Amberley
As Eli lifted my shirt, I couldn't help but flinch away from his eyes. I was so ugly, so broken... Eli was probably disgusted by the scars.

"I'm sorry," Eli says before dragging a finger down my back, his powers leaving a slight burning in its wake. I shiver at the gentle human contact I had lived so long without.

"I know they're hideous," I whisper. As Eli's fingers travel around my back, a slight tingling occurs. His powers were amazing, I wish I could heal, all I could do was inflict suffering.

"I think they show how strong you are. No normal person could have gone through what you did and come out human on the other side," he says, pulling my shirt down.

I turn to him and marvel at just how big he is. He towers over me even now when we sitting together on my bed.

"Evan thinks so to, you know," he starts. That past anger bubbles to the surface once again and I struggle to keep my voice even.

"He has a horrible way of showing it."

Eli smiles and shrugs his shoulders as if he's used to people complaining to him about Evan.

"He's always used his cockiness to block out his feelings. He doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve and he intends to keep it that way."

"Evan is strong... I want to be like him. I want to fight and be able to stand up for myself. I'm tired of being powerless... I want to find who I really am."

Elijah nods and claps his hands together. "Then every night we'll meet at the training room and I'll show you how to fight and be strong."

My eyes widened. Would he really do that for me? "I don't..."

Eli shushes me with a finger to his lips. "Just don't tell Evan because he'll get jealous."

Eli and I's conversation sways from Evan but my mind stays on him. His golden hair and eyes, his moods and games. He intrigued me.

A hour later, I change into my bed shorts and a t-shirt before climbing into my bed. Evan hasn't came back from his shower yet and I have a feeling he went to the training room first. I had noticed he went there a lot. I regret going their by myself... but now that Eli had volunteered to train me, maybe I could learn what Evan loved about it so much.

I couldn't help but wonder who he was exactly and why his eyes seemed so familiar. Maybe he had appeared in my dreams before the last two recent dreams. Maybe a childhood memory?

I made sure I turned my back to his bed. I couldn't stand to look at him. He infuriated me just as much as he infatuated me. Besides, he probably wouldn't want to see my face anyways. I was ugly to him.

The door creaked open and I feigned sleep. His footsteps echoed across the room and I recognized his gaunt. Even Evan's walk screamed cockiness.

He turned off a light and I felt his presence as he laid on the bed besides mine. I could faintly smell his musky body wash. Silence passed for a few minutes before I heard his voice.

"I'm scared of you," he whispered.

I was so shocked I forgot about my pretending to be sleeping and turned around. I could only make out fair hair and eyes in the darkness. He knew I was pretending to sleep. I blushed.

"Scared of me?" I question quietly. "Why?"

"Because you could ruin everything. Your smile, your laugh, your face, your voice, your eyes, they could ruin everything."

I felt my stomach drop. He hated me. I couldn't help but hear my fathers voice echo in my head. He said something similar before if I recall.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, turning around and hugging myself.

"You scare me because I've never felt this way before for anyone. And it's only been a week," he restates.

I furrow my eyebrows at this. What did he have to be so mean? I know he hates me but did he have to run it in my face.

"Why do you hate me? Because I'm a Princess? Because I'm a horrible person?" I question.

I feel Evan get up. I'm scared that he's going to hurt me. I feel my whole body tense as he makes his way toward me.

I nearly scream as he enters my bed. Pulling my covers over him. I feel his hand on my shoulder and he pulls me toward him. I am shaking everywhere and feel a tear make its way down my cheek as he pulls me against his muscled body. My back is against his chest as he wraps his arms around me. I feel his lips press my shoulder lightly.

"I don't hate you. I don't give a shit if you're a princess and you're definitely not a horrible person. I don't know how I feel about you but it's not hatred, trust me," he says as he pulls me closer.

I'm stiff as he embraces me. I couldn't believe it. The feeling of arms around me was so foreign that for the first time in my life, I felt warm.

"I'm sorry, Amberley." He whispers, his breath tickling the back of my neck.

As if my body had its own mind, it was twisting as I flung my arms around Evan and placed my face against his chest. I didn't know I was crying until I felt the sobs rack my body and Evan rubbing the back of my head soothingly.

"Tell me, tell me who did this to you," he whispered. Pulling me closer to his hard body. I couldn't breath. Should I tell him, do I trust him? Evan seemed to sense my hesitation because he whispered in my ear,"You can trust me, no one can hurt you here."

I sucked in a shaky breath before deciding I would spill my heart to him. I had held in so many thoughts and feelings that it felt like dam was being broken open.

"My father, the King." I sobbed.

