A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-four.

This poem is told from the point of view of one of my main characters in my novel I'm currently working on. Also, X is a tricky letter. Hope you enjoy :)

X is for Xavier.

First time I met her,
I knew in my soul,
she was my sister
in all but blood.

Our eyes connected
and we introduced
ourselves, before I
was dragged away.

Mother kept saying
"My apologies,
My King," while bowing,
clawing my neck.

Princess Adalyn
quickly got me to
play with her, saying
"this is my friend."

Mother was appalled.
King told us to go,
kids should be kids, as
long as they can.

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-three.

W is for Wedding.

She stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. She brought her hand up to trace her jaw, running pink painted nails across the bone, pressing a little harder on a bruise covered by makeup. She winced and smiled, looking into her grassy green eyes.

"It's finally time," she whispered and smoothed her hands down the white lace wedding dress her mother made for her. The only nice piece of clothing she ever received.

"Kyra?" Her mothers voice came through the door. "Are you ready?"

Kyra looked herself over once more, making sure the bruises were covered. A daughter of the Kings Royal Knights must always look immaculate. She walked to the door and pulled it open, smiling at her mother.

"You look beautiful, dear."

"Thank you, mother."

Kyra's mother took her arm and led her away from the room, heading outside towards her family's courtyard where the carriage awaited to take her to her new home. A tradition here in Toron for centuries, and one that helped girls like Kyra flee their fathers.

Her mother helped her into the carriage and Kyra smiled as she sat down and let her mother close the door. It was just her in the carriage and she relaxed back into the seat as it pulled away. She couldn't seem to stop smiling. The carriage took her away from her family where she'll be able start over, be who she wants to be.

It didn't seem like much longer before the carriage was slowing. She looked outside and gasped when she saw the carriage pulling around the courtyard of the castle. It stopped in front of the door and the driver opened the door with a bow.

Kyra stepped out slowly, unsure what was happening.

The doors opened to reveal the King. "Welcome, Kyra of Toreld," the King said and gestured her forward. She slowly ascended the stairs. "You are a sight for sore eyes," he laughs.

She smiles at him and curtsies when she reaches the top of the stairs. "Why am I here?"

The King grinned. "Your husband-to-be is visiting us today, and I wanted to make sure you got everything you wished for."

Kyra blinked. He wasn't from Toron?

"Come my dear," the King gently took her arm and led her inside the castle, directing her past rooms that she tried to glimpse into. They entered a study where the prince sat with another man, both holding a glass of scotch.

"Prince Coltrane," the King said and Kyra's eyes widened. "This is Krya of Toreld."

Coltrane stood up with a smile, placing his glass of scotch on the table beside the couch. "It's nice to meet you," he said and stepped forward.

Kyra studied his face, unbelieving that he was to be her husband.

"I suppose you think this is a joke," Coltrane said even as he held out his hand for her to shake. She placed her hand in his and he twisted it, bringing the back of it to his lips. She felt her face grow hot, even as a smile stretched her lips.

"It's nice to meet you," Kyra responded.

"You look lovely," he said, keeping a hold of her hand and using it to tug her towards the couch where he was sitting.

"I'm not sure I understand, though," Kyra said.

Coltrane laughed. "I'm not surprised. It's unusual for a Prince to choose a wife this way."

Kyra nodded.

"We have met before," Coltrane said as the King and Prince excused themselves to let them get to know each other.

"We have?"

"Years ago," he said. "It was when my first trip to Toron and you were there with your mother and father, at the ball held on behalf of our treaty being reassigned."

Kyra nodded slowly, trying to remember all those years ago.

"I knew how he treated you," Coltrane's voice was hard. "I wanted to take you with us then, but father forbade it, said you weren't worthy." His fist clenched around her hand and she brought her other hand to their combined ones and held his bigger hand in both of hers. He took a deep breath. "About a year ago I was told I needed to find a wife. I wanted you, told father I wanted you. He was furious." Coltrane laughed. "I said I wasn't the heir, I should be able to choose who I wished."

