Two Princesses, One Throne

Chapter 8

Amara and Damien traveled across mountains until they have finally reached the most secluded area of the Kingdom of Magic. According to the locals, the area is haunted by supernatural elements, and monsters of different forms live in this area.

“Why are we in the Dark Forest?” asked Amara looking around the forest. She noticed that the forest gives off a chilly vibe but it’s not dangerous.

“We live here.” Damien answered making Amara raise her left brow.

“You live here? Where’s your house?” the moment they entered the forest, Amara never saw a house or an encampment or anything that can be considered as shelter.

Instead of answering Damien lead the way and they stood before a huge tree. Right then Amara realized where Damien and his siblings are staying. Looking up, she expected to see a house but instead, all she saw were thick bushes, branches, and leaves.

“Don’t tell me it’s underground?” Amara clarified. Damien took a knife and started climbing the tree.

“Wha—Damien--what? Hey---“ Amara blinked her eyes when Damien climb his way up leaving her on the ground.

Damien had a smirk on his face as he continued to climb until he finally reached the platform of their house. Damien sat on the edge and waited for Amara.

“That boy is really challenging me.” Amara said through gritted teeth. She tried to peek through the branches hoping to see how high up Damien go but she can’t see a thing. The first thing she noticed when they were approaching the Dark Forest is the trees are incredibly high up and the leaves are so thick that the light from the sun can’t pass through which almost seem like night time.

Amara rubbed her palms together before using her magic to create a ladder. Climbing up, every time she reaches the end of the ladder, she extends it up while the bottom of the ladder disappears.

Amara climbed almost five hundred meters until she finally saw a wooden platform with Damien’s feet hanging on the edge. Amara narrowed her eyes and extended her arms out getting her whip out. Amara used her whip to wrap it around Damien’s leg but Damien dodged it by bringing his legs up.

“Tsk.” Amara then decided to get to the platform and when she did, Damien had that smirk on his lips as she arrived.

“You left me.” Amara said glaring at him with her hands on her waist.

“I didn’t and I never will.” Amara frowned for Damien’s answer seems to have more meaning to it.

“A-Anyway, Is………this, your home?” asked Amara looking around the area. There are two houses built on top of the tree with a small bridge connecting them. The first house had a balcony looking front while the other seems to look like sleeping quarters.

“How did you build this?” Amara asked almost not believing its amazing structures and to top it all, they built it on top of a tree. Looking up Amara noticed that even if they are already high-up, because of the thick bushes, branches, and leaves; the light of the sun still can’t fully pass through.

“It was tough but we made it possible. Before the evil sorceress burned the church we grew up in, we are already building this house for the last two years. We just finished it a month ago.” Damien answered standing up and right then someone came out of the house.

“Damien!!! Finally, you guys are here.” said the woman with dark hair that falls on her shoulder.

“Where are the others Rosella?” the woman named Rosella motioned them to get inside the house where the rest of Damien’s siblings waited.  

“Yow Damien, how dare you steal this lovely lady away and keep her to yourself?” said the man who Amara perceived to have the same age as Damien.

“Her name is Amara, Richmond and she’s one of us now.” Damien said as he stood in front of Amara who was about to be hugged by Richmond.

“That’s not for you to decide Damien.” They all turned their heads to the woman who stood from her chair with a grim look on her face. Just by the way she looks at Amara, tells that she doesn’t want her to be part of their group.

“Come on, Barbara. Having Amara around isn’t so bad.” Said the other man, placing his arm over Barbara’s shoulder.

The man then turned to Amara and said, “I am Wilson, by the way.”

Amara smiled accepting Wilson’s hand and as she glanced at Barbara, she’s still glaring at her, giving her a suspicious look.

“Let’s talk Damien.” Said Barbara, walking past Amara and bumping her shoulder on purpose.

Damien leaned into Amara’s ear and whispered, “I’ll let you get settled in. I’ll be right back.”

Nodding her head as a response, Damien walked out of the house and to the balcony leaving Amara with Richmond, Wilson, and Rosella.

“Oh hi, I haven’t introduced myself. I am Rosella, the youngest.” Rosella introduced herself giving Amara a quick hug. From a wide smile, Rosella’s face suddenly turned serious which alarmed Amara thinking that Rosella might not accept her just like Barbara.

“By the way Amara, what exactly is going on between you and Damien?” asked Rosella making Amara blinked her eyes a couple of times.

“Huh?”

“I mean, I never saw him like that with any woman. EVER.” Amara frowned not knowing what to say until Wilson said, “Stop that Rosella. Didn’t Damien say through the letter that Amara just lost her Dad?”

“And knowing Damien, he probably just cares for Amara as much as she cares for you and Barbara.” Richmond added.

“No. I really think there’s something between them.” Rosella argued and right then, Damien followed by Barbara came in.

“You okay now Barbara?” asked Richmond making Barbara roll her eyes at him.

“I’ll let her stay here but I still don’t consider her as one of us.” Barbara answered then she walked closer to Amara and said, “I don’t trust you, that’s why I’ll keep an eye on you. One wrong move and I’ll kick you out of this house.” Barbara turned her back and left.

“Rosella can you show Amara to her room?” nodding her head to Damien, Rosella snaked her arms around Amara’s arm enthusiastically.

“Let’s go Mara. I’ll tour you to the house.” Rosella pulled Amara away and leaving the boys in the living room.

“What are you gonna do with Barbara?” asked Richmond the moment the girls left.

“She’ll come around.” Damien simply answered.

“She’s one of us now and it is our duty to protect each other no matter who the enemy is.” Wilson added. Damien didn’t say anything further but without that being said; he already made a promise to himself that he will protect her from anything and from anyone.