Heartmate | ✔️

p r o l o g u e

Eric Dragna cracked a smile and fixed his eyes on the little shaking body beside his sister.

"I'm not here for you Genevieve, dear. What I want is the little bundle of powerful magic you have with you and the throne she will inherit when she is older."

Before any of them could utter another word, the door was opened roughly. But this time it was the soldiers of Corona with their bloodied black and red uniform and steel armors with the royal crest. Leading them was King Trystan Dragna.

"Father!"

The Coronian soldiers charged forward at the flick of King Trystan's wrist. In the commotion, Queen Genevieve managed to usher the Princess across the room to her husband.

"Are you both alright? Did he inflict any harm?" The King let out sigh of relief when he found them unharmed and pulled them into his arms.

"Your Highness, we cannot hold him back for much longer, he's too strong for us." One of the Coronian soldiers called out.

"Genevieve, take Elina and escape from the castle. Ride Fin and get the child to Agatha at any cost. We cannot lose her. She's our only hope if things don't go our way tonight. I will not die knowing that the kingdom has gone into the wrong hands." King Trystan fished a dagger from the belt around his waist and pressed it in Queen Genevieve's trembling hand. "For your defense."

He bent forward to place a swift kiss on his daughter's forehead.

"Stay safe for me, pumpkin. I love you."

Bright honey gold eyes, identical to King Trystan's own golden orbs brimmed with tears as the little princess wrapped her arms around her father's neck.

"You too. I lo-"

A loud growl from Eric Dragna cut her off mid-sentence as he ripped his sword from the now dead soldiers' abdomen. King Trystan got his own sword in position as Queen Genevieve grabbed Elina and left the room as quickly as she could. A sharp stab of pain struck her, starting from her stomach and travelling all throughout her body. Her back hurt, but she had to do this for her daughter, her people.

From all around her, Elina could see blood and hear cries of terror and pain. She wanted to yell at them to make it stop. With whatever energy the Queen had left, she teleported them to the Royal stables. The scene wasn't any less loud or bloodier. In fact, it only seemed to increase now that they were outside the palace walls.

The stable was on fire and they could see the stable helps and soldiers rushing, cutting ropes and dousing water on burning beams, letting the housed dragons and horses free.

"Fin!" Queen Genevieve almost cried in relief when she found her dragon safe and unscathed. Not all dragons were invincible or immune to fire. Only those of the fire elementals. Fin was a water elemental dragon, hence her apprehension. The dragon in question roared in answer when he noticed his master. The queen helped her daughter climb up onto Fin's mighty shoulder and strapped her in the saddle securely. She placed the reins in Elina's hands and gave them a quick reassuring squeeze.

Elina watched in mild confusion as her mother unclasped the sacred amulet from her neck and clasped it around her own. She opened her mouth to ask her why but the Queen shushed her.

"Listen to me carefully baby girl. I need you to keep this amulet safe for me. Whatever happens, do not take it off. Now follow this path to reach the palace gates. Fly across the village until you reach River Avalon. Once you reach the river bank, look around for a Guardian. Her name is Agatha and she will be waiting there for you. Don't stop until you get there even if somebody asks you to. Understand?" She instructed. Queen Genevieve placed a cold shivering hand on Elina's tear stained cheek, wiping away a tear as it fell.