Kyra smiled and brought his hand closer to her chest, shifting on the couch to be closer to him.

"He didn't have an argument for that. It was a couple of months later when King Gerrit told me of this tradition and that you were on the list."

"Why did you wait so long?" Kyra asked.

"I wanted to make sure we had a place to go to, a home for us." He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her. "I wanted everything to be perfect for us."

Kyra leaned her head on his shoulder. "Just being with you is enough."

He clutched at her. "We'll have a proper wedding back home," he said. "Where you can choose the dress you want to wear, with flowers and whatever else you wish."

She laughed. "I don't want much."

He pressed a kiss to her head. "I'll still give you the world."

A-Z Challenge. Day nineteen.

This one took me a little longer to figure out what S would be for, but I did it! Enjoy day nineteen :)

S is for Safe and Sound.

Her feet slap against the ground as she runs through the trees, pushing branches out of her face as more scrape her bare arms. Her breath comes out in pants, grey eyes wide in fear. The light from the dying sun guides her way through the forest. Hooves pound on the ground behind her, sounding like multiple horses spread out to try and surround her.

She stumbles over a root, hopping on one foot to gain her balance and shake out the pain in her toes before she continues, running through the pain. Her arms pump at her sides, fists clenched and nails biting into her palms. Her satchel slaps against her hip as she runs and she prays nothing falls out.

"We know you're there, theif!" A male's voice shouts from behind her. "Stop and turn yourself in."

She shakes her head as she reaches the part of the forest where the trees start to thin, revealing the turquoise lake that sits in the middle. She takes a deep breath, doesn't turn around, and runs right onto the water, her feet slapping against it as if it were ground. She spreads her hands out to the side beside her, unclenches her fists to point her palms towards the water.

"What the," she hears from behind her as she continues across the water. "Halt witch!"

She laughs then and pushes her hands towards the water, causing her to speed up. A roar comes from behind her as the creature that lives in the lake surfaces, glaring at the men on horses.

The men scream and unsheathe their swords while their horses rear back.

The creature raises its long neck to the sky, sucking in air, before tilting its head to the men and blowing the air at them. They go flying into the trees, off their horses, landing with a crunch into bark.

She jumps off the water at the other side of the lake and turns back. She smiles and waves at the creature that nods before diving back into the water. She doesn't stay to watch if the men survived the attack, she just continues into the forest, aiming for her hut up in the trees where she feels safe. She sees the tree she marked with her power and jumps up to the lowest branch, grabbing it and pulling herself up. She climbs a little higher, entering the hut she built and taking off the satchel. She dumps the contents onto the small table she has, grinning when she sees nothing has fallen out. A clump of carrots, a couple apples, and a loaf of bread sit on the table. She grabs an apple and bites in, the juice flowing over her lips. She takes a step back and falls onto the mound of fabric she's collected over the years, sighing in happiness. She made it another day, safe and sound.

A-Z Challenge. Day eighteen.

Here it is, day 18.

R is for Rainbow

Glenn Karasik stood in front of the stained glass window of the church that stood atop a hill and overlooked the small town of Falconbourne. Behind the church stretched the cemetery, surrounded by the only trees in and around the town. Below where Glenn stood was the path that led up to the church from the town. It was empty, as usual; everyone believing the Gods had abandoned them.

Glenn cast his deep emerald eyes over the dry and dead grass of the town, the empty farms where farmers still tried to grow crops to feed the town; another dry spell. This one going on eight months now. Glenn couldn’t understand what it was they did to anger the Gods.

“Father?”

He turned, not hearing the door open, and watched as eight-year-old Raine walked into the church, her hands twisting together as if she were nervous. Glenn put on a smile. “Yes dear?”

“Forgive me,” she said before dropping to her knees just before the stained glass, head down and hands in prayer above them.

“What is it that you think you’ve done, child?”

