The Chronicles of Aaval: Vol. 1 The Awakening

Chapter 18

TABATHA
I been patrolling this shitty city for days. I would rather be helping at home than chasing shadows here.
Three kingdoms are on rebellion right now.
The news of the princess of Innanty's death hit me harder than I expected to.
She was always so kind to me. Always taking care of Thiago.

I took flight and spotted Jackson, second son of the king of Elise. The lightbringer.
I followed him. He was carrying a tray with two cups of coffee and a brown bakery bag.
I was thankful for my shifting abilities.
While Thiago shifts into a huge, stinking dog; I can shift into any bird I can think of. Right now, it's a small sparrow.
I followed him, going inside their apartment building.
To my surprise, the missing prince of Elise was sitting on the sofa, going through some paperwork. I can see a map of Aval on the table. All the blockages were marked on the map, as were some other markings in different places. I was so focused on the map that I didn't notice Bram coming to the window. He took me with both hands.
- Is this the shifter that's been following you?- he asked his brother, who nodded with a smile. The Lightbringer closed the window.
- Show yourself, Your Highness - I shift to my normal self, hoping the prince would let go. After I shifted, I was still in his arms. Heat rushed through my body.
- Tabatha - he said against my skin.
No matter the fucking circumstances, I always end up in his arms.
- Shadowbringer. - he laughed against the skin of my neck and kissed the sensitive part behind my ear before he put me down. I stood there, staring at him, and I broke down crying.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him.
- I'm so sorry, Bram. - my voice was breaking.
- Sa... Sahara...I'm so sorry...so sorry, Bram. - all the pain for my brother's disappearance, his own disappearance, and now Sahara's death. I couldn't keep it inside anymore.
He helped me to the sofa and brought me a glass of water.
- I need you to take a deep breath and explain what you mean about you being sorry about Sahara. -
I did just that. I took a deep breath and told him the news I read this morning.
- The kingdom of Innanty sent a public note regarding the death of the crowned princess. - I took the piece of newspaper from inside my jacket and gave it to him.
He stood up abruptly and stormed inside his brother's room. I could hear him breaking down.
She was his best friend. How many times did she save him from himself ?
I opened the window and shifted back to a sparrow, and flew away.