Chapter 1
~Syera~
Many people will say that a princess has no business in the slums of Los Angeles. And to those people I say, fuck you all to the Caves and back.
They don't know the sheer boredom that can get to you when living a life of absolute and complete luxury. You don't have anything to do! I'm sure my servants would cater to my each and every need if I didn't explicitly state that I wanted to do some things myself.
But where are my manners? I started this story with a wild rant about how uncomfortable a princess life is! I must sound so spoiled.
If that was the first impression I gave you, then I am sorry. Royally sorry. I am not by any means a spoiled brat, nor do I expect everything to be handed to me on a silver platter.
And... I've strayed from the story line... again. I don't want to bore you too much.
My name is Syerra Ashford, and this is the story of how I fell in love (sort of), got married (sort of), and cheated on my husband (sort of). Actually, the married part is legit, the falling in love is kind of complicated and the cheating...well...you'll see.
I hope you enjoy my little story, so buckle up, grab some water, you might need it, and hop on the crazy ride that is my life!
I looked down at the man tied to the chair in front of me. His head was tipped back, probably the result of the beating he got. I poked him with my gun.
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." I hissed, his body jolting at the sound of my voice. He opened his eyes and took me in. Or rather, the little he could see of me. My black mask covered the upper part of my face, and the tight bodysuit I absolutely loved already had a few blood stains. Note to self: Never wear your favorite clothes when you are in an interrogation room. Things tended to get very messy, very fast.
"Where is my shipment?" my voice had a dangerous tone to it. A tone you only received when you've survived 15 assassination attempts.
"I dunno, man! I'm low in the hierarchy. I have no idea! Please let me go!" He added the last part like an afterthought. Did he really think that, now that I had him, I would let him go?
"Listen to me Timothy. And listen well." His eyes shot to my face. "You can either tell me where my guns are, or I can always find a more...cooperative captive. You would be of no use to me then, would you?"
"Look lady, I'm the middle man! I don't know where they are! All I know is who took 'em!" Well, that's better than nothing I suppose.
"Who. And don't you dare lie! I have some equipment I've been dying to try, but you look like such a sweet person! Don't make me use it on you." I let a bit of my accent shine through. I was way more intimidating.
"The Ice Picks! They stole them. I only helped them find the shipment."
"See? That wasn't so hard." I said, getting up from the chair opposite of him and raising my gun, flicking the safety off.
"Such a pity." I said, firing before he could say another word. I turned around, not even sparing the man another look.
"Clean this up." I told one of my subordinates, and he hurried in the room. I glanced at a clock, mounted right above the entrance to the room. Looked like I was late for supper. Mother was going to kill me this time.
~~~~
"Gentlemen, I apologize for my tardiness." I said, entering the dining hall. 5 people stood at the table, my Mother proudly at the head of it. I made my way to the empty chair beside Mother.
"We were just talking about you, Cassandra." I had to keep a scowl from forming on my face. I hated that name. It sounded so plain, so boring, so dragon-like. But unfortunately, it was the name my kingdom knew me by.
"A...proposal arrived from Norvos." I tensed slightly at the name. Norvos, the place Phoenixes went to die. That had been hundreds of years ago, but every child grew up with the tales.
"Queen Helliera of Norvos has asked for an alliance. She would provide us military supplies and a complete political alliance, in exchange for a bride for her brother. She specified she must have the strongest fire in all of Desre. We all know you are of age to be married, and I am certain a marital alliance will be crucial for the well-being of this kingdom." The indifference Mother held in her voice was stunning all on it's own.
I was no scaredy cat. I could hold my own in front of any man. I have done that before.
But the Queen's brother? Not a chance in Hell.
I think I saw him once, at one of the fancy dinners mother sometimes organized. I remember him having black hair and ice-blue eyes, which made him stand out among other Northerners, people with white hair. Quite an odd person.
But it wasn't his looks that got to me. It was the title. General Tharion Blackthorn. The name didn't mean anything to me, but the title did. No General would accept a wife like me. A stubborn one. A strong one. A wife that didn't obey.
No General of Desre would allow that. I knew. I had the upper hand over them.
"The wedding will be on the 12th day of the Wet Season. You are permitted to send one personal invitation. You are all dismissed!" Mother called, and I rose from my seat, heading to my room.
I knew who I was going to send an Invitation to.
