Chapter 4.
1758 Words
Ravens POV
* * * * * * * * * * The devil and his pet had arrived, they were downstairs in the big hall. Over fifty of our members were in attendance as well, it wasn't part of the original plan as the meeting was supposed to take place at the council. But I assumed that my father changed it because he thought I’d be easier to persuade if there were more witnesses.
I was wearing a pair of black leather pants and a black-white top along with black heels. I know, I'm colorful, as oppose to the pink floral, knee-length dress my father had picked out for me.
I put my hair in a high ponytail and took a few deep breaths while looking at myself in the mirror.
’Be strong Raven, you got this.’
I had no one to give me comforting speeches, so I learned to give them to myself. I made my way out to the hall and down the stairs, I heard them chattering and some laughter along with that, and the closer I got, the more confident I became.
I walked into the big hall and all eyes turned to me, the shocked ones of our clan members, the angry ones of my father, and the adoring ones from the two brothers standing beside the king at the end of the big table.
”Raven,” My father spoke but I cut him off having a few words I needed to say myself.
”I'm not marrying you, Frederick, I'm sorry that you came all this way for nothing but you have nothing here to do anymore. If it is a war you want then a war we shall have, but a bride you won't find here.” I said as I stood a few meters away from him and his brother. Frederick started taking a few menacing steps towards me and when he was inches away, he spoke.
”I came here for a bride, and I'm not leaving without one.”
”I will bring you a few of our women and you can select someone with more class than my daughter.” My father said.
”No.” Frederick nearly shouted and turned to my father.
”Our agreement was the princess, without her, the agreement doesn't exist, are we clear?”
”Raven!”
”My king perhaps there's another way,” Xander stepped in.
”ENOUGH!” We were getting nowhere, and having another woman taking my place was not going to happen.
”You said you were going to war with another clan, I can fight, let me fight beside you, if you do we can wipe the slate clean.” Alexander started laughing and his brother wasn't far behind, my rage was building up and my patience was running thin, I was after all my fathers' daughter.
”Princes, with all due respect, we’re well aware of how women aren't allowed to fight in your clan so please tell me how you can be of any use to me as a warrior?” Frederick asked me and I looked at Alexander.
” As you said, I'm a princess, which means that by blood, I automatically become stronger than you,” I said to Alexander and he stopped laughing, thank god. It wasn't a lie, I was stronger than him.
”I’d like to see that.” He said in a challenging voice, he used his speed and ran up to me, the thing however what not many know is that occasionally a royal is born with certain powers, my fathers were that he can withstand the sun for a certain amount of time. Mine is that when I'm focused enough, the person in front of me moves in slow-motion. I grabbed Alexanders' arm and bent it, I gave him a swift knee kick to the face and heard his nose breaking, I then preceded to pick him up and threw him across the room and onto the thrones.
Everybody gasped and I stood there, taking it all in, I knew that I was strong, but now they do too.
”You wanna try that with me?” Frederick challenged, a challenge I didn't want to accept because yes I was strong, but Frederick was one of the strongest of our kind.
”I think I have proven myself more than enough.” I said as I lifted my head and straightened my back. Frederick scanned me from top to bottom and then up again before nodding his head and turning to my father.
”Sir, I would like the princes to be my personal warrior.”
”Wait what !?” I yelled. My father looked at me, no emotion showing, he didn't care, why am I shocked that he didn’t?
A personal warrior isn't like the other warriors, a personal warrior must train separately from the groups and are taught different skills because their job isn't to protect the clan, their job is to protect the leader, albeit, in battle or a war, my job would be to give my life to protect Fredericks.
”Deal.” And they shook hands, I was his personal warrior, oh holy s**t Raven what have you gotten us into.
They all looked back at me, my father looked pleased, Xander looked pissed and worried as hell, and Frederick looked smug.
”Only until the end of the war.” I stated to make sure they all understood.
”If you make it that long princess.” Frederick answered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I was in my room, bags in hand, taking one last look over the city I loved.
”Whatever happens, I will not bow down, I will not surrender, I will not give up and I will not submit.” I said to myself. My mother always made me say those words every night before bed for as long as I could remember. It built my strength and my beliefs. My beliefs that women are not the men's pets, we’re not objects or toys to be played with. We’re not useless.
I looked over my city, the people, the lights, and the life. I then looked up at the sky,
”I miss you, mama. I wish you were here, I know you're watching over me and wishing that you could kick dad's ass.” I said and giggled at the honesty. That’s exactly what she would have done.
I took a few more deep breaths of the New Orleans fresh air, enjoying the silence before walking back in. There was a knock on my door. Before I could speak the door opened and Alexander came walking in. His hands were clasped behind him.
”You ready princess?” He asked.
”It’s Raven. And yes, I'm ready.” I said. Alexander came and grabbed my bags from me.
”I can take those myself.” I said jerking the bags back and picking up the one on the floor.
Alexander looked at me confused before placing in his hand the bigger bag.
”I know.” He stated, taking the bag from my hand and turning his heel. He walked out and I followed.
As we walked down the stairs I saw several members of my clan standing in the foyer. Amongst them was Xander, standing next to my father.
We walked down and everybody stepped aside, making a path for us.
”I will put the bags in the car.” Alexander said as he grabbed the bag I was holding.
I walked up to Xander who immediately opened his arms and embraced me in a hug.
”Be safe." He whispered in my ear. Obviously, it was heard by everyone there, but he didn't care.
”I promise. You too.” I said as we broke the hug. Xander forced a smile and bowed his head.
”Of course princess.” He said, and the look my father gave him was priceless. Normally the men didn't bow their heads for women, royalty or not.
I didn't bother sparing my father a glance. Frederick was standing beside my father and Alexander was now standing by the door. I looked around at all the members standing around and then walked past my dad and past alexander.
Gasps were heard and both Alexander and Frederick looked shocked. My father however didn't say a word.
I went to sit and wait in the car while they said their goodbyes.
After a few minutes, the two brothers exited the house and started walking towards me.
Frederick went to sit in the driver's seat and Alexander sat in the passenger seat. As he started the car and started driving away, down the pathway I looked back and got a final wive of the house that I hadn’t called home for many years. Somehow it didn't feel so bad leaving. Except for Xander of course, and Marco, who I'll never get to see again.
”You didn't say goodbye to the king.” Frederick said, breaking the silence.
”You have a keen eye.” I said sarcastically as I looked out the window. We were driving on a long road, both sides were covered in forest. It was calming.
”Watch the attitude.” He scowled. I rolled my eyes and didn't say anything.
”Why didn't you say goodbye?” He asked.
”He didn't deserve one.”
”What if you don't come back?” Silence once again followed Frederick's question.
”He wouldn't care.” I spoke without thinking. The words just came out without permission. Alexander looked back at me through the drivers' mirror. And Frederick looked at his brother.
”I mean,” I tried thinking of something to say that would sound a little better. My relationship with my father was nobody else's business.
”You don't need to sugarcoat anything. It’s your truth, no need to change it.” Alexander said, looking ahead on the road.
I sighed and closed my eyes, I had slept all day but felt the alluring darkness so tempting. A moment of peace.
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I felt myself being shaken, waking me up from my sleep.
”Rise and shine sleepyhead, we’re here.” Alexander said.
- Writer