“I caused the dry spell.” Tears choked her voice. “I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way.”

Glenn stepped forward and crouched down in front of her. “You didn’t cause the dry spell.”

“Yes I did,” she argued.

“What makes you think this?”

“I did a spell,” she started, curling her hands into her hair and keeping her head down. “It wasn’t supposed to do this.”

He shook his head, a smile on his lips. “What was it supposed to do?”

“Make rainbows,” she whispered.

He laughed and patted her head. “Rainbows are supposed to be a gift from Alear.”

Raine sniffled.

“I’m sure if you told her just how sorry you are she’ll bring them back.”

Raine took her hands off her head and looked up at him, eyes wide and rimmed with tears. “Really?”

Glenn nodded and gestured over him to the altar.

Raine stood up, a serious look on her young face, and walked to the altar, getting back down on her knees before it, hands in prayer in front of her face.

Glenn stood up, knees creaking as he did, and watched her for a moment with a smile before he looked back out the window. His eyes widened as he watched dark clouds roll across the sky, rain coming down in sheets and heading to their town. He turned back to see Raine still before the altar on her knees, hands in prayer and eyes closed.

He turned back to the window as he heard cheers come from the town and he watched as farmers pulled their wives into a dance, laughter filling the town once again.

“Thank you, father,” Raine said and he looked down to see her standing beside him.

He smiled. “No, dear, thank you and Alear. You are truly blessed.”

Raine looked up with a smile. “I’ll be good from now on, and I’ll remember rainbows are Alear’s gifts to us.”

Glenn nodded and patted her shoulder before turning back to the town. Rain continued to pour and as it did he watched the grass turn green before his eyes and he knew Alear had not given up on them and never would, so long as Raine was here.

“Let’s go play,” Raine said and tugged on his hand.

Glenn laughed and shook his head. “I need to stay here, protect the church.”

“Alear will watch it for us,” Raine said and her eyes glowed a light pink as she said this.

Glenn let her pull him outside and he tilted his head to the sky, letting the rain kiss his face.

“Look, father, look!” Raine tugged on his hand and he looked down at her, following the finger she was pointing across the town to see a rainbow painted against the dark clouds shining brighter than normal. “I told mother I’d behave,” Raine whispered. “But she said I need to keep practicing; I’m still learning.”

Glenn studied her face, watching her eyes glow pink again, before she smiled up at him. “Don’t forget to be a kid every now and then,” he said and she laughed, letting go of his hand.

“I’ll never forget that,” she said before running into the trees around the church, kicking off her shoes behind her and jumping into the mucky soil underneath a tree blooming with pink flowers. Her head tilted back and he swore in that moment he would protect her with his life.

A-Z Challenge. Day sixteen.

Since I ran out of time yesterday, here is day sixteen.

P is for Palace.

Music from the piano echoed through the ballroom, girls in ballgowns twirled in the arms of men in tuxedos. King Rowan gazed out at the dancers, a smile twitching on his lips.

"Talia shouldn't be dancing with that one," his wife, Queen Calista, said.

He looked over to see a frown marring her beautiful face. "Now, darling, you know Talia is doing it to get a rise out of you."

Calista sighed. "Of course she is," she muttered, watching as Talia twirled, shooting her a smirk. Calista rolled her eyes. "Today is supposed to be the day she chooses a husband."

Rowan laughed and scooped up Calista's hand. "I do believe she's chosen already and is merely dancing with those she considers friends."

Calista linked their fingers together. "And who has she chosen?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Calista spared him a look.

"Mother, father," Katharina, their second daughter, curtsied before them.

Rowan grinned at his daughter. "Katharina," he said and held out his arm, still holding his wife's hand. "Enjoying the party?"

Katharina shrugged. "Sure," she said, not bothering to walk into her father's embrace. "Has Talia chosen yet?"

"Why don't you go ask her yourself?" Calista asked. "Your father believes so but both him and Talia are strange at the best of times."

Rowan turned with a pout.

