I soared through the sky, flying toward Skyro and the mighty Zeus that he was riding. Without hesitation, he charged toward Estevao, aiming a punch squarely at his face. But Estevao did nothing to defend himself. It was completely unpredictable.
"Sky—" I gasped.
"Take off that ring... you're coming with me, come on," he said urgently.
"The king—"
"They're safe now. Come on, we need to go."
"I can't..." My heart was torn. I had finally understood what love truly was, and it was Skyro. But why, when I knew I loved him, when I had fallen so deeply that I couldn't even stand, was I unable to have him?
"Yes, you can, Naeva," he insisted, wiping away the tear from my cheek. He pulled me gently, guiding us to land in the kingdom's garden. Skyro dismounted from Zeus, taking my hand firmly.
"I can't, Sky... I'm sorry," I sobbed, the words heavy on my chest.
"Hey, why are you crying? I'm here now. You've been proven innocent. Sshhh." He hugged me tightly. But as I felt the comfort of his embrace, a sharp pain coursed through me. This would be the last time I'd be held by him, the last time I felt safe in his arms. Skyro took my hand and kissed it gently, his lips soft against my skin. I didn't know what it meant, but before I could process it, he started to walk with me. I stood still, rooted to the spot.
"She's not going anywhere, Prince Skyro," Estevao's voice cut through, and I felt the pull of his hand on mine. With a heavy heart, I let go of Skyro's hand, the last touch.
"Naeva—" Skyro's voice faltered. I glanced at the diamond ring on his finger. He must be engaged to Princess Margaret now.
"Please, Sky... You have Princess Margaret to care for, to protect her heart. So please, let me go. Let me marry Prince Estevao."
"Oh, I see... So this is the problem. JERK. FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Skyro roared, rushing toward Estevao for another punch. Estevao summoned an ice blockade, but something strange happened. Something I had never witnessed before. Skyro's punch collided with the ice, releasing a fireball that sent the ice crumbling into shards, knocking Estevao off balance. Skyro... was a firebender?
"Sky... you... you're a firebender?" The three of us stared in shock.
"Prince Skyro, I highly suggest you leave her to me now. I'll take care of her—"
"Then let's end this right now. Kill me, and you can have her," Skyro spat, his eyes wild with desperation.
"Skyro!" I cried, my voice trembling.
"I'm sorry." The two of them launched into an all-out attack, their powers clashing violently in the cold winter afternoon. Skyro had become a skilled firebender in the blink of an eye. What the hell had happened?
"Guys, please! Stop!" I shouted, but neither of them would listen. The tension was unbearable, and I knew there was only one way to stop them. I focused and attempted to bend their bodies. But for some reason, I couldn't bend Skyro. With a heavy heart, I bent Estevao and positioned myself between them.
"Skyro... please, let me go. I don't love you. Princess Margaret does. I don't. So please," I said softly. The anger in his eyes seemed to melt away as if my words had broken the storm inside him.
"Naeva, you heard it, we're soulmates," Skyro said quietly.
"It's just a forecast, Skyro. It changes over time. Please, you've been such a good friend to me. But that's all. Nothing more. I don't want you to fight for me. I'm not worth it. I'll just be a burden to you. I'm sorry, Sky," I said, my voice breaking as I turned to walk away.
"Wait," he called, his voice desperate. "Naeva, at least promise me something. Keep this, okay? It's cold, and you're so stubborn about wearing thin clothes. Just please carry it with you until the winter is over. Then I won't bother you anymore."
I nodded, unable to speak. Skyro took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. I walked away, my heart breaking as I left him behind, broken and defeated. Estevao took me by the hand, and we flew together, heading toward the masters and my father. I fought to hold back the tears, but they streamed down my face. I couldn't let Estevao see them. I needed to learn to love him. I couldn't let him feel the sting of my broken heart.
