

"It's nice to see you finally join us. I was growing worried." My mother said as she worked on her breakfast.

"So I've heard. Nesrin has been a great messenger." My father gave me a warning glance as he looked at me.

"But I didn't come here to fight. I came here to inform you of a decision I have made." Nesrin elbowed me, urging me not to say what I was about to.

"Oh, and what would that be?" My father asked as he rested his elbows on the table. He knew what was coming, and he was bracing himself for my mother's reaction.

"I am leaving Gardenia."

"Keith is travelling to another realm so soon?" My mother asked, and I shook my head.

"No, I am no longer going to be Keith's apprentice. I want to live with Aunt Cass and Uncle Ty. I can be of use there, and I would like to see what the human world can teach me." My mother stiffened as she looked at me. Her brow furrowed as she shook her head.

"We have talked about this, Balor."

"Yes, and I have decided that it's what's best for me. I wanted to let you know. It's the right thing to do. But no matter what you say now, it will not change my mind. Plus, I will be with Aunt Cassie. After grandpa passed and Beta Paul stepped down, it's been just her. I can help." I said I had prepared my argument just as I had been taught. Even if that wasn't indeed why I wanted to leave, they didn't need to know that.

My father gripped my mother's hand, circling the back of her hand with his thumb, giving her a soft smile.

"Very well, I'll let my sister know you are coming. When do you plan to leave?" My father asked. It was rare for him to go against my mother, but something in his eyes told me he knew why I had to do this.

"By the end of the week."