“She’s lost consciousness…” Declan said approaching the king, he knew she had the moment the energy pulsating in the room vanished. The king did not seem to hear until Declan placed a hand on his shoulder jerking him back to reality. He stiffened looking at the guards and princesses. He had to hide the truth, no one must know it was Layana’s doing. “It is clear this was an attempt to harm the princess, speak of this to none or I will have your heads, now leave us,” he barked, the men bowed and stepped away, knowing an un-refusable order with no space for arguing. They left the room leaving Declan, the king and the princesses in the room, Declan scanned the surrounding, his gaze lingering on the shattered diamonds as if they had been made of glass…. Crouching down he picked up a piece, diamonds were one of the strongest materials on the planet… and she had shattered them with ease. Could he even crack a diamond with his lightning? He doubted it… Aurelia and Cordelia looked around wit

Layana had awoken bright and early ready for training even before the sun was rising, dressed in blue fitted pants, and a white tunic that stopped above her knees, she was wrapping her hair up into a bun when there was a knock on her door, she paused was that her father? Standing up from her vanity table she entered the bedroom and opened the door to her bedroom feeling rather nervous, sure enough, her father stood there, his face serious and emotionless, “Father,” Layana said curtsying to her father, the king entered closing the door behind him, walking towards the open balcony window he looked out at the dark skies. It was clear to Layana her father knew what time she was waking every day for training. “How do you feel,” the king said now turning away from the dark skies, that even now did not dull the beauty of the city of Odairo. “Perfectly well,” Layana said standing a few metres away from her father. The king looked at her, he had tried all night to think of what to tell her

The rest of the day had gone by in a blur, with the preparations, last-minute dress fittings and going over the main rules and expectations by Lady Miranda who had been the one assisting the younger three princesses. It seemed even Cordelia came out of the confinement of her room. Layana was not sure if this was her fathers’ doing or not. But she was grateful to see her sister again although the latter did not even look her way. It was after dinner and Layana had gone to the library, it was pleasantly empty, seeming everyone was busier with the approaching wedding, her guard kept a distance, knowing she did not like to be followed closely and they respected that but made sure she was in their line of sight. Especially with the increase in guests residing in the palace. Layana now skimmed the shelves, she had come for some answers. There were a few things that had been on her mind, and although she was not sure she would find the answers here, it was worth a try if not then she would

It was the following evening, and the princesses were all getting ready for the engagement party. They had gathered in the princesses drawing-room, as their personal maids attended to them. Cordelia remained polite albeit quieter than normal, remembering her father’s warning. Terania was feeling rather nervous, as she kept on smoothening out non-existent creases in her three-layer gown. Layana had not been able to stop herself from keeping a smile off her lips, wanting to tell her sisters about finding someone she loved, and after all her father approved of him too. Although she was yet to tell him of course. She had chosen one of her new gowns that were in the colours of House Storm, black, silver and red. She hoped Declan noticed the subtle gesture, even if House Storm was a forgotten house, she would not... she smiled sadly hoping she could ease the pain in his heart and help him find the closure he needed, be it in the form of the truth. The strapless gown was a shimmering black

The Courtroom was filled with tension, hostility, and unrest. The white marble walls felt cold and empty, this was one of the rare rooms that held no adornments on the walls. The King's Council consisted of twelve men from the Major houses of the kingdom and the five High Mages of the king also sat around the oval table, Aren and Zephyr were also present. The king at its head sitting in his silver throne-like chair. All eyes were trained on the dark-haired man who stood at the end of the table, not at all intimidated by the court nor the king. It had been two hours since he had killed Carter, since the engagement party had been cut short, followed by hushed whispers, rumours, and fear. Despite having ended the man’s life, he still felt rage and anger consuming him, his one regret, that he did not torture the man before ending his life. It was still thundering and lightning outside, which he made sure was kept going not wanting it too to look more suspicious than it already did. He ha