Maldows Isles

Chapter Twelve

Amaria's POV

"I have one request, Colton," I say, as I watch his villagers pack their belongings.

He gives me a quizzical look, "I have already set you free, what more can you want little one?"

"I want your help in the fight with Sariyah. Only Warriors, no one else." I face him then, my hands folded on my stomach. He studies me, giving me a thoughtful look, before nodding.

"You have my word, I'm sure they will be more than delighted to help you, little one. You have given them a home." He says, guiding me towards the bonfire.

"I need everyone's attention," the villagers stop what they're doing, looking towards Colton, "The princess has asked for our assistance in the coming battle against Queen Sariyah. All of my warriors have the choice of staying home. I will be joining her, if anyone else would like to help, please step forward."

I watch as men and women step forward. A woman, who looks to be about my age, stands in front of me. With a smile and a look of determination, she kneels, bowing her head towards me. One by one, everyone who has stepped forward, does the same. Colton's eyes fill with pride at the sight of his warriors.

"You can stand," I wait for them to stand before I continue, "I want to personally thank you all. This battle will not be easy, some of you may not return home." I make eye contact with each of them, seeing no hint of fear in their eyes, I smile. "Let's go to your new home." They all shout with joy and quickly finish packing their things.

Following Colton's lead, we head back toward the abandoned village, that I've called my home. I just won over my first village, without the help of my father! I cannot believe it. My father was so sure I would need help, jokes on him.

No longer paying attention to my surroundings, my foot gets stuck on a root causing me to fall forward. Colton catches me, while he's still holding me he smirks, "Well little one if you wanted me to hold you, that's all you needed to say." I push away from him, scoffing, as I walk away.

"I do not want you to hold me, I have a mate," I say.

"You found your mate?" He says, shock filling his features.

"Do you think I would have been sleeping next to a man, dressed like this, otherwise?" I say, gesturing towards my dress.

"No, Princess, I do not," he says, "I'm happy you found your mate so soon." he walks faster, not giving me time to thank him. I was about to catch up with him, but a loud horn sounds. Everyone freezes around me, the warriors pull out their weapons. They position themselves around me, the elderly, women, and children.

"It is alright everyone, I know who it is," I try to reassure everyone as I raise my hand towards the sky sending shards of ice into the air. The children gasps in delight at the sight. After the last shard disappears, Ash comes running out of the trees. At my command, the warriors stand down, and I lift my arms for him.

He crashes into me, picking me up, "I'm so glad you're safe. IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE when I woke up, but you weren't there. Are you hurt anywhere? Did they hurt you?" He pulls away from me, giving me a once-over.

I laugh at his antics, "They did not hurt me they have agreed to help us in battle. What took you guys so long?" I ask him, as my dad and Calissa come running towards me.

Colton steps forward then, "I may have the answer to that."

Before he has the chance to answer Ash grabs him by his collar, "Who the f**k are you? Are you the one who took Amaria?" I place my hand on Ash's chest, he looks at me, and I shake my head. He lets him go, backing away from Colton.

"Ah, you must be the mate. I am Colton, and these are my villagers and warriors. I put a cloaking spell on the cage we held the princess in. No one was able to track her. I made sure she was safe." He explains.

"A cage?! You put my mate in a damn cage?!"

"Ash enough," Calissa says to her son, "Amaria is safe, we have new allies. Do not tarnish her work." She turns to Colton then puts her hand out, "Hello, I'm Calissa, Goddess Valkyrie's Vessel. Please excuse my son, he does not have manners."

"The next vessel mated to the next Queen. This is quite interesting," an elderly man says, stepping out of the crowd.

"Interesting how?" My father asks him, "It is possible for a vessel and an heir to be mated it's been done before."

"Yes, it has been done before. There is an old folktale I used to hear, when I was young, about a vessel and an heir. I can't quite remember the details. Let me think on it." He says and walks away.

Ash and I look at each other then. I squeeze his hand, "Let us continue, we have to make it back to the village before nightfall." Colton says, his eyes never leaving Ash and my hands. When we finally make it there, the sun is just about to set. We help everyone settle into houses. When we get back to our home, the old man from earlier stops me.

"I'm sorry princess for interrupting you, but I just remember the tale." Ash and I gesture for the man to follow us inside. We head to the living area, he picks a chair to sit in before he continues, "Long ago, Goddess Valkyrie gifted us this realm, in hopes to keep the magical world and the non-magical world separate. Upon receiving this realm she named a family of monarchs, who can control all the elements and a family of vessels. It is said when the Goddess's vessel and the monarch who controls elements mate. They will produce a set of Elemental Twins. When the twins arrive their power will be unmatched in this world. Many will seek them out to destroy them."