*POV* Kalea Rosell
A woke to a bright light bird hovering above my bed, with a slight buzz energy, a quick glance at the window told me it was just sunrise, so with a sigh I snatched the note and watched as the bird fizzled out into nothing.
I slipped out of bed and into the bathroom before lighting the lantern and eyeing the message. I smiled, I knew it was from Clayton
because his handwriting was perfect.
Being the oldest of Clay and Cassy Sparks was no easy undertaking. But somehow even with the prospects of being the future king of
Hilldren, Clayton had retained his jolly nature and good humor.
The message read: Dear Cousin Kalea, I am happy you are coming to Hilldren with the best news A. Coral could ever ask for. Carmia said
to tell you hi, and we hope to see you soon. With good tidings, Clayton.
"Oh yeah," I whispered, I had forgotten Clayton, Carmia, Leah and Linden were now staying at the Hilldren castle, training to be the
next generation of Hilldren protectors.
Movement in the bedroom told me my parents were getting up. I placed the piece of paper into my pocket and opened the door.
Mother greeted me and I replied with a spring in my step.
*POV* Lula Sparks Franklin
I awoke to a fire bird hovering just above my head, I could feel the heat of the message. Ripping from the air I flung myself out of bed
and squinted at the sunshine coming through the window.
Pulling the paper open, I stared at the words for a solid minute before reading. "Morning Lula! I hope you are having a great morning." I
stopped reading and checked who the message was from. "Pip." I groaned and
continued reading.
"I heard the news about your unfortunate prince, can't say I am surprised, the boy was a buffoon if there ever was one. I heard from a
little bird that the Ironhaul royalty was in Elesor, maybe I should come join you there."
My lips curled in a frown. "But unfortunately having a baby requires more time and patience. I don't know how Cassy does it. Little Burt says hi. I hope you the best dear Lula, hang in there. Yours truly Pip."
I sighed and flopped back on the bed. I wished that I was on my way home right now, but no.
A knock sounded on the door, groaning. I got to my feet. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Iceis standing there in leather
leggings with a loose orange blouse with tiny flowers embedded around the collar and wrists.
Standing beside her was the guard from before with his face an expressionless mask. "Good morning, Lula dear!" She greeted, then she pulled out and held up a pair of boots made from stiff leather with metal on the toes.
"I brought you a gift, may we enter?" I regained my composure and nodded, only mildly self-conscious of my night dress. "Sure." She
smiled and entered, the guard trailing behind.
"I was looking through my stuff trying to find something to give you, and I saw these and I thought immediately of you." She set the boots on the trunk at the end of bed and went to look out the window.
"Oh thanks." I picked up one of the boots and studied the impressions in the leather. "My favorite shoe maker created them." Iceis was
saying, "I will have to have him make you a couple more if you like them."
"You don't have too." I said, gathering up my clothes and ducking into the bathing room. "Nonsense, I want to. Plus, a woman has to look nice." I grimaced at her words and slipped my clothes on.
I stepped back into the room a minute later in a tight blouse and leggings with a knee length skirt. Iceis was eyeing the painting of a farmhouse above the fireplace.
She turned and smiled, I sat on the trunk and pulled the boots on. She grinned. "How do they fit!?" I nodded approvingly, they fit nicely. "Perfect."
Iceis nodded. "Good, I convinced Zander to take us horse riding this evening." I hide my disappointment that she was roping me into her activities with Zander. "Are you sure?" She giggled.
"Of course!" She paused and looked at me. "I have a little bit of business to deal with, so I will see you later." I gave her a smile as she swept out of the room.
The guard followed, my mood changed. I grabbed my brush and pulled it through my hair.
*POV* Kylo Hillmore
The Hilldren castle was no way as stuffy as the Elesor castle, the open courtyard welcomed us, it was a little before noon. I grew a bit on edge as we approached the large doors that were swung wide to let people enter.
Lexus met a servant who led us down the halls, around the corners and into a sitting room that screamed 'rich castle'. Lexus had us all sit until the door opened and a beautiful woman around Lexus's age entered.
Her dark brown hair was streaked with gray, she took one look at the group and with a hand reached for Samuel. "My dear boy." She whispered as she touched his face.
Samuel held so still it was almost impossible to hear his breathing, then her attention turned on me. "Well, we met again." I wondered
what she was talking about as she looked me over from head to toe.
"Have we met?"
She looked so sad I thought she would cry. "You could say that, I am your mother." My eyes widened as her news sank in. "You were used in King Magnur's experiment, that's what gives you your powers."
I glanced at Samuel, my mind numb from her words. "But. King. Magnur. died…" I struggled for something to say as her trembling hand
reached to touch my face.
"Yes, he is." She whispered. "I know you are your own man now." She smiled and turned slightly away, pulling her hand away from me right before she touched my cheek, where the clay polish was on my face.
"So, I want you to know that I don't wish to push myself in your life, if you don't wish it. But I will have your back. Both of you." I stared at Samuel.
If what she was saying was real. "He's, my brother?!" Samuel glared at me, but I couldn't help cracking a smile. All this was enough to make a person drunk on uncertainty.
Queen Coral smiled sadly. "I have made many mistakes but starting now. No one is going to touch my children!" With that she spun on her
heel and walked from the room.
Lexus and Stefon followed her out leaving Kalea and Samuel and I alone.
"Well, that was unexpected." Kalea flopped back into the couch. "To think the child born of king Magnur's experiment is alive. Kylo you
really are special." I didn't know what to do, I eyed Samuel, he seemed to be having just as hard of a time as I.
The door of the sitting room came open with a bang as it hit the wall. Kalea's name was shouted as 2 young teenagers rushed into the room to hug her.
Following them was a teen boy with dark brown hair and steel blue eyes, he seemed more apprehensive. "Raven, Sunny!" Kalea greeted her tackle team, the girl was pretty with shoulder length brown hair and soft brown
eyes.
The boy was a little younger with light brown hair and brown eyes, they laughed until they realized they weren't in the room alone,
skittering backwards they stood straight, still with beaming smiles.
"Kylo, Samuel let me introduce your younger brother and sister." She indicated the girl with a wave of her hand. "This is Princess Raven, and this is Prince Sunny."
I included my head as Samuel just stared, the girl looked near tears all of a sudden. "And Raven and Sunny, this is Prince Samuel, Lula's twin. And- umm, Kylo." I gave her a smile as she struggled to decide if I should be called prince.
"You're our brothers?" Sunny asked, looking us up then down. I couldn't believe it myself to be honest.
The older boy moved farther into the room. "So, it's true, Queen Coral's long lost sons have returned." He walked over to stand right in front of Samuel staring him down.
"Clayton!" Kalea looked uncomfortable as she pulled on his arm. Raven started to cry, as Clayton cracked his knuckles. Samuel looked
extremely bored.
"That's what they say." He said in an undertone. "But who are you? Do you wish to fight me?" I almost grabbed Samuel's arm also just to pull him away, but I held still.
Clayton stepped back and started laughing. "Oh, wow you are actually quite scary." He held out his hand. "I am Prince Clayton, you could say we are cousins." Samuel didn't look at all relaxed as he shifted and bumped my arm with his shoulder.
"Come on, there has to be a place that I can burn down around here." I followed him out and into the hall, Raven's sobbing echoed
through the halls.
"This place is a mess." Samuel grumbled as we made it back outside the castle. "Yeah." Was all I could think to say as I followed my mind in an uproar.
Samuel threatened to burn a guard at the gate so we could leave, and with heavy steps I followed him into the capital city of Hilldren.