My Secret I Never Knew

Princess Rose and Amaya

Eric’s POV

Candice’s mother began the story.

“It was one said that the daughter of Artemis, goddess of wildlife and nature, and the son of Doris, the daughter of Poseidon, had fallen in love and decided to live on earth in the mortal realm. Their parents bless their union and gave them permission to live as they please, they create an island for their children to be safe and their children’s children to grow healthy and happy while maintaining their immortality but not having the responsibilities of Gods. However if they were to leave the island for more than one year they would begin to age and their mortality would fade. They agreed to the parents' terms and enjoyed their island paradise named the Crystal Kingdom. They had adopted many children from around the world and after centuries they gave birth to a daughter named Rose, who was kind hearted and enjoyed nature plus visiting the world. Rose's best friend was a sickly runt panther she named Amaya. Amaya was very weak and in order to keep her from dying, Rose split her own heart in two and placed half in Amaya’s body. They were inseparable and they had a telepathic connection giving them a stronger connection to each other. 

Rose and her parents travel to many places meeting new people, supernatural and mortal alike. Sometimes on their travels they will bring refugees home to the island for safety. Those that did not like wars or the injustices of the outside world. Those who just wanted peace and often children who have lost their parents, although the mortals with age on the island there was safety and peace. Eventually her parents stayed on the island to oversee all the people that now inhabited it with them.

 Over the centuries the world seemed to get worse and Rose's parents decided that they wanted to help the world more but they did not want to lose their immortality. So it was decided that Rose would marry the Prince of the Mywrath Kingdom, a strong and well connected kingdom. Rose would be able to influence the world one kingdom at a time but she would have to return to the Crystal Kingdom once a month or at least once a year to keep her immortality. Rose and Amaya went to the kingdom to get to know the prince and during their three month visit Rose decided she did not want to marry this prince. He was ruthless and had no regard for human nor animal life; he did not treat any of his subjects fairly or innately humanely. He disrespected his parents and the elders in his kingdom and acted as if he was a bother. On the night of his 20th birthday party Rose confronted the prince. She embarrassed him with her words and vowed should never be his aunts and never marry him; she promised that if he did not change his ways his kingdom would be taken from him. Although the princess despised him prince Michael was madly in love with her, especially since she stood up to him and spoke to him in a way no one has ever done before. He loved the idea of having her as his wife and training her to obey. 

He disappeared for one week to formulate a plan to keep her forever. The night before the princess was to leave to return to the crystal kingdom prince Michael poisoned the entire castle with a strong sleeping potion. He did not know that it would not work on rolls the way it did on the others, so he was unable to kidnap her the way he wanted to. Instead he tortured and took advantage of her in her guest room that night after killing his parents and siblings and staff in the castle.

Michael had taken the princess from the castle two a secret cottage that he had on the other end of the kingdom that was hidden by powerful magic. Amaya searched for the princess for two years before she was able to locate her and unfortunately she died trying to free her but not before injuring Michael as well. No one knows what happened to the princess but some say that she died along with her friend, while others believe she lived but was unable to return home.”

“We believe that you have nightmares about her because you’re related to her.” Candice’s father explained 

“Wait, our mother used to tell us this story.” Anthony said as he looked towards me and I remembered the story well.

