Running away was the most selfish and wisest thing I could have ever done. Running was the sole chance I had of survival. I knew that day was coming, I just never expected it to be this soon. I made an effort to keep myself and my- brother... my poor brother at the crown but his selfish ambitions bestowed his execution. I hardly ever imagined that the love of my life would have the guts to end his life.

My aching feet drew me to my knees as the tears surged down my face. I am completely alone. That bastard left me in the hands of a mad king who's willing to kill anyone who stands in his way of his precious Sienna.

I felt this rage fuel inside me. What's so special about her? My brother went to all ends to assert his dominion over her. Cyan broke off our wedding for her and even Duncan is foolishly in love with her!

Pulling myself to my feet I kicked a trash can as far as I could. Tearing garbage bags, empty boxes, and wooden planks apart that were placed in an alleyway for the weekend trash pickup.

A lengthy whistle echoed throughout the alley and I stopped in my tracks. Scanning the dark sky for any sign of Cyan and his new crew. My heart pounded in my chest as I knew my fate had been sealed today.

"Hey, pretty lady."

I turned around to the origin of the voice. I took a deep breath in.

"What do you losers want?", I raised a question while I crossed my arms. I had no intentions of showing these scumbags my vulnerability. I am still their princess, for now.

"We are here to side with you" One spoke as they made their way closer to me.

"For what? You guys obeyed my brother and guess what? He is dead". Deep down, I hoped they would follow me as they did my brother. I needed their help if I was to go after the one person Sienna will truly hate to get hurt.

"You are our princess, our beloved future Queen. Your brother had a future for us but unfortunately he was blinded by a redheaded halfer".

"A stupid mistake", another added.

"Watch it that's my brother who you speak of" I wasn't going to let anyone insult my late brother, that was my job.

"What he's trying to say is- your highness, is that you can lead us on the path to victory. We can't let what happened to your brother go unnoticed. We must avenge him".

I glanced at the five men in front of me. It's a small group but six is better than one.

" I do have one person I want to get my hands on", I confessed as I walked around the men.

"This person-" I said with a cruel grin coated on my exterior. "Is someone my brother couldn't locate. That is Sienna's beloved little brother".

I placed my hand on the shoulder of the guy who I couldn't remember the name. "Um, Surge is it?"

"No, it's rya-".

" Surge it is," I said with a light smile while I pressed on his shoulder a little too tight. Surge nodded as he tried to hold in the cry. " You and your little crew will head out and find me that rat okay?".

"Yes your highness".

"Excellent! And don't come back till you have him".

Once they cleared out, I let out a deep sigh. I couldn't help but recall the time I met him. My only love.

My father had mentioned to my brothers and me about the downfall of our kingdom. It was inevitable, the war was an ongoing battle that nearly lasted half a decade. Even though the northern kingdom won, the southern kingdom had already wiped out all the ice weavers. Except for one, the future king, who miraculously escaped with the help of those closest to King Zilver and Queen Eira. I remember being told from a young age that I was going to be one of the queen's ladies as soon as I reached the proper age. My father was already a royal in the king's court and my two older brothers were soon to follow my father's steps. They were chosen by the king himself, an absolute honor. Soon after the war had ended my dearest brother, Jax, assassinated my father and two older brothers. He was only thirteen years old at the time. I was only ten then, confused and shocked.

I glimpse at my brother who was wiping blood off his face and hands. I trusted Jax with all my heart so I didn't question his reasons at that time. I knew damn well they deserved it. I just wished I had the courage to do it myself. I envied Jax for it.

" Do you think he is in there?" I asked him as we both made our way to the small cottage that was hidden deep in the woods.

"Well, I didn't just waste my time killing these assholes for nothing did I sister?" He replied with a semi-smile that barely reached his cheekbone.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"He's in there alright. All the information we have gathered directed us to here", Jax said while his eyes narrowed at the cottage that was reaching a closer view.

"You have said that before. We've been on the search for six years remember or do I need to refresh your memory", I gathered the hems of my skirt and hurried on.

The spring field had a palette of greens. A net of clover and sun-strengthened grass, tainted with the blood of the men my brother had just killed. Their bodies scattered around the field like wildflowers in bloom.

