Bang. Bang.

“Mia? Mia, it’s me…open the door.”

Mia jolted upright. The clammy sting of sweat-soaked sheets clung to her like a second skin. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as fragments of her nightmare flickered like shadows in her mind. Her Ba’s farm, the cruelty of her stepmother and sisters, all blurred into the darkness surrounding her.

Bang.

“I know you hear me!”

The pounding on the oak door reverberated in her skull. She winced rubbing her temples as she shuffled to the edge of the oversized bed. The guest room’s grand opulence, with gold threaded drapes and tapestries, felt alien and suffocating. It was a far cry from the cold barracks of the Kings Guard and the even colder floor next to the fireplace on her Ba’s farm, but that felt more familiar to her.

“Mia! Open the door before I break it down!”

Grumbling under her breath, she unlocked and swung open the door open as her brown-haired, short statured friend Kate, bounded her way inside. Kate’s olive-toned face flushed red with exasperation as her short cut hair bounced against the bottom of her neck.

“Sheesh you’re slow.” Kate quipped, as she flopped on the bed. She was in full armor. They were tight leather “So…what in the gods’ name were you screaming about?”

“What screaming?”

“Don’t give me that. You were screaming loud enough to wake the dead.”

Mia rubbed her forehead, her long silver hair falling in disheveled waves over her shoulders. “It was just a dream.”

Kate crossed her arms and gave her a leering side-eye. “A dream? Like the dreams you absolutely refused to talk about in the guard tents? Or the ones that kept you up all night?

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” Mia said as she bat her eyelashes at Kate.

Kate narrowed her eyes, “You know, your purple eyes are weird, but they don’t scare me…I know you’re not telling me something.”

Mia shrugged. Kate was one of her tent mates and friend since she started her journey as a Kings Guard. Kate’s short stature had no effect on her commanding presence whenever she entered a room. Her large brown eyes didn’t miss anything, while Mia usually missed the obvious. The only exception was when she read. Getting lost in fictional worlds was the only place she felt like she knew what to expect.

“You know, I had to go through a lot of trouble to sneak you into this room. Captain Long would have my head if she knew.”

Mia smirked. “Well if you didn’t constantly do that opposite of whatever she said, maybe she wouldn’t be after you so much.”

Kate waved her off. “She’s too demanding, every time I’m on palace patrol, she always has me doing extra chores. One time she had me scrub the floors until I was blue in the face.” Kate huffed. “I won’t stand for it.”

Mia laughed.

“By the way, have you seen my guard keys, I can’t find them anywhere?” Kate asked, patting her body down searching for them.

“Umm…I don’t think so.” Mia said, eyeing the keys she used to lock herself inside.

“Well, they must be around here somewhere or else that really will be my neck.”

Mia winced as Kate laughed nervously. Mia promised to herself that she would slip them back to Kate before she left. Mia was good at pick pocketing, a trait she picked up while navigating around town when her stepmother sent her on errands without any money. She had to learn the hard way what that meant though. Constantly getting caught by merchants, before being sent home without the goods her stepmother wanted and beaten all over again. Her stepmother kept doing it though. Refusing to allow her back home unless she brought home the requested goods, demanding that she use her own money and that she would pay her back when she returned. Her stepmother never paid her, and the sneer on her face meant she knew it.

Mia shook off the thought and looked around the lavishly decorated room. She needed water on her face. It was caked with dirt and grim as the sweat from her nightmares cooled on her skin.

Mia grumbled as she eyed the water basin in the opposite corner of the overly large room.

“You know grumpy, I didn’t stop you from running away last night just for you to cause such a fuss. I mean, honestly, Mia, get it together.”

The memories of how she got there, a royal guestroom at the palace, started to return in spurts. Mia watched as shadows danced along the luxuriously decorated stone walls, then looked back to her friend who was staring at her.

“Why are you shivering anyway, there’s a giant fireplace that I made sure to light before I left you last night.”

