Diaries of a Twenty-Six-Year Old Girl

Chapter One: The Prince

The first thing my father ever gave me were the stars.

The second was a dragon.

The third was a kingdom.

And the only thing he ever forbade me… was love.

I was six years old when the God of Veyrath, my father, placed me in Yenworth, the oldest kingdom in the realm. I have no recollection of memories before that, no voice, no image- just darkness.

He left me with the Sanctars—the beings who saw things of the world others were never meant to know.

They raised me in his absence, guiding me and teaching me the laws by which a kingdom must be ruled. They told me that my purpose was to serve his people—to be a light in the darkness.

The light he placed inside of me was strong. I could control men with just my presence. Entire armies had dropped their swords the moment I entered the field, pledging their loyalty and devotion to me and my kingdom.

My name traveled far and while some men came willingly,

Others… not so much.

Some tried to resist, shielding themselves with spells and charms, claiming I had no effect.

But my light was stronger.

Eventually, they all fell.

Because of this, I was forbidden to take a man’s loyalty by force. The Sanctars insisted that patience would win devotion eventually.

I had so much love… yet none was truly mine.

Most of the time, it left me hollow, almost sick.

Controlling men until they were willing to die for me, it felt wrong.

Yet it was the will of my father.

Could something divine truly be wrong?

I never voiced these thoughts to the Sanctars. They would never understand.

And because of this power, they warned me of one other thing,

If I ever were to marry, to fall in love, my kingdom would fall.

And so would I.

A cruel trick, if you were to ask me.

I was barely off my horse when Naula appeared.

She was an ice-white wyvern—my father’s second gift.

The bond we shared was greater than the love any of these men could give me. I pressed my forehead gently to hers.

A panicked voice shattered the quiet

“Sybilla!”

Sadon, It was the only Sanctar who called me by my name—and the closest thing I had ever known to a father.

I had never seen him uneasy.

“Sadon, has something happened?”

“Are you well?”

“Yes, I am well… is something wrong?”

“There is something strange happening” he responded. “Something we cannot see.”

“I do not understand.” I replied.

“There is a stranger here— He has come for you, my dear. Yet there is no word from your father—and we cannot see into this man’s life.” He paused again, “It is… black.”

I frowned. “Sadon, there must be a spell. Something of the supernatural.”

“My dear it is serious.” He snapped.

“… he claims to be descendant of your father.”

Lowering his voice he said.

“And I do not trust him. We have not felt the presence of the almighty for weeks.”

Unease settled into my chest—an unfamiliar feeling.

“Why was I not told?” I demanded.

“We thought it a passing disturbance… a way of the winds. But the tides are changing. The stars… even the astronomical calendar… is shifting.”

This had never happened before but again my Father was unpredictable.

“I will go and speak with him.”

I made my way toward the throne room. Three months from now, in this room, on my twenty-fifth birthday, I would be crowned Queen.

Naula followed close behind, curiosity sparked in her and unease burned in me

Then I saw him.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood waiting. He wore black and gold armor polished like a mirror. His face was hidden beneath a matching helmet etched with designs I had never seen before.

For a split second, I felt threatened. He was different than the rest of the men who had come previously.

Yet I remembered who I was. If he claimed he was Fathers creation I must not forget that Father had created me as well.

“Princess- He paused. “What a pleasure it is to finally meet the one.”

I paused, his voice was cold, yet so familiar, almost like a beautiful song I had once forgotten.

Naula stiffened beside me, sensing my hesitation but I motioned for her to circle this man for we would not show weakness.

“You are here for my throne.” I declared.

“A descendant of my father would make you the male heir—the rightful ruler, some might say.” I tried to make out his face.

“I do not wish to overtake you.”

“Then why have you come?”

“To unite our kingdoms.”

He paused.

“I have come for your hand. A prophecy of Father.”

“Ah. And no one knew of your existence until now?”

“It was not the time.”

It was starting to make sense again. He had come for my hand—just like the others.

Another dreamer.

“If you know Father,” I said, “then you know I cannot marry.”

“You cannot control me.”

He seemed amused.

Likely the work of a spell, I thought. Yet curiosity stirred within me.

Something felt wrong.

“And is it not ill to marry a brother?” I asked.

“I am not your brother.”

His voice hardened slightly.

“Surely you know the way of father by now?”

I felt irritation rise in my chest.

This strange man was testing me. He hadn’t been in my presence for long yet it felt like an eternity. I took a deep breath and finally said..

“I am afraid you must go now.”

He stepped closer.

“I am not leaving without a marriage agreement, Sybilla.”

His voice dropped low.

Controlled.

Taunting.

He was threatening me.

I would not allow this man to threaten me in my own home, I eyed Naula and she understood instantly as she lunged forward with a furious shriek. Her wings snapped wide, claws slashing toward the stranger.

When suddenly

Something enormous crashed into the throne hall.

Stone shattered and a roar thundered through the chamber.

Another dragon. I thought.

It burst through the chamber like a living storm—black scales gleaming like obsidian, with sharp-edged wings, it happened so fast, suddenly slamming into Naula mid-air.

Naula screeched in fury as the two dragons crashed across the marble floor, claws tearing into stone.

“Naula—!” I screamed.

I sprinted toward her—then I felt metal hands grab hold of me, slamming me to the ground.

Smoke filled the air.

“Who are you?” I coughed. “Guards—”

“I did not come all this way to leave empty handed my love.”

He had brought his army I realized as chaos was erupting throughout the entire castle.

“Why? Why do you need me? I cannot marry you!” I tried to struggle free but he held me down effortlessly, I was helpless.

“Courtesy of Father,” he said, voice low, “I have searched for you for years. Thoughts of you consume me every day. It is enough to drive a man mad, this pull— It will not stop until we are wed.”

Why was I not aware? I thought, why did I not feel this pull.

Smoke burned my lungs

“I will burn your kingdom to the ground if I must,” he whispered “I only dreamt of you until he finally led me here.”

He pulled out his blade and headed towards his dragon, Naula pinned just below. He’s going to kill her.

“Wait—!” I heard myself shriek, I was defeated.

“I accept.”

If felt like a whisper— like I had lost an entire war in a matter or seconds.

He walked back to me, taking my hand and pricking my finger. He then sliced his palm. Blood rushed between us. Pain exploded through my body. I fell back, wracked with agony.

“The contract is sealed,” he whispered in my ear. “I will see you in three months for the wedding, Sybilla… It was a pleasure.”

And then… he was gone.

Darkness swallowed me.