The Last

The Queen moved first. She walked with a predatory grace as she approached Amira. She stood toe to toe with the woman and looked down on her even though she was shorter than the Princess. She looked her up and down once before looking over her shoulder to her son.

“Caldwin,” His name was a command, one that did not need explanation. He approached and placed the warded bracelet back on Amira’s wrist, eyes apologetic before he backed off again. Amira only smiled faintly to him with a small nod of her head, before she returned her focus to the Queen.

“Your daughter is right,” the Princess spoke calmly, not allowing herself to be threatened by this woman. “Your parents won years ago because of their allies, and the element of surprise. My sister is older than me and trained properly with our top commanders. She will be larger and stronger, and will have no mercy for you, your family, or your people as she has already expressed that even I am as good as dead to her.”

“You think I am not aware of this child?” The Queen snapped at her. “I was left to deal with the remains of my parents’ legacy, I hunted your kind to the ends of the earth myself. I know how to put a beast like you down, as you belong.” She snarled before turning on her heel and walking away. “I will fight your sister myself if I have to,” she said over her shoulder, walking straight through her children who stepped aside to let her pass through. “She will fall. Just like the others.” Was her last statement to the group as she stormed off the ruined field, black cloak billowing behind her.

Zara cast her brother and Amira an apologetic glance before she hurried off after her mother leaving Amira alone with Caldwin and Rollo. She pulled the jacket in tighter around herself as she remembered exactly why she was upset with them in the first place. The two friends stood side by side waiting for her to move first. It was funny how similar and how different they were, Cal with his hands in his pockets, indifferent expression on his face, simply waiting. Rollo standing with his arms crossed over his chest, unable to meet her gaze, yet he kept looking as if he wanted to. Amira crossed the small space to Cal, walking directly past Rollo, their moment of fun and harmony did not outweigh the pain he had caused.

Caldwin smiled softly as his mate approached. He had been worried she was angry with him, but clearly, that wasn’t the case anymore as she came to his side. She allowed him to wrap an arm gently around her back as they walked off the field in a content sort of quiet, leaving Rollo to trail behind like a scorned dog. ‘Serves him right’ Cal thought however he didn’t let his jealousy break into his expression as they walked.

“Are you okay?” He asked Amira softly, he knew none of this was easy for her. On top of his mother being an absolute bitch to her, yet somehow she didn’t seem phased.

“Yes,” Amira answered, lifting her chin slightly. She was telling the truth, his mother didn’t scare her, and neither did her sister. If she truly wanted her dead then so be it, she supposed that little girl her sister had known died a long time ago anyway. They were strangers truly. Connected by blood and name alone.

“Alright,” a simple acceptance was all Caldwin offered. He didn’t push her on these things and assumed if she wanted to talk she would. Or she would do something drastic which would lead to talking. Either way, he knew better not to press on a topic best left for another time. He saw one of his advisors approaching the field just as they were leaving it. Caldwin shot him a glare that warned him to stay away if he knew what was good for him. The man nearly pissed himself skin blanching but approached cautiously anyways. The pair drew to a halt, Amira catching sight of the man as well, and he hurried up to meet them.

“Your highness’s,” the man bowed deeply but quickly, “I’m so sorry to interrupt,” he spoke quickly his voice thin and weedy, “but Sir, there is someone here to see you,” he finished making sure to keep his eyes on the ground realizing just how little clothing the Princess wore.

“Tell them to wait,” Cal growled annoyed that this was the news that they had to have been interrupted for.

“I-I have tried your highness,” the man sputtered, “They grow impatient,” he said paling even further, catching sight of Cal’s face, eyes having melted to crimson, anger rising steadily. It vanished as quickly as it had come as Amira placed a gentle hand on his arm and looked up to meet his gaze.

“Go greet them,” she said with a soft smile, “It’s okay, I’m okay,” she reassured him, “I’ll get dressed and perhaps meet you for dinner?” She suggested, Caldwin hesitated and the advisor took the second to shoot the Princess an appreciative glance before the large hellhound grumbled, and reluctantly let go of his mate, angling his body slightly so he was facing her.

“Come find me in an hour,” he said leaning forward to press a gentle courteous kiss to her forehead before drawing away. “Not a minute longer,” an obedient nod from Amira sent a long sigh through the Prince’s mouth before he backed away slowly, turning to follow the advisor scurrying off the field.

