Chapter 1 Fire and Desire
Life burns like a candle swaying against the breeze and in the end dies trying to hold on to its final light… before
fading into the darkness. This is what I feel life holds for my future and existence. Most people would say that life is good for me...great even, but they are
looking from the outside through a window that hold false truths. I have every reason to feel lost and confused. This is the most
important time of my life.
I'm next in line to be Queen of Savor and protector of its other nations. I don't even know
how to explain how troubling that is for me. I am the daughter of Queen Renna. She has more power in her one hand
than I can ever hope to have in my entire existence. These are the shoes that I have to fill, not just in power but in
beauty. My mother is not just beautiful; she is the very essence of it. Her hair flows like an amber sunset down to her
waist, sun bronzed skin smooth as the finest silk, and her eyes like my own are gold with a touch of the green like the emerald seas just beyond the horizon lined
with fire beating like a heart in its inferno, a goddess to say the least. This is the woman that I'm to succeed someday. That almost seems like a joke to me.
Every available man and some that are not adore her or wish to possess her. Above all this, she is the Figira, protector of our people. The Figira is the peace bringer
in times of war. My mother is one of a long line of powerful women which has protected our people for hundreds of years; at least since the time of great darkness
and sorrow. It is said that the first Figira was given from the gods to give balance and peace so that war can't consume the world. My mother is that balance, she is
the queen of four nations Mangor, Lothran, Dothin, and our home the grandest of all palaces, Savor. I've never actually seen her use
her powers. I only have heard in passing from those that have, they say she is death in every sense of the word. I know that many fear her and respect her as their
leader. I admire her and love her but I fear that I can never be what she wants me to be.
I'm 18 years of age even though I look 15; I guess that's my fault for refusing to accept what I am and who I am to become. Until I accept who I am I will not
become a woman in the physical sense and remain in a young girl's body. I really want to be a woman but that means accepting who I am and I just don't know who
or what that is. I have never wanted this life; I feel like a caged bird. I just want to spend my life as Isabella..no title required. I don't think I will ever be ready; that
would be the beginning of my true purgatory. I shake my head at the thought; bringing myself out of my day mare; as I call it.
I knew I'm frowning mentally but what I didn't realize is that I was showing it on my face. That was until I heard a laugh that I know
so well. I turn my head to see Edward throwing his line into the lake yet again on the hopeless quest of catching fish. Fishing is the on thing that he is bad at and that
I am actually good at. I stick out my tongue at him and hold up my bucket full of fish. Edward smiles "It's not lady like to stick out your tongue; you know." I grab a
a pebble at my feet and throw it at him. Edward is my best friend and I love him dearly. Edward has always been there for me not
because he is told to but truly because he has always wanted to. Edward is also the same age as I and is to be
married within the next year to Lady Tanya, also my friend. Tanya is from Dothin our second largest nation. I can't say
that I'm happy about that but I know he has no choice or say in it. I don't think he loves her in that way but the
marriage is to strengthen the bond of the nations. He never speaks of her to me and I know it's because we are all
friends. He acts like he's not sad about it but I know he doesn't want to marry her. I shake my head at the thought
because I know that I have a marriage of my own to worry about. The very thought troubles me to my core. I dismiss the thought and instead laugh to
myself before responding to his previous comment. "It's not polite to speak to your future queen in that manner." I sneer
when he winks my way. "Isabella, you're not the Queen yet and I'm also your best friend. I have some privileges don't
I?" he smiles warmly. I look out across Lake Fiona; as I watch the sun take its slow descend.
