| Four |

"The most important thing in the world is family and love."

- John Wooden

Song : Titanium by David Guetta

•••

February 1, 1943

We hunted in silence for the rest of day. Complete and utter silence. It was quite awkward, actually. I recall that Dominic made Draven go out last after giving him a lecture. You could here Dominic screaming at Draven from outside the palace walls. Then when he came out Draven told me

"I hate thee. Thou has now taken the love of my father."

I wanted Draven's love and approval more than anything. He hated me like the rebel immortals hate the junias. Which is truly saying something indeed. Draven's announcement of disapproval made things a lot more tense.

You're just a female! A weakling! A small worthless piece of trash! Why would the people follow someone like you! Would the Thetas even follow a female in battle. The kingdom should make me the dauphin to save themselves the humiliation and embarrassment. After all, females are just used for sex. That's all you females are good for!

A tear fell from my eyes, as I remembered his words. They didn't just make me think I don't deserve the title, but it makes me believe that Draven thinks I'm just going to grow up to be someone's mistress or prostitute. He knows well that I have too much pride and modesty to lower myself to their level. Besides, I'm a virgin. I'm pure enough to save myself for my mate, unlike Draven, who according to Foxclove "fooled around" back in the academy.

He was a hypocrite. Caius told me to only have sex with your mate, stay a virgin and save yourself for someone that you know you will spend the rest of your life with. Virginity was something quite sacred to everyone, not just immortals. You should never give it away without reason.

I tried to take my mind off of Draven by thinking about other things. The wind. The sky. The beautiful forest. The pretty flowers. I wish I had Diaval with me. Diaval would always understand even if he's just a common shapeshifter. He was such a wonderful raven companion. Some people thought he was my "pet". Companion and pet were two different things. A companion is friend. A pet was a slave. That's what Mother taught me. Oh how I miss Mother. Although our time together was quite short, I remembered everything about mother.

Her majestic laugh. Her bright smile when someone said something funny. The elegance and grace shown in the way she carried herself. Her beautiful face. Her voice and words of wisdom. I can recall it all.

As we were running, I felt Draven glare at me, so hard I might catch on fire. I wanted to reach out and say something to my brother, but every time I tried, he would ignore me. He avoided me like I was the black death. Caius lived around that time. It was terrible, he told me. He told me how he watched hundreds of thousands of people die. He told me of a junia friend he had named, Edmund. Edmund died a long time ago.

"Draven, I-"

I started to rub his shoulder, but he slapped it away and pushed me with his strength. I hit a nearby tree with large sound. Bump. My arm had a bruise, but due to the immortal's ability to heal fast, it went away in seconds.

The rest of my family rushed over to me as if I was the most important thing in the world, which I probably am not.

"What happened? Did Draven hurt thee? I shall kill him!" Jedidiah asked.

"Draven, why did you hurt our sister?" Foxclove spoke to Draven.

I got up from the ground and simply smiled.

"You all are getting so worked up, I'm fine."

That didn't stop my brothers from checking me over and over again. As much as I loved my brothers, I didn't find it pleasurable to have my family protect me this much. They always huddled around me and always protected me. I want to be more than just a weak princess. I want to be a warrior. I always dreamed of leading battles and fighting in wars. Ryland was very over protective though. He probably wouldn't let me until he's dead.

"There you all go again! You watch her like a hawk! Always around her! All of you! Give her some space!" Draven's voice rang through the forest.

I kind of liked what Draven said because it was true. I do deserve my space and they do always crowd around me. But I still didn't like the way he spoke. So full of hate and anger and envy. I didn't like it.

Ryland, did I do something wrong? I think I did something wrong.

No, sister. It's just Draven being a disgusting lowlife. A mongrel.

"Brothers, you are overreacting! I'm fine. Draven and I were just..." I trailed off when Draven's copper eyes met mine.

"Bonding."

I didn't want to get Draven in trouble, I just want us to have a bond. I want him to love me.

Ryland sighed. "If thee says so. I am watching you, though, Draven. Thou better watch thyself." He made the 'watching you' motion with his right hand.

Draven just brushed him off, "If you say so."

Ryland just grumbled out a "Whatever." and then he stormed away. He probably was just going to kill random rabbits he sees in the forest. Oh Ryland.

Ryland never liked Draven, whatsoever. Even before Draven starting holding a grudge against me. It all started when Draven wrestled Ryland and broke his sword with black magic. Ryland was never fond of Draven, and I don't think he will ever be. Ryland hated him so much, if Draven died in his sleep, it would most likely be Ryland's doing. Draven could go ahead and jump off a cliff and Ryland wouldn't care. He probably would be the one pushing Draven off the cliff or making it so slippery, he would fall off. Then, knowing Ryland, he would make it look like an accident.

If only Ryland and Draven could get along. That would make anything easier. After today, knowing Ryland, he would not let me even look at Draven.

Draven has been avoiding me the entire time we ran. He acted like I didn't exist. I could disappear and he wouldn't care at all. I assumed that his hatred for me was a result of his grief for mother. Draven loved mother more than he loved anyone in the world. The two of us had the closest bond to her. People would think because of that he would care for me. People always told me I looked a lot like mother, so maybe the resemblance just made him angry. Things like that happen a lot after all.

My darling girl, grief is one of the most horrifying of emotions. It can drive people to kill. To spill blood. Be strong for those who grieve. They need our help.

I remember when she told me that. I was only three human years at the time, but I understood her very much so. She was so passionate and wise. The most wonderful Luna the Scarlet Empire has ever seen. I want to be just like her. Most females can hope to be like my mother. Pure, beautiful, kind of heart, truthful. Everything that created beauty. She was probably the most beautiful of all immortals. Pale white skin, glorious mahogany locks with black streaks. Gorgeous sea blue eyes and an astounding figure.

Ryland had mother's mahogany hair without the black streaks. Steele had mother's eyes. I smiled at the memory. When she died, the whole world became black. It was so sudden. They never did find the body though. Everything became a blur. It rained the day she died. It was as if the gods felt the need to grieve for her too. The kingdom lost one of the most strongest of females that day. And I don't think it would ever be the same. News of her departure spread like wild fire. The practically whole kingdom came to grieve for her. My family and I wore black for a whole year.

I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn't notice the tear that fell from my eyes. Soon a sweet scent filled my nose. It smelled like the sweetest of honey with a hint of rosemary and spices. I inhaled deeply, taking in the wondrous scent. Mountain lion. My favorite. I broke away from my brothers, using all my immortal speed, and found the mountain lion.

  I tried to remain as quiet as possible. Then I accidentally stepped on a nearby twig. Crack. I stood completely still, until the lion's ears twitched. It heard me. As it attempted to run I leap, my arms wrapping around it's neck like a boa constrictor. It growled at me in fury, trying to scratch me with it's claws, but I pinned it down. I lifted the creature up before, using my free hand, I snapped it's neck. Instantly, the mountain lion fell off my metal claws, dead. I knelt down and starting drinking from it, the sweet taste of it's blood entered my system. I moaned at the taste. I only had to hunt once a month, just like the rest of my brothers. It seemed natural.

My ears soon perched. I picked up a strange sound, that didn't sound like an animal.

What was that?