The Luna Breeder

The Watch

Lyra’s POV~

The night had drawn close, and I had to visit the Consort Wing, else Grandma’s high hand would be against me. I stepped into the pavilion and straight to the recreational room, which I know them to always in use when I come.

Their gaze shifted to me, all three of them but one, Cassian.

“Princess, you came so late, I was starting to think you chose someone else,” Ronan ruined the silence first, as always.

“How could I when you're still here?” I humored his playful comment.

I looked around. One of them is missing, “Xavier?” I turned to Gustov, who seemed not to have an explanation. I shot him a serious look.

“I will find him immediately,” he turned and left.

My gaze fell on Cassian, still and unmoved, seated by his desk, engrossed in some novel. I paid no mind to him; he was a different person entirely when we were alone.

My gaze ran over the quiet, gentle Elio and landed on Ethan. He seemed to be in some sort of train of thought as he chewed on the side of his cheek as if trying to hold something back.

In a way, I felt bad for them; each was drawn to me strongly, especially Ethan. He seemed to be overtaken by it.

I fiddled with the flowers neatly set at the table.

“I picked them for you, princess,” Elio said softly.

Ronan rolled his eyes, “If not the flower boy, then the new one. It's always someone,” then he turned to me eagerly, “I don’t like that one,” he gestured towards Ethan.

Ethan’s gaze met my eyes for a minute, then strayed away. He seemed to be avoiding me, and I didn’t know why. For some reason, I wanted to pry into his mind and see his thoughts. But like always, it was the curiosity that came with new things.

“Elio,” I finally said, “I love these flowers, care to escort them to my room?”

“With pleasure,” he smiled.

“Elio once more,” Ronan rolled his eyes, “that’s child abuse, your highness,” he added, knowing fully well that Elio was the youngest.

As I turned to leave, Ethan looked like he had something to tell me. That would wait for tomorrow, the longer the distance is, the fonder the heart gets.

***

~Lyra’s POV~

Veracity was the name my grandmother gave these training grounds, because it tested your true intentions towards the kingdom. Many a time, Xavier and I took to training on these grounds, many a time like this.

Our steel echoed with every clash, “You fight like it's already war,” I teased him as I tried to hold my own against his strong, tall frame.

“You hesitate,” he said as he deflected another strike, “even a fraction of doubt is still doubt.”

I twisted, stepping into another strike, “perhaps I'm learning not to kill what's in front of me.”

Xavier’s lips curved to a grin, “That will be new,” he knew all too well that I can't hurt a fly.

Across from us, I could see Ronan side-step Elio to dodge his amateur swing.

“That was barely an attack, my dear Elio,” Ronan laughed, “it was like asking the sword politely if it would consider violence.”

“Give him a break,” I shouted to Ronan.

“Oh, please, I can hardly call this a training.”

Elio tightened his grip around the sword, “Not everyone was trained to fight like a dog,” he spat before taking another swing.

Ronan dodged again, one arm at his back as he circled Elio, “oh I’m barely fighting back. I'm just trying not to die of embarrassment on your behalf.”

Elio lunged again, but this time Ronan twisted his weapon and disarmed him and tapped Elio on his wrist with the flat of his blade, “proving my point. Amateur but persistent, I'll give you that.”

Before the spar session could finish, I, a soldier, ran fantastically into the field, and simultaneously, the horns blared out. Xavier and I stopped to observe the sky above us.

There was no sun, but the east was covered with a thick cloud of black smoke.

“Your majesty,” the soldier knelt, “the eastern gate has fallen. Rebel forces are coming towards the city.”

I grabbed the scroll he held to her. It read:

THE WATCH HAS BEGUN