Kierra Crestel

I sit outside on the same bench where Cal first kissed me. Its nighttime, and just as cold as before. This time, I have no personal blanket, no loving heater. I have no flame, only myself. I saw my parents in there, in the threshold. They weren't hurt, physically at least, but their sobs racked over the entire building. Never did I think my Father would ever cry. He always seemed to happy, so proud, but there he was, sobbing again and again, each time harder than the last.

I couldn't face them. No, I couldn't face my lifeless brother. Not again. The thought made me want to vomit, the idea made me want to die.

There are no stars in the sky today, and my tears fall down onto my clothes, which I changed so I wouldn't have to stand in Kelvin's blood. The very thought makes my stomach churn.

I lie down on the bench, and wonder how it would like if I just died right here and then. Join my brother in wherever he might be. I let out a soft exhale and stare at the moon, it still hasn't changed.

Nobody comes for me. Not Cal, not my parents, not Mare, not Maven, not the King, Queen, Sentinels, or anybody. I just lie there, in the night, wondering what I did to deserve this.

&^%

"WHAT!" I scream when I hear the news from Maven. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!" I scream yet again and tiny explosions are rumbling around my hands. My Father called it exploding air itself, but really, its just the tiny specks of dust in it. Still, its quite lethal, especially at a close distance.

"HOW THE HELL COULD THEY HAVE ESCAPED!" I screamed, my voice louder than I ever thought it could be. "SENTINELS WERE GUARDING THAT BLOODY PRISON!" My arms shake as I squeeze my eyes shut before punching the closest wall. It doesn't buckle against my weight, but it feels good to punch something.

"W-We don't know, Kierra." Maven tells me as I squeeze my hands and release, the tiny explosions gone as I get up and make way.

"I'm going to kill them." I whisper as Maven raises an eyebrow.

"Mother-"

"I don't care, Maven." I say sharply. "They murdered my brother, he was only six. He was innocent, he did nothing. My entire family did NOTHING to them, yet someone in it dies. They tried to kill me, Maven. THEY ALMOST KILLED ME AND THEY STILL WENT FOR KELVIN." My breathing is harsh and uneven as I take another step towards Maven.

"I refuse to stand along and do nothing. I will avenge my brother if it's the last thing I do."

And just like that, I walk into the Training room, finally having a cause to fight for.

&^%

My breathing is harsh and heavy as I run again and again, trying to burn off the hatred and anger. I refuse to sleep, I can't sleep, actually. Every time I try, every time I'm close, my brother's face would appear and it would haunt me until I would get up and start running again. Because that's the only thing I'm good at now a days, running.

Right now, it's the middle of the night, and I'm still in the training room, still alive, yet feeling dead all at the same time. I don't want to sleep. I don't want to sleep. I can't sleep.

But my bones ache and my muscles are cramped. Sweat is all I feel, and my powers are feeling rather tipsy. Still, I push through, sprinting faster and faster until, suddenly, I trip over a mat and fall onto my face.

I let out a small gasp and open my mouth, no sound coming out. I don't anyone to pay any action to me. My ankle is blaring in pain as I take in deep, harsh breaths of air. I hold onto my ankle and let out a small sob before banging the floor again and again. My lungs feel as if its been collapsed over one another as I hear footsteps come closer and closer to me. I shake my head again and again, my curly black hair drenched in sweat and my face hot red.

"G-Get away from me!" I scream and push my hands against the mat, both of them shaking. I want to get up, I don't want to look weak. My legs feel sore and exhausted, but I refuse to rest. I can't go to sleep. I can't see my brother's face, haunting me in the darkness. I can't. They must know that I can't.

"I'm fine!" I yell, hoping to frighten the Sentinel or Guard away so they don't have to bother me to go to sleep. I don't bother to look at their face. But I still feel their presence behind me, making me burn in fury.

"I SAID I'M FINE!" I scream and turn to see, not a Sentinel, but Cal. The Crown Prince, my betrothed. The one that comforted me and kissed me and stroked my hair and kept me warm. When I see him, I let out a sob and press my hands against my face. Cal walks up to me and pats my back, his hand blaring hot against my skin as I sink to the floor and cry again and again into his chest.

Neither of us say anything as I cry again and again. The world is unfair, I knew that for as long as I could talk. But for some reason, when he hugs me, when he rests his chin on my forehead and strokes my hair, I feel better. The burning flame that reeks my heart of vengeance burns down.

Just a little bit.

