Monsters

Chapter 14

*Queen Ember's POV

I woke up the next morning feeling as though something was about to happen. I didn't know what yet but I knew something was going to happen today.

.....

"The Longoria Orphanage is now open."

The orphanage was opened and I looked around at all the children already running around and playing. Several of them coming up to me and talking. But a pair of children in the corner of the room drew my attention. The two looked like polar opposites. The girl with dark brown hair and sharp features.The boy with white hair and softer features. I approached the pair. Hearing the snaps of cameras from outside.

"Hello.I'm Ember. What are your names?"

They looked at each other cautiously. Unsure whether to speak or not.

"I'm Lily. This is my twin brother Thomas." The little girl responded.

"Nice to meet you, Lily and Thomas."

"How long have you been in an orphanage."

"Since we were three," Thomas responded.

"How old are you guys."

"We're six."

"We really hope we get adopted one day.No one seems to want both us...Nobody wants children with powers."

We continued to talk for a while and I really grew to like them.In the middle of us talking a group of boys approached the pair.

"Hey, freaks. Don't bore the Queen with your sob story. It's not like she'll adopt you." They all laughed. The pair looked saddened as they walked away. I felt protective and I realized I would love to adopt them. I stood up. Both of them gave each other worried expressions.

"I'll be right back."

I walked towards the woman who ran the place.

"Such lovely children."

"They are." The woman beamed.

"I think I'd like to adopt two of them."

"Which ones?"

"Thomas and Lily."

The woman's face dropped for a second. Then she smirked."Alright, take 'em.No longer my problem."

I glared at the lady for her tone. She dropped the smirk. I walked towards the pair.

"I think it's about time we go home."

They looked at each other in shock. "We." They said at once.

"Yes, we. Go get your stuff."

They ran up the stairs and both came down with a small bag. We went towards the exit. Immediately being flashed with cameras. Guards flanked us and protected us from the cameramen. I picked up the two and carried them to the car so they wouldn't get lost in the crowd. The boys from earlier looked livid. Others looked expectant or bored. They've probably been adopted several times and returned.I'm not intending on returning them any time soon.

....

We arrived at the castle. The children audibly gasped. I smiled at their reaction. One of the guards came and opened the door for us. Once out of the car they cowered behind me.

"No need to be afraid. He's nice. He'll protect you guys."

The man crouched down to their level and smiled. "Hello there. I'm Justin." He offered his hand to them. Thomas inched forward his sister not far behind. They smiled and took his hand.

"I'm Lily."

"I'm Thomas."

"Princess Lily and Prince Thomas." They looked confused at the titles attached to their names.

"You're my children making you royalty."

We entered the castle and showed them to their rooms.

"Wanna see something really cool ?"

They looked at each other and nodded. I went into the closet and pushed a brick. They were astonished at the secret passageway. I led them down the corridor to a room only royals and a few trusted servants knew about and had access to The Crown Room. The room was filled with all sorts of crowns, tiaras and other headpieces that were meant for royalty only. The children looked around amazed.

"What are your favorite colors?"

"Blue," Thomas said.

"Red," Lilly replied.

I pulled out two carts. One with red crowns the other with blue.

"Pick one. Each of you."

Lily picked a tiara with gold crown vines and rubies and garnets carved into roses along with the design. Thomas, on the other hand, chose a very plain gold crown with blue sapphires. I placed their new crowns on their heads. We went back to their room where Alice sat waiting with two tailors. They went about startling the poor children. Running around, measuring them, holding up pieces of different fabrics against them before they could register what was happening. But as quickly as they came they left.

*Ten Years Later* *Thomas' POV*

A couple of things happened within the span of ten years. The house where the Rescued once lived was found and burned to the ground. They now live in Zairyn until they find a new safe haven. Lily and I adjusted to the royal life rather quickly. We are now sixteen. While I don't usually worry about much. I worry about Lily or maybe it's a twin thing. But I couldn't help but feel protective of her. It doesn't help that she is enchanting in her beauty. If a guard or lord or anyone looks at her for too long they'll be a victim of me staring daggers into them. It's good we're nowhere near a large body of water or else they would have drowned. Currently imagining someone choking on water. The newest person trying to court my sister prince Sabastian Dandridge. I could tell from her bored expression that she was uninterested in the guy. But he was not taking the hint. I decided to intervene.

"Hey sis, mom wanted me to show you something in the garden."

She stood up and all but ran towards me. Following me to the garden. Princess perfect composure as she did so. But as soon as we were out of ear and eyeshot her composure melted. "Oh.My.Goodness.Thank you so much, Tommy. He would not shut up. He kept bragging about his riches, and the kingdom he'll soon inherit. Dude probably is so oblivious to the fact that soon he'll have no kingdom by the end of the week." She said chuckling.

I chuckled as well. Our mother went on a rampage as of recently destroying all kingdoms involved in recent assassination attempts. Some kingdoms offering their heirs in honor of a marriage alliance. Both of us weren't interested in the offers. All of them a bunch of stuck up snobs who think they're better than everyone. Just because you have a crown on your head doesn't mean you are any better than anyone. Probably because we know what it's like to be on both ends. To be begging for scraps on the streets and being able to have whatever we want.

"I'm getting so tired of all these princes trying to marry me ...Is it too late to go back to being invisible?" She pouted and leaned her head into my chest hugging me. I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her.

"We could, but it would be futile. Mom would be worried and looking for us if we did decide to just run away."

She pulled her face from my chest and looked up at me."We could go on a trip somewhere just the two of us...after we lose the guards."

"Unless we take Lourdes. There is absolutely no way to be able to lose them without consequences for the guards.'

"She'd kill me too. But I'd regenerate." Lourdes came down from the heavens.

"Children, you aren't trying to run away are you?"

We looked at each other and shook our heads.

"Good. Your mother comes home tomorrow. Go alert the staff."

She flew off. Leaving us to turn to the castle.

'We're still running aren't we?'

'Yep.When the opportunity presents itself.'