Fireshrine

Two: Davina

Three days into the five day journey, it finally hit me what exactly I had agreed to.

They called him the Blood Prince, a name that didn't sit well with me. But it was a name given to him rightfully.

Each of the four clans had connections to one of the four elements, Azure to Wind, Terra to the Earth, Cyan to Water, and Crimson to Fire. However, only people with blood of the original Four could have an elemental ability.

My brother, Henry, had the ability to summon Fire Spirts, which would do his bidding. My younger sister, Selene, could control Holy Fire, which could cleanse anything and was especially good for healing. My father had always kept his abilities quiet, but I'd often heard that he could see visions in fire.

I, however, had no control whatsoever over my own power. As a child, I would often set things on fire randomly, burn holes in all my good dresses, and melt all my mother's favorite jewelry.

Everyone said I would grow out of it, that as I got older, I would be able to control it. But here I was, at twenty-two, still unable to control myself.

The Blood Prince, however, had complete and utter control over his family's element. Like the name says, he could use the water in a person's blood to physically manipulate them.

"Princess, are you alright?"

I blinked, bringing myself back into reality. To my right was the Major General of the Crimson army. He had been tasked with escorting me to the capital city of the Cyan Kingdom.

He was young for a Major General at twenty-seven, but after the battle two years ago, we lost so many of our high-ranking officers. In turn, many young men were promoted to higher positions than they would normally hold.

"Yes, I'm quite alright." I answered.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather ride in the carriage?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.

I tightened my grip on the reigns of my horse, Scarlet. "No," I said, "the fresh air feels good."

He nodded. "Alright."

The sun had begun to set and we decided to make camp for the night. I watched as the soldiers set up the tents, those with lingering royal blood lighting the fires with a wave of their hand. I gritted my teeth. They made it look so easy, and it annoyed me.

"Something wrong, Davina?"

I turned to see my cousin, Aaden, standing behind me. His mother was my father's half sister, so his blood was only a quarter royal, but he had more use of his power than I would ever have. With him being so far from the line of succession, he had joined the army at the age of eighteen. Now, at twenty-six, he was a Colonel.

I scoffed. "Don't speak to me so plainly, cousin." I narrowed my eyes. "I am a princess, after all."

"And the future queen of our enemy," he retorted.

I glared at him. "You think I want to do this?" I snapped.

"I think you should have said no." He folded his arms. As a member of the royal family, even distant, he had a seat on the war council and was present at the meeting with the Cyan Princess.

"Good thing I don't care what you think," I retorted back. "Don't you want this war to end?"

He laughed shortly. "Do you think it will be so easy?" He leaned in close, his mouth almost touching my ear. "Once the Blood Prince discovers that you're defective, he'll throw you aside and the war will rage on, worse than ever."

I felt rage bubbling up inside me, and my fists burst into flames, only causing Aaden to chuckle as he stepped back.

"Quite the fire cracker huh?" He raised his brows and spread open his arms. "Go on, see if you can hit me!"

"Come closer and I'll show you," I sneered.

"Princess!"

I felt the flames die as the Major General stepped in between Aaden and me.

"What are you thinking, Colonel Pirro?" He snapped.

"Oh, please, Dimitri, this is between family," Aaden sneered.

"You renounced any claim to the throne you had when you joined the army," he paused for a second. "And I am your superior. So stand down." He squared his shoulders. "And it's Major General Lane to you, Colonel."

Aaden muttered something under his breath and stormed away.

"Thank you," I said. "Aaden has always been a bit... hot headed, to say."

"So I've noticed." He looked at me. "It's been awhile since I've seen you, Princess."

"I suppose it has," I said.

Seven years, to be exact. In that time, we had both grown up. Dimitri had been my brother's closest friend growing up, as his father was the General of the Crimson army. We'd played together as children, but that felt like a lifetime ago.

"You should get some sleep, Princess," Dimitri said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Right," I sighed. I turned and began to walk towards my tent when he stopped me by grabbing my hand.

I froze in surprise. His touch felt unfamiliar, yet comforting at the same time.

"Are you sure about this?"

It was a loaded question, and a million different thoughts flew through my mind.

"Yes."

He nodded solemnly and released my hand.

I laid in my cot that night, staring at the canvas roof of the tent. The sounds of crickets combined with the rush of the nearby river was almost defining, making it next to impossible for me to fall asleep.

I rolled over and stared at my hands. A tiny flame sprouted from my index finger. Concentrating, I tried to light my middle finger as well, but the small flame spurred out in response.

Groaning I rolled again, and eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.