"Has he finally agreed to let you come"Elrik asked as we walked the grounds.He put his arms around me while we walked
"Even if he didn't budge before,his punishment on earth would have made sure he agreed"Elissa said from behind us pointing at herself
"When are you leaving"I ask looking at Elrik from the side of my eyes "Tomorrow morning"he said
I let out a sigh "But we'll see you in the Academy in two weeks"he said smiling "I can't wait for you to experience it"
We heard voices running towards us and turned to see my best friends-Dain and Lauretta
They ran towards Elrik and Elissa,almost tackling them to the ground
"We missed you too"I heard Elrik say as Dain almost crushed his ribs
"It's been what?Two years?"Dain said as he stepped back from Elrik who nodded in response
"Tell me everything.How is the Academy.How are your dragons.What powers do you have"Dain said in a rush
"Okay let me see if I can keep up"Elissa said "Academy is fine.Our Dragons are fine and my power is ..."she said as she summoned a circle of fire around our heads
"Look at mine"Elrik said as a surge of wind came from him.
We had lots of laughs before Elrik said "A birdie told me you've gotten really well with your fighting skills.Do you want to put it to the test"
"Definitely"I said "Meet you on the mat in a few minutes"
I raced to my room and put on my training wear immediately.Training with my siblings is a once in a year opportunity.
It didn't take me a long time before I was in the training ground
I stepped onto the mat, the familiar coolness of the surface grounding me. My siblings had paused what they were saying and were staring at me
"I had no idea I was going against you both"I said but got no response
Without hesitation, I engaged them both. I moved with grace, my body flowing seamlessly between strikes and blocks. I had been trained by the best
Elrik and Elissa were no slouches themselves.They sparred as a cohesive unit, their movements synchronized and precise. But I held my own
The training session intensified, and we transitioned from hand-to-hand combat to weapons. To my astonishment, my siblings produced real blades, not the wooden practice weapons I was accustomed to. They came at me with a fierce determination, and for the first time in a long while, I found myself with real grazes from their strikes.
These went on till I couldn't move anymore and was on my knees.My siblings however still had strength to go on for days
"We need to fire whoever is in charge of training Elara"Elissa said walking towards me "You fight like old people fuck"
"I gave it my all"I said through loud breaths "Your all isn't good enough."she said before walking away
They walked out and Dain and Lauretta came to console me.I had to live up to my sibling's reputation-My family's reputation and if I can't even impress Elissa in a fight.....
"You did good"Lauretta said sitting by my side on the mat
"Let's go out,it'll be good to clear your head"Dain insisted as he pulled me to my feet
"Yeah but where?"I asked as they pushed me towards my room "We will figure it out on our way there "Dain said as we got to my door
"Hurry up"he said as he pushed me in and Lauretta followed
I took my bath and stood facing the rather larger vanity mirror in my room.I stared at my reflection so much that I could draw myself from memory
My dark waves and green eyes.I had the most beautiful eyes if I do say so myself even the dark circles under my eyes couldn't stop them from sparkling
"You didn't sleep well again did you"Lauretta said from behind me "Are you still going to the Academy?"she asked and I nodded
"And how are you going to deal with all that"she said gesturing to me as a whole
"All what?"I asked genuinely because I really had no idea what she meant "You Elara...YOU" she replied "I am not going to play baby sitter for you"
"How Dare you"I said putting on a flowing white gown"How Fucking Dare you,Like I would need your help for anything anyways"
"Have it your way.If you ask me it's best you don't go"she said walking towards the door "Good thing I didn't ask you Lauretta" i said rolling my eyes as she slammed the door
I walked out to see only Dain waiting,I didn't bother asking about Lauretta
"Have you figured out where we would be going"I ask and he nodded "The Palace"
We took some escorts as we made our way to the Palace.I rode on the back of my magnificent Steed.I had him since I was a kid,one of the times I actually liked my birthdays
I and Dain rode at the center while the escort's basically surrounded us.My parents never let me leave the house without them,it doesn't matter who I go with.