Calista smiled gently at him, patting his cheek. "We love you just the way you are."

A bright smile before Calista kissed him. Katharina rolled her eyes and turned away, stepping down off the dais.

"Katharina," Talia said as she came up and threw an arm around her sisters shoulder. Katharina wrinkled her nose at the heavy sent of wine wafting from her sister. "Dance with me."

Katharina shrugged her arm off. "No thanks."

Talia pouted. "What's wrong?"

Katharina smiled. "You should be dancing with your soon to be husband."

"I've got all night for that," Talia said and headed back to the bar.

Katharina sighed before heading out to the balcony. The night was a little chilly, a wind blowing in from the ocean their palace overlooked. The balcony was lit by the two moons and Katharina tilted her head back, breathing in the fresh air.

"What is a pretty thing like you doing out here?"

Katharina turned to see Prince Alec leaning against the doorframe. She shrugged and turned back to the ocean. She heard his footsteps as he walked toward her.

"Tired of being in your sisters shadow?"

She looked at him from the corner of her eye before sighing. "No," she said. "I have no desire to run a kingdom. Talia is more than capable."

"Why the long face, then?"

She turned to face him and only saw curiosity, no judgment. She smiled. "I want to join the army."

His eyes widened.

She laughed. "Father had the same reaction. He hasn't said yes or no yet."

"You want to join the army?"

Katharina nodded. "The most enjoyable lessons for me are archery, sparing, and horseback."

"I," Alec started before laughing. "I'm impressed."

She smiled at him. "Thanks."

"Have you held a sword before?"

Katharina rolled her eyes. "The captain is generous and has been giving me lessons on and off since I was sixteen."

"And your father doesn't want you in the army because?"

"I'm sure it's something about not wanting me to be hurt."

The music stopped inside and Katharina turned around. "I guess Talia has finally chosen."

Alec held out his arm and Katharina took it, using it to guide him back into the ballroom. Talia stood beside her mother and father up on the dais, smiling at those gathered. Katharina stopped just inside the doors and smiled up at her sister.

"Ladies and gentlemen," King Rowan said, his voice booming across the ballroom. Those gathered buzzed with anticipation.

Talia crooked her finger at someone in the crowd and Katharina watched as Prince Carver made his way through the crowd. Katharina shook her head, wondering why she didn't figure it out before. Carver and Talia have always been close since they met when they were five.

Rowan beamed at Carver as he stepped onto the dais beside Talia. "Welcome to the family," he said and the room cheered, calling out catcalls as Carver dipped Talia, pressing a deep kiss to her lips.

A-Z Challenge. Day twelve.

Yes this idea came because of Thor, but I kind of hinted at something else from one of my previous entries. Hope you enjoyed! :)

Day 12. L is for Lightning.

Rain poured from the grey clouds, soaking her turquoise dress to her ivory skin. Her face was tilted up, green eyes closed and strawberry blonde hair matted over her shoulders and down her back. A smile was on her lips.

She stood in an open soccer field, the only sound from the odd car that passed by on the street a few yards away. She stood alone in the grass. Thunder rolled through the clouds and she laughed.

Lightning flashed and she started to twirl, skirt flaring out slightly from her legs despite the rain.

"Rosalyn!" A voice called.

She stopped and opened her eyes, watching Zayden run through the field squinting.

"What are you doing?" Zayden asked as he stopped beside her.

She laughed and twirled. "Don't you feel energized when the lightning strikes and the thunder roars?"

"No." He looked at her like she was crazy. "Come on, let's go home."

She shook her head and took a step away from him. "I'm fine."

Zayden rolled his eyes. "You're going to get sick."

Rosalyn smirked. "I don't get sick when it thunders." She turned and started running across the field, heading towards the path just down the hill.

"Rosalyn!" Zayden sighed.

