The Elementals #1 by Kiki XoXo (best books to read for knowledge .TXT) 📕

“We can’t walk in the room together, that would look weird. Also, Chaston saw us, so the queen might now we’ve talked.” I say, walking towards the door.

“Good point. Alright, we got into a fight. You’re extremely pissed, and I am really upset.” He says, I nod. That sounds more believable.  “Lyra.” He whispers, and I turn around. I get pulled to him, and I feel his lips on mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, savoring this kiss. It might be the last one for a while. He lets me go, and I leave my room. Walking to the throne room, I think about everything the crazy queen has done, feeding my rage. Once I’m outside the room, I pull my hair over my shoulders hiding the marks. I open the door, and I meet with to many people.

The king and queen, another king and queen. All of the elementals, Sebastien and Chaston. My parents,  and standing in the middle of the room is who I assume is my groom to be. He’s tall like Tatum, and has messy black hair. He is wearing khakis, and a light blue polo. Casual clothes? I like him already.

“Lyra, how nice of you to finish your tests so fast.” the queen smiles. Anger crosses my face, and I clear it away.

“Yeah, didn’t need to be there any longer anyways.” I say, rolling my eyes. Playing my part perfectly, I can see her smile brighten. Walking towards the throne, I wave at my parents and friends.

“Is your hair natural?” the prince speaks to me quietly looking at my hair roots. He is smiling at me, and his body language seems to relax.

“Yeah, comes with my powers.” I say, unsure if I should be offended or not because he asked about my hair.  “Hmm.” I clear my throat. I bow my head, then stand introducing myself. “I’m Lyra Castir.” I stand, moving my hair behind my ears still being sure that it covers my marks.

“Thayer West.” He bows a princely bow, grabbing my hand and kissing it.  For a war almost starting, he is sure being a nice gentlemen. Once he is standing again,  his parents walk over to us. I can’t help but notice they are holding hands, and I can tell they are obviously in love, unlike another king and queen I know!

“I can see you two will fall in love in no time!”  the queen smiles, hugging me! Then the door opens, and I don’t have to look to know Elijah came in. I close my eyes, lightly hugging her, I’m officially engaged… again.  Once she finally lets go of me, I look towards Thayer, he isn’t horrible looking, but I would rather be with Tatum or Sebastien. He does how ever have black hair, and he seems like a nice guy.  He is giving me an apologetic look, shrugging his shoulders about his parents. His parents are nice as well, I don’t understand how a war was almost started the whole family seems pretty kind.

“Why don’t you come with out to eat with us? We we’re going to go out, join us?”  his mother practically begs. I nod, I don’t think I can say no.  “I hope you don’t mind us borrowing your daughter!” the smiles to my parents, and they wave us on. I’m sure they think this is cute.  Then I follow behind the king and queen, with Thayer at my side.  I wave goodbye to my parents, catching Elijah who is watching me, like a lost puppy. He is playing his part, I turn around right away, I can’t look any longer.  Then the door shuts, and it’s just me and this family.

I pick up a conversation with Thayer, about hobbies.  It turns out we’re both kind of into the same stuff too, athletic stuff and animals, he is a big movie buff, which is what we talked about for a while were a bunch of movies. He new tuff about the Harry Potter movies, that I never would’ve thought about ever, so we had very interesting conversations. We go to a some really cool pizza place, and I actually have a lot of fun.  His dad is really funny, and his mother is the cutest thing ever. Once we finish at the pizza parlor, we head back towards the castle. They are moving into the other house like part of the the castle… that just happens to be right next to mine. His parents leave the two of us alone, outside the door to my house, probably thinking we will kiss or something, which I don’t know! I don’t want to, but… would kissing him be considered playing my part? I don't know how far Elijah wants me to go.

“Can I ask you something… semi personal?” I ask him, before I go inside. He nods, smiling.  “Do you know about plans of a war?” I ask, and his face shows terror. “I’m sorry… I was just wondering.” I add, I didn’t mean to upset him.

“The queen.” He whispers, looking around checking for people. “She has been threatening to take our kingdom for years.  She said that if the two of us married she wouldn’t take our land.” He admits.

“Rashell? I knew it!” I say turning around and clapping. I need to talk to Elijah!

“You knew?… you know your queen is kind of crazy?” He asks, seeing if what he said about her will upset me. I laugh.

“She isn’t just crazy, she is a jealous bitch.” I flat out say, he laughs. He understands, that the queen is crazy! Maybe he and his family will just leave!… No, they wont. There land is on the line! “Although, I supposed even if you don’t want to get married you have to.” I say, and he looks at me apologetically

“I can’t just let her.. that crazy woman… take my parents land.” He says, leaning against the wall.  He has honor, and he really loves his parents. I can’t ruin this for them! It’s my choice. Rashell planned this as well! If I say no, a war starts, if I say yes. I leave and lose Elijah. Both bad. What’s more important Lyra?