We got to the gate and we were let in without any security check.
Evander was waiting for us immediately we got into the Palace
I wouldn't call him my boyfriend,but it wasn't every girl who had the Prince of Valoria obsessed with her.Evander has been my first and only lover since I decided I was old enough to experience such.
He was also home schooled which gave us few things in common and we were also terrified of our fathers
"Hi"i said grinning as he came to help me get down from my Steed
"You look lovely as ever Elara darling"Evander said as I hugged him and he placed a kiss on my cheeks "I miss you too" he said smiling
"Guess what" I said excitedly
"He said you could go to the Academy"Evander said as we linked arms and made our way into the Palace
"You take the fun out of everything"I said rolling my eyes "I assume you are ecstatic" he asked smiling
I met Evander in person for the first time when I was sixteen.My mother said we had met before when we were kids but we couldn't remember that for obvious reasons
"Close your eyes"he said as he led me "Now open them,Happy Birthday Elara"
I opened my eyes to see a pair of foals.One as black as Midnight and the other as white as snow
"Thank you"I shouted as I hugged him "Are they both for me"I asked and he shook his head
"No the white is for you and the black is mine"he said "But they're still quite small,I'll gift them to you again at our wedding"
I went silent,we both knew it wasn't going to happen . General of the Empire-General Tian's daughter has been bethroned to him since they were both kids.They didn't care about the mating ritual as long as he marries into a family that will be of benefit
I always thought I would be his mated but it's been years and the bond hasn't clicked,if it has I knew I would have felt it.
You will know when it clicks the elders always say
I hate the fact that he doesn't have a say in his life,he thinks it's normal.He is be married when he turns twenty-five.Evander is twenty-four and will be twenty five next year
We had stopped any sexual relations between us the second he got engaged to her which was a year ago
"It's not fair,how will I top this for a wedding present.I have no idea what I'll give in return"i said holding his hand and he smiled.His genuine smile that always got to his eyes
We walked around while I told him about my siblings powers and how i was really scared about going to the Academy.Also told him about what happened with Lauretta
"I never really liked her you do know that right"and I nodded in reply.He started harboring hatred for her when she moved to him when she knew we were together.I honestly felt it was a mistake because I never told her we were together
"How is training going"he asked me our hands still intertwined "Poorly"I said with a loud sigh "Elissa said I fight like old people fuck" and he let out a loud laugh
"What's so funny"I asked folding my arms across my chest but the laugh still persisted
"I really missed you Elara"he said as he pulled me into his arms as the last of his laugh died away. I could feel my heart breaking as it had been when he got engaged. "I've missed you too" I replied and I felt a tear run down my cheek as I looked up at him.
Evander had been my first and I hoped he would be my last but it seems the universe had other ideas
I knew he was going to kiss me but I didn't want him to do something that will make my leaving to the Academy hurt him more than it should
"It's getting late,I have to go"i said as we broke eye contact
"Let me walk you "he said as he took my hand in his and led the way
We were close to my horse when he started walking slowly and I knew he was reluctant to let me go
"I'll see you again before I leave"I said my voice low "I'm having a post birthday party soon,you're always invited"
"Don't leave me Elara,please"he said turning to face me.His grip on my hand was tighter and I could see his eyes were glassy
"I am not leaving you"I said putting my hand across his neck and holding him while his hands went to my hips "Look on the bright side,you're getting married soon and you'll have someone else on your side"
"I don't want anyone else,I want you"he said his face between my shoulder muffling what he said and I could feel his silent tears as they fell on my shoulders. "It's fine,I'll always be here for you"i said patting his back lightly "You can come visit me as well"
After few minutes,he got himself a little and we made our way to my Steed.He assisted me in Ascending and he kept his eyes on me
We were about to leave when he said "I love you"it was so low that I was sure I was the only one who heard him "I love you too" i mouthed back
We had been 'together' for a long time.At first we were friends then lovers and this was the first time we had said 'I love you' to one another and as we left the Palace I could feel streams of tears run down my face.