Labyrinth: Into the Malignant Book 2

Happy Birthday

"I'm telling you Leegan, something wasn't right. I saw her crying. Mom never gets upset" I said as we stomped down the main staircase at the High Kingdom. We had traveled with the family early this morning and my mind never strayed from the scene my mother and father made yesterday. "Elliana, it's our birthday, I'm sure she was just upset that we're growing up" He said pulling at his overcoat. "It wasn't normal" I muttered angrily.

"There's the birthday twins!" Uncle Hedian yelled from across the room. I forced a smile as we approached him. "Are we ready to train?" He asked clapping his hands together. Leegan and I both nodded and Hedian turned for us to follow. "Oh!" He cried turning back around. "Elliana, your mother wants you to sit this one out. She wants you to train later on" I gaped at Uncle Hedian. I've never missed a training session with the guard while I was here, not even on my birthday. "What if I want to?" I asked, taking a challenging step forwards. Uncle Hedian sighed and patted my arm. "Next time," He turned and hurried outside with Leegan by his side. They were in deep, whispered conversation.

Furious, I was flat out livid. Refusing to let me train? The one thing that calms me down is to train and they are refusing it of me. I stormed up the stairs and looked for anyone. A guard caught my attention and I approached him. "You, I need your help" I said. I'm sure my face was a deep angry red. He dare not refuse me. "Yes princess Elliana" He said stopping. His eyes dropped to the floor like he was supposed to and I snapped. "No, look me in the eye" I hissed. The muscular guard looked me in the eye. Was he nervous? "Come with me" I said turning. He followed me hesitantly to outdoor corridor. I was going to train, even if I had to train with a guard. They can't hold me inside.

"Draw your sword" I said unsheathing my own. "My-" "Draw your sword" I said once more. I raised my sword and he unsheathed his. This was very against the rules for him. Sweat beaded down his large face. "Think they could tell me to stay in huh? Well, let's dance" I said bringing my sword down. The guard blocked me and we fought. I swung mercilessly and he fought back. His strength out masked mine and he sent me to the floor with one knock. I rolled and jumped up on the wall of a pillar. The guard blinked at how quick I was and continued his attack.

I swung myself around the pillar and landed on the ground. I sprung up and twisted the guard's sword. It flew from his hands and he was at my mercy. "Pick it up" I said motioning with my sword. The guard looked at it and picked it up. "Let's dance" He said finally warming up to my fighting. We fought all down the corridor until sweat drenched out backs and we were out of breath. My breath was heavy and he smiled at me. "We've missed you at guard training" He said taking in a deep breath.

Suddenly, the tip of a sword was pressed to the side of the guard's neck and he stiffened. He couldn't fight back, because it was the king. "Raising your sword to my daughter is considered a high offense" My dad hissed. I moved quickly and ran my sword down his own, jarring his arm. "And forbidding me to train today is a person offense" I said narrowing my eyes. No one faced off with the king. My dad took a step towards me and I took another. We were glaring at each other, only a foot apart. "Go inside" He ground out. "I'm training" I said. He snatched my arm and I jerked away. "I will go inside when the guard training is over" I added , placing my hand on my hip.

My dad's eyes widened at my disrespect and I nodded to the guard. "I attacked him; he had no choice but to fight back. I made an order that he fight back. Punishing would be useless. You'd be down a loyal guard who was only listening to orders from his princess" I explained. My father was at a crossroads. I knew I had just won. "Elliana" Uncle Hedian's voice called behind me. I turned around to see him. "I need your help" He said nodding over his shoulder. "Happy birthday to me" I mumbled turning and striding away. I heard my father's angry cry and the guard was told to get back to his post.