"I'll meet you at the house!" Rosalyn waved as she started down the hill. Trees grew randomly among the path that curled behind a school. She stopped when she was hidden from view and she was sure Zayden hadn't followed her. She tilted her head to the sky and smiled. Lightning flashed above her and she seemed to glow with it, her green eyes turning gold as power seemed to fill her body. She spread her arms out, palms up, and breathed deep.

"My beautiful daughter," a voice cooed from in front of her.

She looked over to see a man standing in a golden light, armour covering his muscled body, blonde hair blowing in the wind. "Hello father," she said and took a step forward.

He opened his arms and she ran into them. He lifted her off the ground, a happy laugh bursting from his lips. "How I have missed you!"

She laughed and clutched him tighter. "When can I come home?"

He sighed as he placed her feet back on the ground. "Soon," he said. "It is still far too dangerous for you."

She let her head fall to his shoulder, her forehead clinking against his armour.

"I know you think you can fight, but I will not risk you."

She nodded.

"Another fortnight, I should think."

She gasped and jerked back to look at his face. "Seriously?"

He grinned. "Your mother will need you home then."

She lurched forward to crush him in a hug. "Oh father," she whispered.

"Your mother misses you terribly."

"I miss her too," she whispered. "Say hi for me, yeah?"

"Of course." He stepped back, gently pushing her away. "A fortnight."

She nodded and a flash of lightning took him away again. She sagged slightly, a pout forming on her pink lips. She started to tread through the grass, back the way she came, heading to the place she's called home for five years. She clenched her fists. A fortnight. She could do this. She could live on this primitive world for fourteen more days. It wasn't long now; she would get to be reunited with her family and finally help her mother take back her kingdom.

A-Z Challenge. Day Five.

The idea for the word came from my mom and this is what came from it. Sorry everything has been dark lately, but it's what keeps coming to mine! Hopefully tomorrow will be brighter! I hope you enjoy :) 

Day five. E is for Echo. 

Standing on a cliff, Tempest overlooked the desolate battleground below. Bodies lay in twisted positions, swords standing erect through hearts and heads, backs littered with arrows. Black helmets were scattered, some containing heads, others empty. Their enemy coloured in purple were in the same state. Armour lay broken, shattered by shields and swords that lay in heaps around arms cut off at the elbow. 

Tempest felt a grin pulling at her lips. 

"Tempest!" An echo of a males voice echoed from a cliff directly opposite her. "I will have my revenge!" Each word vibrated through the wind into her ears. 

Tempest threw her head back as a guttural laugh poured from her lips, echoing back to Gale. 

The ground started to rumble beneath Gale, his fists clenched at his side. It tumbled across the valley, stirring the bodies. 

Tempest narrowed her eyes and the blood of the fallen began to circle, a whirlpool of crimson swirling and sucking up limbs in its course. The earth churned beneath her, she merely shifted and planted her feet; she would not let the magic of an earth Mage to destroy her. 

Gale snarled. He would not fall to the blood of his kin. He would protect their legacy; he would live on. 

Tempest smiled. "Goodbye," she called and her angelic voice echoed across the valley. 

Gale's eyes widened as the whirlpool of gore shot straight through his heart. The ground stilled. Gale gasped. Blood clogged his throat. He staggered. Dropped to one knee. "Why?" He gurgled, though he didn't think she could hear.

"This is my kingdom," Tempest cried. "I'm taking back what has always been and always will be rightfully mine."

Gale stared across at the black haired beauty. She stood tall, proud, one hand clutching a sword, the other perched on her hip. From here she looked like a princess. He fell to his stomach, his last thought: beautiful. 

A-Z Challenge. Day Four.

Hello and welcome to day four of my A to Z challenge. This is just one I wrote on my break at work. Hope you enjoy! 

D is for Death.

She stalked through the trees, crouching, peering out through the leaves. Her target sat upon horseback, a shield strapped across his back and a sword on either hip. He was elegantly clothed in the royal purple of the kingdom, a crown atop his head. 

