POV Adallina
My 21st birthday is days away. A big day for anyone. It's like our eighteenth birthday but more... permanent.
When we turn 18 we are first given a choice of what lifestyle we'd like to follow and if you don't have any experience you train in that field till your 21st birthday. The choice you make at your 21st birthday ceremony is final, for life.
I've known since I was 6 years old that the path I choose was to be a huntress. I've watched the trainees for years and in secret I would practice out deep in the maze gardens pretending to defeat creatures of the night.
Our world, like any world has its good and bad, peace and chaos. Supernatural beings border our lands and it's a constant war keeping them out and away from our kind.
To the west of our kingdom reside the Werewolves. Huge, furry and full of teeth, beasts that shred our soldiers to pieces with no mercy. Father, this kingdoms King, had a fur coat made from a werewolf before it shifted back to a human. He wears it to this day with pride.
To the east of our kingdom we know the Vampires reside up in the mountains. Our problems with the vampires is that they continue to kidnap our people from their very beds at night. Catching a vampire is near impossible, their speeds are inhuman. However
We do find ways to kill even vampires but it takes great skill. My father had two vampire skulls made into the armrest of his throne chair. It's very eerie to look at, but definitely gives a statement as king.
To the South is the dark forest which many filthy, deadly creatures linger. Huge spiders, trolls and even goblins have a lair deep within the forest. We often go to war with those foul creatures. so far we've been successful but they breed like fleas and are so greedy for more power or land. So the wars happen every other decade it seems.
We've been lucky enough not to have a war with the west or east supernatural beings... not in at least 100 years. However we still kill those who wander near the border or into our lands. We despise every supernatural being as I'm sure they hate us too.
As I finish lacing up my boots, I stand to look myself over in my golden floor length mirror. Hair braided down the middle so that it's not a bother during training. An ivory elbow length tunic shirt with a brown leather corset training armor. Dark brown pants tucked neatly into my dark brown boots. I tighten the brown leather around each wrist that will hold several sharp single blades.
A knock on my bedroom door is my cue to go. Before I reach the door, Lilly my servant and dearest friend opens the door and upon seeing me bow's in greeting. Her smile reaches her warm brown eyes causing me to smile in return. Her mother used to be my nanny, so when I heard her daughter wanted to become a maid for the castle I snatched her up so fast as my own.
"Princess your training is about to start"
"Lilly it's just us, you know you don't have to call me princess in private."
She nods respectfully but doesn't say anything else. I don't push her and walk on by down the hall and off to the training grounds.
Before I even enter the grounds I can hear numerous voices and shouts.
I suppose I'm a little late... shit.
I pick up the pace and hold back the urge to roll my eyes as I see father from afar over seeing the training. The moment I pass under the stone archway entering the training grounds our eyes connect and all is silent as he scowls at me, I return the look confidently.
His grey eyes stare daggers into me saying more then words could. His face hides nothing and says so much. His golden crown sits upon his grey and black shaggy wavy hair that reaches just above his shoulders. His signature red fur werewolf coat drapes around his shoulders no matter what season it is. Crazy bastard... it's fucking hot outside.
It's no secret that I am not favored by my father or Stepmother... Queen Marie. There are moments father and I get along and I feel a sliver of his love but it's rare and far between that happens. Most of the time it's scowls, harsh comments and punishments. Queen Marie is far worse though, that evil woman hates the fact I'm still breathing. And what's worse... she's pregnant.
It's known that my mother who was Queen Isla died during child birth. She was my fathers true love and they only had me, which is why my father hates me. He blames me for her death and to make it worse I wasn't a boy. My father wanted a son but he got me instead. Princesses don't take over kingdoms here, only a son can. Although my pretty face is enough to be married off to some handsome man, once I decided on my 18th birthday I chose to train the path of a Huntress. People thought me insane and marriage offers came to a sudden stop. Not that I'm complaining, I have no desire to marry a stranger.
Queen Marie is my fathers newest wife. He's had 4 since my mother died. But none could produce an heir and somehow would accidentally die in some manner. Accidental my ass....but no one would question it since the kingdom wanted my father to produce a son. Apparently I'm not good enough for them either. How typical. But I don't care, all I care about is becoming a badass huntress.
A firm pat on my back breaks my stare down with father.
"Relax princess, time to train"
I scoff and force my shoulders to relax as I see It's only the twins.
Brandon and Rudy.. twin brothers and my only friends in the guard. They caught me secretly training when I was 13 in the garden maze. I made them swear to secrecy never to tell a soul and along the way we three became the best of friends. I've trained alongside them since then and we entered the hunter association together.
Brandon is 6 foot '4 with shaggy blond hair and piercing sky blue eyes. Rudy has light brown hair but the same eyes standing at 6 foot '2. Both have sharp strong jaw lines with muscles for days. In truth they are godlike in human form. The girls drool over those two with flirtatious comments for days, which I don't blame them. But for some reason I've never felt so drawn to them in the same way other woman are. But I Believe it's because I've known them since they first hit puberty.
After a few more shouts from our commander we go pick up the training swords and take our places.
"Psst.."
I look over to see Rudy fake glaring at me.
"What?" ...Wtf is with him. I hold back a laugh.
"I'm gonna put you on your ass today princess"
I roll my eyes with a soft chuckle..
"Keep dreaming Rudy"
He's a sore loser and two days ago I put him on his ass so quick he was stunned the rest of practice. Now he's been trying to settle the score but hasn't put me on my ass... yet.
I'm damn good but Brandon and Rudy truly are the best of the best this year. I've just been lucky these past few days but I think it's pure adrenaline and excitement since my 21st birthday is coming up.
It's been on my mind all week, well actually all month.
Once I turn 21 I can finally join the hunting parties and patrols around the borders and throughout the kingdom.
I'll be away from this fucking castle.. away from father and his evil stricken Queen Marie.
Just a few more days, just a few more days till freedom.
