Diaries of a Twenty-Six-Year Old Girl

For years I had only known her as the girl in my dreams.
Haunting me. Taunting me.

A constant pull I could not explain.

As well as a deep desire to know her—to stand beside her, to understand why she had such control over my mind.

And there she was… only it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Father had said she would not know of the bond, that she was stubborn. But seeing her in the flesh was so different. She looked at me with such hatred—nothing like the girl in my dreams.

Tiene stretched his wings, letting out a shriek. He was exhausted, yet he had done well.

“Good boy,” I whispered.

It had all happened so fast—the chaos, the blood, the fire. And although she probably despised me by now, there had been no time to convince her, we had a duty to fulfill and Father was not a patient man.

So be it. If it had to be done by force, then so be it.

Tiene shrieked once more, reading my thoughts.
“She’ll forgive me,” I said.

We were heading back to my kingdom, Yeneva—the most powerful in the realm. Surrounded by unforgiving seas, it was nearly impossible to overtake. And our army was just as formidable. I had trained them to be ruthless. We were undefeated in battle.

Father had been proud. Not a regular occurrence.

I would not let him down for the sake of a girl. He had told me she was strong, but I—I was stronger. Overtaking her had been easy.

But she had been raised by the Sanctars. Peace, virtue, love—they ran through her veins. And I… I had been raised by Father. Power and authority coursed through mine.

It was not a fair fight. Suddenly, the winds grew thick and harsh.

We had finally reached Yeneva.

Tiene had hated flying into Yeneva when we were younger. Yet it had made him strong. It had made both of us strong.

“Emeric,” I heard as we landed.

“Edward! Hello brother.” I laughed, heading toward him. He was not blood, but he was my brother in every way that mattered.

“She was everything you dreamed about, then?” He saw the exhaustion on my face as he laughed and pulled me into an embrace.

“Not exactly,” I smiled.

“We’ll be lucky if she speaks to me at the wedding,” I sighed.

“Mmm, chaos overtook again, huh? Well, it’s a good thing your Father gave you those pretty brown eyes—maybe you can bat them at her,” he snickered.

I shoved him.

“I was raised to take things by force… patience was… is… not my virtue.”

The laughter abruptly ended when—

“Emeric,” a cold voice called.

The Lord Hand approached us.

“Your father… he would like a word.”

Edward and I exchanged painful glances.

“Perhaps he will be pleased—” Edward began.

“Unlikely,” I muttered, cutting him off. Father was never pleased with me. He always wanted… needed more..

I walked slowly, not quite ready to face his wrath for the destruction I had caused. He would not be pleased that I had nearly burned down her castle.

And then I felt her.

The intensity took me by surprise, nearly bringing me to my knees—her warmth flooding every inch of my chest.

The bond

It lasted only a second, but I never wanted it to end. I was flooded with feelings of love, warmth, purity.

Sybilla… I whispered.

Was this the essence she carried? The love men would fight for?

I had always thought them fools. Controlled by the presence of a woman—how weak they were.

I would not be controlled by love.

I forced myself to regain control, standing tall once more as I walked into the cathedral.

“Father,” my voice steady.

The cathedral loomed above me. Light filtered through the stained glass, scattering colors across the marble floor.

I could feel Father’s presence now—dark and heavy, pressing against my chest.

“Emeric,” his voice rolled through the chamber, “Do you understand what you have done?”

“I have done as you commanded,” I replied. Inside, my chest burned. The bond… her warmth… it lingered. I hated how much it lingered, I could not focus.

“The path is not to take her by force, Emeric. The bond must grow. She must see you as you are… you believe that because you are strong, because you have conquered kingdoms and men alike you have strength. But strength alone will not save you when what you desire—what you love—stands in opposition to the very destiny I set for you.”

The bond pulsed again, and I could feel her, hear the echo of her anger and fear.

“You have been given everything to rule,” Father said. “But the path you walk now… is not yours. It was never yours to choose. You will make things right by her.”

I exited the chamber, anger flooding through me.

I did not understand. My jaw tightened. Was I not enough?

I had the most powerful kingdom in the realm, I always did as I was told. I don’t need her Father. Not to mention she did not even care for me… she wanted nothing to do with me.

I began making my way back to Tiene.

One way or another, she would learn to stand beside me.

“See you soon, Sybilla.” I whispered.