She took an arrow out of the quiver strapped to her back and knocked it on her bow. She stopped behind a giant oak and crouched. She pressed her side right against the trunk as she watched the men out with the prince turn towards the lake on their left. The prince made a gesture and she took aim, closing one eye to focus completely on the back of his head. She exhaled and let the arrow fire. Without waiting to see if it hit her target, she jumped up and took off, deeper into the woods. Behind her the guards starting calling out in shock and she heard the pounding of hooves as they tried to follow her into the woods. 

She jumped into the trees and pulled herself up to a thick branch, pressing her body to the trunk. Camouflaged in brown to match the trunks, the guards dashed right beneath her; then again they weren't expecting her to jump into the trees. She sat down on the branch and made herself small, easy to do when you're only five foot two. She listened as the guards searched through the forest around her, before giving up and heading back to the kingdom on the other side of the lake. She smiled. 

"I don't think I've ever seen you perform a job that quickly before," a male voice called from below her. 

She jumped down and turned to him. "He made an easy target." 

He took a pouch off his belt and handed it to her. "Your reward."

She snatched it out of his hands and tucked it into her jacket. "Any new jobs?" 

He shook his head as they started heading the opposite way the guards went, going deeper into the forest towards their guild. "No but you're wanted." 

She tilted her head.

"They don't know who you are but they want you dead."

She laughed. "Of course they do." 

"It's impressive that you've managed to go so long without being seen."

She grinned. "I'm good at what I do." 

He nodded. "Many in the guild look up to you, hoping you'll train them." 

She snorted. "Yeah right. They want me dead too." 

He shrugged. "You'd take them on; and win." 

She smiled as they came up to the guild. The building blended in with the trees, making it impossible to spot unless you knew what you were looking for. One of the reasons their guild was the smallest and most sought after. He pushed open the doors and disappeared inside. She stepped in after him and shut the, gently behind her. 

"Welcome home, Morana." 

A-Z Challenge. Day One.

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I've found another challenge that caught my interest and made me want to write more! It's the A-Z Challenge of April. Here's the link if you'd like to read more about it: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/what-is-blogging-from-to-z.html

Day 1: A is for Adventure

Emerald fabric decorated
with the Starbucks siren dances
to the winds chaotic cadence.
My gaze clings to the fibres
and I fall

into a world of magic.
Swords to shields, they clash
and there I stand, at the edge
watching, waiting to see
the victor.

Grande cup breaks my daze
and I crash back,
smoothly wiping the milk
from the wand. I smile.
"Have a wonderful day."


This was just something I wrote on my break at work today. Check back tomorrow for Day 2!

Back Story

May is finished and so is my mostly completed challenge. But I need to keep writing!

This story is based off a novel I wrote back in high school, five years ago. This world I created has become something that I pull from, even though I have yet to rewrite that novel. I wrote a stageplay using characters from this novel in one of my second and third year courses and now I've written part of the back story to the novel itself. 

I hope you enjoy!

*** 

She has been told she is special, and now, standing between Mother and Father with that ridiculous grin on her face, I know she believes it. But it should be me up there, not her. What is it about her that makes her special?

"Andreana," Mother snaps, gesturing with her hand for me to step up next to her.

I put a smile on my face and step forward. The people of our kingdom are kneeling in the front courtyard below the balcony, but all eyes are glued to Andralyn. Of course. It is not fair that she will inherit the throne for no reason other than her ability to control all six elements; I am the eldest. That throne is rightfully mine. 

***

Andralyn's coronation is tomorrow. Her wedding is now. I stand beside her, a bouquet of some hideous yellow flower in my hand. Mother sits in the front row, a kerchief to her lips, while Father's arm is around her shoulders. 

I do not know why Andralyn chose me as her maid of honour; expected perhaps? We hardly ever spend time together. 

The priest says those four words and it takes all of my will power to keep the smile on my face. What makes her more important than me?

***

The three moons form a triangle in the sky tonight. Their light reflects off the blade of the dagger twirling between my fingers. 