"You will always be able to speak freely with me… but only because I think you're funny... sometimes." As I throw my
line back into the water; the sun's warmth begins to dissipate. I grab my water skin and splash water across my face. The
Cankos Woods is not hot this time of year but the heat of the sun sings to my skin. I'm often locked away behind the cold walls of the castle. The beauty of the lake
is breathtaking to behold with life all around. To add to the enchantment of it all is the Mountains of Passage in all their snow peaked splendor looming in the
surrounding distance. The moon is starting to show its alabaster face. It graces the sky as the sun closes its blazing
eyes in the east. I turned to Edward," I hope we will always have our secret place here. It is nice to not have people
asking questions or making demands of you all the time. Edward is quiet a moment as he stares deep into my eyes, "Isabella, you have to be ready to marry Prince
Jacob of Mangor when he comes for your hand and believe me he will soon. Someday you will become Queen to our people…you can't always run from your fears.
Life isn't always what we want it to be." he says as he turns away. I watch Edward as he looks off into the sunset, he is beautiful, everything a woman
wants and my heart longs to speak the true depths of my soul but I will never hurt Tanya in that way. I think she
really cares for Edward even though she acts like she doesn't. I close my eyes against my wants…I know it can never be.
Edward clears his throat pausing my longing, "Isabella, what are you thinking about? You look as if you're in pain, are you
alright?" I nod my head and try to smile but he sees right through me. Edward walks over and stands before me. I can
feel his soft breath on my face as he pulls my chin up to look at him, "Isabella, I will always be at your side to protect
you and our people. I will never let harm come to this beautiful face." His eyes burns into my own and for a moment I
see something else there. No it couldn't be. Edward closes his eyes and turns away holding his head…in frustration.
"This is our future Isabella, we can't change it. I am who I am and you are who you are. This time in our lives are
coming to an end we are no longer children that can run and hide from what is on the other side of those mountains;
Someone is always ready for a chance to take our lands away from us. We have to be ready, I've heard talk of a rebellion on the
rise from the south even within our own nations. The other nations in the west lands want our rich farm lands and
plentiful livestock. Their numbers are growing as we speak and when the battle comes we have to be ready to defend
our freedom and our people. You must take…. a husband, a prince. We have to strengthen the bonds of our people
and show them we are still able to come together for the betterment of our people. There has not been a King on the
throne since your father King Phillip was killed. Your mother will not take another husband so that leaves…you.
Your mother is the strongest of the Figira there has ever been. She has been keeping the lands safe all these years by
herself but her time as queen is drawing to an end. You are to take her place and you have yet to make the change in
your heart or mind." I look down so he can't see the sadness that clouds my heart. The changes that our lives are
going to take will rip us apart…I don't know if I can stand that kind of pain.
Edward grabs my shoulders as he waits for me to look at him. "There has to be a man that you are attracted to; if not
Jacob." My head snaps up in defiance. "I haven't been looking. I know I am to be his bride and when the time comes I
will do my duty and accept him as my husband." The words rip my heart into pieces. This is what Edward
wants and I will not disappoint him. His eyes search mine looking for answers to what? I turn my head away from his
intense stare. I walk over to my log and began to gather my things. Anger churns inside of me and I drop down on the
log before I spill my every want and desire to him. This is so unfair and I have to stand by and let it be so. "So this is it, we can't come here anymore? That's why
you agreed to bring me here today because you knew this would be the last time…didn't you?" I can feel my tears
threatening to betray me. My feelings for Edward in my heart has always been more than friendly; even though I
know he has never so much as looked at me in any other way. Edward lays his reel on the log and walks over and sits
next to me. His closeness blooms erupts a wave of butterflies in my belly. "Isabella this is not what I want but I don't see any
other way. I will have to start courting Tanya soon and that will take up most of my free time when I'm not training as
a soldier." He puts his hands in his hair. "Prince Jacob will not want me with you all the time when he comes, friend or
not. Tanya will not feel comfortable that her future husband is spending more time with her friend than her." He smiles
at me, but I can see it doesn't touch his eyes. I smile back in response. I take a deep breath and lock away my
emotions. I will not make him feel bad when he is trying to do what is right for our people. I rest my head on his
shoulder not wanting to ruin our last day together.