“Our mother said Princess Rose survived and before Amaya took her last breath the Princess used all of her remaining godly power to merge Amaya’s soul and body with hers. It was my favorite part of the story. I remember my mom said she wanted to go back home and live the remainder of her life with her family but she didn’t know the way. She had used all her power when she merged with Amaya so she just decided to find a place that felt like home vowing to protect anyone in need.” Anthony smiled before continuing. “Mom also said that the day their daughter never returned the God & Goddess sent 10 retired warriors from the island to locate her. The warriors returned telling Rose’s parents of the m******e at the castle as well as fires set throughout the Kingdom. They explained that Rose and Amaya were nowhere to be found, the warriors pledged to use their training from the mortal world to track and find the missing Princess. Her parents knew for a fact she was still alive. The warriors were given some of the powers of the Gods’ to strengthen and aid them in their quest. A ceremony was also performed mixing their blood and a drop of the Gods’ blood creating a bond and making the warriors into Guardians. Eventually they found the cottage where the Princess was held, but only her and Amaya’s blood was left behind. The Guardians returned with their report and evidence but the King and Queen refused to believe she was dead and eventually they had begun to become depressed and grief stricken, they abandoned the Crystal Kingdom and returned to their own dimension away from earth. The guardians left the Kingdom as well but still maintained their abilities and vowed to find answers as to what happened to their beloved Princess and protect any descendants she may have.” Anthony finished with sadness in his eyes, he was always sad when he remembered mom.

“That’s kind of a grim story to tell children.” Holly said, my brother just smiled at her while replying, “maybe but so is telling rhymes about the babies falling to death from a cradle in a tree.”

“So you think I’m one?” Candice asked while looking at her parents 

“Possibly and we also think Athena is your familiar or guide. Finding her at such a young age and the way you communicate plus have bonded it makes sense, you’re someone very special.” Her father responded 

“We can try again to access your memories if you would like, your older and your brain is stronger now. But it’s up to you, we love you either way.” Her mother said

“I don’t know if I want to know about my family tree honestly, I’m happy with just knowing you as my parents. I would like to see if I do have magic though,”  Candice said then she looked at Nikki who was looking down into her own lap.

“You.., you could have killed me with your obsession to expose me to magic too soon, what’s wrong with you.” She yelled 

“Excuse me.” Nikki said looking up and starring her in the eyes 

“Why didn’t you leave it alone? You were a kid that didn’t know anything, if the grownups said it wasn’t safe who are you to just do what you want. And you saw what it did to me, why the hell would you continue to do that? Did you like my pain?”

“Your pain, that's all you think about is yourself, I was trying to help you. You needed to know and I know you would have survived. I felt it. I still feel that your mind was locked and needed to be opened.”

“You don’t know what I need. You always get these feelings and 9 times out of 10 they just make things worse not better. You can’t even explain them when you get half the time. That's why no one takes you seriously about them. God Nikki maybe your parents would still be alive if it wasn’t for your stupid feelings.” Candice said with no regard and anger radiating from her. Nikki stood and I tried to as well but she put her hand on my shoulder as she shook her head. She didn’t say anything, she just walked out the door and once it closed my anger began to roll off me.

Anthony’s POV

I couldn’t believe what I just heard and judging from Holly’s face and grin on my hand neither could she. I looked around and everyone was shocked except Nikki and Eric. Nikki had pain in her eyes, it seemed like if she started crying she could create an ocean from the pain she carried. Eric on the other hand was pissed, literal fire was in his eyes. Tiny flames that looked as if they wanted to travel from him and set flame to the world burning it down. Nikki stood and didn’t say anything, for the first time ever she didn’t defend herself or lash out. Eric tried to stand as well, never taking his blazing eyes off of Candice, but Nikki stopped him from following her. She walked quietly out the door closing it behind her, suddenly I felt heat coming from Eric’s direction. Holly and Neesh began to slowly stand and I couldn’t move. I've never seen him so angry. Tiny sparks were coming from fingertips and small flames danced on his skin. His eyes were locked on Candice who was frozen in fear.