As we landed, I rushed to my father, embracing him tightly. Estevao would think it was because of my father, but it wasn't. I held my father's hand as he rubbed my head, comfortingly.
"Hey, hey... it's alright, Mei. We're all here now. Are you okay?"
"Yes... yes, I am, Father... thank you, Master," I replied, bowing respectfully.
"There's no need to thank me, Luna Valentine. Thank you," he said with a smile.
"Thank you for restoring the balance. I'm so proud of you," I added, hugging Master Fai. He was so comforting, so warm.
"Well, I think it's time for us to leave. We'll be back soon," Master Fai said.
"But we need you, Master," I protested.
"No, Luna Valentine. You don't. You have Banyu, Alas, and now, you have yourself. Perhaps it's true that you're descended from the spirits, meant to save our village."
"And you?" they turned to Estevao.
"Your Highness... Masters... I, Crown Prince Estevao of Aurelianos, stand before you to offer my deepest apologies for my actions. I... I was blinded by my desperation for power. I am truly sorry," Estevao said, his voice filled with remorse.
"And what made you change your mind?" one of the masters asked.
"Mei..." Estevao's voice softened. "I don't know what happened that day in the third of Autumn. Mei seemed different. She glowed, and it was as though something inside me snapped. She melted my cold heart and reminded me what truly matters. It's her. Only her. I need you to understand this. The truth is... I know I acted rashly, but I thought I had no other choice but to force her into choosing me, or to watch her family die."
"Your Highness, Luna Valentine... we will see you soon," the masters said, smiling warmly as they flew away.
"Mei..." My father's voice broke through my thoughts.
"Father, I've been a burden all my life. Let me be useful now, for once. Let me do something good."
"Mei... You know you're not a burden. You, Alas, and Kyre are the best gifts I've ever received," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"I made a promise, Father. You know I'll keep it," I replied.
"Mei... you're so much like your mother. Do you love him?"
"I will try my best, Father. I will."
"I hope you've truly changed," he said, concern in his voice.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you," Estevao said sincerely, hugging my father.
I had to admit, I was relieved for him.
"I'll arrange the engagement as soon as I return to my kingdom. It will likely be in a week. The clothing fittings are in three days, so I'll pick you up at 10 AM?" Estevao asked.
"Yes, sure," I replied.
"Well, then, I'll see you tomorrow, my love. I love you... forever."
"Yeah, be safe," I whispered, waving as he flew away.
"Mei, I know something's not right…" my father said, his voice filled with concern.
"No, Dad, I've chosen this path. I'll face whatever comes with it. I love you, Father. I really do. But come on, Queen Lezabel must have missed you so much."
I flew with my father towards our kingdom's ship, where Alas and Banyu were already waiting. They sat on a log, deep in conversation. Kyre was at the edge of the ship, practicing his bending. Alas, still furious with me, didn't even glance in my direction. Kyre noticed my arrival and quickly asked Zeus and Noodles to help speed up the ship. They activated the engine, and we began our journey home.
"I'm going to rest. You should too, Mei. See you later," my father said, giving me a brief hug with his left arm and pressing a kiss on my head before retreating to rest.
"Hey…"
"Hey, Ryu… It means brother."
"Come with me," he said, leading me to the top part of the ship. I recognized it as the crow's nest, a circular area I'd read about before.
"I just want to say thank you," he began.
"You don't have to, Ryu."
"I'm sorry, though. I've been on Alas' side for too long. Boys understand boys. He would have stopped the fight without putting you in that position if he truly changed. Maybe he does love you, but if he really did, he wouldn't have risked your family's lives just to satisfy his own desires. I don't like that, Mei."
"I know, Ryu. But I also know that love can conquer everything. He loves me, and I can't let him experience the pain of a broken heart. I promised him, and I will keep that promise."
"I'd rather have you as my Alabama wife."
"You're stupid." How did he make me laugh in times like this?
"Seriously," he said, and we both chuckled. I leaned on him for comfort.
