thieves of dawn

prologue

When I was born, I was loved. I had presents, poems, and loving parents... or so I thought.

When I was a child I begged my mother to let me play with the other kids. She agreed and to the winter festival I went. Back then I didn't know how to control my temper, every time I felt cheated or angry my eyes would change from a sapphire blue to a fiery red.
Once I arrived I saw that the ceremonial fire had not been lit. I stared at them struggling to do such a simple task. People saw me staring and bowed saying, "All hail Princess Rosalie!"

I ignored them and slowly stepped towards the kindling, my red dress trailing behind me. I stood in front of the mass of wood. I touched the rough bark with my hand, feeling the spark light in me. It erupted in flames, sending sparks flying into the crisp air.

The village looked at me with wide eyes, each sending a questioning gaze to the next person. I thought I did something wrong, but then they exploded in cheers. I started laughing. Then my father waltzed into town.

He saw the lit fire and bellowed, "Who did this?"

"Princess Rosalie lit the fire!" cheered a little boy.

Father stared at me with something like hatred, then he decreed, "Princess Rosalie will not be allowed to come out of the castle until further notice."

Rage boiled inside me.

"And, she will not be allowed to leave her chambers."

That anger exploded. My eyes turned red in an instant and the people stepped back in shock and terror. A ring of flames encircled my father, trapping him. He only smiled. He looked me dead in the eye and messed with my mind, jumbling thoughts, trapping memories, and stopping actions. I battled against his will, but in the end, I was too weak. he overpowered me. I vowed never to be that weak again as I blacked out. The last thing I remember was the cruel smirk on his twisted face.