Daveigh's POV
Not many people can say that they are close with the king of Blackcoast. But I can. He and I have been close for a while. I spent most of my time in Blackcoast Palace with him, when I wasn't home with my twin brother Malakai.
"Daveigh!" Dare called to me as soon as I entered the throne room. "There you are, I was waiting." Dare was the king. He was loved and respected by his kingdom. Not often did people hate him. He did his best to make sure all the cities and towns within his kingdom were satisfied.
"Sorry. I got held up." I plopped down on Dare's lap. People had gotten used to that. They didn't even stare anymore.
"Malakai?" Dare chuckled, stroking my brown hair.
"Who else?" I rolled my eyes. I loved Malakai, I really did. He was just protective.
Dare held one of my braids in his hand, and began to undo it. "Hey," I laughed. "Malakai just finished doing those."
"I don't like them," Dare murmured, weaving his fingers in and out of my hair, making sure the braid came loose. I had two french braids down the sides of my head, like I usually did. I never left the house without them.
Once Dare was finished my braids, he shot the elastics across the room. "Hey!" I cried, but couldn't help laughing.
"The more of these you lose, the less likely Malakai is to do your hair in those... things."
"They're called braids," I chastised.
"I much prefer your hair like this," he whispered, running his fingers through my slightly wavy hair. "What would do you like to do today, Miss Harte?"
"I'd like to find out if my sister is alive." I looked at the floor. My older sister Theia was a soldier. She got drafted a while ago. She was four years older than Malakai and I, being twenty-one. Every day, Malakai and I waited for either her to show up, or a letter telling us she had died. She was the only family we had left. I knew Theia could take care of herself, but I could not lose her.
"I wish I could tell you," Dare said softly. I sighed, resting my head on his chest. "Any realistic requests for the day?"
"Let's go for a run," I sighed, getting up. Dare looked up at me, like this was the most inconvenient thing he could possibly do at the moment. "Come on, I'm upset and we all know you're faster than me. I'm competitive and this will keep my mind of everything."
Dare sighed, standing up and kissing my hair. "Anything for you, my love." Dare took my hand, and led me upstairs. He tossed me some clothes I had left here. I usually changed here when we went for a run. I didn't really need those clothes at home. I put on the tank top, leggings, and running shoes, and Dare did the same. Soon enough, we were off.
The two of us made our way to the forest, and began slowly. Dare's long legs carried him faster and farther than mine could, but I managed. I let him stay a few feet ahead, and he cleared a sort of path for me as he went. The ground was clear enough, but Dare managed to save me from all the vines and twigs that were sticking up.
My heart was pounding. I focused on Dare's dark hair ahead of me, barely moving as he ran. It had been cut recently, I could tell by the sharp lines at the nape of his neck. His arms pumped, and he inhaled and exhale quickly, just like I did. If he was tired, he didn't show it.
Sweat began to bead near my hairline, but I wiped it away. "This is why I wear braids, you know," I panted, pulling my hair out of my face.
"There are other hairstyles, you know," Dare called back to me.
YOU ARE READING
Cost Of The Crown
خيال (فانتازيا)Powers were unheard of these days. One could be punished, committed, or even killed. When Daveigh Harte discovers her powers, she turns to her best friend for help. But his fear takes over, turning him into a monster who vows to take her down.