Prologue

17 years and 11 months ago

"They somehow got the news of the birth of the princess, your majesty." said the king’s second-in-command.

It was past midnight. The moon shone brightly with billions of stars lighting up the sky. The beauty of the sky contrasted with the doom of the day.

The king sat on the bed, right beside his human beloved who was holding their beautiful, half-human daughter. Hearing this dreadful news, the king’s whole body tensed.

"What?" his loud voice boomed across the castle’s hallways.

"Exactly as I said. The princess is human now and her powers won’t unleash until her 18th birthday. She’s just a mere human. Her life is in danger, your majesty." the man replied without a hint of fear in his voice. He was used to the king’s destructive rage.

"What are we going to do? My baby. We need to protect her." the queen whimpered, tightening her hold on her newborn baby.

"Yes, we need to and we will, my love. But everything comes at a cost. Are you ready to pay that?" the king questioned his queen, placing his hand on her cheek. His own eyes glistened with tears.

The second-in-command stood near the bed, watching the sad sight silently. His own heart filled with grief. He knew that the cost of keeping the princess safe will be very high.

"I’d do anything for my daughter." answered the queen. Her voice still held the fear but ringed with determination. She was a mother, ready to do anything to defend her child.

"Then-" the king was cut off as the bedroom door swung open. A guard came running inside.

"We are under attack, your majesty. What should we do?" the panic and fear were evident in both his face and his voice.

"Get all the warriors ready. We protect our kingdom and the people. Don’t let the enemy enter the castle. Go!" the king’s voice was filled with authority. That’s one of the many traits he had that made him so loved by his people.

With a nod, the guard raced out.

"They're here for the princess, your majesty. They have a huge army and we are not prepared for this battle. We have very little chances of winning." the second-in-command stated, voice flat.

The king already knew this. "Take the child and flee to Raven’s fury territory. Leave her on the doorsteps of a human couple. Make sure that they take her in. Nobody will ever doubt that she is anything but human. And she will have enough protection in that forbidden territory. Go and return as soon as you can. Don’t let me down. I trust you, James." the king said in an emotionless voice, not once wavering his gaze from his second-in-command.

"I won’t, your majesty." the man replied, his tone matching the kings. He never broke his promise and would be damned before he broke one made to his king.

The queen heard everything and knew that it was for the best. With tear-filled eyes, she kissed her daughter’s pale forehead as a sign of goodbye and handed her over to the waiting hands of the king.

The beautiful daughter smiled at her father, unknown to what the cruel world had in store for her.

The king kissed his daughter’s cheek. "Listen here and listen well, my daughter. You will come back for what is yours and you will show them your worth. Your journey hasn’t yet begun, my dear. But your journey will challenge fate."