Ruthless

Nightmares in Heaven

Rhea's POV

Shouts, horrified screams of anger and anguish. So much warmth, fire. More screams, lots of running, but from what?

"Rhea? Rhea! They're following us please! "

I opened my eyes, the light of the fire reflecting in my blue eyes, then the light of its splendor replaced by my little sisters panicked face.

"Where is James?" I managed to voice out. She shook her head. "I don't know, I don't know! But we need to keep moving." So we ran into the woods, there were so many noises my ears could not decide in which to concentrate. I was a skilled fighter, but I'd die without a doubt if I decided to face an entire army by myself. Keana kept gripping my hand as we ran in the darkness of the night. Only managing not to fall because our subconscious is very aware of this forest. It is our home, or at least it was. Before it was ripped right from my father's hands.

"Rhea!" That shout made us stop in our tracks. The only sound suddenly was our heavy breathing.

"They got James." I whispered in defeat. "Go Keana, don't stop running, I have to go back to get James." I spoke in a rush.

"They have armies Rhea, they will get you as well."

"He is my brother, I can't just leave him in their hands. I promised I would never let anything happen to the both of you."

"Don't leave me here." Keana spoke with an evident lump in her throat. She was only a child and I have become her guardian.

"Go Keana, you have an opportunity to be free, you're smart..."

~Signed, Rhea Lombardi 1571~

I ran my finger over the dusty old page of a book older than many in this palace. It is late, the moon shines over this desolate world with a light so pure it creates hope in those who cast their gaze upon it. With my free hand I brought the red color wine to my awaiting lips, the taste of it calming my inner turmoil. I closed the book and tossed it on my desk, they were mere painful memories that for a wicked reason had to be kept filed. As if I could ever forget the details of so much pain before my reign.

The light of the moon reflected my unique eyes that made them reflect on the crystal windows of my study. They did not always shine the way they do now. Shaking my head, I left the setting, walking through the empty corridors the only noise provoked by my own heels. For a moment alone, I suddenly wished my little sister would appear out of thin air. That moment was all it took for me to walk towards her dormitory.

Surprisingly I was about to knock on her door, but sudden whispers caught my attention. Keana was not alone in her bedroom. My left hand raised to touch the surface of her door, my eyes caught the ring I always wore. A sigh escaped my lips once a vision of who is inside flooded my mind. My jaw clenched. It was not their sudden bond that bothered me, it was the way Keana kept going against me in my own palace. I opened the door ever so softly, they were chatting and having a cup of peach tea.

"Rhea." My sister spoke cutting short the conversation with Eden. Eden's hazel eyes quickly averted to my direction. There was a slight panic in them and the first thing that came to mind was how good it felt. To know I still have such power over her, that I provoke that reaction. It is in my nature to be twisted, even if I ever decided to leave those ways behind me.

"You are not allowed out of your bedroom at these hours." She swallowed visibly before putting her cup down. "I am sorry."

"She's allowed anywhere I say she is, we are only having some tea." I smirked at my sisters words. Naive child.

"Who may you be in this castle?" I spoke challenging her to amuse me with her responses. She was nobody if it was not because of me.

"I know you hate this as much as I, but I am still a princess and heir to the throne. As you my sister say, a Lombardi and I am and will continue to be respected as such."