Family of Mine

Last night left a fog over my mind. Richard and I had consumed more alcohol than was necessary, but it was well worth it. After the incident with the rogue wolf, people tried their best to steer clear of me. No one came too close or even looked at me in an offending manner. We had enjoyed our night thoroughly and with copious amounts of mischievous glee. But that was last night. Today, I was someone else entirely. A princess and not a witch.

Curtains fluttered open as staff members swooped into my room, leaving me wide awake. Some hurried into my wardrobe whilst another walked towards me with a bed tray. I could smell the bacon and eggs Benedict. This was how every morning went since mother had concluded my training with the Valkyrie. Although today was my last test. I had to best her. The looming dread grew stronger as I stretched in bed and smiled at my maid. After years of not having any luxury, I loved being spoiled now. Breakfast in bed was just one of the many treats I had asked for, along with all the clothes I could ever ask for.

"Gladice, please prep my armor for later as well. Along with a nice cocktail dress for tonight. Some noble houses are coming in to arrange my coming out ball," I asked and grabbed the cutlery before me. "I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."

***

"Morning Mommy," I chirped and kissed Luciana on the cheek. She smelled of the forest, roses and Katy Perry's Royal Revolution perfume. Her simple pant suit sat perfectly over her tight skin, with a plunging neckline. Father, Mikaela and Caspian might just be the luckiest people alive. She had changed so much over the last few years, becoming more of a queen than ever before. Although her style still held an edge to it. It was far better than the stuffy clothes I had worn when I was away with the Valkyrie.

"Morning my love," she replied and squeezed my hand resting on her shoulder. We were in the family dining hall. Unlike me, the rest of the family preferred eating together. I simply come here to start my day off on the right note. With family. Besides, I had to eat in my room to make sure my parents didn't smell the alcohol on me from last night. Or the vomit.

"How was last night?" She asked innocently, fluttering her eyes at me. This was a trap but one I'd fall into humbly.

"It was fine," I replied and sat down next to her. "Richard just knows how to entertain me." It was true. He had provided me with much needed entertainment and I had provided him with much needed drama.

Luciana smiled. A knowing smile. One where she has complete control over the situation. And she always had. I couldn't remember a time where my mother didn't have that all-knowing air around her. "I can remember a time when he provided me with much needed entertainment." As if reading my damn mind.

Before I could answer, the doors to the room opened up, revealing Giselle in a pencil skirt and red blouse. She almost looked like a school girl. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun. Vivid blue eyes watched me closely. She was the picture of royal elegance, and had been since she was born.

"Sister!" I greeted and stood taller. Even if she was the product of Caspian and Mikaela, I wouldn't know her as anything less than blood. My mother's mates were my parents after all. There were no divides between the Archenbow's, Valentine's and Carmichael's. A few years ago, Mikaela had taken Julian's last name, where Luciana had remained an Archenbow and Caspian remained a Carmichael. My mom had refused to take my dad's surname, as she was the rightful ruler of these lands. As per the prophecy, she wasn't even supposed to have co-rulers, but she did things a lot differently than what was anticipated.

"Sister, you look good this morning. Something other than combat boots are a welcome sight," she mused and walked towards us, her hips bouncing every step of the way.

Giselle was born the same year as when the war had ended. Ten years ago. Yet as children of immortals, we aged at twice the age of our peers. Our bodies and minds worked much faster than most. Thus we stopped aging at the human age of ten. Giselle had her 10th birthday just last month. Leaving her matured and breath taking as a twenty year old looking woman.

"What can I say? I'm in such a great mood today," I replied and Luciana giggled.

"Is it because of your final test that my daughter is in such a gleeful mood?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Giselle giggled as well.

"Oh Mama, leave the poor girl alone. After all, you were really hard on her all those years. Does she not deserve to finally be seen as one of us?"

Giselle hadn't fought with us in the Valkyrie. She was brought up in a lavish life, not as a warrior. But that was due to her never having to take the throne. Instead she started creating her own line of clothing at the age of seven. A business woman stood before us. Anyone who was anyone wore her designs. The designs of a princess from a supernatural family.

"Good morning my darling, slept well?" I heard a voice from behind us as another door opened. It was Caspian. His scent lingered a second in my nose before I exhaled. Pine trees and sweat. My other father, although he was a lot less strict, instead leaving that role to Mikaela and Julian. Even Luciana wasn't as strict as Julian. They balanced each other out rather splendidly.

