"Happy birthday, your grace!" Myra, the handmaiden closest to me in age, throws open my curtains to let the sunlight in.

"Happy birthday, your grace!" Her older sister Orla echos her as she brings in a tray of assorted fruit for breakfast along with a heafty pile of pancakes: my favorite.

I let the girls eat with me while we chat like we do every morning. They fill me in on the boys they like, on the town gossip, and on the general consensus of what the townspeople think of me. Many of the townspeople have never seen me in their lifetime. I'm the elusive princess, locked up in the protected castle just like all the fairy tales would lead them to believe. Some have always doubted my existence, but many believed in me, and many believed that I would save Vulaira. And maybe even save all of Espia from the return of Vorpheus. Although, for the past two years some hope has dwindled. I know plenty believe I don't exist, or think that I'm a fraud. Myra and Orla tend to gloss over those opinions, but I've asked them to be honest. Even if it stings.

Today, opinion seems mostly positive, which puts me in a good mood. I daydream about having my powers while the sisters get me ready. They ramble excitedly about what they think the powers will feel like and what the Goddess Iena will say to me. The mood is cheery and light until my father, King Cedric IV, storms into the room.

"Elia, you're late for prayer! On this day, of all days? Do you not want what you've been destined to have, what you've so luckily been given?" He finishes off with a frustrated grunt before I can apologize, stomping out of the room with as much angry energy as he came in with. The sisters try to comfort me with warm smiles and soft voices, but I know my father's frustration is built on years of waiting for me to prove I have the gift that will save us all.

Tears build in my eyes against my will. I force them back as best I can as I make my way to the Sacred Temple. Located inside the castle, my parents and I are relatively safe as we make the walk. Just in case, our armored knights walk beside us. My father's knights had been with him for years. To my left was Auden Carnell, my knight for the past two years who was knighted on the day of my sixteenth birthday. To my right was a new addition. Rylan Claybourne, freshly knighted last night and due to the timing may as well have been gifted to me for my eighteenth birthday.

The two men couldn't be more different from each other. Auden gives me one of his trademark smirks, mouthing "happy birthday" when he thinks my father isn't looking. His dirty blond curls and dark green eyes made him a favorite of the girls in the castle along with his charm. He was easily an older brother figure for me despite us looking nothing alike. But Rylan was different. Deep brown hair with flecks of copper, warm brown eyes, and an expression that never wavered from serious. Even now he remains stoic, never looking at me. I'd barely heard him speak outside of pledging his duty last night. He reminds me of what a stereotyped knight would be. I almost wish I could have gotten someone fun like Auden.

I'm kneeling before the statue of Goddess Iena before my mind can even register it. My eyes close. I steady my breathing. Without hesitation, I bow down and kiss the feet of the statue. As I've done many times before, I block out everyone and everything and begin my prayer. This is no time to beg. No time to ask. Just to listen. But I was met with silence so many times that the soft, melodic voice nearly startles my eyes open.

Young one, the voice murmurs. The voice that must be hers. Goddess Iena.

It is not yet your time. Love will bring your power forth.

When I'm brought back to reality, the shame is so heavy it feels like I've been hit with it. The tears I was trying to hold back earlier flow freely now. It's just like my father always told me. I'm not enough. I haven't done enough.

"What is it, darling?" My mother kneels beside me.

"She spoke to you! She must have!" My father remarks with anticipation. "What did she say?"

"She..." I choke out, trying not to sob in front of everyone who has depended on me all these years. "She said I'm not ready yet."

There's murmurs of confusion. Gasps of surprise. People are speaking to me but it's too much to take in. I'm answering as best I can, yet it only seems to bring more questions. My mother realizes my struggle and wraps an arm around me to guide me up.

"Love," my father scoffs. "This is why we need to find her a husband! One of the Winterson boys from Coldwater. Or Prince Jarrett Baltaer-" His suggestions are cut off by a scream of terror. I look over to see a cloud of purple smoke, signifying Vorpheus magic. Dark Ones are here.

One of my father's knights has fallen, crimson blood pooling onto the ancient temple floor. The Dark One stands over him, no scary cloak or evil grin. Just a boy nearly my age, eyes turned completely black, sword in hand. He's charging toward my family, bright violet sparks flying from his hands. Auden and Rylan are immediately at my side.

Goddess Iena, I find myself praying again. Please. Let me protect them. I try to will magic forward. A shield? A fireball? A wave of energy? Something. ANYTHING.

Nothing happens, until I watch Auden leave me. A part of me wants to cry out. To grab him and hold him back. Command him to stay. Yet he moves too fast. He draws his sword and stabs the boy while his magic is being wasted on other knights. The boy falls to the ground, too young and inexperienced to defend himself properly. Auden stabs him again. The last thing I see before Rylan drags me away is the boy's eyes returning to their normal shade of sky blue, never to close again.