Maldows Isles

Chapter Two

Ash's POV

Here I was in this girl's room, I know creepy right? I don't even know if she is the girl I'm looking for. I hope so though because by the goddess was she beautiful. Those eyes were little, icy, blue globes staring up at me, I was hypnotized. She did something I didn't expect though, she saw the knight. No one has seen him since I've set foot into this realm. I think I lost him, I wouldn't want to bring attention to the wrong girl, but she couldn't be because SHE SAW HIM.

I'm getting ahead of myself, I'm Ash the future King of the Maldows Isles. If I can find the "lost princess", my betrothed. My mother has always told me that it was my destiny, and duty to, King Stallin and Queen Rosemary to bring the princess home, and right the wrongs of Queen Sariyah. Sariyah was never meant for the thrown, she stole it and was trying to kill off the only heir to secure her place in the kingdom. My mother, Calissa, hid me from the queen when I was born. Her closest friend, Queen Rosemary, had the lost princess in the tunnels that led to this realm.

The Maldows were failing, the false queen wasn't providing the realm with equitable magic. We were a dying species, the Maldowvians. We need to thrive or where will the magic of the legends go to live. So I traveled in search of the lost princess of the prophecies. The question remains, what if she wasn't lost? What if she knew who she was and was content with her current life? What if she already had a love, and I have no place in her heart? That would tear me apart.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice when she came inside. So, when the door closed to the bedroom it startled me, I knocked over this rack next to me. Then, I heard her scream, I jumped up and grabbed onto her.

"Calm down, please I'm not he-," there was a sharp pain across the right side of my face. I let her go only to realize she had hit me.

"What the hell are you doing in my home? Who are you? What do you want from me?"

She's hysterical. I tried to calm her down once more only to see her raise her hand in an attempt to strike me once more. I held her wrist above her head, "Please calm down, I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to protect you."

"Protect me? How are you protecting me by holding me like this?" She shouts at me.

"You're right," I let her go and take a step back.

"Protect me from what," she's trembling so much I move to calm her down, but she flinches. It made me feel guilty from holding her hands up, I look at her calmly.

"The man in the food shack, you aren't supposed to see him. How did you see him?"

"Everyone should have seen him! He was standing in broad daylight, staring at you! Why would you need to protect me from him?" She's scared, I want to protect her. I never want to see fear in her eyes again.

"He's aft-," The front door opens, and her eyes widens.

"Little Lily, I'm home." a man's voice calls out.

"Little Lily," I smirk as I mimic his words. She scowls, motioning me back into the bathroom.

"Quiet, it's my father. I would rather not be in trouble for having a guy in my room."

I was relieved to hear that. No men allowed in her room means that she was still a free agent, or at least I hope that's what that means. I conceal myself with the glamour and sit on her bed. If she is really who I'm looking for she should still be able to see me, unless she hadn't come into her power yet. A royal's magic always surpasses everyone else's. Her father would see me if he is the king.

Amaria looks back but doesn't see me. She shrugs and leaves the room. That was disappointing. Maybe she was just a half-breed. I shouldn't be here.

I need to find my princess. I climb out the window and head east. I need to find a wooded area to rest for the night. It would be hard for a water guard to be away from the water for so long He wouldn't follow me but this is the queen's guard. If word got out that a male has left the Isles she would send everyone in search of me. I can't let that hold me back. I have to find my princess, I have to save the Isles.

Amaria's POV

When I didn't see him in the middle of my room I assumed he went back to the bathroom, so I went down to talk to my dad.

"Hey pops, how was work?"

"It was okay little lily, no need to worry your pretty little head. What do you want for dinner, Thai or Mexican?"

I've had a recent need for Thai curry in my life so I opted for Thai. Dad never really spoke about his work, and it never bothered me. I was well cared for, what more could a child ask for?

"Anything interesting happened at school today? And don't lie to me. I got a call from your principal," he looked disappointed so I spilled.

"Cynthia pushed me down and proceeded to threaten me. I finally put her in her place dad."

"Amaria," oh oh there goes my name, I'm in trouble, "I'm proud that you stuck up for yourself, but we did not come this far for you to go around spitting in others' faces. What is the golden rule?"

"Treat others how you want to be treated, and that's exactly what I did, dad! I treated her the way she has always treated me."

My dad sighs then, "Enough, next time handle yourself with grace."

I nod. I see that he has the ingredients for Thai curry and I'm excited. He begins the prep for dinner, and I head upstairs to start my homework. I go inside my room and close the door behind me. I don't want my dad to see Ash if he passes by.

"Ash, you can come out now." There was no response. I checked the bathroom, no one was there. I checked my closet, still nothing. He must have left when I went downstairs. I'm kinda disappointed, Who just disappears? Better yet, who just appears, out of nowhere?

I begin my calculus homework. It's easy for me, pretty much everything is. I have "natural smarts", or at least that's what Kenya calls it. She hates how easy it is for me, but I help her out whenever she needs it.

My dad calls out, letting me know dinner was ready. I head downstairs, sniffing the air, "Mmm smells delicious."

He chuckles, "It always is lily, you should take some lessons from the master chef."

"Master, more like average," I laugh so he can know I'm kidding. He puts on a fake hurt expression.

"I'm dying without your approval, little lily."

I smile, "You've always had it, dad, now let's eat."

As we sit down for dinner a loud crash sound comes from upstairs. My dad freezes, "I'll go check it out little lily, do not panic."

He does something I never expected, he walks to the living room and grabs his sword decoration. Why would he need that, it looks like it's made out of glass? It wouldn't do any damage if there is an intruder. He creeps upstairs and makes it to the top of the staircase and soon after is thrown down the flight of stairs.

"Ah, Stallin, I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you would hide you and your precious offspring better than this. Sariyah would be so pleased to meet her, you know?" I recognize the man, he was the guy from Murphy's. How come everyone is showing up now. At that moment he sees me, "I knew it was you, you saw me didn't you."

"Yes everyone should have seen you!" Why wouldn't they have seen him? It's strange for someone else to say it too.

My dad regained his composure and swung his sword at him, "Run, Amaria. Now!"

"But dad, I don't want to leave you! What's going on dad. Talk to me please." He can't though, he's too distracted by the guy's sword being swung at him.

"Take the car and go to our spot. Go, Lily. I'll be right behind you. Don't trust anyone."

I nod and retreat as my dad fends off his attacker. My brain has switched to autopilot, and I start to run towards the car. I reach for the handle and pull the door open. I didn't make it inside the car. All I remember was black, the sound of my screams, and a voice telling me the shut up. Everything is dark, I'm being carried somewhere. I hear the muffled voices of men, and then suddenly I fell to the floor.