"Isabella, you know you can tell me anything, so what is the real reason behind your resistance?" He waits with a
patient smile. I lay my reel to rest between two stones at my feet as I think about revealing my true heart but then
decide against it. "Edward look at me…I look like a little girl. There is no man who would want me in this state. What is
the Prince going to say, "There is the beautiful woman I am to take as my queen? I'll look like a baby sister to him;
I'm sure. I will not lay with a man in this state." Edward blushes and pats my knee as he stares off with a look I
haven't seen on his face before. I stay silent as he speaks, "Isabella from what I understand if you at least open yourself
up to love you'll start to show your true age. You will blossom into the woman that I see inside. These are things you
need to talk to your mother about but Bella one thing that I can assure you of, you will be just as beautiful as your
mother someday if not more so, just try." He grabs my cheek, "You are as adorable as a kitten already." I
push him off my log to the ground. I hope one day I can make him swoon over me as he makes me now. "Edward,
that really didn't help me to see myself any differently" I sneer. He laughs as he gets up from the ground and wipes
his hands. "Isabella, you are beautiful now and any man in his right mind will be lucky to take you as his bride one
day but you have to at least try to accept yourself first." Edward looks away and falls silent as he
returns to his log to sit. He shakes his head and mumbles to himself as he sits down, "You women are always so
insecure." Then his smile returns. I look at him through my tear filled eyes, "Edward that was the nicest thing anyone has
ever said to me." He takes a deep breath and turns to me with fire in his eyes. "You just need to have a talk with your
mother Bella it is time you know everything there is to know about your body, life, and what your responsibilities will
be as queen and as…his lover." He says the last part as if its poison on his tongue. I look back to the water to hide the fire his words bring to my soul. Edward is so
much more now than that boy that chased me thru the halls of the castle, he is a man now…in every sense of the word.
The Moon is just starting to cast a silvery glow mirroring its face in the waters below… it takes my breath away. I look
to Edward but he is shadowed by the looming trees above us. His soft bronze hair is gently blowing in the breeze. I
look down to my body, half is graced by the moons shimmering cool touch the other half has the warm fingers of the
descending sun caressing me with its final touch… somehow it feels good, balanced. I begin to think of all the things
that Master Banner my teacher taught me, "Isabella stand up straight, sit straight, and look me in the eye when I
speak to you," now that has never been a problem for me. I always want to know what people are thinking of me. I close my eyes to the pain as tears run hot down
my face. I remember the thoughts and words of those people, everything from fear to disappointment. I wipe my face quietly as I turn back to Edward to
speak. Suddenly everything stops before me as my body begins to quivers. I slip into the murky waters of my mind as it swallows me whole. The vision hits me like
lightening.
{I hear my name being called from a distance and I turn to see Edward running in my direction. Sweat and blood cover his face. I can hear the alarm
in his voice. Is he hurt? my need to run to him cries out but I'm frozen. He does not sound like himself at all, but somehow the voice touches me deeply. What's
wrong with his voice? Before the thought has a chance to register in my mind, he knocks me to the ground. I stare into his eyes, those eyes...they are not his own.
"Edward, what is wrong with you?" I'm dazed until he says the last words that I thought I would ever hear him say, "Isabella, your father has
been stabbed in battle, you must come with me. He calls for you to come to him."} I hear his voice fade into the dark corner of my mind as my heart catches in my
throat and my sight began to come back into focus. I try to hold on to the vision as his lips part then disappear. I feel as if reality had just been snatched away from
me instead of the vision.
