Once Upon a Child of the Stars

Eighteen- No Choice

The treaties were signed between Dyspheria and Hellian, making a perfect alliance of the two planets. Unfortunately, this left me behind, as the day soon came that my father and uncle had to depart from the dark planet. 

"Please! You can not leave me here, Dad! Find a way to take me with you!" I begged, tears streaming down my rosy cheeks leaving wet trails behind. 

"Princess, there is nothing more that I can do. I will return, I promise you that. I know the royal family here will take care of you," he says, trying to soothe my pain. I had never been away from my family, and even the thought of being left behind on this black rock with a mate who hates me for existing had me anxious and consolable. 

Of course, my father thought King Xavian was going to genuinely take care of me and treat me properly. To be fair, he could not have known otherwise. I had a hunch that Raegar knew something was awry, but he kept his lips shut while he stood close to me as my father and uncle prepared to depart. 

"Lumi, you will be fine. You have access to unlimited communication with us. As your father said, we have to go and there is nothing either of us could do to change that fact," Uncle Zor said in a softer tone than his normal monotone voice. 

"I will take care of her, your highnesses," Raegar spoke up softly and confidently. I had no doubt in my mind that he would keep his word as well. 

My father stepped away from my sobbing form and I felt a solid hand on my shoulder, a hand I knew belonged to Raegar. To my surprise, a second, softer hand settled on my shoulder as well. I turned to see former queen Lavina with her gentle motherly hand on my shoulder. 

"There is no need to sob, my dear. You will find your place among us, I assure you. We are all on your side, Luminara," she spoke softly and I looked beyond her to see her husband Ozias, Xiomara, and Kaedian all standing nearby with looks of comfort and promise. Not to my surprise, Xavian was nowhere to be seen, not that I would want him around during this time anyhow. 

I softly dry my tears and Raegar pulls me closer to him and he wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders. 

"Okay," I say softly. My father's face gives a bit of relief, but I can see inside he is no happier about this than I am. My uncle was the same way, a spark of anger flourishing in his purple eyes. 

I stepped forward and into my father's arms once more. He gave me a firm hug, as if holding me tighter would somehow allow me to walk away from this dark rock of  a planet. He pulled away after a few minutes and I turned to my uncle Zor. 

"Please, tell Thora to be safe and that I will contact her soon. And tell everyone else that I love them," I say and he gives me a nod and a brief hug. I can feel his anger on him, but he holds it back. He and I have been close since I was born, and apparently even before so, and he is just as much a father figure to me as my own Dad. 

"I love you," I say to uncle Zor as we pull away fom each other. I then turn to my father, my eyes beginning to pick up the pace of my tears once more. 

"I love you, Daddy," I say and he pulls me in and places a kiss on my forehead. 

"Be safe, Princess. I love you more than the stars," he says before pulling away. They both step back and turn to their ship which we arrived in. My heart tightens as I watch them board the ship, not knowing when the next time I would see my family would be. I feel Raegar pull me in once more. 

"Hey," he says softly, rubbing my shoulder. 

"Let's go inside. I need to clean myself up," I say softly, my voice cracking. 

"Alright, let me take you to your room," Raegar says. 

I turn to face the royal family and Kaedian, all standing pity in their eyes. Lavina looks sad for me, but I see something else within her eyes; hope. Perhaps it is hope for me not to grieve the loss of my home, but I know it is positively hope in her eyes. 

Lavina walks up to me, wrapping her slender arms around my body in a motherly hug. Once she releases me, Ozias too gives me a warm hug. He is easily as large as my father, perhaps with a bit more bulk on his body. His hug reminds me of home, as I was always close to my father, and it brings a thread of comfort to me. 

Xiomara nods to me as I look to her, but my eyes catch another figure in the shadows. The figure of the man who is holding me here for nothing but his own selfish gain. I give a glare, and take Raegar's arm quickly and he escorts me away and to my room. Once we reach it he pauses at my door. 

"Do you need anything?" he asks gently. 

"Nothing I can have," I respond without hesitation. 

"I am so sorry, Lumi," he says in an almost whisper. 

"It is not your fault, Raegar. He probably has had his mind made up since the moment I stepped foot onto Hellian," I say with a roll of my eyes and I cross my arms. 

"It is not right, what he is doing to you. He could easily let you go and be happy elsewhere. You can be free and happy without him, he cannot. He is holding you against your will to be selfish and probably petty as well," Raegar says, his voice shifting to a growl. 

"Hey," I say, placing a hand on his arm. "Relax. There is nothing we can do about it now," 

"I don't believe that. There has to be a way to get you home where you're happy. You don't deserve what he is and will do to you, Luminara. I will get you home, even if we have to sneak away. I promise you," Raegar says in a whisper. 

"Where can I find you after I wash up?" I ask, changing the subject to soften the heavy mood. 

"I will gather you in a few hours. I have some things I need to take care of," Raegar says with a soft smile. "Try not to get eaten this time you're alone, yeah?" he says with a chuckle. 

"Yes, because that was entirely my fault," I say, rolling my eyes. He chuckles as he walks away and I make myself disappear into my bedroom.