"Fine… but remember this," he continued. "I promise I'll keep you safe, no matter what. And if he ever steps out of line again, I won't let him survive another day near you. Alright?"
"He won't," I assured him.
"We'll see." The sun began to rise.
"Hey…" I heard Alas' voice from behind us.
"Ryu, I'm sorry—"
"No. I'm sorry. I know you only wanted to do what was best for us. But little do you know, your existence is already more than enough. You've always been everything to me, Mei. Huff. And here I am, swallowing my pride. You can marry him, under one condition: If he ever…"
"—ever steps out of line, you'll kill him. Kyre has already told me that bit," I finished for him, my two brothers exchanging a tense look.
"Yes, and I won't hesitate to make him suffer before he dies. Deal?"
"He won't, guys. Please, you're creeping me out. Stop with the psychotic talk. He won't."
"No one knows," Ryu muttered.
"I still hate that asshole," Alas grumbled.
"Ditto… oh, and I heard you'll be doing fittings with that asshole once we get home?"
"Estevao… it's Estevao, alright? Yes, I will."
"I'm coming," they said in unison.
"What's up with this? Are you planning to kill him or what?"
"Just in case."
"Yeah, AHAH," Kyre chuckled.
"I'll bring some guards, cool? It's only a one-day trip, guys. Come on."
"We're coming, or you're not going," they said in unison again.
"Ugh, fine."
It had only been two and a half hours since I woke up, yet I was already feeling drowsy. The weather and vibe in the crow's nest were too beautiful to leave, so I stayed there and dozed off. Kyre's an amazing brother. The sun began to set, and the blinding light woke me from my comfortable sleep. I inhaled deeply and smelled something familiar—it was Skyro's jacket. Sigh. I had forgotten that we could make this ship go faster with our bending.
"Hey, guys," I called out.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Come," Alas and Banyu motioned for me to follow them to the crow's nest.
"I think we can make this ship go faster, right?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Just make sure the guards don't notice," I warned.
"Cool." The ship sped up significantly, and we managed to arrive back at our kingdom by the next day.
As I set foot on my father's land, I felt the distance between me and Skyro stretch further than ever. There was no turning back now. I took a deep breath. I needed to forget about him. I had to erase these feelings from my heart.
The next day, Estevao arrived to pick me up around 9:30. Thank the spirits, I had finished dressing just in time. Should I wear Skyro's jacket? I paused. It's just a jacket, and it's going to be cold. But no, I couldn't. It would remind me of him. But I had promised. Ugh. I put it on and opened the door, where Estevao was waiting.
"Your Highness?" he bowed, and I returned the gesture.
"No, don't," I smiled.
"So you've been lying to me about this, huh?"
"No, I didn't even know I was a princess until last week."
"May I?" He extended his arm, and I wasn't sure what he meant, but I nodded, and he gently took my arm, linking it with his.
We met the king and queen, along with my brothers, at the foot of the stairs.
"Your Highness," Prince Estevao greeted them. I followed suit, bowing.
"I believe we should go now, Your Highness. The tailor will arrive at the kingdom at noon."
"Are you sure we cannot assist you with this engagement, Prince Estevao?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I don't want to burden you and your family. Your daughter is already more than enough for me."
"That's so sweet of you. Well, off you go. Be careful."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Be home soon. I'll miss you three."
"We will, Dad," I waved as we left. The Queen gave me a sincere smile.
The four of us boarded Estevao's fancy white ship. All ships have similar structures, but this one lacked my favorite part—the crow's nest. Estevao mentioned that his guards were aware of our bending abilities, so it was fine to help the ship move faster. We arrived at 11:30. Another grand castle awaited us. Its theme was blue, a light shade of blue. To be honest, I'm not great at describing castles, but this one was similar to Archirilio's. Both of his parents stood in front of the castle, their faces unreadable. This would be my first impression on them. Spirits, please help.