The Beginning

Chapter One

Author's Note: I changed Mikairi's name to Bianca

It is warmer here than I imagined here in the Kingdom of Elan. I wonder how long my body will hold up before it breaks down. I've never been exposed to the heat before but it's only been a month and I've been faring quite well considering the circumstances.

It's only been month yet it feels like ages since I've been home. My mind lingers to the memories of my siblings before I snap myself out of it. There was no time for reminiscing right now. I had a job to do.

A soft laugh ripples through the air and my eyes finally lay on the crown Prince and the select few of Princesses surrounding. Princess Phoebe of the IIona Kingdom, Princess Holly of the Amaryllis Kingdom and Princess Meredith of the Amphitrite Kingdom- my backup in case that I should fail. They are all beauties -including myself- selected specifically to be the crown Prince's bride. There can only be one though since polygamy has long been banished after the murder of the past king. 

I am situated a few feet from the crown Prince, hidden by the thick purple drapes as I press my hand against the windows. It is raining heavily outside. It is the first time it has rained since my arrival. It is quite beautiful but not as beautiful as the snowflakes back home. We are currently in the Great Hall which is the only entrance to the garden. We can actually see it through the tall, glass doors. I have actually been there several times when I was younger. It was like a maze in which one could get lost. 

"Princess Bianca," a voice calls. My fingers twitch at the sound of my name and push myself away from the window and peek through the drapes. It is Prince Ignatius calling.

"You Highness?" I reply as I escape from my hiding place and face him. 

"Won't you join us?" he asks, watching me with bright amber eyes. I look at him hesitantly now that all the attention is on me. 

I blink for a moment as a heavy feeling fills my heart and I feel as if ice itself is flowing through my veins. My eyes return to the view outside the window as a humming noise slowly fills my ears before swiftly rising to a shriek. I look around, expecting the world to shatter at the high pitched shriek the way it probably would if it had been one of my people singing. It is a siren, I think.

It does not sound like a siren. This shriek, this painful melody shakes me to the core. A siren's melody would lull me to unconsciousness. If it is not a siren then what is it?

"Princess?" I am called again, this time the voice breaks through the stringent melody and erases all fear. I look up to see Prince Ignatius looking down at me, imploring me with his burning amber eyes. "It is very rude to ignore the call of the crown Prince," he scolds as he holds my gaze.

"Forgive me your highness," I say. The singing. The singing is back, rattling my soul once more. 

"What is it you are looking a-" Prince Ignatius begins to say before I see it, the force of a seismic sound wave rippling through the air outside, coming our way.

"Get down!" I shout. It is not a question or a scream. It is an order. I push the crown Prince down before the seismic wave shatters all the glass.