“Just cold I guess,” Mia mumbled as she swiped her hands down her face.

“Sure you are.” Kate tilted her head, then rolled her eyes.

Mia gave her a flat look, then rubbed her eyes, still tired from the lack of sleep. She groaned, and started sludging towards the wash basin before two large bookshelves caught her eye. She wondered over to it and started to read some of the passages from books she had never heard of.

“You could stand to thank me for this room by the way.” Kate said, giving her a sly grin before making her way over to peruse the books herself. “I mean really. We just barely went on holiday for the Festival of Kel after spending months on the road. You know those Kingdom of Naren’s bastards are slippery.”

“And dangerous, don’t forget that part. How many have we lost due to them.”

Kate didn’t respond, preferring to get caught up in whatever she was reading.

“Why were you trying to run away from the Queen’s ball last night?” Kate asked, not bothering to look at her.

Mia sighed. “Water, I need water,” she murmured, her voice trailing off as she distractedly scanned the room. She made her way to the wash basin finally able to take in her surroundings. The heavy stone walls were adorned with rich tapestries and lavish decorations. Soft green velvety drapes hung loosely open along the canopy bed. Thick burgundy and gold chairs sat by the large fireplace. On the side of it were racks of gleaming golden short swords, hanging loosely on the walls.

Nearby, a large oval mirror stood on a large wooden stand, making it almost impossible to hide from it. Her reflection stared back at her. Mia looked closely and frowned. She almost didn’t recognize herself. Her athletic body was worn due to her training with the Kings Guard. Mia’s long, silver hair fell limply down her back, as she pulled it back to look at her face. Her caramel brown skin was ashen showcasing pale purple eyes that looked like they hadn’t slept in years. When she was a child, her Ba would tell her, her eyes sparkled like the brightest amethysts. After he died, that sparkle faded into a darkness she couldn’t shake.

“Cheer up, you don’t look that bad. I’m sure Alex likes it. At least, that’s what everyone keeps saying.” Kate gave her a sly grin. Mia rolled her eyes, before turning away from the mirror, making a beeline for her only hope for water on her face.

“Oh, come on Mia, you can’t deny it. That man has always pined for you. Everyone in the Kings Guard knew it too. The long nights you two spent on patrol, the way your eyes met. It was sickening.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Mia sighed, looking down into the wash basin. Empty. Mia grumbled louder.

“I mean think about it. The charming prince falls in love with the…commoner.”

Mia grabbed a pillow from the chair by the fireplace and threw it at her, hitting her square in back.

“Hey! What was that for?” Kate put the book down and started rubbing her back.

Mia smiled and made her way over to the bookshelf, picking up another title she had never heard of before. Her mind couldn’t focus on the book, instead she thought about Alex, then smiled as she thought about the ball.

***

“This ball is important to me, and I want you to be there.” Alex grabbed her into a tight hug that she resisted, offering a pat on the back in return. It was their last night of guard duty before they were able to take leave and join their families for the holiday season. She didn’t care to return home though. Mia wasn’t ready to face her stepmother or stepsisters for the abuse they put her through as a child.

“Promise me you’ll be there.”

“Fine, I promise. Now can we finish this patrol, I want to roam around the palace gardens.”

Alex laughed then bowed to her, as they headed for the gardens outside.

***

“Oh, I love wizards!” Kate exclaimed, flipping through the pages of another book on the shelf. Mia laughed.

“I haven’t heard of most of these. Do you know where they’re from?” Mia turned to Kate, who spent just as much time in the palace library as she did.

“I think the Guardians bring books back to the palace once they come back from whatever mission they’re on.”

“The Guardians?”

“Yeah, you know, the moody people who train in that special section. It’s near our training grounds just outside of the palace. Have you never noticed them before?”

“I don’t even know what special section you’re talking about.”

Kate shook her head. “That’s odd, you all act just alike, dark and broody.”

“I’m not broody.”

