The shot of hope

12

Kingsley

Shifting as I pressed a soft kiss to the top of roses head as she slept peacefully, standing and heading into the closet as I pulled my shirt off before grabbing a sleeveless black one as I pulled it on as I did the same with pants. Wrapping a cape around my shoulders before attaching my shoulders guards, hearing a shift from the bed as I wrapped the black clothe around my hands to avoid damage when using my sword before I walked out as rose rubbed her eyes.

"Where are you going?" She frowned.

"I have to go train honey.." I hummed as I sat down on the edge of the bed and she smiled at the nickname.

"But it's so early... can't you stay for longer?" She sighed as I brushed her head from her face.

"If you get ready you can join me?" I proposed and she huffed at the thought before sitting up.

"Okay..." she yawned as she slid out of bed, she disappeared into the closet and when she came back out she wore smooth dark navy pants and a white poet shirt with her white cape though disappearing into the bathroom after while I tied my hair in a bun and when she came back out she had her hair out as it fell over on her shoulder, pulling my boots on while she pulled boots on for the snow while I pulled my hood and mask on.

"Are you hungry?" I asked as we walked out and a guard followed us from where they stood waiting.

"a little.." she smiled as we went down the stairs, her ankle had healed quickly after not walking on it at all which was relieving, I hated seeing her hurt knowing I could have stopped it.

"Darling!" Her mother called as we reached the bottom of the staircase and two guards followed her with another that didn't have any sword which made me assume that it was a butler

"Mother!" She beamed as she quickly hugged her and when she pulled back the older women sent a smile to me.

"I see you have recovered nicely Kingsley" she complimented and I bowed.

"Thank you your-"

"Oh stop with that nonsense, we are equal now..." she smiled and I straightened my stand and I looked at her confused, how could I ever be equal to royalty when I don't even have basic rights.

"We're heading to the dining hall" rose explained.

"Well then I'll join you" she smiled, "you father is all moody at the moment because of paperwork"

Time skip

Walking out and into the training yard as Sam and Jake were already there as they talked to some of the guard which were curious, approaching them as rose trailed next to me as she looked around at it all. Sam immediately spotted me and when I reached him he rested his hand over his heart and nodded his head as I did the same action with Jake doing the same.

"Princess! What you doing here" one of the guards questioned.

"I'm hanging out with Kim" she smiled as she gestured to me and I glared down at the two guards who sent me a wary look, "she's harmless"

"Yeah totally harmless" Sam grinned

"you know what, lets see what all the fuss is about you avian" One of the guards stated cockily.

"sure..." I grinned, "I'll be nice and let you use a weapon"

They grabbed a sword as people grew naturally curious as we stepped into the white painted circle as I shook out my wings, fixing my stance as the male did the same as I let him make the first move as he charged forward though I simply stepped out of his way, "focus on the target... think of your blade as more like a sword rather than a bat, its smooth and cuts so keep the moves quick" I coached them.

"don't tell me how to do my job" he huffed before swinging the weapon at me as I ducked before swiping his feet from under him as he landed in the mud.

"don't let rage guide you... its a fools mindset" I sighed as I pulled him back up as he was pushed out as another guard stepped up.

"you know lets make this more serious and make some bets" a guard suggested and people immediately started betting on different guards but if I won than I kept all the money.

"shouldn't be to difficult" he grinned as he swung the staff in his hand before going to swing and I jumped before using my wings to my advantage to get higher than kick him back into the crowd. A few other attempted but eventually people were too scared to step in and I smiled under my mask while fixing the bandages around my hands.

"I'll do it" rose stated as she stepped forward and my body froze up at the thought of hurting her.

"oh now this will be a fight" Sam grinned as he knew it was against my nature to hurt my partner even if I haven't asked her.

"Absolutely not" I shook my head.

"Seriously? Your gonna let her beat you?" Jake spoke confused and I glared at him.

"What you trying say? That she's weak?" I spoke coldly.

"Than fight me" rose grinned as she grabbed a staff, she got into a position as I did the same

She circled me before she attempt to strike and she was smarter than I gave her credit for as she went for stomach as it was hard to throw our balance off by kicking our legs unlike humans who didn't have the same ability since they didn't need to climb cliff sides or trees meaning a balance of our hight wasn't important. Grabbing her wrist through I was soft with it unlike with the boys as I simply pulled it making her stumble and fall into the mud and I instantly panicked as she kneeled over making me think I'd hurt her but when I rushed over to get help I realise I'd fallen into the trap as she grabbed my belt and used it to pull me down as she pinned me down by my shoulder as she beamed.

"I did it!" She cheered while getting up as I stared up at here as she celebrated as it felt more like winning than if I'd beaten her.

"No fair! She was being easy!" A quart exclaimed as I stood.

"Your just jealous!" Rose grinned.

"God your so ducking spoilt! You know everyone was happy when you disappeared!" The guard yelled at her and I felt my body run cold at the sight of rose tearing up as I turned to the guard as my vision went black and I let my instinct to protect take over.