Two Princesses, One Throne

Chapter 5

“Mara can you please prepare the biggest room upstairs, five people will be using it.” gathering all the plates left on the table, Amara nodded her head in response to Wanda’s orders.

So far Amara’s been used to chores around the inn. Wanda’s been very helpful to her and within the three months of staying in Wanda’s inn, they became close friends. Luckily Arianna’s troops wasn’t able to track her but Amara knows that one of these days, they will find her and it will put Wanda’s life in danger.

Amara took the broom and started cleaning the biggest room they have. Hearing that five people are about to use the room made her frown wondering who these people are. After sweeping the room, Amara prepared the bed and that was when Wanda came in with extra sheets on her arms.

“Hey, the guest have arrived and they requested for an extra sheet since the guys are sleeping on the floor and the girls are on the bed.” Said Wanda placing the sheets on the floor.

“They must be travelers.” Amara commented.

“Animal hunters to be exact. They go around hunting animals and selling its meat. They’ve been selling meat here for years now.” Wanda said helping Amara with the bed.

“You should rest Mara.” Amara had her brows up when she heard what Wanda said.

“Look at you. I know you’ve been thinking a lot lately and it’s not good for your beauty.” Rolling her eyes at Wanda, Amara ignored what Wanda just said. It’s true that she’s been thinking a lot about her father’s death and her evil sister and how she’s gonna reclaim the kingdom but she didn’t know she was making it too obvious.

“You’re gonna scare your soulmate away when he sees you in that condition.” Wanda added making Amara stop her sweeping.

“I don’t have a soulmate.” Amara said back which Wanda answered with a scoff. “Yeah right. Talk to the butt missy. Everyone has a soulmate.” Shaking her head Amara continued sweeping, but it’s not like she doesn’t want a mate; it’s just that now is not the right time to think about it. She has a lot of things to do and having a soulmate will only complicate things.

“By the way, where did you go last week?” Wanda asked.

“I just had an important errand to run to.” Amara simply answered but the truth is, she dreamed about the Moon Goddess a week ago and the Goddess told her that her daughter needed her power.

Amara was confused for she didn’t have the power to heal anyone but the Goddess had granted her that one time so she could help her daughter who was burning with heat. Luckily, a couple of healers were sent to the High Kingdom by the request of the acting High Queen, thus she disguised herself as a healer and snuck into the High Kingdom, although, a certain witch found out what she really is. By the actions of the Moon Goddess made her wonder if that’s what mothers do to protect their child.

“Hey Wanda?” both Wanda and Amara glanced at the door when they hear one of the employees calling.

“We’re full of customers downstairs. I kinda need a hand.”

“We’ll there in a second Cain.” Said Wanda finishing the bed for the hunters.

“Are you done Mara?’ asked Wanda. Amanda nodded her taking the broom in her hand.

Wanda and Amara came downstairs together and as Cain said, the whole bar is packed by travelers and hunters.

“Amara why don’t you take the orders of tables one to five while I take the rest.” Nodding her head Amara approached the first table and asked for their orders.

Amara’s down to the last table where two women and three men are seated. “Can I take your orders?”

“I’ve never seen you here before.” The girl with the short hair commented.

“One glass of beer for me.” said the man sitting by the edge of the table.

“A huge chunk of meat is best for a glass of beer.” Added the man beside him.

Wanda glanced over to Amara’s direction and it made her frown that it’s taking her too long to get the orders of Damien’s table. Placing the tray down, Wanda walked over to the table with a smile on her face.

“Hi guys? What can I get you today Damien?” asked Wanda.

“I already got their orders Wanda.” Said Amara but then the sound of horses stopping right in front of the inn was heard getting Amara’s attention.

Judging by the sound of their footsteps Amara knew that they are soldiers. Giving Wanda a quick glance Amara left the room making Wanda frown but when the soldiers entered Wanda knew what was going on.

“I’ll be right back.” Wanda excused herself and she faced the castle soldiers who just came in.

“Good evening soldiers. You came a long way from the castle although I don’t think we can accommodate you. As you can see we’re full tonight.” as Wanda is entertaining the soldiers, Amara was slightly peeking through the window.

