Who We Are

Prologue

Darkness clung to the city of Emorris like a leech, bleeding the warmth from its rocks, bricks, and mortar. It snaked through the streets, penetrating every heart that lodged along the twisting roads of the normally joyful town. The Darkness spared none its hopelessly frigid touch.

At the end of the city stood the castle. The Darkness moved through the halls to the solar where seven hunched figures sat. The heavy drapes were no match for the chill that road the Darkness and it revealed in the fear that now encompassed the hearts of the Emorris royals.

"Are you sure this is the wisest course of action, Terrin?" King Benedict asked, squeezing Cristiana's hand as she nervously stroked her bulging stomach.

"Aye, my king. Torrent's threats are not in vain. She wants this kingdom and as long as there are heirs to the throne ..." their advisor swallowed visibly, "then sending them to the Otherworlds is the only viable option."

"We could hide them here," argued Queen Helena, as she stood from her seat to pace. Her hand kept straying to clutch her belly where her babe was safely cocooned. "I don't wish to be parted from them."

"How long would we have to be apart?" King Marius asked Terrin, wrapping his arm protectively around his wife, Arabella.

Terrin sighed quietly. "According to Ellis, sixteen to eighteen years."

A small sob slipped past Cristiana's lips as she buried her face into Benedict's shoulder.

"You must be insane, Terrin!" Davin bellowed as Helena sank back to the settee beside him. "Why would you tell us to send our children away for that long? Surely Emorris is equipped to protect them better than the Otherworlds."

The staccato of little feet against the stone floors echoed in the corridor as Tern's children, Rowan and Ryia, rushed in with a shriek.

"Make him stop, Papa!" Ryia cried, cleaning to her father's legs as Rowan sung his toy sword at his sister with a gleeful giggle.

"Rowan. We've been over this." Terrin plucked the toy form his son's hands and tucked it under his arm. "Apologize to your sister."

"Why?" Rowan asked, genuine puzzlement on his face that had a few of the queens chuckling softly.

"Because Ryia asked you to stop, yet you did not."

"But I'm not sorry, Papa. We were just playing."

"Rowan ..." Terrin hoped the sternness in his tone was masking the mirth he was feeling.

A long-suffering sigh escaped Rowan before he mumbled, "Sorry, Ryia."

"Thank you." Ryia smoothed her skirt, straightening in a regal way. "I forgive you."

She tossed a smile to the kings and queens before turning on her heal and racing out the solar door once more.

Terrin pulled Rowan onto his lap, kissing the top of his head. "That wasn't so hard now, was it my son?"

"No, Papa."

Terrin turned back to the royal families. "I want to send your children away, your highnesses, to protect them. To let them have a childhood before they are thrown into the political turmoil that is plaguing the Highlands. If they stay here, they will always be living in fear. I want them to run and play and laugh while they can. Even if that means they don't get to be with you."

Silence settled over the couples. Each were lost in their thoughts of the future. What they desired and hoped for and the reality of what was coming for them and their children.

Benedict broke the silence at last. "I think we must send them."

Cristiana cradled her stomach, tears in her eyes. "Are you certain, my love?"

"I will do anything to keep our child alive and safe, Cristiana." Benedict pressed a kiss to his wife's head. "Even if that means sending them to another world."

"Aye," Marius agreed as Davin nodded.

"I don't like it," Arabella whispered, clutching Marius' hand, "but if we are certain it is the will of the True One, then I trust Him to keep them safe."

"Well said, my queen," Terrin said, hugging Rowan tightly. "May the True One bring them back to us, in His good and perfect time."

As the royals of Emorris bowed their heads to pray, the Darkness slithered away, taking the chill with it. For where the power of the True One rested, the Darkness could not abide.