"Lyn!" A shout sounded in my ear, making me shoot up from my bed. In the process I knocked heads with my older sister, Nyla, who seemed to be the one that shouted in my ear.
I groaned and laid back down, shutting my eyes, not wanting to deal with her right now, "Go. Away." I huffed at her. She decided that jumping on top of me would be the best bet... until she wound up on the floor with a bruised bottom.
"Now I know why Charlie never wants to be the one to wake you up..." She trailed off, standing up, "But you need to get up. Mother put me in charge of helping you get ready for your Determining and I don't want her to be upset if that doesn't happen." She said, yanking my blankets off of me.
I grumbled and stood up groggily. I definitely wasn't a morning person, that's for sure. Why the hell was she wanting me to get up this early anyway? It was noon...this had to be against the law or something.
"Ok good, you can stand by yourself. Now brush your hair and I'll go get your clothes." She said, taking me by the shoulders and leading me to my vanity dresser and sitting me on the seat, leaving the room. She even put the brush in my hand for me... I didn't function that poorly in the morning, did I? Whatever.
I spaced out while I was brushing my hair.
What was going to happen tonight, at my Determining? I was hopeful I would be honored enough to receive the title of Silver Angel from the Goddesses. My little brother, Charlie, and I were the only ones left in our family of 6 that would have any possibility to assume the throne. Nyla was a Golden Angel, she was one of the Angels that taught and trained younger Angels until the age of 14, then they are required to attend some form of combat until their 17th birthday, then they are free to live as they please within the city. My older brother, Deklan, is a Blue Angel. He's the messenger that flys inbetween the 3 great Angelic cities. Astral, the city my parents command, Lideesma, and Harquel.
But, there was always the chance to become a Fallen, or one of the exiled, destined to be evil. Everyone had told me that becoming a Fallen was even rarer than becoming a Silver, so I didn't have anything to worry about it at least.
I was drawn out of my mind when I felt someone start playing with my hair. I looked up, expecting to see Nyla, but it was actually Deklan. He had a sad look on his face, "What's wrong?" I asked him, setting my brush down.
He piled my hair on top of my head and then let it fall into my face before laughing, "Does there have to be something wrong for me to come see my baby sister on the day of her Determining?" He said nonchalantly. I stared at him for a minute then I saw the tears in his eyes. He had basically raised me, I guess he did have every right to be upset.
I just didn't expect the head hugging and the wet hair from his tears. Him and his 6 foot frame didn't help the fact that he was almost to the point of popping my head off, "Deklan, I.....can't breathe..." I struggled to get out, the words muffled against his chest. He gave no reply, but loosened his arms a little.
Once I was able to properly function again, I returned his hug and let him cry into me.
Man, he was such a cry baby. I bet Miles wasn't even gonna cry this much. That reminds me.... I have to go see him before my Determining tonight.
Miles is my best friend, and he has been since as long as I can remember. He was my only real friend, as I wasn't actually allowed to leave the palace that often. "For my own safety" Mother and Father had put it, even though I knew Father couldn't care less about my safety. I was the demon girl of my family that could control fire. He despised me.
Eventually Deklan let me go and left without another word, only for Nyla to come in, giving him the strangest look as they passed by eachother, "Whats up with him?" She asked me. I just shrugged, not wanting her to make fun of him.
In an instant, I saw the frilly monstrosity that was resting in Nyla's arms and supressed the urge to run away, "Uh...what is that?" I asked slowly, pointing to the dress like it was a wild animal.
"Your dress, duh. Dang, you can be so stupid." She insulted, throwing the dress at me. I batted the thing away before it could hit me. It was a nasty, short yellow dress covered in frills, fringe, ribbon, and sparkles. No thanks.
"I'm not wearing that." I stated, walking to my closet. I heard her scream in exasperation, but ignored it, pulling out my favorite white high-low dress. I went barefoot and then did my hair, just letting it fall natural. I didn't wear make up, "Ok, I'm going now, see you at the Determining, Nyla." I said, running out the door and down the stairs.
"Ryla Lyn!" I heard someone shout at me. I stopped in my tracks, fear shooting through me.
It was my Father.
"Yes, Sir?" I asked politely, standing up straight and not meeting his eyes.
"Where do you think you are going? On the day of your Determining, no less?" He scrutinized.
I sighed inwardly, "I'm going to see Miles, Sir. He wanted me to come see him before the Determining." I replied.
"Fine. Go, you brat. You better not be late for your Determining or you will be on lockdown for a month." He threatened before walking away.
I took his threat to heart and began running again, soon exiting the palace
