Declan's cold glare turned to the beauty before him, one thing was clear unlike her sister she was not begging for his attention, rather she was frowning at him, her plump lips set in a determined pout. “Layana,” Evaan said his voice dangerously low. Declan did not look away from those mesmerising eyes, “No. let her speak, let’s see what the sheltered princess has to say,” he said mockingly, his words were like a knife to Layana. For she knew the truth in them. Evaan heaved a deep sigh glaring at his daughter to back down. But both the temperamental princess and the cold heir of House Storm were staring the other down. Dark grey eyes boring into those iridescent red and gold. “Yes, we may be ‘sheltered’ in your eyes, but it does not mean we are ignorant to the world around us. Perhaps we have not seen as much as you have. You might look at us resentfully for the blissful ignorance that we have. But I assure you it’s no fairy tale. Before judging us, remember we are human beings for
Layana had reached the large open doors to the library as a few professors walked out. She slipped inside, unravelling a scroll in front of her. No one spared her a second glance, after all, everyone knew princess Cordelia often sent her staff to get her books. The librarians were too busy signing some books out for several apprentices. A few young scholars were packing away their scrolls and papers on the tables. A servant was cleaning up, wiping down the empty tables and chairs and a librarian was putting away some books. She only hoped she found the book without being caught. Soon the library became quieter with each passing moment. The humming of chatter was soon completely gone, she heard footsteps as one of the staff pushed in the last few chairs and headed out, only when the lights were shut down did Layana release the breath that she had been holding. Now she needed to move to the shelf where she had hidden her small bundle. With the room now bathed in darkness, only the moo
Layana had barely spoken a word to Declan, both did not ask the other for more information on what they were looking for. The only time Declan had spoken was just before the guards had entered. He had approached her making her turn the mage stone off, a finger to his lips. The guards had walked in, barely staying for more than two minutes, and were gone. The moment they had left Declan went off again. Layana only had a title, no author, or any further information about the book she was looking for and despite scouring so many shelves there was nothing. Although there were not as many books in here then the main library, there was still hundreds. She sighed softly as she slowly stepped down from the ladder from yet another shelf. Nothing. No sign of the book, she looked around losing hope, her eyes travelling to the far end of the library. The shelve that ran along the entire back wall looked even more worn and dusty than the rest of the room. Scrunching up her nose she walked ove
“Ignite!” she whispered, feeling the coldness envelop her despite it being a warm night. Deep in the stone walls of the palace she felt cold. “Ignite!” she felt frustrated with the stone that remained dark in her hand. “It won't work, these passageways are probably made so no magic can work here,” Declan's voice came “Then how are we supposed to see ?” she replied trying to feel for the walls when her hand touched something warm, she froze realising she was touching Declan's chest and made to pull away “sorry!” “I'm beginning to wonder if you simply just wanted to get me alone,” he said mockingly gripping her wrist, something about her touch awakened something inside of him. “You wish,” she retorted jerking her hand free from his hold “Don’t think so highly of yourself princess, you are not my type,” he replied, thinking if he had a type she would be it. “Good, and you are not mine either,” she shot back not knowing why his blatant refusal irked her. “Well, since we’ve clarifie
It had been over a week since Layana had retrieved the book for Cordelia. Over a week since she had seen Declan. And over a week since she learned that war was nearing. It had hit her like a cold bucket of ice, once the initial shock had worn off, she pondered over the woman's words over and over trying to make sense of what she had meant. Finding barely anything, she started to find information on the dark lord, but all she found was short stories told to scare children. She rarely saw her father and to her relief queen Myra. Her father was busy in meetings for most of the day or stuck in his office attending to his work. The palace was becoming busier with more knights and nobles visiting whether it was for the meetings or other reasons. Her sisters placed it down Terania’s engagement that was coming closer, but Layana knew the truth, a truth she could tell no one about. She had noticed guards were thickening, and training for the knights had been lengthened and had been raised sev
“I ask for a wager, if I win, you will grant me my wish,” Layana said now looking at her father seriously, Evaan narrowed his eyes, “Very well, continue,” he said “For my eighteenth birthday, I wish to train to fight, then to challenge you in a duel, if I win you will allow me to ride into battle in your stead,” Layana said, her soft voice loud and clear in the garden. Evaans’ eyes widened in shock, of all the assumptions he had, this was one he did not even consider. “No! Layana this is not a joke, it takes years to train and to reach a calibre to lead and organise an army!” the king snapped at her incredulous request, “I do not need to lead. We have generals for that, I only need to be at the head of the battle-” “Never! You are a princess Layana! I will never allow my daughter to ride into battle whilst I sit at home like a coward” Evaan snapped “You gave me your word father,” she said quietly. Evaan frowned knowing he couldn't go back on his words, and it was not like she c
“You wanted to see me,” Declan said once he had entered the king’s office not caring to bow, the anger that rolled off him filled the air of the circular room thickly. Through the bars, the window was cracked open, the sound of distant sounds in the palace courtyards filtered into the otherwise silent office. The king looked at him wondering if now was the best time to put the proposal forward. But perhaps the offer would calm the man down... “Ah yes take a seat Declan,” Evaan said, it had been just over an hour since he spoke to Layana and had finally calmed himself down. Having sent the word that no one was to train the princess at any cost. He had then had a drink of wine before summoning Declan knowing he would be taking a break from training around now. Declan looked at the seat “I'm fine standing,” he said directly disobeying the king. Evaan frowned slightly but said nothing. If it was anyone else he would be punished. It was clear the Storm bloodline ran through the man befor
It was almost midnight and Layana was sitting on the floor, leaning against the open door of the balcony, her eyes trained on the night sky. The night was humid, and the air felt heavy, after the hot day the sky looked as if it may rain. The palace was almost fully silent, apart from the stray bark or meow of the palace pets. She scanned the starless blanket above her despite the turmoil of emotions going through her. She had sent one of her guards, Kilian to ask the general and a few of the captains about training, but apparently, they refused. Wondering why she had then demanded Kilian to train her it was only then he bowed and said the king had commanded no one was allowed to train the princess. Layana was beyond furious. That had been her condition to be allowed to train. When she said this to Kilian, he said she is allowed to, but the king had found a flaw in her request. He mockingly gave his word without keeping it. She had almost felt like she had a purpose, an aim, sure fema