The Elemental Sisters: Spirit

I watched as Akasha slept peacefully in my arms, I couldn't help but worry for her and the upcoming battle. I knew that she and her sisters were speaking the truth when they told me who they were, why was it that my father could not see the truth?

It didn't matter if they were lying or not. I knew my father was using this battle as an excuse to get rid of them. Taoen was a brute and unpredictable warrior, especially with his abilities. The outcome could very well mean death, and part of me believed that was my father's intention.

Thoughts swirled around my head, I tried to think of a way to stop the battle but came up empty. Feeling defeated, I pulled Akasha closer and let sleep take me.

...

Morning arrived too quickly, it felt as if I had just closed my eyes, and yet the noise from the other room told me otherwise.

Akasha was already moving around the room. I could hear her rustling and digging through drawers, I opened my eyes and watched her as she readied for the day, completely unaware of her audience.

She sat at the end of the bed and braided her long white hair which fell down her back, her black dress was simple yet attractive, accentuating her curves, she moved as if she floated, barely making a sound as she tidied the already clean room. I could hear Gia and Ari arguing in the next room over who would wake Akasha up while she chuckled to herself, shaking her head.

"What is so funny?" I asked as she jumped, being caught off guard, she turned to face me, her bright blue eyes wide as she looked at me. She smiled and threw a pillow at me.

"You scared the crap out of me, creeper." She teased as I laughed.

"So, why are you laughing?" I asked as I Stretched and got up, grabbing my pants and pulling them on. I looked around for my shirt. Finding it on the floor, I put it on while I waited for her to respond.

"My sisters are so worried about who will wake me up, yet I am already up and probably more ready than they are." She shook her head as she grabbed her weapons from the corner, strapping a sword and quiver to her hip and pulling a bow over her shoulder. She looked so small under the weapons she carried and yet intimidating.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Just admiring the view." I smiled as she shook her head and opened the door, coming face to face with Gia. Jumping, Gia screeched, "Cripe, you scared me." Gia hissed at her.

Akasha laughed, "Why are you lurking outside my door?"

"I was coming to wake you up, but hesitated, not wanting to see anything indecent." She accused with a glare.

"You really think I wasn't up already?" she retorted. "When was the last time I have ever slept in?"

"We figured you were up late." Gia laughed as she looked at me. "Now that you mention it, you were always an early bird."

"Right before a battle, I don't think so. Getting enough sleep is important." Akasha dismissed her as she walked from the room and headed to the tray of bagels and coffee on the table in the other room. She poured herself a cup of coffee, sniffing it before drinking it.

"Do you think it's poisoned?" I asked her as I followed her from the room.

"Can never be too careful." She murmured before sipping from the cup. "It's not, by the way."

There was a knock at the door, Gia opened it and Ezryn walked in.

"What's wrong?" I asked him as I read in his mind that the extra guards had been assigned elsewhere.

"Your father has removed the guards you have placed."

"If they are loyal to him, then they are the wrong guards to have placed here." I told him, annoyed that my father was trying to influence my men.

"I agree, I will find guards loyal to you to replace them."

"Thank you, Ezryn."

"What time do you have to be at the grounds?" Ezryn asked me.

"Noon." Akasha answered.

"I thought it was in the morning?" I asked her.

"Ela says it's now at noon, she's been monitoring your father." She shared.

"You are spying on the king?" I asked, impressed and a little worried if he found out, he would see it as treason.

"Not me, Ela and Karm, they help watch our backs and keep an ear out for danger. She overheard him talking to your brother and changed the time because your brother had to check on something."

"Check on what?"

"Don't know, Ela was distracted." Akasha said while appearing to scold thin air before looking around. "Where are our sisters?"

"Ari and the others went to the dining hall to get a proper breakfast. Frey is with them. They said they would meet us at the training arena where the battle will be held." Gia replied. "Frey came to let us know that the battle time has changed." "You guys are sure this battle is a good idea?" I frowned.

"Not really." Gia thought. "If he is as bad as they say, someone could die today." She finished in her mind as she smiled and replied, "We don't really have a choice, your father thinks we are frauds, and we need his help against the goblins and their allies."

"You could always demonstrate your abilities." I put in knowing how stubborn my father was and how useless it was to even try to change his mind. What he ordered he expected followed, and he had already decided on this battle: nothing short of Taoen's death could stop it now.

"You and I both know that he won't change his mind." Akasha pointed out.

"I know, but the whole battle among allies doesn't sit well with me. I know you are who you say you are, and he does as well. He is just being difficult." I paused, "Or he doesn't trust me."

"Well, not much to do but prove it and make him acknowledge it." Gia put in as she walked out the door.

"Where are you going?" Akasha queried.

"Need some fresh air. No offense, but your castle is stuffy." She told me with a wink. Before glaring at Ezryn.

Ezryn cleared his throat, "I'll be going as well, I'll see you at the battle." He told us as he bowed and left the room.

Akasha sat down on the couch and poured herself another coffee. "Very well. See you in a couple of hours." She mumbled as the door shut.

I sat down beside Akasha on the couch, filling my cup as well.

"You mind as well say it." she thought to me.

"Say what?"

"That we are going to lose, it is written all over your face. You don't think we can beat him."

"I just know how he is, and I worry for you. I don't want to see you hurt."

"Everything will work out the way it is meant to."

"And if you die."

"Then I was meant to. We need your father's army, and this is the only way to get his aid. You know that."

Sighing, I put my coffee down and moved to kneel in front of her. She put her cup down as well, and I grabbed her hands.

"I just found you and I don't want to lose you."

"You are a stubborn man." She removed her hands from mine and cupped my face. Making eye contact with me, she said, "I will be fine, I promise."

"You better be." I retorted, removing her hands and kissing her.

The door opened, "Come on, guys." Ari grumbled in disgust.

"I thought you went to get breakfast?" Akasha asked, turning to her as I returned to my seat.

"I did." she nodded to the plates in her hands, before she walked over and handed to both Akasha and me.

"Thank you." Akasha and I said in unison.

"Well, can't go into battle on an empty stomach."

"You have a point." Akasha mumbled around a mouthful of toast.

After eating our breakfast and tidying up the room, it was time to meet up with the others at the training grounds, Ari and Akasha grabbed their sister's weapons and headed out the door. I followed behind as we made our way through the castle.

Anxiety for their safety ate at me with every step, but I would have to put it aside and have faith that they would win, and everything would turn out okay like Akasha had promised.