Kate gave her a flat look before she winced.

“Mia, you’ve always been doom and gloom.”

Mia groaned as she tried to repress another flashback.

“Do you remember when we would go to the palace library in our rare time off? I loved reading in there with you and Pip.” Kate smiled and put the book back.

“You and Pip as tent mates make the time in the Kings Guard better. Some of the others were too snobby.”

Kate snorted.

“Well, that’s what happens when you tell nobles and commoners to train together, the nobles still want to be treated like nobility when we are all fighting for this Kingdom just the same.” Kate slammed a book back into the shelf as the words left her lips.

“And you call me the broody one.”

They both giggled.

“I’m just glad Alex isn’t like that.” Kate said half-heartedly.

“Alex is different,” Mia said absently.

Kate gave her a cheshire grin before she waved it off. Kate laughed.

“I know what’ll cheer you up,” Kate said, smiling, “You up for a little one on one?”

Mia smiled brightly. “Bring it.”

Kate’s head nodded towards the short swords hanging from the wall by the fireplace.

Mia grinned.

“Simple sparring this time Mia, you almost broke my arm with that brute strength of yours.”

Mia winced. Her life working on a farm had made her unusually strong. Her chores were endless as she worked from dawn until dusk.

“Fine, I’ll go easy on you, but don’t complain to me if you can’t keep up.”

Kate huffed then lunged at Mia. Mia easily dodged, then jabbed at Kate who let out a cry from the hit on her torso. Mia had taken well to combat training, especially since her Ba started training her from a young age. Mia and Kate continued, their sparring almost second nature to her as her mind wondered back to Alex.

She spent the better part of the last six years with him, Kate, and her other tentmate Pip. They were often sent on missions to fight small groups of soldiers during the war. After longer missions, they were assigned to palace patrol duty. Alex was just Alex to her, but he also happened to be the crowned prince of Talis.

The thought of him being her prince was the last thing on her mind. He was her friend, the person who fought beside her in battle. Talis mandated all families were to be represented in the Kings Guard. The Royal family included.

It was her eighteenth birthday, a day most celebrated coming into their own. Instead, her stepmother enlisted her to join the war effort against her will. She didn’t know if she would ever make it back home. Since their family were low level nobles, and since she was technically the stepdaughter, her stepmother gave her name to the Royal palace as their family’s representative. Mia didn’t bother to resist.

The next day the new recruits lined up in the grand courtyard. Mia was in front of one row of new recruits, as they formed lines across and down. She found herself standing next to a short brown haired girl, who ended up being Kate, and a tall girl with bushy bright red hair who later introduced herself as Pip. The Royal Guards before her were decked in full armor, each yelling at various recruits making them cower in fear.

“Don’t worry, their bark is worse than their bite.” The boy behind her whispered into her ear. She turned around slightly as he gave her the brightest smile she had ever seen. He was tall and gangly looking, with long stringy black hair pulled into a top bun. His olive skin was pale which only made his almond shaped brown eyes stand out more. Mia smiled back.

“Hi, I’m Alex.”

***

“Firecrackers!” Mia wailed, jolted out of her daydream. Kate cackled as she landed a solid hit on her shoulder.

Mia rubbed it, not shocked by Kate’s lash, but by how it instantly reminded her of her stepmother and the multiple times she hit her when she wasn’t paying attention. Mia sighed.

“Don’t start whining now, I won fair and square.” Kate said, giving a deep bow. Mia smirked before starting to pout.

“And don’t bite your lip like that, I know what that means.”

“What are you talking about?” Mia said with a sly grin.

“The singing. I don’t want to hear it.”

Mia smiled and started to sing.

“There once was a young wooden maiden, whose body was covered in ash…” she started, then trailed off as Kate lunged at her again.

“I swear to the gods Mia, that’s the only song you bloody know.”

Mia laughed as she replaced the short sword on the wall and made her way back to bed.

