The Elemental Sisters: Spirit

We had spent most of the night entangled in each other before she drifted to sleep. She said I had not hurt her, but I knew her wounds were still sore, so did my best not to aggravate them.

I watched as Akasha slept in my arms, wanting to protect her from the Drow and the mission we would leave on in a few hours, I cursed my father for his order and sending my useless brother Uda with us.

He had never even held a sword; he would be nothing but a distraction and another person to protect while we dealt with the Drow. Was he hoping I would be so distracted protecting Prince Uda that Akasha would be left vulnerable and be killed?

The thought made me feel sick. I would protect her, no matter what. I pulled her closer to me and traced the outline of the wings on her back; the diamonds hypnotizing me as I studied them; she was so smart and so beautiful. I couldn't wait to make her mine forever. Eventually, I drifted to sleep as well, only morning came too soon.

Knocking at my door woke me.

Grumbling, I got up, careful not to wake Akasha. I closed the curtains around the bed and pulled on some pants before heading to the door.

I opened it to see my father and Uda standing there.

"What brings you here so early in the morning?" I yawned, annoyed.

My father and brother entered without invitation.

"My guards tell me you had a guest her last night." King Halamar frowned.

"So, what if I did?" I asked.

"I told you to stay away from that pixie bitch."

"You will not speak about her like that." I snapped at him.

"You dare challenge me, boy?" King Halamar glared at me.

"If I must."

"Your lucky I need you and your bitch to get rid of the Drow or I'd throw all of you in the dungeons." He spat. "Get ready to leave. The army heads out in an hour." Prince Uda watched the exchange with a smile on his face, "Maybe I could make her my Queen." He smiled.

My father turned red and faced him, "I will not have a pixie on the elf throne, do not lower yourself to your brother's standards." He warned him before he left. Like I would let that happen, I would kill him first.

Prince Uda frowned, "Yes, father. I will prepare to leave as well." Prince Uda declared as he headed from the room.

His thoughts entered my mind, "I will take everything from him, Tyr will have nothing. I will take his kingdom and Akasha from him if it is the last thing I do."

You can go ahead and try, I thought to myself, my father and brother were naively unaware of my abilities, luckily, I had inherited them from my mother and not my father.

Although I was not always able to read their thoughts like I could with Akasha, I would pick up bits and pieces and catch glimpses of what they were up to. That is why I knew my father was hoping they would kill me when I went on scouting missions.

After they left and I was alone again, I headed back to bed to wake up Akasha; we had to get ready to leave even though I knew it was a bad idea with her still recovering from my father's pointless battle.

"Akasha, wake up." I nudged her shoulder before leaning down to kiss her cheek.

Her eyes opened, and she looked at me with a smile, "Morning."

"Morning." I chuckled. "We need to get ready to go."

She nodded and slowly sat up, looking around, "When do we have to go?"

"We leave in an hour."

She nodded, "I'm going to shower quick."

I nodded as she stood and headed to the shower; I heard the water turn on, but fought the urge to join her.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door, and I opened it, seeing Frey and Ari standing there.

Ari glared at me, as she handed me clothes for Akasha, "Akasha said she needed these, you better not hurt my sister. Or else." She threatened, raising her fist as Frey laughed. "Like you would hurt him, Akasha would kill you." Frey laughed.

"She might try, but if he hurts her, nothing will stop me." She pointed to me and said, "I am keeping an eye on you."

"I am not going to hurt your sister." I chuckled.

"Good."

"The army leaves in an hour. Can you get your sisters ready to go?"

Ari nodded, and I looked at Frey, "Let the guys know as well.

"Will do, your highness." He bowed, and I shook my head. I hated when they bowed to me, especially the ones I consider friends. Frey and Ari left. Ari walked a way before turning, pointing at me and mouthing, "I am watching you." Before turning the corner.

I headed into the bathroom and brought Akasha her clothes. She was already drying off.

I helped her clean and dress your wounds again before she got dressed. She wore a simple blue peasant dress that made her blue eyes stand out. She quickly braided her hair.

I quickly showered and dressed, and we headed back to her sister's room to meet up with everyone before going down to meet up with my brother and the army.

When we walked into the room, the sisters were gathering their weapons. Gia walked over with Akasha's bag and weapons.

"Have fun last night?" she teased, and Akasha narrowed her gaze at her, "Like I'd tell you nosey."

"Worth a shot." She shrugged as she strapped on the weapons she had for herself. "A good sister would dish."

Akasha laughed and did the same, strapping her sword to her hip and quiver onto her shoulder, pulling the bow over head.

"Don't forget these." Ari reminded her, handing her daggers with arm sheaths.

"Thanks." she murmured as she strapped them on. She didn't let the others know but her mind was telling me how shitty she really felt, every move hurt, and she just wanted to sleep.

"Are you..." I asked

"Don't..." she interrupted, glaring at me.

I don't want them to worry about me; she thought to me. And I nodded.

The guys showed up, and Ezryn asked, "Are you guys ready to head out?"

"Yeah, let's get this over with." Ari declared as she headed out the door.

We headed down to the courtyard where Prince Uda and the army were waiting. The stable boys brought horses over for the sisters and my other men.

The sisters, aside from Akasha, mounted. Akasha took a deep breath and mounted her horse, cursing in her head and fighting back tears.

I dismounted and walked over to her and got up behind her, attaching the reins to my horse to her saddle horn.

"What are you doing?" She bit out.

"I'm going to ride with you. You are still injured and need rest." I shrugged.

Akasha looked around her embarrassed but not even her sisters made a comment, Gia just nodded and whispered, "Use the ride to rest."

Prince Uda looked at me with pure hatred in his eyes but said nothing.

The King was watching over the army as they prepared to leave but said nothing as his face contorting in anger.

"Let's head out." I ordered, and the army started to move.

Prince Uda rode over and hissed, "I am in charge of this army. They don't take orders from you."

"I have been helping lead the army since I was young, they won't take orders from someone who has no battle experience." I retorted as I moved the horse to the front of the army, with my men and the sisters following behind. Prince Uda urged his horse forward and rode beside me.

I looked down as Akasha drifted to sleep leaning against my chest; I used one arm to hold her upright as we rode.

"Don't get used to having her, she will be mine." I overheard Uda's thoughts and had to fight against lashing out at him. Instead, I tightened my grip on my reins and my hold on her as we headed further away from the castle.