Orenda

He Lets On

Hey everybody, sorry I haven't uploaded all week! It's been chaos, and I've been crazy busy! If you didn't already know, I'm writing a book to publish right now too. Just yesterday, I reached thirty-thousand words on it! I'm super excited because thirty-thou is a great mile-marker for books bc it is exactly 100 pgs! Everybody have a SUPER great day!!

-- Ivy

"You heard what I said, Laina," Father looks at me sternly.

I can't help the annoyance that rises to the front of my emotions, "Seriously, Dad? Am I a prisoner now? I heard what you said, but it doesn't mean I like it or want it!"

"If you've heard what I said, than I've made my point. You are not to leave the castle grounds without at least one guard to accompany you. Preferably, you won't leave at all."

"I can take care of myself," I say defiantly, angrier than I have been in a long time.

"You say right after you get kidnapped," Phil points out.

"Hey that's not fair! She didn't have a weapon on her and she wasn't expecting it!" Tommy jumps to my defense.

"It's okay Tommy, I don't want you to get in trouble," I don't break my gaze from the king as I speak. I glare at my father, "I'll be fine, Dad. You just don't want me to get kidnapped again, and that's fine. But this isn't the right way to do it, mark my words."

"I'll protect you how I see fit, not how you see it," Phil replies sharply. "I am your king, you do as I say."

My eyes light up with rage, "And I'm your daughter, I thought you would care more than that," I snap, turning on my heel and stalking out of the room.

Techno freezes in the hallway as I walk out of the room, a look of concern shadowing his face as he sees my expression. However, I barely notice him. My emotions are rising violently in my chest, and I break into a run the second the door slams shut behind me.

"Laina? What's wrong?" Techno calls after me.

I don't want him to know that I'm crying, but my voice catches in my throat as I reply, "Phil is being horrible."

"Ph- what did he say?" my little brother is surprised, probably because I called our father Phil instead of Dad.

"Why don't you ask him yourself," I shoot back, knowing I'm being a bit sharp but not caring in the least.

"Fine. I will," a door slams behind me as Techno enters the room where Phil is.

Technblade 1st person P.O.V

"What the heck made her so angry?" I ask, slamming the door shut behind me.

Phil looks up, his eyes lit with an emotion I've never seen before. He looks scared, "I told her she couldn't leave the castle grounds," he explains softly.

My eyes widen before I can compose my expression, but I can't hide the anger that floods through my veins.

Find her, get her our of here, a voice hisses in my head. I ignore it, per usual.

"You actually told her that? Actually thought that she would just say, 'okay!' and then follow that? Dad, you've just rekidnapped her!"

"I just want to protect her, Techno, and I'm afraid I won't back down. She's lucky that I'm letting her even leave the castle right now," Phil sighs, looking older than I've ever seen him.

"You know she'll just walk out the second she can, which is probably right now," I remind him, thinking of my big sister's rebellious soul.

"I've already notified the guards of her situation, they won't let her leave," Phil responds tiredly.

My anger starts to dissolve when I notice how haggard he looks. "You know that you'll have to let her out, once the threat fades a bit."

"I- uh, made an agreement," I think my father can sense that I'm about to get really angry again, which is why he speaks tentatively for a moment.

"With who?" I ask.

"The Coral Kingdom. She'll..." he trails off, before continuing with more strength than he's had lately, "she'll be leavng tonight, I've arranged for her to live there. She'll be safer, and the people are good. And the Royal Family has a son about her age, we're hoping that they'll get along."

I don't even reply, just turning to walk out of the room and find my sister.

I find her in the garden, sitting on one of the stone benches that faces the setting sun. I sit down beside her and wrap my arm around her shoulder. It's clear that her anger has faded, and I can feel goosebumps running down her arms. I press her small frame into me, and she curls up against my chest. "I wish he would understand that I'm not just a little doll that's too delicate to do anything," she says softly.

"I wish that too, Lain," I answer.

She turns, sitting upright and hugging me. "Thanks, that helped," she murmurs.

Alaina rarely shows affection like this, and it's even rarer that she lets anyone in. I embrace the moment, but can sense that she is ready to move on. "You're welcome, tiny hands," I tease her, and she punches me.

"Tiny hands big punches," she replies, and then turns to leave.

I watch her go for a moment, disappearing into the castle.

A single voice whispers in my head, protect her, and for once, I agree with it.

Hey guys, bit of a longer chapter here! Sorry it took so long to update! Also, there is no romance between the siblings, trust me! This is just Laina needing someone to lean on for a moment! Everybody have a great day and remember to drink water!

-- Ivy