Mother and Father are across the castle in the West Wing, their new home. The newlyweds are in their new suite in the main part of the castle. My room will always be located here in the East Wing; unless I do something about it. 

I look down and drag the dagger across my pointer, lightly pressing into the pad. It would be simple.

The hedge maze is dark below my balcony, and I trace the path through the thick green leaves with my eyes. This cannot be allowed to happen. That throne is mine. 

I step back from the railing and walk into my room, grabbing the lit candle holder off my bedside table. No one should be awake at this hour. 

I open the door to my bedroom, glancing down the hallway, but it is empty, and shall remain that way for many more years. I walk down the hall and stairs, my bare feet making little sound against the stone. I slowly push open the door to the main part of the castle, peeking around it. The hall is dark and no light shines from beneath any of the doors. 

The door creaks as I close it behind me and I cringe, staring at the door to the maids quarters across the way. I can feel my heart pounding against my ribs as I click the door shut behind me. 

I tip toe pass the maids quarters to the door at the end of the hall. I glance behind me before slowly pushing this door open and slipping through. Darkness greets me again and I ascend the stairs. 

I take a deep breath and clench my fist around the hilt. I place my candle on the floor before I open the door in front of me. The hallways is dark, the only light coming from the moons peeking into the windows. I go to the middle of the three doors and stop in front of it. There will be no going back. 

A grin takes over my lips. Finally the throne will be mine.

I grab the knob and twist, slowly pushing it open. The curtains around their canopy bed are pulled back, his back bared to me with his arm thrown across her body. The covers are bunched around their waists and I wrinkle my nose; I didn't realize he was so hairy. 

I step forward and gently close the door. I tip toe around their clothes as I make my way to his side. I peek over at his face just as he snores. God why did she choose him?

I place my hand over his mouth and nose before swiping the dagger across his throat. His blue eyes snap open and look up at me, wide, and I press my hand tighter to his face. I watch the blood pour from his neck onto the sheets and my sister's hair, waiting for him to go limp. He doesn't even try and fight me, or bring his arm up to mine. Instead he tries to curl closer to Andralyn. Pathetic. 

I take my hand away once he goes limp and walk around to the other side of the bed. Even in danger my sister still sleeps soundly. I twist the dagger to make it easier before I do the same to her.

"Sorry, sister," I mutter when her grey eyes just like mine open wide. "You will not be allowed to take my place."

She tries to twist her head out of my grasp, causing more blood to squirt onto the sheets. She stares up at me as if she's trying to get me to pull away and save her. I watch her and wait. 

I step back and wipe the dagger on my nightgown. I stand beside the bed and watch them, making sure they're still. When I can see the bottom moon through the window I press a finger to my sister's pulse. Nothing. 

I grin. The throne is mine. I turn and leave their room, heading back the same way, my candle now half burnt. I make sure everything is back to as it was before on my journey back to my room. I place my candle on my bedside table before I walk out to my balcony again. 

***

Mother is inconsolable and I give up trying a month after Andralyn's funeral. Father has finally stopped pushing back my coronation, and tonight I'll be marrying the second eldest son of Father's right hand man. Not my choice, but Mother said he'll protect me; not that it matters.

At my wedding, Mother is weeping uncontrollably and Father is stoic. I had thought they would be happy for me; after all I am still their daughter. 

***

Mother passed a week after my coronation, poison, and I know she killed herself. Father stops instructing me after that, but I take over; I knew enough by then. 

A month after Mother, Father dies; same method. 

At both funerals I acted appropriately; shed tears, accepted condolences, but I could not say I was particularly sad. Finally, this kingdom was mine. 

***

Right now is the only time I regret my actions. I just gave birth to a son, but the only one in the chamber with me was the midwife. My husband is out at sea with the army; I do not know if he will return. 

I look into the blue eyes of my son and I realize how alone I have been. But as he latches onto my finger I cannot dwell on the past. I got a son, and this kingdom will be his.