*please read story on wattpad.com if you want to see the cover
"Hey, take it easy there champ!" yelped Brendon, backing away. Cleona ceased her hissing and laughed. He was the son of Kriden, her most trusted commander (for all of you who don't remember). He frowned at her laughter. "That's not funny," he whined playfully. "You almost killed me."
"Brendon!" Lisa exclaimed. "Long time no see." She embraced him, and this time the princess moved out of the way and crossed her arms, keeping her mouth shut. "Now, now, where is my sorry excuse for a mate?" she asked, pulling away from Brendon and looking around.
Cleona sighed sympathetically. "He was called into an important meeting with my father." She explained. "Damion should be out in ten minutes. Go freshen up, and I'll introduce you to my 'beloved' mate."
"Okay," she conceded. "Wait for me in the dining hall." At that, her servants started dragging her luggage to her room, and Lisa sashayed off.
"Come with me to the dining hall?" the princess asked Brendon. "I haven't eaten breakfast yet."
He nodded and threw an arm around her shoulder. "Lead the way, Princess." She half dragged him to the dining hall, eager to eat.
She weaved her way through nobles who were lounging in the hall and plopped down at an empty table, throwing Brendon into a seat beside her. At once, servants placed delicious delicacies in front of them. She inhaled her food quickly, ignoring Brendon's raised eyebrow.
"So," he started, "I met Micah. He's a conceited prick."
She winced and looked around to see if anyone had heard. "You can't say things like that," she whispered. "But I do agree with you. He pisses me off."
Brendon grinned. "You could run away with me, ya know," he informed her. Cleona sighed. He was referring to the promises they made each other when they were little kids. They were going to get married and run away to a far away land.
"Yes, yes," was all she said. Despite her old childhood crush on him, she no longer felt that way. He was like an older brother to her, one that she never truly had. "Well, Micah's leaving to return to his own country for awhile. I won't have to see the sorry brute until our wedding."
He nodded sympathetically. "You should see him off," he said, serious now. "It would be a great offense if you didn't."
She rolled her eyes but got up anyway. "Wish me luck!" And with that, she strode to Micah's room, hoping that he would still be there. She knocked once. Twice. Three times. The door opened.
"I have to inform you of something," Micah said. He looked really worried, and suddenly she became anxious as well. "Come in."
Cleona followed him in and sat down in one of his chairs. He remained standing, preferring to lean against the wall, probably to look down at her. She would let it go this once. "What is the matter?" the princess asked, narrowing her eyes at him. He shuffled to his desk, retrieved what looked like a letter, and handed it to her.
"This just came in," he said. Cleona accepted the letter and opened it. Bracing herself, she peered at the letter, skimmed through it, and gasped in shock. Pure, undiluted shock. It read:
My King,
I hate to inform you of this, for I did everything in my power to prevent this. I will say in advance that I am extremely sorry.
Your brother has taken over your kingdom. You whole court, save me, has turned to his side. I beg of you to not write back to me lest it be intercepted, for I risked my life as well as my family's to get you this letter. I suggest that you get King Nikkolas and Princess Cleona to give you men to take back your kingdom. If they are short on men, go to the University of Jentur. You will most certainly find some men willing to kill you brother there. Oh, and also, if the princess and her father wish not to interfere, tell her this-- Trystan will go for her country, Lyndon first. He is planning a way of attack right now. Stay safe, my king.
- Your Most Trusted One
She handed him back the letter, stunned. Cleona could tell that he was telling the truth. If he was lying about something as big as this, she was sure she would smell it on him. "Who's your most trusted one?" she inquired.
"He's bloodsworn to me," Micah informed her. Most sovereigns had someone bloodsworn to them, meaning that they had someone sworn to protect them with their lives. "Will you help me?" Micah asked quietly, his face full of anxiety. "Do you have any men that you can spare?"
She frowned. "It's not up to me. You must ask my father for men." Although it pained her to admit that, it was the truth.
And so, they did. Micah marched right up to Father, told him his whole story, and asked for some men to help fight Trystan and take back his kingdom.
"Unfortunately, we cannot spare any men," he said. "But, I will give you my daughter. She will journey with you to the University of Jentur to help recruit some men for you."
Cleona gaped at her father. There he went again, making important decisions for her. What a little rat. "Thank you, good King Nikkolas. We will leave tonight," Micah said, inclining his head respectively.
It was just a couple hours until the sun went down, not giving her a lot of time to prepare for the journey. Micah then walked away, leaving her with her father. After shooting him a glare, she left to find Lisa.
Her best friend was sitting in the palace garden. Cleona told her everything, and Lisa gasped. "I would go with you, but I'm afraid your father wouldn't approve." The princess understood, for her father did not really like Lisa and always refused her requests.
"Help me pack?" Cleona asked. Lisa nodded and followed her into her room where they threw her necessities into a knapsack. They went to the stables together, Micah already waiting. Melinna was there too, the princess's horse, Eclipse, already saddled up. "Say goodbye to Brendon for me?" She asked Lisa. They had searched the whole palace, and apparently he had left to go on a short trip into town, not giving her a chance to say goodbye.
"Of course," her friend promised. Cleona glanced at Micah, who was looking bored on top of his horse, Vecephalus. Lisa frowned. "Why are you guys traveling by horse? Wouldn't it be quicker just to run to the university?" That was true. Because Fae were so fast, they usually traveled on foot, not bothering with horses. Why were they using horses?
"They should ride horses. Trust me," Melinna said.
"Okay, since you're a seer," Lisa relented. "I trust you." If Micah was surprised at Melinna's power, he did not show it. As a matter of fact, he merely led his horse outside the royal barn, deciding to wait for the princess out there.
"You two take care of each other, okay," Cleona said to Lisa and Melinna, ignoring Micah's impatience. She hugged Lisa.
"Here's your sword," her friend murmured. She handed her Gholmost. She quickly put the sword, which was currently in its scabbard, at her waist, gave Lisa a hug, and moved on to her dear little Melinna.
Getting down on her knees to hug her, she murmured, "I'm going to miss you, my sweet little one."
Melinna wrapped her arms around the older girl's neck. "I'll miss you too." She was crying now. "Please stay safe. I love you Cleo."
Cleona kissed her head affectionately. "I love you too, Melinna. Be a good girl and keep Lisa and Brendon in check. You now how crazy they can be without supervision." With one last embrace, she mounted Eclipse, waved goodbye, and joined Micah outside. She attached her knapsack to the horse, and without further ado,set her horses off at a brisk pace southward towards the University on Jentur, Micah eating her dust.