I open my eyes to find Edward staring at me with both his hands holding me steady. "Isabella, are you alright...tell me not again. Are you having that same vision
again?" I'm so lost, "Yes" is all I can manage. Isabella when are you going to tell your mother about this, you shouldn't be able to have visions yet. This is unlike any
Figira before you." I just stare at him shaking in his hands not sure if I should tell him what I saw, but how can this be? Edward pulls me into a embrace. The fear
seems to evaporate as I feel his heart beating against my chest. "Bella, if you keep trying to deny your gifts you'll
never make the changes you need to make. You will never be able to control these... these visions. You will never
become Queen like this in time to…" He pushes me back gently. You know what… never mind, forget it. Talking to you
is like talking to a tree. I don't think I will ever be able to convince you of the importance of you taking you rightful
place on the throne." I smile as once again he reminds me of my responsibilities. I watch as his scowl fades. He shakes his head and
smiles his breathtakingly beautiful smile, "I don't want to be Queen and I don't want to be married. I just want to be
me and live my life by my standards I did not ask to be born into this." Edward stands and turned his back to me.
"You're crazy; I would give anything to be king one day. Think of all of the lives you can save and the things you can do for your people." I place my hands on his
shoulders "What about the married part? I don't love him or even know him." I walk around to face him. His face pales. "I…see.." I laugh cutting him off. "You don't
want to be married any more than I. Have you ever even kissed a girl?" He stars at me a long moment and walks away as he smiles.
"Bella, I don't kiss and tell". I run after him, "Edward, wait don't leave I'm sorry that was completely out of line and
it's none of my business. Hey stop please, look at me. I will tell you my vision if you stop."
He turns to look at me and he sees the indecision in my eyes. He sighs exasperated, "Alright Bella you know you have
my loyalty. It's getting dark and soon we will have to leave these woods there are even dangers for me here when it
gets dark and I'm sure the home guard is searching the palace for us by now." I put my finger to his soft lips to quiet
him. He smiles and bits it. My blood rushes through me and slams into my soul. By all that is good what was that, it felt amazing. I have to gather myself before a do
something I will sure regret. "Alright, Edward listen to me, the vision came into full mind sight today…or at least I think it did. I just don't
understand it. His mouth falls open as he inhaled sharply but I continue, "The man I told you that I could not see running toward me in the woods, well I saw him
today." Edward narrows his eyes expectedly. "Well who was he?"crossing his arms. "Edward… you're the one that brought me the message in my vision. The strange
thing is that you did not sound like yourself and your eyes were not as they are now. Today is the first time I saw your face in the vision." He leans into what I'm
saying as though someone else may be listening. "Isabella how could that be it's not possible." I shrug and walk over to sit down
to gather my things. My heart breaks all over again at the hope that somehow my father is still alive even though I
know it's not possible. "I told you I didn't think these were visions". Edward comes over to me and lifts my chin with
his finger as a tears run from my eyes. "Isabella your father, King Phillip is dead, he died in battle before you were
born and I could not have been the messenger since I am the same age as you. This is very strange but I can promise
you; you were having a vision. I've seen your mother have them, it's a scary thing to behold if you've never seen it". I
stand and pull my forest pack onto my back and pick up the bucket of fish. "Edward, if you knew more about my
father's death, would you tell me?" He turns away before speaking. "Bella I care for you deeply we have been close
since we were kids. I wish someone could tell me about my father. I don't even know his name. You're like my... sister
but it is not my place to tell you about your father even if I knew something and I don't, it is your mother's choice to
give you the answers you're seeking. Please don't ask something of me that I can't give you". His head hangs down
as though he is ashamed of something but just as the emotion comes, it's gone and the soldier that Edward has
become replaces it as his eyes searches the dark shadows in the distance. "We have to go right now Isabella. I don't
feel safe here anymore; something is not right. Wait, do you hear that?" I search the woods and it's completely quiet
except for my rapid heartbeat. "What am I listening for? I don't hear anything." Edward holds his hand up to silence
me. "Exactly, the woods are never this quiet, we must leave at once. Someone or something is watching us from the shadows. Isabella, I cant feel it , I should have
never brought you back here. They are here for you.
Author's notes:
This is the first chapter to my new story. It's different but I hope everyone likes it. Your feedback on this one will be
greatly appreciated. updated 10/23/14
EndlessRedFire