A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 5

We stood in the courtyard of the Royal Palace in the Northland part of Utohia. The trees around us were turning a beautiful hue of oranges and purples as the seasons began to change into winter.

The bright sun beamed down through a light layer of grey clouds.

I stood with my fists up as I protected my face from any blows. Lewis stood in front of me with his black dark hair tied out of his face into a high bun. He wore black and brown leathers similar to the ones I was wearing.

We stood in a training ring, the same ring Lewis and I used every morning.

I jabbed for his face while keeping my body movements as pristine as he taught me. He dodged swiftly to the side before swinging his own punch. I just missed it, but lost balance and had to step away from him.

It was a sloppy move, and Lewis noticed.

"You are mad." He stated as he positioned his arms again and gestured for me to continue.

I stretched out my neck and brought my hands up again. I swung again and again while releasing perfectly timed breaths. "I have never met the Duke." I barked as I threw a powerful punch.

He dodged it and stepped to the side.

"I do not want to get married." I continued as I swung to hit his ribs, he caught my hand and pushed me off. "I do not want to belong to any man," I growled as I punched again.

He side-stepped and allowed me to follow through with my punch that threw me off balance. I was fighting like an angry child, making my moves predictable.

I groaned out in frustration at myself, "My brother is forcing yet another situation on me, without consulting me." I turned to face Lewis.

He had picked up a cloth from the ground and was dabbing the back of his neck. He threw me the towel and offered me a soft smile. "He does care about you." He said in a gentle voice.

"Do not take his side on this." I snapped as I looked into his crystal-blue eyes.

Lewis did not say anything. He just stared at me like he would whenever I needed to rant about my frustrations.

"One day." I stated as I dabbed my neck with the towel, "We will live in a world where women can choose who they marry." I looked towards the courtyard where my ladies in wait all stood averting their eyes from me. The leathers I wore exposed most of my body which to them was scandalous. "They will not be forced by King." I snarled at the weak girls causing them to shift nervously, "They will be allowed to make their own decisions. They will have other opportunities besides getting married and having babies."

I turned back towards Lewis whose lips were curved up as he stared at me. His arms were folded over his chest and he looked at me with care.

"What?" I barked with annoyance.

"You would make a great Queen one day." He bobbed his head softly.

I creased my eyes in confusion. I was not going to be a Queen unless somehow my brother died without producing an heir. Even then, many Lords would be considered before me.

I turned to face the courtyard and saw him leaning against one of the trees. His silver hair fell over his face and his crystal-clear eyes stared at me. His arms were folded over his chest and his face wore a soft smile revealing his dimples.

I let out a sigh of annoyance.

I was dreaming again and Delcallon was astral projecting into it. I shook my head in annoyance, could he not just let me dream in peace.