“Hey, is this your secret book?” Kate asked as she saw the book on the nightstand next to her.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Mia said as she slid the book off the nightstand and under her pillow.

“It looks like it’s seen better days.”

“Probably.” Mia smiled.

Kate huffed. “Will you read some then? I’ve always wondered why is the cover a maiden made of wood?”

Mia laughed. “I’ll tell you all about the wooden girl who turns into the Cinderella.”

Fireplaces, especially large ones, were always comforting to her. The flames licking the hearth, and the warmth it brought reminded her of her Ba. Her family fireplace was their spot. It was the warmest room in their manor. The fireplace was almost as large as the entire wall it was built into, sending waves of heat cascading across her skin. The fireplace was nestled inside their great room, offering space for her to learn hand to hand combat or sword forms from him. Her Ba used to be in the Kings Guard, but rarely spoke of it. The only glimpses she witnessed of his time serving was when he was teaching her what he knew. After she was done with her lessons, they would sit by the fireplace and read from her favorite book.

***

Mia flinched as Kate placed a hand on her shoulder, snapping her back into reality.

“Sorry.”

Mia took a deep breath, then flashed Kate a grin as she held her hands towards the fire, enjoying the warmth it gave. Her hands and feet felt like icicles. Kate had given her thin nightgown before she rushed her into the closest open guest room she could find. After she changed from her Kings Guard armor, she placed her book on her nightstand to read.

The night before had been a whirlwind after Kate found her rushing away from the Queen’s ball. She only had her Kings Guard armor to wear, lacking any formal attire. The minute she stepped foot inside the ballroom, she knew she didn’t belong. She hadn’t bothered to tell Kate or Pip about her invitation, only ruminating on whether she should go in the first place. Kate found her hurrying down the halls when she insisted she stay in the palace guest room instead of going back to their three-person barracks tent. It was Festival Season, where most of the Kings Guards went home to visit their families. Her and Kate were some of the few that stayed behind. Since Kate had palace patrol duty that night, Mia didn’t begrudge the offer, deciding to try to talk to Alex about it first thing in the morning. The room was close to Alex, unlike their tent’s which were miles outside of the palace walls.

“Do you want to talk about what happened last night?”

Mia sighed. “No…not really.”

“Good, me either, what I really want to talk about is us training with the Guardians soon.”

“Who are they again?”

“The Guar-di-ans. You know, the ones that look like they don’t get out much and are broodier than you are.”

Mia gave her a flat look as Kate rolled her eyes.

“They dress in a black one size fits all outfit that covers most of their face and always lurk in the shadows at the training grounds watching us for some reason.” Kate said as she folded her arms, “Well, at least they do whenever they aren’t training with those magic people.”

“What magic people?”

“I don’t know. I overheard someone say that they saw someone watching them train. And the person who saw them said they heard someone else saw them using magic powers.”

Mia laughed. “Kate quit with the gossip already, there’s no such thing as magic.”

Kate pouted. “Yes, there is. I have credible sources.”

Mia snorted. “Sure Kate.”

The dark gloomy forest was her only view from the guest room window. The ball was in full swing as she still heard guests laughing down the halls. She wanted to go back out and find Alex, to explain her absence, but fear gripped her.

“Try to get some rest, and hopefully you can talk to him before dawn.” Kate smiled, “I figured at least one of us should live in luxury for the night though.”

Mia beamed. “I appreciate it, Kate.”

“Sure you do. Anyway, do what you need to do and then back to the bunks by dawn.” Kate paused and turned towards her as her hand reached the door handle. “Before I go, I wanted to ask you something.”

Mia looked at Kate, then tilted her head.

“What were you running from last night?”

Mia stared at Kate wide-eyed, then yawned. “I’m too sleepy to remember, ask me later.”

A sudden flash of light blinded her as a woman blinked into existence next to her bedside.

“Hello Mia, I’m Lily, your godmother.”

Mia and Kate screamed.