Living Amongst the Stars

The Lion

A pounding starts in my head, my pulse beating in my ears as the hibernation comes to an end, I wiggle my stiff fingers, moving in a robotic rhythm from not having moved in who knows how long. Soon I can feel my soft hair brushing gently against my cheeks, the lion purrs as it comes to life. I open my eyes slowly pressing my hands against the cool metal of the lion, a soft hum running through my finger tips and shocking tendrils up my arms. A small smile falls upon my lips as I open my eyes slowly. I stare at the ceiling above me, the warm glow of it's mechanics it's life force pulsing through it as it awakens with me. I sit up slowly, and stretch my stiff muscles popping and cracking.

I take a deep breath my heart speeding up in excitement my feet lift gingerly off the ground hovering lightly over the cool metal, my head spins, having not been in an upright position in years, butterflies whirl around in my stomach at the feeling of once again being merged with the lions heart. The door slowly opens and I turn, the butterflies flying more madly as the seconds tick by, I expect to see my family, my older brother, I have not seen him in what feels like forever, not since I was bonded with the lion, he was so happy to learn his little sister, the princess of Balkeen, was to be a protector. I can remember the pride shining is his iridescent eyes, how his baby blue skin shone bright, his markings pulsing erratically in excitement at his little sisters greatest achievement, but he also held the eyes of sadness, for him or me I could, and would not be able to tell, and I so desperately wished I had asked. It had only been a month since I had bonded with the blue beauty that we had gone into hibernation on the planet known as Earth. And for a reason unbeknownst to me, the memories of that night are as clear as the waters that adorn Balkeen's shores. His only words to me that day we're in desperation a tone I had only heard him use once in the centuries we had been together.

"Nalia, my sister, you and the lion are now one, you're are a protector, as well as protected, I know you will be the greatest as you are the princess of Balkeen, and my little sister. You must stay with the lion until you are awakened once again, I may not be able to help you on your journey but know, I will always be in your heart."

The king of Balkeen, my eldest brother, King Raeness of Balkeen, cried, his oceanic eyes swirling angrily like tides, with emotions, he kissed me on the forehead a familiar way and tradition of my kingdom to show love and appreciation. His hands grasped my shoulders firmly his comforting warmth filling my heart with the feeling of safety I so desperately needed in the terrifying moment. He smiled sadly his bright white teeth almost blinding his sharp canines glinting, he steps back and his eyes soften as the door slowly closes, his gentle eyes that I had always looked up to disappearing and to be replaced with the darkness of the lion. Sleep over came me and I had no inkling of what was in store for the future.

Now I stand excitedly my markings, swirling designs of hierarchy because of my royal position beat a calm but sporadic rhythm. I hope to be greeted with my brothers warm gaze, the hues of Balkeen's suns lit up behind him, spreading warmth to my face. But the door is slowly opening to darkness, and a cold breeze runs through the cracks, whistling lightly past me ruffling my hair and dress softly. The door hits the ground with a soft bang and I hear several footsteps walking up the ramp. My markings immediately glow in a dark hum, showing my fear with a low prolonged glow and no break. 4 men and what I presume is a young girl, maybe my age emerge and freeze when they meet my icy gaze. The tallest one with white and black hair, a scar on his nose speaks first.

"Who are you?"

He does not speak my people's tongue. So what species is he? I float a little higher, with my nerves spiking, my markings lighting like a stormy night sky. I speak in my tongue to see if they know it, "1 am pr1nc355 N4l1a 0f 8alk33n, w40 a73 y0u?"

The smallest one, who is the girl around my age steps forward, she looks as though she is in a disguise, pretending to be a male, "She's speaking Balkeenian but I'm not sure what as it is in proper speech, that must mean she is of high rank, do you speak English?"

She's smart so they have heard of my people, "Yes, I am princess Nalia of Balkeen, who are you and why have you awoken my lion and I?"

One of the younger males with, chocolate skin and chestnut brown hair steps forward with his hands on his hips, "WHAT? PRINCESS?!"

The young female rolls her eyes, "She just said that Lance now stop yelling."

Lance, sticks his nose up in the air and I awkwardly put my arms behind my back and decide to stand on the floor, my markings pulsing brightly at my annoyance. She turns to me and smiles crookedly, and it reminds me of my brother, I feel my face soften, my marks humming gently, "Princess, how are you still alive? Balkeen was destroyed centuries ago."

I freeze, and stand there like a statue, Balkeen was destroyed, my people, my brother? The female scratches the back of her head, "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so straight forward, I was just shocked I guess."

Heart drops to my stomach and I collapse to my knees.

"Raeness! Raeness! Come play with me!"

Chubby hands grasp at the young prince, bright steely eyes staring up at him with pure innocent and adornment. Raeness leans down and picks up the young princess placing her on his hip, "Nalia, you know I have classes to attend to today."

The young girl pouts and lays her head on his shoulder, "I don't care! We never play anymore Raeness!"

The prince sighs and chuckles ruffling his little sister silky black hair, his markings shimmering in amusement of the little Balkeenian princess, "I know Nal, but remember I have to learn about Balkeen and its people so I can be fit as king, remember?"

Nalia sighs, "But brother, everyone loves you, they can't wait for you to be king, especially papa."

And it was true. As much as everyone loved king Albus, Raeness held an even higher expectation, he was already the perfect king yet he was only a boy still, everyone loved him, and his little sister, after mama had died, papa had slacked and became more and more of a hermit as the years went on, so he was happy to give his son the title, his markings never glowed, not even around his children.

I can't understand why anyone would want to destroy Balkeen, Raeness was the best king anyone could ask for, and his people's the kindest you would ever have the pleasure to meet. It felt as if the weight of the universe was forced onto my back and my markings flared wildly as a hurricane of emotions raged in a terrifying fight in my heart. I couldn't even cry. Or breath. The lion made whining noises sending my utter despair. The young female walked towards me cautiously, but I was to numb to care, she sat down quietly beside me as the others shuffled in the door closing behind them she wraps her arms around me awkwardly and my markings hum once again, her smell flies into my senses and clogs them up, mate.