“Well…” I say, grabbing his hand. “It might take me a couple thousand years, but I think you might grow on me sometime.” I say, and he smiles.

“Thank you.” He whispers, and I nod. “I think my parents wanted me to kiss you.” He adds, once he is standing in front of his house’s door. I’m going through with this marriage. I assume I’ll have to get used to kissing him. “Goodnight Lyra. Sweet dreams.” He says blowing me a kiss instead. I smile, and say goodnight. I head inside my own house, and I stand on the side of the door for a little while.

I’m getting married. To a prince. I’ll be a princess. In a couple years I’ll be a queen. Holy shit, I’ve got bigger thing to worry about then Elijah not letting my suck his blood!  Slinking off the door, I head to my room. It’s 8:00 close enough to bed time for me. Turning on my bedroom, light, I’m met with Sebastien, Elijah, and Tatum. I blink, no way all three of them are here! What the fuck? Maybe I’m not in the right place. I turn around, closing the door behind me. I scratch my forehead, what on earth do I say? I mean, all three of them here?! Poor Elijah, sitting here with two teenage boys!

“So… normally I would think this would happen if I was like a huge drug user.. but I’m not. Are you having some secret meeting in my room for a reason?” I try to start light, not wanting to get into the whole engagement thing.  Including I don’t think Sebastien even knows about the bond with Elijah, so he is probably confused about why he is here!

“I’m here because your parents wanted me to see if you were okay about the whole marriage thing.” Elijah speaks, and I frown at him. Remembering I need to be playing the mad girlfriend part.

 “Well, I don’t need to talk to you about it. So you are free to go.” I say, and he sighs, shrugging off the wall. Then he walks past me giving me a brief smile, and then he is gone. Okay, good he knows I’m not really mad at him. Now I’m left with Sebastien and Tatum.

“Trouble in paradise? Did you not take my advice?” Tatum asks, looking at the door.

“I did, and I found out some gross shit.” I say, ending the conversation. Sebastien is thoroughly confused, and I shrug off my jacket hanging it on the door knob.  “What do you want Tatum?”

“Wanted to see how paradise was.” He replies. “Obviously not so good. We’ll talk later.” He gets up, hugging me and then he disappears. He is such an ass. Just Sebastien left.

 “Paradise?” Of course that is the first thing he asks about. I throw my hands up in the air, not answering him. “Fine. So, hows your fiancé?” He asks. I role my eyes, he is jealous.

“Sebastien, why are you here? Nothing you say or do can change what’s happening and you know that.” I sit next to him on my bed, wondering what is going through his mind. I want to be able to read minds like Elijah dammit!

“Do you know something I don’t? What’s going on Lyra? You’re keeping secrets. I’d never heard anything about a war until today, when they showed up.” He says, putting it all out on the table. “Now you’re even tensed up. Obviously I’m right! What is going on?” He says, standing up.  I can’t tell him, he wont believe me it’s his mother! I can’t make him think of his mother this way.

“Nothing Sebastien. You should go.” I say getting up too. I open my bedroom door, and gesture for him to leave. He doesn’t say anything else. He just leaves, obviously pissed off and upset. I close my door, and fall to the ground in tears.

There is no way I can beat her. I’ll always be behind her. She won't stop until she gets what she wants either. No matter what plan Elijah and I cook up, she will always be able to one up us being the queen and all. I can’t fight against her anymore. I’m risking to much as it is! I get up off the ground, wiping my face. I put on a little make up, if I’m going to talk to the queen I need to look like I haven’t been crying.  Leaving my room, I head back up to the throne room. She is there, all by herself. Great.  Walking in, I look her in the eyes.

“Lyra, did you have a nice night?” she asks, and I nod. “That’s marvelous.” She claps her hands together, as if she is truly happy. Which now that I think about it she probably is. I take a deep breath, getting ready to surrender.

“I just wanted to tell you that, I planned on going back to Caswan with the West family.” I say, remembering that his parents talked about me going back with them for a couple days. Apparently we aren’t getting married right away, but we are getting married. “You win. I’m leaving, you can have your son, and Elijah.” I add. She frowns for a second, as if she doesn’t believe me.

“Just like that? With out a fight?” She stands up from her chair, walking down to me.

“I promise.” I nod. “ I don’t know why I thought I could stand up to you anyways. You are the queen.” I add, breaking my heart even more. She actually hugs me!

“Oh, I knew you were smart!” She holds me at arms length. “I’ll be waiting for a wedding invitation.” She smiles, and I