Maldows Isles

Chapter Seventeen

Amaria's POV

Everyone grabs the closest weapon to them, Ash rushes to my side, "Amaria, please stay close to me. Whatever you do, don't use all of your elements." I nod, shaking slightly. I am terrified, training and actual combat are two completely different things. Not everyone fights like my dad, Calissa, and Ash.

"Kenya, where are the elderly, women, and children," I ask her, "Take me to them, we have to get them to a shelter."

She nods, "This way," She says before she runs out of the room. I race behind her, Ash close behind me. We make it to them without any incident, "Everyone needs to follow me. Quickly and quietly," Kenya tells them, she has her sword drawn. After everyone enters the hallway, I block the opening with a wall of rocks.

Turning to step forward I bump into a little boy, whose eyes are wide as saucers, "You're a royal?"

"Yes, I am, little one. We have to get you and your mommy to safety," I tell him, before he bows and runs to catch up with everyone. I make eye contact with Ash, who was watching the exchange, he nods and motions me on. There was pounding coming from the other side of the rock wall.

"They won't be able to get through," I reassure Kenya, who turns to look at the wall. We continue until we reach the safe room. Everyone files in, when there's a loud crash coming from the direction of the rock wall.

"Hurry, we have to make sure everyone is inside," Ash says. While Kenya is helping the rest inside, Ash and I turn to face the intruders. My palms are sweaty, I don't think I'm ready for this, but I don't have a choice. Their footsteps are getting closer. I raise my hand as the first man rounds the corner, sending shards of ice at him.

"Amaria," my dad shouts, right before the ice hits him. I drop my hands and rush to his side. I quickly melt the ice, praying there weren't any deep wounds. When I didn't see any I let out a breath of relief.

"You had me terrified, why didn't you yell out that it was you," I shout at him, he chuckles.

"I did, you didn't hear me, or Ash." I turn to look at Ash who nods, confirming his statement.

"Help me stand up, there's someone I would like you to meet." I stand pulling him up as I do. The warriors behind him part and an older woman steps forward. She's graceful in her approach, gliding towards my father and me. I am stunned by her beauty, she looks so similar to Sariyah it's uncanny. The only difference between the two is the warmth vibrating in this woman's eyes.

"B the goddess, it's like I have my daughter back," She says, cupping my cheeks, "I have waited so long to meet you, little lily. You are everything your mother wanted you to be," She pauses when she doesn't see any sign of recognition in my eyes.

"Stallin, you didn't tell her who I was," She turns to my father.

I look at him, "I tried, Stacey, your granddaughter tends to shoot first and ask questions later," he laughs.

"Grandma?" I pull her into a hug and she kisses my cheek.

"Yes, little lily. You're everything your mother dreamed you would be and more. I am proud to call you family. It saddens me that we had to meet under these circumstances."

"We thought you were dead. We saw your home torched to the ground." I choke on my words, sobbing softly.

"When my daughter came to take me, the wards sent out a warning. We all had enough time to escape."

"How did you know we were here," Ash asks, he's been eyeing her skeptically since she revealed who she was. I'm confused, shouldn't he be happy that one of my family members, has returned? I look to find Calissa, hoping she has read her mind. She stares at her with a look of confusion, before shaking her head in my direction.

"Well, that is a simple answer. When we left, I placed the wards up again. When you all arrived, at my village, the wards dropped. We can thank Stallin for signaling me. If not for him dropping the wards, I wouldn't know my dear grandchild was in the Isles. Or that she has all four of her elements."

When she says this, Kenya gasps, "You said you only had three," She says, hurt crossing her features.

"I was trying to keep everyone safe, Kenya. How did you know?"

"The sprites told me, child. They also told me where you were headed. That is how I know you know you were here. Now enough of this interrogation, who is the chief of Maltic now?"

"That would be me, Queen Stacey," Kenya steps forward and bows, my grandmother chuckles.

"I retired that title a long time ago Chief. That is reserved for my granddaughter. Stacey will work just fine," She takes my hand and smiles, "You have my warriors and I support in this war. We will protect you at all costs."

My grandmother motions for her warriors. I watch as they all bow to me, "What is mine is yours, Queen Amaria," my grandmother says proudly.

"You may all stand. Kenya do you have enough room to accommodate everyone?"

"Yes, your majesty," she says before gagging, "I am never going to get used to calling you that."

I laugh at her, "Same here. Let's get everyone settled into their rooms. Then back to the council room. Grandma, you're welcome to join us."

"I will," Ash looks shocked that I offered her in on our war meeting, but she's my grandma. She has not shown me any reason not to trust her.

Everyone follows Kenya, except Ash, Calissa, my dad, and me.

"Amaria, my mother couldn't even read her mind, if that's not suspicious, I don't know what is," Ash says calmly. I can't help but agree with him.

"Stacey has always been on the side of the Goddess. Since the Goddess has gifted Amaria with four elements, we can be assured that Stacey is on our side. Now enough of this nonsense, Ash," My father says before walking away.