“I can’t stay here anymore. I don’t want to put Wanda in danger. I have to draw them away from here.” Amara whispered to herself. Looking around the room, Amara took a piece of paper leaving a letter for Wanda.

~~~~

“We’re only here to check the area. It has come to our senses that the previous princess is residing here.” said one of the soldiers making Wanda frown.

“Wait, there is no princess here, well there is…….ME.” ignoring Wanda, the guards walked passed her and they scanned the place.

Wanda gritted her teeth with anger. “I told you there is no princess here.” Wanda said once again in a firm voice but the soldiers are not listening.

Wanda took a step in front of their leader and stared into his eyes with fiery anger. “THERE.IS.NO.PRINCESS.HERE. If you’re hungry, I can give you food; if you’re tired, I can shelter you BUT if you’re here to cause trouble then you might as well leave.”

The soldier did not answer back but when he snapped his fingers, Wanda was pinned to the ground because of his gravity-based magic. The hunter Damien and his group were silently observing the entire time not wanting to make a move against the new Queen’s soldiers.

Amara can hear the commotion downstairs so after making a short letter for Wanda, she jumped out of the window and made herself visible to the soldiers. When the soldiers saw her, Amara looked at Wanda giving her an apologetic smile before she ran off.

The soldiers left the inn to pursue Amara whilst Wanda had a worried look on her face as she watched the soldiers go after Amara.

“That i***t. She intentionally made her presence so she could draw them away from here. Grrr. The next time I see her, I’m going to strangle her.”

“Wanda, please take them to our room. I still need to tend to our horses. I’ll be right back.” Turning her head to the side, Wanda nodded her in response to Damien.

~~~~

Amara can still feel the soldiers following her and when she already ran far from Wanda’s inn she decided to stop to face them head on.

As she waited for the soldiers to catch up, she readied herself for the attack. When the soldiers arrived they started attacking her with their magic. Most of the soldiers use dark magic but it wasn’t enough to defeat her.

Amara threw a knife made of ice at her enemy pinning him to the tree. The others used their power against her all at the same time. Amara froze the enemy in front of her but as she put up an ice shield, a soldier was behind her.

The soldier was about to use his magic on Amara when a flying arrow hit him right through the head. Turning her head to the side, Amara frowned.

Losing the ice shield Amara created a spear shooting the soldier in front of her. Amara fell on one knee as started to breathe heavily. The fight almost drained her magic and once again she felt the tattoo disappearing.

As Amara was catching her breath she heard a horse. Squeezing her eyes shot, she was about to freeze the person with the last ounce of her power left but she stopped midway through when she recognized him. Frowning Amara remembered the man back at Wanda’s inn carrying a bow and an arrow.

“Why did you help me?” asked Amara.

“I didn’t. I was just passing by.” The man she remembered Wanda calling Damien answered. Amara clutched her heart as she takes in deep breaths. She wanted to move but she almost used all her magic which caused her exhaustion.

Damien jumped off of his horse and walked closer to Amara. Taking her hand Amara gasped surprised by his touch.

“What are you doing?” asked Amara but Damien didn’t say anything instead he carried her in his arms. Amara eyes grew wide.

“Let go of me. I can walk.” Amara complained but Damien still ignored her. Damien placed her on top of the horse then he followed. Amara blinked her eyes feeling uncomfortable with their position.

“Where are you taking me?” asked Amara. She wanted to run away from him but her magic is still recharging. For a sorceress magic is life but that’s only when they haven’t fully gained their power yet and that’s the situation Amara’s in.

The only way for her to fully gain her power is if she completes the tattoo on her back. And in order to do so, she needs life force but she’s against the idea of taking human lives. It would only turn her into a dark sorceress if she takes life. Damien took Amara to a cave so they could rest.

Damien placed Amara on one of the rocks so she could sit comfortably. ”I’ll start a fire. Stay here and wait for me.”

Amara was about to open her mouth to respond but Damien was too quick to turn his back. Amara felt her power’s returning so she used it so she could summon her butterflies. Blue butterflies fly around Amara’s body when Damien came back with woods.

Amara wanted to take the butterflies away but realizing that Damien was there when she fought with the sorcerers would only mean that he saw her do magic.

“What’s your name?” even though she knew she still asked anyway.

“Damien, you?” hearing Damien answer made Amara’s brows go up. She was expecting to be ignored again.

“Mara.” She simply answered.

“Is that your REAL name?” asked Damien eyes looking at her intently. Amara blinked her eyes and she smiled awkwardly.

“It’s Amara, right?”