Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 14 (Caldina)

I ride into my aunt's palace. Servants rush around getting everything ready. I look back at William. He sends me an encouraging smile. I stiffen and whip back around.

I wonder if Nora will be here. No one has heard from her in four years. I stop my horse and dismount. The rest follow suit.

"Twins, drop the human off in the prisons."

"Princess Caldina, your aunt is waiting for you in the throne room." I follow the servant girl into the throne room, Sienna, Esta, and Ingrid on my heels.

"Cal, my dear. Your cousins told me you did not treat them very nicely while they stayed there," my aunt says.

I salute her. "To be fair, oh gracious Queen, they said you were waiting for my offering. I did not want to make you wait any longer. But I have even better news, I found a young hunter on my way here."

"A hunter. We have not had one of those in a while. Well done, Witch."

"Thank you, Queen." I salute, then walk out. The others follow.

"Oh Caldina! Fire is a nasty business is it not?" Lunetta calls after me.

"Well, she's in a good mood. Be careful Caldina," Ingrid says. "I have never trusted your aunt when my mother isn't around."

"I know, Ingrid. But we don't have a choice." Ingrid salutes then walks off.

Esta and Sienna follow me.

"Cal, Ingrid is right. Your aunt is up to no good," Esta says softly.

"Esta tell the twins I don't want them to leave the hunter's side until I tell them to."

"Yes, Commander."

Sienna follows me to my room. Shadow and his mate are waiting for me.

"They're right you know," Sienna says crocheting down to give the wolves a pat.

I sigh. "I know, it's just hard to know what she's planning." Sienna stands up and grips my shoulders.

"Don't give up, Caldina. Your aunt is a mean person. But when that moon comes up you will be much stronger than her and the rest of them. You got this." She gives my shoulders a squeeze. "Better hurry up and get washed. You stink," she says while walking out.

"Sienna!" I sigh and shake my head. I let a smile play on my lips.

I walk over to the bathroom and quickly wash. While I am washing, a servant brings in my dress, a long red and black one. I quickly get changed. A knock on my door interrupts me. "Come in." Will walks in wearing black clothes.

He lets out a whistle. "You look stunning for a witch."

I grunt, grab my knives and walk out. "Well, one of us thinks so."

He catches up and stands in front of me.

"What?!" I snarl.

He offers me his arm. I look at him with raised eyebrows.

"You are supposed to take it," he says.

I link my arms with his.

"Like this?" I ask.

"Yes." We start walking, the wolves in front then Will and me. The Thirteen follow us. As the gates to the palace creak open, I see the moon is high above us.

"This is it," Will says. "At least I will die looking at Juliana's lookalike."

The twins come and grab his arms. I watch, as I have watched my aunt do this multiple times, why is this so hard? The witch priestesses start their chant to their moon goddess. All I can think of is the first time I saw William. He had looked so at peace riding through the forest. I hear the witches' cries of praise and their cheers, yet I see nothing but Will's face smiling at a young girl, the same girl who wept for him. I suddenly think of Nora. If she was here, she would have stopped this. So why couldn't I? Am I really as heartless as the rest of them? I turn around and walk inside.

I lay in bed, twisting and turning. I hear a sound outside my window. We need to leave! As I leap out of bed, I call, "Sienna gather the Thirteen! We leave now."

I grab my knives and rip open the door. I rush outside. The Thirteen wait on their horses. I mount. "Open the gates, fools." The guards shake their heads and go back to whatever they are doing. I nod to four of the Thirteen. They dismount, unlock the gate, and pull it open. Then they mount back up their horses and we're out of that abandoned palace. The wolves gallop at our sides. Or one does. I put up my hand signaling the Thirteen to halt. I whistle, nothing. Shadow sniffs and whines. "I'm sorry boy." I signal to keep riding. We arrive back at Havran, much to my happiness. With only one missing member. Shadow's mate. A white Dire wolf like him. Gavina, my white-tail hawk, screeches her welcome and dives to meet me from her nest in one of the trees near my window. She pulls her wings in at the last moment and lands gracefully on my shoulder. "Well hello to you too."