1: The chase

Warning: Language

Edward Ainsworth's POV

The first time I saw her, she was running, and I wanted to know why~

Soule, in the North of Wahala, was the city side of the north. This was where the Royal born would lodge whenever they came visiting. Robb Ainsworth, my father and king, had spent over seven hours deliberating on matters I could not care less about, while I tried to be the dutiful son he wants me to be. He brought me along to learn the way negotiation and agreements worked across the kingdom. He could have taken my older brother, Xavier Ainsworth along since he was next in line of succession, but he believes Xavier is not worthy and I am. The irony.

We arrived this morning and planned to leave once the negotiation ended. We came back to the Royal Lodge and while Robb returned to bed; I stayed awake, staring through the window of my room at the half-moon. Then I stared at the city at night, wondering what it would feel like to walk amongst the people. Perhaps if I wasn’t crowned prince, I would have known what that felt like. Life has always been in the castle around my brother, whose withdrawal grew with every passing day, and my cousin Elliot Ainsworth, whom I knew better than to trust.

The only thing I have is my magic and though my father frowns on that, I do my best to learn because it is who I am.

I sat at the window for another hour, working on my chant and spell. I tried conjuring fire with my fingers, but ended up with mere smoke instead.

This was pointless.

It was already dark, and the night owls were coming out to display their dominance on the territory. It was time to get some sleep, as tomorrow would be another long day. I almost tore my gaze from the window when I saw someone run past the fence of the hotel at a pace that I’d never seen before. Less than ten seconds after this person ran past, about a dozen other people ran and pursued after.

My curiosity gets the best of me because I now wanted to know what was this person's crime.

Perhaps I should mind my business and not get involved, but I had lacked the spontaneity of life for so long and this right here was my chance to have a look at what it was like.

I grabbed my hood and swung it over my shoulder. In the daytime, its design would tell the world I was royalty, the son of the king, but with the darkness that came with the night, no one would consider me royalty at first glance.

I hurry out of my room and I notice the guards positioned not so far from my door, so I took the back door and made my way out.

Once out, I fall in line with the chasers as fast as I can. I race into the woods and with the wind blowing over my face; I run towards the path where they ran through, hoping to meet up with the one being chased. My first shift is still a year or two away so I don’t have any powers, which means I am vulnerable, but I have magic, I always have.

A few chants and I could transport from here to anywhere I wanted, but I am still yet to perfect my wordings. Mother always said to say the right chant or I could do actual damage.

After what felt like forever, I saw the men I had seen from my room on the chase, which told me I wasn’t only on the right course, but I was also closer to getting answers.

But why am I out here chasing someone I don’t know? Why does it feel so important? Why does it matter to me what happens to this person? Why do I care?

You care because it’s an adventure and you get to help someone.

This person could be guilty of what he or she is being chased for.

Even you don’t believe that.

I’d cuss now at the raging voices in my head, but mother won’t be so happy about it if she found out.

As I get closer to the men running, I cast a spell, which dispersed fog rapidly through the woods. The spell conceals the path they are to follow from their eyes.

The men slowed down, and the leader warned them to stand back with his hand held up and his men obeyed. I followed up by casting a divisive spell which conjured up three replicas of the path they had followed, causing more confusion in their midst. I keep my distance and watch from my stand far away.

“I told you she’s a witch!” one man hissed with his hand balling into a hard fist.

“What do we do now, boss?” another asked the man who had led the chase, and the rest turned their heads to him like lost sheep.

“We split and whoever finds her, kills her.” he seethed and his frustration vibrated off his deep voice. “Our assignment was to capture her, but she seems to be harder to kill than a cockroach.” At his instructions, the six men split up, with at least one person following the four paths.

Life wasn’t rose outside the Palace. Perhaps this was my cue to leave, to run back to the Royal lodge and remain in my father’s protection until I’m old and strong enough to face the world. However, a girl was on the run for her life and she would die if I do nothing. She didn’t know me yet, but she needed my help.

I knew the path the girl ran through and only one man followed it as the rest went through the divisive path that led nowhere. I followed him, running as fast as my legs could take me while praying this girl being chased found safety as fast as possible.

After another long minute of chasing, the man slows down and sniffed the air, “Princess I am coming for you,” he snared, “I’ve received permission to kill you, but I’d like to taste you before spilling your young blood.”

I almost threw up in my mouth.

My life wasn’t the best, but I didn’t grow up with survival on my mind. At least I wasn’t being chased around and threatened with death and tasting human blood. Life was cruel outside the Palace and the comfort of royalty and I wonder if this is why father came to the north, to put up laws that will protect the weak people and put a stop to this once and for all.

“Princess, your magic may have tempered with our powers, but I can feel your fear. It’s a natural wolf’s instinct. No magic can change that.” he called out.

I drew closer and spotted the shadow of someone at the back of the tree with her hand covering her nose and mouth to stop any rough breathing, whimpers or sound from slipping out.

The sight of her captivated me, even as I stand far off. I do not move. She looked a few summers younger than me. She had curly black hair which looked rough and had a few dry leaves hanging on them, probably from falling on her face a few times. Her eyes were a silver-grey, which I wouldn’t be able to tell if they weren’t so outstanding despite the night.

The man chasing her interrupted my thoughts, roaring, “I think your skin would feel good underneath mine. I like to hear how you scream when you’re unable to stop your body from responding to my cock shoved far up your sweet cunt.” he snarled and he meant it.