The Golden Child

Prolouge*

A/N A better version of the prologue and a combination of chapters 1 & 2 can be found at the back.

Syren looked out along the crowd, all watching her. Her lip quavered. "When will I see my parents?" She whispered.

The guard standing next to her looked at her with admiration and fear in his eyes. "Your parents are dead," he said sadly.

Syren reeled back, her tiny hands balled into fists. "No. No."

The guard frowned. "Your kingdom was taken over. Your people slaughtered, barbarians that they were. But you were saved, because, dear, you are a goddess in human form, powers above all, you will be worshiped!" He leaned in close, his foul smelling breath burning Syren's nostrils.

She stumbled back, radiating fear. The guard was there to protect her, but he scared her more. Syren wanted her parents. Nothing had been right since they had gone.

And now she was here, with these men in this crowd and she was scared. She shrunk back, but every one still watched her. She wanted to sob, but Syren was on view. So she stood as tall as her 8 year old body allowed, lifted her head, and ran through the crowd. Her guards raced after her, but she was fast, and they didn't catch her until she saw them. Saw him.

At only nine, the prince nervously looked around, until his eyes locked on hers. They stayed locked for a second, but then he moved deeper, and Syren's guards caught her. A woman was with them.

"My name is Alistair," she said, her voice filled with kindness and fear. "You should come with me."

Syren felt better with Alistair, and nestled in close to her side as they headed towards the palace. Alistair had long black hair bound up in a bun. She had tan skin and kind eyes. Syren looked at her as they wove through the crowd. She could already tell she liked Alistair, something that hadn't happened before.

Alistair led Syren through the crowd, and Syren was only too happy to oblige. She looked wildly at everyone, but let her thoughts settle on her parents, and how much she missed them, and whether or not they were still alive. The last bit scared her. "Alistair," she asked. "Are my parents alive?"

Alistair shot me a pitying look, and replied, "I am sorry, Syren. They are dead." They had reached the palace, and they paused right at the gate.

Syren started to cry.

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Elias saw the girl first when she was scared and alone, and then later, dressed as a princess, or an empress, though she was still a child. Her long black hair was smooth around her face, and her eyes switched in colors from gold to green. She wore a silk dress made of gold rippling fabric, covered in rubies and shining metal. She wore a circlet of gold on her forehead, and a scared expression on her face.

Do not be scared, Elias thought. You could be a princess, protected and safe. But instead she looked terrified, as if every moment may be her last.

Elias moved to stand next to the scared girl and her tall companion, but his father placed a hand against his stomach. "No, Elias. She is a goddess. You are but a prince."

Elias hung his head and waited for the two to pass, feeling chastised. But a prince. Even a prince couldn't compare to that. His only chance at a friend was gone.