Evan cursed and rubbed my hair back soothingly. "He did this to you, he hurt you." I nodded and I was afraid to look at his expression. Would he be disgusted with me after learning the full truth?

"He broke me, Evan. I'm nothing, I'm broken," I cry into his chest. My heart seemed to physically hurt as I confessed the thought that had been my demon for years.

"You're broken, I'm broken, we're all broken Amberley. Thats what makes us so damn strong."

His words weren't making me feel any better. My negative thoughts seemed to pelt my like bullets as they sunk into my skin.

"I'm a ugly abomination. No one will ever want me, think I'm beautiful. Rene said so herself."

Evan scoffed and gripped my chin, tilting it up. His eyes bored into mine and he seemed pained and troubled. I nearly exploded as he swiped his thumb against my cheek, wiping away my tears.

"You're beautiful and you'd be surprised how many people would want to be me right now. You heard the boys on the first day, they're obsessed with you," he said with a smile. I was on fire.

"They said I was a man," I giggle. My tears have ceased and I'm surprisingly content as I wrap my arms around Evans waist. He sighs and continues to rub my head.

"You should get some sleep, I'm betting tomorrow is going to be a big day for you."

I felt his power in my head. It was like small waves lapping against my skull, pulling me into a deep sleep.

I wondered if Evan would be there when I woke.

~

The next day, was the start of a new world. No one taunted me. No one whispered as I passed. They smiled and waved at me as I passed. For the first time in my life... I felt respected.

And throughout the next two weeks, I went to my classes and they actually were beneficial. Samara Alvar had even brought in the vocal trainer from a Specialty Class to teach me how to man my powers better. We learned that different scales affected the feelings of people differently. There was tenor, baritone, alto, soprano... it was all exciting.

And I 'worked out' , as Eli would call it, two times everyday (once in Coach Lawley's class and once with Eli after dinner) and once on the weekends. Eli made me run some nights, made me lift weights or fight the punching bag. What really excited me though, was the sharp objects. Something about holding a sword or a bow made me feel powerful.

After every exhausting day, I slept with Evan at night, his strong arms stroking me until I was pulled into sleep. Eli, Jackson, Jeffery and I had become quite good friends. They laughed without me for the first week but soon, I found myself laughing as well.

It seemed like my years in Adana were burning out of my mind every day I was here in Clandestine. I hadn't even had a nightmare since my last one two weeks ago. Maybe I could forget about that life altogether.

My speech in training seemed to cause a riot among the Altrus. They all were so nice to me. Offering me spots at their lunch tables, complimenting me on my progression in training, and calling greetings to me while I traveled the large expanse of hallways.

I continued to tell Evan little parts of my life at the castle every night. Some stories were easy and brought smiles to my face but other made tears swell in my eyes.

"Did you have any friends at the castle?" Evan questions. We were currently walking toward Alvar's class. My throat already felt raw at the vocal exercises I would no doubt do for an hour straight.

"There was a boy once, we were only kids but he was my best friend. He left," I admitted. I was too embarrassed to say that that little boy was Sterling Valentino, the heir to Iniquitous. He was supposed to be my enemy.

Evan seemed taken aback by this. I frowned as he glanced nervously away. I glanced at him and his golden hair and wondered why exactly he stayed with me every night.

"He had hair like yours actually."

"Hmm," Evan pondered. "Must've been a ladies man."

I smiled at the memories of Sterling. He definitely was a ladies man... minus the time he stuck a frog in my shoe.

~

After dinner, I turned to Evan to say goodbye but he was already standing by the table. He glared down at me.

"You told me you go to the library every night..."

My eyes widen at his furious expression. "I do?"

"Then why did Eli just ask me to tell you that he's going to be a little late to training tonight?"

I swung my legs over the table and stood up in front of Evan. He glowered down at me, using his towering height to intimidate me. It was working.

"Eli's been giving me extra training..."

"Yes... and why am I not involved in this extra training?"

I shrugged and moved to step around Evan. I haven't meant to keep this a secret but I didn't see why I had to tell him. His hand clamps on my arm.

"Because Eli offered and I didn't want to bother you."

Evan's hard gaze softens and he releases me. "I'm coming with you tonight."

~

Eli was leaning against a sword rack as we entered the weapons room. His eyes widen slightly as he sees Evan and I offer him a hidden mouthing of the word 'sorry'.

"What have you taught her?" Evan questions harshly. Oh he's angry about this. Great, maybe he'll start to hate me again.

"It's only been a few weeks..." Eli starts.

Evan groans dramatically and lifts two swords before throwing one at me. I shriek and barely manage to grab the hilt of the sword without slicing my hand off.

"Evan!"

"Amberley!" He mocks me. My eyes narrow and I lift my sword, remember the tips and rules of sword fighting.