“Are you kidding me, you are the most spoiled, selfish inconsiderate person I’ve ever met. Yes you’re hurt, confused and angry but to hurt someone who has done nothing but looked out for you is unacceptable. Even when she was in physical pain she put your life before hers. She’s always been there for you, she’s going through a lot too but you can’t see past your own bullshit to be a real friend to her. Did you not hear Mrs. Lee say she was of royal blood as well and all of her grandmother’s relatives were murdered, or did you not care. I literally watched her face go from fear and pain over her family history to concern, concern for you because she didn’t want you upset or having a damn breakdown. She always tosses everything to the side for you and this is how you treat her. You don’t deserve her as a friend.” He spat at her before turning to her parents. “And you two did you assholes know the full extent of the spell you put on her and why her parents kept begging it be removed? It caused her body unbearable pain anytime she was around your precious daughter, since Nikki has magic flowing through here at all times and the spell was meant to keep Nikki from exposing magic to Candice it caused her magic to be smothered in a way. You suffocated her magic within and it began taking a toll on her manifesting rashes on her skin, it got to the point she had coughed up blood. Her parents brought her to Crystal heart to see my father. He couldn’t remove the damn spell but he was able to keep it from physically harming her unless she spoke about it. She tried and it hurt but not as bad before. She only received head splitting migraines instead of the full on effects it originally had. She still felt her friend needed to know about herself. A child you basically tortured a poor child, you should be ashamed of yourselves, I don’t even know how you live with yourselves.” The flames began to grow from his body, and I got the strength to stand before he burned the place down.

“Go outside brother, you need air. Please go then check on Nikki, she needs you.” I said placing a hand on his shoulder. He left the room, both Candice and her mom were crying.

“We didn’t know, we would have never if we knew.” Her father said. I knew he was telling the truth, they aren’t monsters just misguided. 

“I think we should all get some rest, it’s been a long night and technically it’s morning. Let’s regroup tomorrow.” I said. I walked over to Holly and grabbed her hand before looking at everyone left in the room. “By the way, since we are getting secrets out in the open, Holly and I are a couple. Actually I love her and want to marry her someday, we didn’t want to say anything because of the stupid crush you had on me Candice and you made her feel like a horrible friend when she told you she liked me. You can’t always get your way, if you are related to the Princess I hope you learn to be a better person. Don’t get me wrong, you're a sweet and kindhearted person but you’re a horrible and selfish friend sometimes.” I said before exiting with Nikki and going outside into a tent behind the cabin.

“Are you ok, do you need me to get the first aid kit?” Holly asked me

“Huh, why would I need that?” I asked her confused 

“Uhm, your brother was on fire and you touched him, aren't you burned or something?”

“Oh that, no I’m fine. I’m immune to his fire and he’s immune to mine, I think it’s a twin thing.”

“Oh ok. Uhm you do realize you told everyone you love me and want to marry me “

“Yea so it’s true”

“I love you too but would your family accept me? I mean your dad comes from a long line of powerful witches and from everything I’ve heard your mom has too. Would your dad be ok with me not being a witch”

“Doesn’t matter, I accept you and that’s all that matters.” I said pulling her into a kiss. “Now sleep my love, we need it.”

Nikki’s POV 

I left the cabin feeling hurt and betrayed and alone, always alone. Maybe I deserve to be alone since all I seem to do is cause pain wherever I go to whoever I care about. I walked towards home, the cabin I was drawn to. The cabin my grandmother built, when I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see Eric leaving the East Cabin with his entire body on fire, he didn’t seem to be hurt by them then suddenly he flew into the sky above the trees. I ran in the direction he flew following his fire trail from beneath the trees, he was going so fast I almost lost him. Out of nowhere Midnight came lifting me on her back and running as fast as she could sniffing the air. She had Eric’s scent and we followed it to the waterfall that created the two streams and she stopped there allowing me to climb off her back. She walked to the base of the waterfall and started to drink. I looked around but couldn’t see Eric so I walked over to the water putting my feet in.

I waved my feet back and forth in the water when suddenly I was pulled in by my ankles, I swam to the top of the water coughing once I reached the surface. I looked to see a grinning Eric, “you’re an asshole.” I said as I began to swim to the edge. I climbed up sitting on the edge and looked over to him still in the water staring at me.

“You were on fire”

“Yea I let my anger get the best of me, I shouldn’t have lost control so quickly.”

“Why did you do, what did I miss?”

