Chapter One: Shallow Sparrow

Authors opening remarks: This book contains content that could be triggering to readers. Please read with caution. If this book triggers you remember it is okay to stop reading and step away to receive help is needed. This book contains: Abuse and Sexual Assualt. 

The warm sun came in through the window and caressed my skin. Waking me from the small amount of sleep I had managed to get. My body was still quite sore from being beaten the night before. It had taken me forever to fall asleep. 

“Nyx, get your lazy ass out of bed.” An all familiar shrill came from the door. It was Ariel, and let me tell you she hated my guts. I wasn’t completely sure why she hated me and frankly I didn’t have the energy to figure it out. I rolled my eyes at her as I got out of bed and dressed myself. Only to finish and turn to see her sneering face. 

“Ariel I don’t have time for you, go worry about yourself.” I snapped at her. Only for her to smirk wickedly at me.

“Watch yourself Nyx, you will be answering to me as a lady of this house one day.” She retorted. I snorted at her idea that she would be a lady. It was rare for a commoner to move into a noble position. I decided not to entertain her any longer and pushed past her. I headed to the kitchen to retrieve my duties for the day. The kitchen was always busy in the mornings and afternoons. I entered it to meet the kindest face I’ve ever known. Yareha was like a mother, well I guess more like grandmother. But still I adored her for caring for me over these years.

“Good morning Yareha,” I said with a cheerful voice even though I didn’t feel it. 

“Morning love, today I have you taking breakfast to Master Sparrow, and then trimming and upkeep on the garden for the rest of the day.” Yareha replied as she handed me the breakfast tray to take to Master Sparrow. 

Who just happened to be my father, or so called at least. I look nothing like my siblings however. They all have black hair and brown eyes while I have red hair and green eyes. He swears I was born from his wife but she has so much disdain for me. When I was seven she smacked me for wanting a hug. I learned after that to avoid her, it hurt not getting love but I learned to live with it as I got older. I guess I caused a huge rift in the family because around the age of ten my father became cruel against me. Over the years the beatings got worse. I don’t know why the Gods would be so cruel but I’ve come to accept it as time went on. I reached the door to my father’s study and knocked. It seemed like I stood there forever until he gave the go ahead for me to come in. 

“Good Morning Master Sparrow.” I stated with a respectful tone, taking care to keep my head down. I sat the tray of food down before I curtsied and started for the door again. 

“Nyx, wait a minute.” He said in his gruff voice. I felt my heart sink, what problem could he have with me? Knowing my luck Ariel made up something to get me in trouble. 

“Tonight we are to dine with the royal family, you will be present in a presentable fashion. The room on the second floor is ready for you to be bathed and dressed.” He ordered, there was no love in his voice whatsoever. 

“Master Sparrow…I have duties I’m supposed to attend to.” I said quietly. He seemed to think a minute before replying. 

“Have Ariel take them over and once you are dressed ensure you call me father. I don’t want the imperial family to question me. Do you understand?” He said in a stern voice. 

“Y-yes.” I stuttered out. 

“Good, now run along, and Nyx you do well to remember your place.” He said almost bored of this conversation. I nodded once more and scurried out the door. 

Now the worst part was having to go find Ariel and give her the news. She was going to be so mad. I walked out to the gardens to find her lounging about. She always blamed her unfinished work on me and got away with it so of course she lays about during the day. 

“Ariel,” I called, waiting for her to look up at me. She was daydreaming like always. She wanted to be lady of this estate. 

“What do you want trash?” She sneered. 

“Master Sparrow said you will be taking over my duties today.” I stated, the anger on her face made me want to laugh but I held it in. 

“WHAT!” She screamed at me. “Why would he relieve you, you are nothing but pathetic trash and nothing more.” She was seething mad and I refused to stay here for her melt down.

“That is what he told me, if you don’t like it, be my guest and tell my father yourself.” I stated glumly. Before I had time to react her hand came rushing to my face. I closed my eyes and winced, waiting for the contact that was sure to come. However it didn’t. I peaked one of my eyes open with confusion. But what I saw completely shocked me. 

Killian Sparrow stood before me holding Ariel's arm with an unreadable face. Killian was one of my older brothers and in my opinion the kindest out of all of my siblings. Though he was indifferent towards me he never tried to get me hurt or hurt me himself. He was probably the only person in my family I really respected. Killian threw her arm from his hand like it was nothing and stood up fully. He had a broad tall stature that would make any woman swoon. His hair was deep black and his eyes were so dark they looked black. His jawline was chiseled with high cheekbones. 

“Do not touch her today, or you will be punished. Now hurry along before I give you marks that you can’t erase.” He said in a cold voice. Ariel was trembling under his penetrating gaze. Honestly his name fits him well. He was a hero in these lands. A knight who had more salt than anyone else. He was known as the Reaper of the South. He was said to be merciless and cold on the battlefield. I'm sure he and Theoran, my other brother, would have a fight over this. Unlike Killian, Thereon is the heir of the estate and was protective of Ariel. I’m not sure how it came to be but Ariel snaked her way into his heart. It’s one of the reasons she feels so comfortable doing nothing. Ariel was a pretty blonde headed girl with hazel eyes. She retreated away from us under Killian’s cold stare. Once she was out of sight, Killian turned to me with a stoic face. 

“Go on little sister, we can not have you looking like a street beggar.” He stated with no emotion in his voice. I nodded and slightly bowed my head before I hurried off to get ready for dinner with the Royal Family.