&^%

The ride back to my home is long and boring. There is no training facility on the ship, there is nothing to do but admire the view that falls upon us. Cal mostly talks to his father, so I chat with Mare and Maven, though they don't seem too enthusiastic to talk to me.

"So I've been thinking of a theory." I tell them both as all that's ahead of us is open sea. "Most of those… terrorists are from the Stilts, correct?" I say, my voice calm and collective. Mare slowly turns her head, so we're actually looking eye to eye as Maven just admires the view, quietly eavesdropping.

"Well, we don't know that for sure, since they did esca-" Mare pointed out as I shake my head.

"But the ones we did capture. Those people, are from the Stilts." I continue as Maven slowly nods his head. "Therefore, the Stilts should be their main headquarters." I nod at myself at that.

"Someone should go into the Stilts, dressed as a Red, and complain that they just got kicked out of Summerton because they didn't trust Reds so much. They act like they're looking for revenge and whatnot and lead themselves over to the Scarlet Guard. Once there, they pull out their ability and take everyone hostage to the Queen, where she can snoop into their minds and figure out who the hell is the traitor."

Mare shakes her head at me. "How do you even know that there's a traitor?"

"Are you kidding me, Mare?" I say and roll my eyes. "Even the servents don't know every inch of the palace, especially if they're only there for the summer. Somehow, the servents knew where the vents were, the electricity outlets are, and where to hide since they won't be seen. Of coruse they must have some inside help. Besides, the Hall of Fire doesn't take any Red two years in a row."

Maven shrugs at my words. "Perhaps we shouldn't underestimate them, Kierra. After all, that's what led to this whole mess." I could hear a double meaning in his words, that he wasn't just referring to the shooting, but I leave it.

"Perhaps." I reply and run my hands through my hair. "Or perhaps, they just want to be seen in the world.

&^%

Speeches are played and all I can do is stand next to Cal. We're back in Archeon, back at home, but it doesn't feel like that. Nothing feels the same anymore, absolutely nothing.

I spend my days inside my room or doing whatever princess duties I need to do, and my nights traveling the city. Most of the time, I'm with Cal though, and I'm smiling, pretending that everything is alright. Putting on a mask as if it'll fix everything.

The only thing I don't do very much, is sleep. Skonos Healers are always there, helping smooth my brain, but it never works out. They clock out after an hour and the nightmares return, my brother's chest soaking in its silver blood and him whispering my name.

Kelvin. I miss you more than anything.

I'm not even here anymore, I hardly pay attention as a girl commits suicide for her cause. I just sit there, my eyes glazed. When we leave the Throne afterwards, Cal pulls me to the side, into the shadows, and he kisses me long and hard on the lips. When he pulls away, I look up at him and run my fingers through his thick, shiny black hair.

"I love you, Kierra." He whispers as I stare at him and for a moment, I smile. For the first time in forever. The words are music to my ears, and my heart hammers within my chest.

"You-You aren't just saying that cause you're stuck with me for the rest of your life, right?" I ask him as he laughs.

"Of course not, Kierra." He says and holds my waist. "I am in love with you, Kierra Crestel. I love the way you smile, the way you laugh, the way you talk. I have fallen in love with the way that you make your jokes and can make anyone laugh. I love the way you smile, as if its just for me. And I know things have been rough for everyone, hell, its been more than rough. But I need you to know, Kierra, that I am in love with you, and if I could choose for my Queen all over again, I would choose you."

"When I saw you bleed on that ground, when I saw the light leave your eyes." Tears pinprick his beautiful eyes, falling onto his cheeks as I dab them away. Cal always seems indestructible, I'm not used to see tears leave those beautiful eyes. "When I thought I was going to lose you, I realized that I can't live without you, Kierra, and I'm never letting go of you. I love you."

It's silent, a million lights seem to light us up, my arms are wrapped around Cal, and he's so close to me that I feel like I've memorized his face. Every single detail is perfect to me, he is perfect.

"Cal…"I whisper as he widened his eyes at me.

"Did I say something wrong? Damn, I've been thinking of what to say for so lo-"

He didn't finish when I pressed my lips against his and pulled him closer to me. His lips are warm and inviting, it feels like we're two puzzle pieces, made to fit with each other. Its hot and electrifying and when we finally pull away, both of our breathing harsh and uneven, do I rest my head on his shoulder and whisper into his ear.

"I love you too, Cal."

&^%

I love the idea of Kierra and Cal together. Write a review to tell me how you think!

I'll 'attempt' to update soon. Attempt. But for now, I hope you're happy with this chapter ending.

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Emily