“She had no right to say those things to you, her parents had no right to place that horrible spell on you, this whole town is unbelievable and I was just pissed how no one cares for you as you do for them. I’m sorry you had such a hard life and I believe in your intuition, and you should always trust it. Good things come from them, we may not always see it right away but they do.”

“Why were…..,, uhm how were you on fire” 

“Uhm I just told you.”

“No I just mean, how does your anger manifest a fire all over your body? Plus you flew, I know you’re powerful and all but I don’t know many witches or warlocks that fly. Levitate yes but not fly or burst into fire.”

“I don’t know, I’ve never thought about it. My mother used to tell us stories of how some of our ancestors had power over elements sometimes so I figure maybe I’m like that.”

“I’ve heard of elementals but I don’t think their bodies become the element. I’m just saying. Anyway this is the second time you lost control of your anger because of me. Why do you do that.”

“Because I care about you genius, I care about you a lot. I know when you’re hurting even when you’re trying to hide it. You don’t have to bottle your emotions around me, you’re not alone Nik.l

“You rarely call me Nik, I used to love it, strangely it made me feel strong. Then one day you just stopped.”

“That’s because you you walked up to me at school one day punched me in my gut then kicked me in my shin and told me to stop with the stupid nickname. Then called me a jerk, oh and let’s not forget the cherry slushie you dumped on my head before walking off.”

“Ha, yea I forgot about that and I meant that stupid Starbella crap. I didn’t mind when you called me that in our group but then the entire school found out. Do you know how many girls have a crush on you and attempt to bully me? I beat them all up but that’s not the point, it was exhausting and I was already a freak who kept skipping grades.”

“You were never a freak to me, from the moment I met you I knew you were strong and that you would be victorious in everything you do. Nik means victory of the people or people of victory depending on the translation so I called you Nik. I also thought, think, I also think you’re beautiful and you’re strong and so brilliant. So I called you Starbella it means Beautiful Star and you’re that to me as well. I never intended to embarrass you or cause you any distress. It kinda just slipped out during lunch one day.”

“You knew me all of three months before giving me nicknames with so much thought put into them, creep.”

“Nikki I don’t think you remember but I met you before my brother and I started going to school with you girls. Your father brought you to Crystal Heart, well he brought you multiple times miss stubborn, and it was then I witnessed your strength so many times. You fight for what you believe in even back then, I admired that, you and your strength for someone so little.”

“You’re the hot chocolate bandit, you would sneak me hot chocolate whenever I rested after having to be healed. You used to read to me until I fell asleep, Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“My mom had only been dead a few months before my dad decided to send my brother and I to a new school. I was excited once I saw you walking down the halls but you didn’t seem to remember me, plus I felt a little embarrassed that someone two years younger than me was two grades higher than me. When we became friends I wanted to tell you then everything happened with your parents so I just left it alone.”

“Hmmm I understand, uhm you don’t seem like you’re angry anymore.”

“I’m not”

“Then why are you still in the water?”

“I uhm well I can’t come out while you’re here because uhm…,”

“You burned all your clothes and you’re naked in there aren’t you?”

“Yes, yes I am. The sun is starting to rise and I have no clothes on so can you turn around. Please.”

I laughed as I turned around. I ripped the dress part off of my outfit that I still was wearing from the party and held it out behind me for him to grab. I liked this stupid outfit it made me feel like maybe I was beautiful and someone did care about me. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see the white fabric wrapped around him like a towel, exposing his V line and very toned frame. I bit my bottom lip as my eyes examined his body, imprinting the image on my brain.

“If you’re done with eye f***king me, I think we should go now. The sun is about to rise and we need rest.”

“I wasn’t and let’s watch the sunrise first. Then we could head back home to rest a bit. Please, I haven’t watched a sunrise with anyone since my parents.”

“You don’t have to beg, it would be my honor.”

We sat back, climbed to the top of the waterfall then made ourselves comfortable. I felt a feeling that I haven’t felt in years, I smiled and laid my head on Eric’s shoulder as we watched the sky begin to change.