The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 1

Solaria Archington was no different from any other sixteen-year-old in all of Soulvale. Except, perhaps, the fact that her eyes were an unusual violet hue. And the fact that the rulers of Soulvale had always been chosen for their violet eyes, because violet-eyed people – or the Violet-Eyed - were known to be blessed with a supernatural power.

But really, Solaria never bothered to worry that she'd be queen, because according to Soulvalian tradition, if there was more than one violet-eyed person, the eldest would be crowned. Lucky for her, there was indeed another violet- eyed person – an eighteen-year-old boy called Martin Dalian. He was older, and he was blessed with the power to force the truth out of even the most brutal criminals, just with the sheer power of his mind. He was the perfect future king, while Solaria still hadn't discovered her power. Her mother always said she would soon find out, but she was rather inclined to believe she didn't have a power at all.

With Martin as the future heir to the crown, Solaria seemed destined to live an ordinary life, which she didn't mind in the least bit. She didn't envy Martin at all, because he was guarded by two burly bodyguards all the time. She and Martin had been close friends since they could talk, and Martin always told her how he hated the lack of privacy.

Recently, their friendship had blossomed into something far more substantial; but both of them tried their best to ignore it, though it proved to be an impossible feat. Solaria had made it clear that she had no wish to marry a future king, for that would guarantee her place as queen, which was something she dreaded.

On one particularly sunny morning, Solaria was sitting on a large patch of grass, leaning gently against Martin, who was staring at the sky. "Marty, you'll be king one day. All this," she paused, gesturing to the broad grassland, "will be yours someday. You'll live in a palace, pampered by hundreds of servants. And I'll still be here, working like everybody else. I'll miss you, you know." Martin sighed lightly. "Well, Sola, I've got no choice. But," he smiled, violet eyes sparkling, "if you would marry me, we could always be in each other's company."

Solaria shook her head in exasperation. When would Martin finally accept that her dread of becoming queen made it impossible to marry him? Tenderly, she brushed her lips against his. Caught by surprise, he froze, but quickly leaned closer and pressed his lips against her luscious, pink ones. Putting a slender finger to his lips, Solaria stilled him. "we shouldn't do this, Marty," she whispered into his neck, "it'll only make things more painful later on."

Standing up, Solaria brushed the dirt off her pants and walked home under the flaming red, sinking sun.

She didn't look back to see Martin crumpled on the grass, a tall figure looming menacingly over him.