Amira could feel Rollo hovering, a few paces behind, but she still was in no mood to talk to him, so she marched herself back into the castle and up to her room all on her own. Staring down anyone who thought to look too long in her direction due to her current lack of clothing. She was surprised how confident she felt, how this place was starting to feel like a home, and the Prince’s habits slowly rubbing off on her. She threw those thoughts away however as she walked into her room, the door closed behind her and she dropped Rollo’s jacket on the floor unceremoniously. She walked over to her closet and began sifting through clothing, working on deciding what to wear.

A half an hour later she was ready. She wore a pair of black dress pants with a black leather belt and black heels. Her top she had stolen from Cal, one of his golden silk button-downs that she left entirely unbuttoned besides the last few buttons, tucked into her waistline neatly to create a long slit of exposed skin down the middle while hiding everything else. A golden choker adorned her neck with an additional thin golden chain falling low all the way down between her breasts. Her ever-present bracelet matched her outfit perfectly and Amira was quite pleased with her appearance. She styled her hair in a low and loose bun with a few cute pieces left out to frame her face naturally. A quick natural makeup look and she was ready to go.

Her heels clicked on the marble floors as she walked down the hallway to Caldwin’s main meeting room. As she approached, one of the guards standing by the door stepped up to stop her from entering,

“His highness is not to be disturbed during meetings.” The man said in a rather rude and snarky tone as he looked down on the Princess. Ah, so he must not know who she was, Amira realized and offered the male a demure smile and a small apologetic nod of her head. Just before she turned away however she brought her knee flying up into his genitals. As he cried out in pain and shock and doubled over Amira grabbed him by the scruff of his hair, eyes burning violet as she now looked down on him and offered the male a wicked grin.

“He is for me,” she purred before she threw him back into the wall. Before anyone else could step up to stop her she pushed open the dark oak doors and strode into a small meeting room. What she saw, however, she wished she hadn’t. Standing around the perimeter of the room were girls, in various levels of nakedness all giggling to one another, but that abruptly stopped upon Amira’s entrance.

Caldwin sat in one of the tall backed chairs with a scantily dressed woman seated on his lap facing him. Her hands on his face. His gaze met hers and time slowed. Each heartbeat was a thundering roar in her ears as her eyes remained fixed on the Prince. He opened his mouth to say something, but the woman who was sitting on his lap who looked all too much like a perfect porcelain doll twisted to face her and spoke first.

“Oh darling,” she cooed, “you’re a bit too late and far too overdressed, you’ll have to get in line love.” A soft ringing was all Amira could hear as she stopped breathing. She watched as Caldwin threw the woman off of him and stood up, the woman shrieking in annoyance from where she landed on the floor, screaming all sorts of profanities at him, but neither he nor Amira heard them. His face was filled with a thousand apologies, his eyes so desperate and sad, and yet Amira was a blank wall.

She released a breath in a slow shudder and the world was launched back into motion. Cal crossing the room towards her carefully, hand extended towards her ever so slightly as if any fast movement would startle her into a reaction. The roaring didn’t stop. She could feel her skin becoming warmer and warmer as her magic rose and yet had no outlet, there was no threat. With each beat of her heart reality drew closer, as did Cal slowly inching his way towards where she was rooted to the spot.

She didn’t feel the flames as her skin slowly began to burn she didn’t even look as her gaze was pinned on his anguished features. He was mere steps from her now, and suddenly, she snapped. She blinked once golden eyes seeming to focus on the room once more and the flames wrapping around her arms winked out of existence. Caldwin took another step towards her, if he wanted to he could reach out to touch her now, but she knew he wouldn’t.

“Amira,” He said her name softly, like a prayer and a plea all wrapped up in one, and it broke her.

“Take it off,” she spoke gently as she lifted her arm, golden bracelet flashing in the light.

“Amira please,” Cal begged, “It’s not what it looks like I swear, let me explain-” Amira did not let him explain. She moved faster than he expected her to, grabbing his wrist and forcing his hand onto that bracelet, and tearing it off of her. She did not care that it bled, she did not care about the pain, emotional or physical, his or hers, as she turned on her heel and walked out of that room. She did not care about the screeching woman or how Cal fell to his knees as she left. She did not care about any of it at all.

She hit the open air of the fields she’d been in only hours before. She shifted, and was gone, flying off into the night, and vanishing into the clouds.