"Always when you are beside me," my mother cooed and kissed him warmly. Even Giselle brought up her nose at the sight.

"Damnit! That is not-"

"What we want-"

"To see so early-"

"In the morning."

The twins have arrived. Bennett and Braelynn. They were seven now, fourteen in appearance. Had major twin perks and killer fashion sense like Giselle. Mikaela was their mother. Julian their father. Or so we thought. But I knew. Dark hair runs only in genetics. Both had midnight black hair with streaks of brown in it. Like all of us, they were porcelain pretty and modeling since the age of one. Julian had protested to them being in the spotlight since such an early age, but Mikaela had won out and on they went to star in the most well known magazines on earth. One could say that they were the faces of this family.

"Well sorry we like showing off our love," Mikaela retorted from behind them. I craned my neck to see her but only saw a glimpse of a baby bump already starting to show. Caspian's. Any decent witch could tell you that. With the way things were going, we would have thirty more siblings before I became queen. I kept my retort and giggle to myself and smiled at my mom. She was simply radiant this pregnancy around. One of these days we would have another beautiful baby brother.

Julian followed behind Mikaela and kissed each mate swiftly before taking up head of the table, Paislee running in behind him. Blonde curls framed her angelic face. But like the rest of us, she had blue eyes for days. We were a family filled with nothing but blue orbs and freckles.

"Now we are only missing Elijah and Maxwell before we can start out this morning the correct way," Julian announced.

Caspian took up the seat to his left whilst mother and I were on his right. Mikaela sat next to Caspian and Paislee next to her. Elijah would take up the seat beside me and Giselle the one next to him. Bennett sat opposite Julian whilst Braelynn took up his right. The table had but one chair left to sit at when Elijah and Max arrived. The baby in Mikaela's womb would fill it. By then, the boys would out number the girls. This wasn't a fair fight, it seemed.

"Sorry I'm late!" Elijah announced, Max in his arms. The bouncing boy made Mikaela stand and open her arms. Elijah obliged and gave him to her. Elijah had taken to caring for the little ones when Mikaela and Luciana needed a break. Julian had wanted to give the task to one of the servants, but Elijah had refused. He loved each and every one of us in his own ways, but rarely sought out new friends. Or even his mate.

"Think nothing of it, just, work on it some more," Caspian sort of scolded. Elijah smiled. That was Caspian's way of parenting. More encouragement than anything else.

"If I recall, in your youth, you weren't always that punctual either," Elijah jabbed back with a smirk.

"Alright, children, if you are quite finished," Mikaela cut in, still bouncing Max on her lap. It was nice seeing them all interact the way families should. This was how I was taught. That no matter what, stay who you are. Stay close to your family.

Breakfast began when our butler rang the bell and maids ran in with platters of food.

***

Breakfast had come and gone in the blink of an eye. Everyone chatted away whilst stuffing their faces. My mother included. I on the other had couldn't bring myself to do the same. Thanks to a full meal and my growing nerves, I could barely even make conversation.

Today was the day I proved myself a worthy heir. Someone my mother had all the confidence of the world in. But this would be difficult. One rule was that magic wasn't allowed. It wouldn't be fair and a Queen had to rely on their wit. Not just magic.

"What has you so riled up?" A familiar voice asked from behind me. I was in my private study. Miranda hadn't come in for our daily magic lessons. Mother had sent her off. No distractions would be allowed.

"Contemplating how I will subdue the Killer Queen," I sighed and rested my head on my hand. Papers lay before me. College application forms. Mother insisted it was the next step in my life. Choosing a major I wouldn't even pursue one day was taxing.

"You will win. I have faith in you, you spent years fighting and training beside us." Sonja's optimism never failed her after we won the war. If we could kill the big bad wolf, then we could do anything.

"And she was the one who trained beneath Adrian himself. A monster. And she won." You could hear I was almost defeated, without even playing the game yet.

"Now is not the time to mope, Katharine. Your mother is waiting for you. Along with the rest of the Valkyrie. Please go ready yourself."

I knew she hadn't come just to cheer me up. Why would she? Her home was thousands of kilometers away from here.

"Give me a minute?" I asked and stood from my chair. She nodded once and left me to my thoughts.

What would happen if I didn't best my mother? Another three years of training? It didn't sound all that bad.

But I knew it would be.