Evan had thoroughly beaten me multiple times before I gave up. My arms ached and my legs felt like they were on fire. Eli had said his goodbyes thirty minutes ago and Evan and decided to stay and spar.

"I don't know how you do it! You almost look like my father's Soldiers," I groan out.

He smirked at me as he slid the two swords back into their racks. "You'll get better... it's taken me ten years to get this good."

"Ten years... you really think we'll be down here that long?"

Evan walks up to me with and wipes at the sweat on his brow. Oh please... he barely even lost his breath.

"Who knows. Every year we get the option to leave. So if you want to, go ahead," I hear the venom in his voice as he turns away.

"Why don't you leave, Evan? Since your so high and mighty... nothing can hurt you out there? Right?"

Evan spins around and glares at me. He walks forward until our bodies are neatly pressed against each other. My breath increases as I take in the man in front of me. He's so open with his words yet I always feel like he's keeping some big secret.

"Evan..." I murmur, his eyes darkening and glancing down at my lips.

"Amberley?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" No ones every looked at me like this.

"Because I'm angry at you."

"For what?"

"For seeing Eli every night when you could have been with me..."

I sigh and my eyes fall to Evan's muscular chest. "He only wanted to help."

I felt Evan's fingers grip my chin gently and lift my head so my eyes met his again. His golden eyes... so familiar. My eyes close as he leans forward.

Suddenly, he pulls back and starts out the room. "Let's go... all that winning made me exhausted."

I followed but scowled at his muscular back. How infuriating!

~

I am sitting in a hard cold seat. I look down at myself. No not just any seat, a throne. And I'm not myself. I am wearing my fathers rich robes and three ruby rings. My head also feels heavy and I know if I reach up I'll find the gold and gem encrusted crown atop my head.

My fathers body stands up, and I realize that I couldn't control my... my fathers movements even if I wanted to.

"Send him in!" My fathers voice booms from my own throat. I was to cringe away from the sound but can't... I'm not really here but for some reason I'm seeing what my fathers hearing, feeling and touching.

A few guards enter the room with terrified expressions on their faces. They are scared at what my fathers reaction will be, I'm sure of it.

An old man comes strutting man. He's the type of old men that you wouldn't guess are old but their bodies but their wrinkled faces give it away. He bows to my father but stands quicker than average. This man is important.

"What's the news Hollard?" My fathers voice is stern but even I can detect the slight insanity behind his tone.

"Michael and his family have successfully taken over the remaining kingdom, Qudor. He and the Unfeeling are now the soul power in the East, South and North."

My fist clench tightly and I feel the coldness of the rings bite into my skin. "Wrong, I AM STILL IN POWER," my father yells.

The man Hollard, nods his head respectfully. I see the doom behind his eyes.

"You're highness, we are going to need a leader who is not only sound minded but also numb to personal vendettas and betrayals. I suggest... finding an outlet for your fury. It's best to take it out on something productive than on your people."

I sense the shift in my father, the contemplation. I also sense the shift in the very essence of his being. It's almost like his sanity was balancing on the tip of a needle and a gust of wind over the edge.

"How about I take my fury out on one person instead of all of my citizens. A sacrifice, if you will," my voice rumbles.

The man shrugs and moves back and forth on his feet. "I'll get you a sparring partner, your highness."

"I don't want a sparring partner... I want my daughter."

Hollard stares for a split second before his eyes widen and he blanches. "Sir, your daughter?"

"Bring her to me, Hollard. That's an order."

The man sucks in a regretful breath but soon does as he says, walking out the door more determined that when he walked in.

I suddenly know exactly what's going to happen next. I hear voices outside the throne room and the door opens. Only it isn't the old man Hollard.

My eight year old self comes in slowly. My old self is well groomed, filled out and... happy. She's carrying a pretty fair haired doll in her small hands.

"Father," she's says, loving lacing her words. I am standing now, walking towards her like a predator stalking its prey.

"My dear Amberley."

My old self smiles and places her doll by her feet, freeing her hands.

"A man told me to see you,"the eight year old version of me says sweetly.

My hands are traveling to my waist now. If I could scream, I would do it a thousand times. My large hands slowly but deftly unlatch the metal hook of my belt and pull into front the loops in my pants.

My old self's smile drops as she stares at the leather, confused.

"Father?" She asks.

"From now on, you will address me as King, Your Highness or sir. Now turn around."

I am internally screaming. I am begging the little girl to run and never look back. I know how this will end.

My little self turns around. I raise my hand and stare at the leather belt - wondering, processing and promising. The little girl doesn't expect anything, even when I raise my hand against my will and slam the belt hard against her back.