"Wait for me loser. I take lead since I'm in charge". Jax picked up his pace trying his best to put a good few feet of distance in front of me. I sulked as he moved with confidence, snickering as he noticed my quarrel with my ivory gown. The corset rendered it difficult for me to breathe and all the layers of the skirt made it disastrous to keep up.

We were barely five feet from the door and I couldn't help but feel nervous. This was our last chance. If we fail then we have lost our king for good.

Jax was about to turn the knob when I gripped his shoulder, stopping him from doing so. "Jax".

"What now Darla?!" He turned around as his eyes glared down at me in outermost annoyance.

"Maybe I should go in this time," I told him.

"That's outrageous. It can be a trap- What if there are more men in there, waiting for us to enter. I won't let my sister fall by the hands of these monsters".

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, if that out to be true, they are just humans who you and I have slain with just a flick of our fingers. They will need a lot more to kill this girl here", I said with a reassuring smile.

Jax was about to protest again but I placed a hand against his chest. "Trust me on this one. Give me one minute and if you don't hear from me then you can come with your almighty wrath and kill them all".

Jax hesitated for a minute before nodding and taking a step back.

Gently patting my skirt down, I opened the door and entered. Everything was a complete mess. The smell of rotten vegetables and fruits was awful, though not as nearly as the smell of foul blood.

" Hello?" I called out.

I waited a second before stepping in any further.

"Your majesty, I know you're in here", I shouted. " I can hear your racing heartbeat..." I mumbled as I started to make my way around the small room.

A shuffling was heard just a few feet from where I was standing. With a delicate grin, I made my way over a pile of barrels and hay. Suddenly, one of those barrels was kicked in my direction, I swiftly moved aside watching it as it rolled away.

I glared as my face turned to look at the suspect who nearly tried to knock me over. I am done playing nice, I confessed in my mind. However, it was washed away instantly as I ogled the guy in front of me.

Sweat seeped from his forehead down to his well-defined jawline. His breathing was heavy either out of fear or exhaustion. I presumed it was both. He was underweight for the one who is supposed to be our king. I could tell he had been on the run all his life. Living out of scraps and the mercy of others.

However, there was a beauty about him. He had the most bewitching grey eyes I had ever seen. Eyes that held a torrent of lightning, hues of blues that came across like a river during a rain pour. There was a melancholy charm about them, that I couldn't help but be drawn to.

His hair was as white as snow. The light that eluded through the window provided his locks a silvering touch. I must confess, I am in love.

"Hi, King Cyan... I am princess Darla", I said, showing my utmost respect with a curtsy.

" I am no king. Don't call me that", he softly replied.

I wanted to protest and tell him he is our king no matter the reason behind neglecting his title but instead, I nodded.

"What do you want?" Cyan asked as he swallowed. He rested his head back against a haystack, his eyes still glaring at me in awareness.

"We've come to save you", I said with absolute sincerity.

"Saving? By you and that boy who's anxiously waiting for you outside- and here he comes".

" DARLA!", Jax called out as he stormed in.

I straighten my posture as I turned to my brother. "I found him".

" You did?" He questioned. Seemed very surprised that he was right after all. Jax came closer, scanning Cyan. "This guy suppose to be our king?".

I nodded with a smile. I made an effort to suppress the flush that ran through my cheeks. I couldn't help but stare at Cyan over my brother's shoulder.

" Well get up. You coming with us" my brother notified him.

"And why should I listen to you?" Cyan questioned.

"If you want to live you should stick with us. If not you can let those people continue to hunt you for decades to come or we can finally do the hunting. Either way, I have finally found you. Whatever happens to you next is your fault" Jax advised before turning on his heel and walking out the door.

"My brother can be a jerk sometimes but I promise I'm nowhere near as rude as he is". I extended my hand towards Cyan, hoping he will take it and commence his life with me... I mean with us.

He hesitated for a moment before placing his slender hand on mine. I assisted him on his feet. We held hands for another few seconds before parting. I noticed how his face had turned bright red and how his heartbeat had increased for just a moment before it settled.

I am solely sixteen but I can tell he's going to be the love of my life.

I pushed that memory to the back of my mind, not wanting it to resurface ever again. I wrapped my arms around my body as I gradually walked away. This agony will only carry me forward to end their miserable lives. Starting with that pest Kaden. Nothing will redeem me from becoming the one true monster Cyan despises me for.