(Kaelira's Pov)
I was jolted awake by the sound of thunder and lightning flashing through the window.
I turned my head slowly towards the window, watching the rain drops cascade down the glass. This was the third time in a row I woke up this night. I had always been scared of thunder and my mom had always been there to soothe me but now I lie alone in my parents' bed waiting for when they'll finally return. They had left with my uncle, Syrathis, for a meeting I didn't know about. All I knew was it was a meeting between the dragons and the werewolves but they were taking too long,longer than I expected. It was just a brief meeting like my dad had said but three hours had passed already and I was getting really uncomfortable and scared. I turned away from the window hoping to calm myself down when I heard the castle door open.
"Finally", I muttered as I stood up from the bed rushing to the door to greet them.
"Mama, papa",I shouted as I rushed out of their bedroom and down the stairs heading to the hall. I could hear gasps and whispers from the maids but I wasn't really concerned about that. I just needed my mom real bad. I pushed my little feet to run faster as I reached the hall but the sight before me made me freeze. My uncle stood in front of me,soaking wet but not just from water. I could clearly see blood dripping from a deep cut on his forehead down his face, to his clothes and finally on the already muddled floor. His whole weight was put on his sword on his left hand as if his leg was badly injured. A maid rushed to his side helping him stand while another rushed to put a cloth on the cut on his head. As much as I felt bad for my uncle, I couldn't find my mom and dad anywhere. Fear gripped as I asked the one thing on my mind.
"Where's mama and papa?" my voice barely above a whisper.
"Kaelira…" my uncle said as he tried reaching for me but wincing in pain. My mom always told me how smart and mature I was for my age and that's why I could understand the whole situation but I refused to believe it.
"Where's mama?" my voice was a little louder this time but still laced with fear. My uncle walked towards me, struggles written all over his face.
"Kaelira,darling mama and papa are running a little late. You should go back to bed. They'll be back soon."
"They're not coming back,are they?" my voice heavy from the urge to cry. Tears filled my eyes as my uncle looked at me with sadness and guilt. A choked cry escaped my small lips and my uncle pulled me in for a hug. He held me tight as my body shook as I cried my eyes out. This couldn't be,she told me she would come back soon. She wouldn't leave me alone in this world, she wouldn't.
I don't know how long I cried or how I ended up on the floor or how long my uncle held me but the tears finally ceased. I lifted my head and it responded with a banging headache from how long I cried. My uncle got the message and released me from his hold. I looked at him and asked the question I was afraid to get the answer to.
"What happened?". He hesitated and tried to avoid my gaze but I asked more firmly and he reluctantly answered.
"The wolves…, they tricked us. It was supposed to be a peace treaty meeting but the werewolves had other plans. We were greatly outnumbered. I tried to save them,your parents but they asked me to escape so I can protect you. I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry that I couldn't protect them. I failed you and I failed them. I'm sorry",he said with a saddened expression.
"It's not your fault uncle, the werewolves did this, they killed my parents. They should apologise, not you." Tears welled up again but I was too exhausted to cry anymore. I stood up slowly and the maids rushed to help my uncle stand up too. He took my hand and headed down the hall and up the stairs towards my room but I stopped him.
"What's wrong princess?"
"I'll stay in my parents room tonight", I said slowly and turned around. Their room was just a few feet away from mine but it felt like the longest walk ever. I paused outside the door,trying to steady myself and push down the tears. I pushed open the door gently but couldn't go in. I would never see my parents on this bed again, I would never get to snuggle between both of them again and that hurt so bad.
I felt my uncle come up behind me and I walked into the room and got on the bed.
"You should get treated uncle, you don't look too well", I said as he tucked me under the quilt.
"After you sleep princess".
"I don't think I can sleep tonight uncle". How can I? My parents just got killed and that still felt unreal but how can I?
I was still finding it hard to believe. My uncle sat on the chair beside the bed and gently hated my hair.
"I'm right here Kaelira, I'm not going anywhere", he said in a reassuring way with a little smile. I don't know how long it took but I finally felt the warm embrace of sleep pulling me in. I closed my eyes,slowly drifting away but not after making a silent decision. I'll make the werewolves pay and in the most painful way possible, no matter how long that took and a faint howl from a distance seemed to solidify it.
14 YEARS LATER…
"Hesitation will get you killed Kaelira",my uncle said from the corner of the room as he watched me train. My jaw clenched as I swung my arm in full force towards Maelor, my bodyguard and training partner's face. It landed perfectly on his cheek and he stumbled back from the force. I turned to faced my uncle hoping to get an approval but all I got was a glare.
"Showing compassion or any emotion is a weakness and the enemy will use that against you. Mercy doesn't exist in their world so it shouldn't in yours or do you need a reminder of what they did?" my uncle scolded me as he approached me.
"No". This has been my life for fourteen years. After my parents' death, my uncle had me sent to Ember valley, the old castle which wasn't in use anymore in seclusion from the world. I wasn't allowed to go out or do anything besides train and learn to control my flames. The people I was allowed contact with were my uncle, the maids and Maelor. This according to him, to cut off distractions and focus solely on training and learning the kingdom politics as I was the future heir to the dragon throne.
"The council will hold a trial for you, to know if you're suitable to rule the kingdom. You have just seven days",he said as he turned to leave.
Now this was news to me. I knew this day would finally come but he could've given me a heads-up earlier. I turned to Maelor to confirm and he nodded.
"When was this decided?"
"A few days ago princess". I scoffed.
"And you didn't feel the need to inform me?"
"I'm sorry princess but your uncle made me swear not to inform you",he said while
sheathing his sword. Why would uncle do that? He always went on and on about preparation so why would he keep such important information from me?
I dropped the sword and took off my gloves headed to my bedroom.
"Have the maids draw up a bath for me and I want dinner immediately after, I'm famished".
"Anything specific?"
"No,anything is fine".
I heard him give some orders to the maids as I closed the door behind me. I threw myself on the bed exhausted from the day's training. My body ached so bad but it was worth it,every training was worth it. It was getting close, I would finally get my revenge on the werewolves. Just the thought of it made the fire inside me boil. I pushed myself up and headed towards the balcony. I needed some fresh air. The Ember valley castle was situated on the mountain top so that made it easy for me to look towards the Obsidian castle. I couldn't wait to return there and cuddle up in my parents bed. The longing in my heart really grew tonight and I couldn't stop the tears welling in my eyes. I missed my mother,her long ginger wavy hair which I inherited, the beautiful smiles she always sent my way.
I reached for the locket I wore around my neck. My mom had given it to me on my eighth birthday. It was a sketch of her and my father and little me.
"I miss you mama,papa",I whispered, wiping off the tears that had fallen as I caressed their faces.
"I'll make them pay, for every drop of blood they shed they'll pay", I said my voice hardening as I turned my gaze to the dark forest that served as a boundary between the dragons and wolves territory.
"We will make them pay", my dragon whispered in my head. A faint howl came from the woods and it infuriated me but at the same time stirred up a feeling I couldn't name.
"You all will be dead soon",I said,my hand forming a fist. I heard the howl again,louder this time and it came with an unsettling feeling that I couldn't shake off and a sense of familiarity.