Rivynn couldn't understand why she and her brother, Rain, were kept chained away from everyone else. They were told it was to keep them safe from the shadows... But what if that was a lie?
~~~~~~
Rain hadn't told her... but the shadows were real...
"The only difference between them and our Lucents is a shadow."
"And that's because they are weak."
"Doesn't matter. He still deserved better..." Roake's voice cut off, wincing at the pain as the healer applied ointment on one of his many wounds caused by the shadowling.
Rivynn frowned, trying to make sense of where she was.
"Dad, she's awake!"
"Hello, darling," the kind voice greeted. A girl a few years older than herself, sat on the edge of the bed and gently dabbed her forehead with a damp cloth infused with the scent of flowers. Her hair was silvery white and ornately braided like Roake's.
Another Draycent stood beside where Roake was being treated. Massive scars stretched across his bared chest, and he studied her intently.
"How do you feel, Rivynn?" Roake asked.
At the question, her lip began to tremble.
"Oh darling, it's alright," soothed the girl. "You're in Illuvaria. You're safe now."
But her words only brought more pain, and she burst into tears. She was here, but Rain was not...
The girl glanced at Roake with concern.
"She sure is a crybaby," a young boy's voice piped up.
Rivynn turned in surprise. Her pale eyes met the daring blue ones of a boy around her age.
"Raiden!" The girl scolded.
"What? It's true," he squinted at her and Rivynn frowned back, the tears clouding her vision again.
"Raiden!" This time it was Roake doing the reprimanding. "Don't be rude."
Undaunted, the boy retorted vindictively, "Well my Lucent won't be such a cry baby."
"You're being a brat," the girl snapped and pointed to the door, indicating he should leave.
"I'm not a crybaby!" Rivynn snarled before he could take a step, her face still streaked with fresh tears. "You're just a stupid boy."
Everyone stared at her in stunned silence.
"I'm not stu..."
Then the man next to Roake, held up a hand, cutting him off.
"I apologize for my son's rudeness, little one. I am Raze Kalamity, ruler in Illuvaria," he spoke charmingly. "We are honored to welcome you to your new home."
She only stared at him warily.
"I'm Kayda," the girl offered, gently taking her hand.
"I'm Rivynn," she replied quietly.
"My dad told me," Kayda smiled then paused... "Ah! I can't take it!" She squealed abruptly and turned to Roake, her eyes sparkling. "She's just soooo cute!!!"
Rivynn peered at the girl in awe. Despite the ache in her little chest, she was drawn to the familial warmth that filled the room.
Cautiously, she started to pull aside the blankets but stopped and stared in surprise. There was a tail in the bed - and it was her's.
She glanced up at Roake. He nodded reassuringly, but that somehow made it worse.
"Why do I have a tail?" She wailed and burst into tears again.
"I told you!" Raiden howled, adding to the commotion. "She's a cry baby!"
"I'm not!"
Raze came over and grabbed his son by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him along. "I'm leaving this to you, Roake," he called dismissively. "See to it she is settled in with the other Lucents. We'll have her tested in three days."
Rivynn glared after the boy who stuck out his tongue at her just before his father closed the door behind them. Her new tail twitched irritably in sync with her mood. It was sleek and white, except for the tasseled end, which was black. But it was awkwardly long and unlike any animal's she had ever seen.
"It's a beautiful tail," Kayda smile. "Do you like it?"
Rivynn shook her head.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with it," Roake chuckled as the healer applied the last of his bandages.
There was a soft rap at the door, but it opened without waiting for an answer.
"Liam," Kayda greeted as the most exquisite person Rivynn had ever seen strode gracefully into the room.
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His rich, dark brown hair was tastefully drawn back with jeweled adornments and flowed down his back. A pair of shimmering wings the same color as his locks were folded elegantly between his shoulder blades where his silken robes parted to accommodate them. And like herself, he too, had a tail.
"Kayda." His warm umber eyes were as soft as the voice that returned the greeting, but they darted quickly from the girl then to Roake, before meeting hers.
"I apologize," Roake started, rising quickly.
"There is no need," Liam quietly cut him off. "I'm just relieved you are alright." But Rivynn noticed his eyes trembled slightly.
"You must be our newest Lucent," he smiled at her.
She didn't know what he was talking about and glanced at Roake.
"Liam is my Lucent," Roake began.
"And I am here to help you settle into your new home and explain everything to you as I am sure this all must be very confusing and frightening," Liam interrupted, but there was a kindness in his tone that resonated with her as he held out a hand.
"It's ok," Kayda encouraged. "Liam will take good care of you, and once you are settled in, I'll come and visit."
Cautiously she reached out. His hand was soft... and warm... Unlike Rain's... His had always been so cold...
Pain gripped her chest again, and she held his hand tightly, trying to imagine it was her brother's.
But before the two of them had even reached the door, light started to dance across her skin, and a numbness swept over her.
