Princess Blind's Sight

A Melodic whisper

**Kyrah (POV) **

[Kaarmanet, Academy: Secret Training Den]



I was totally torn about how to feel - was I supposed to be mad, annoyed, or just plain thankful that Romick followed me that exact day? It was all too surreal. I mean, who would've thought I'd end up in a life-or-death situation, facing down some crazy creature? Certainly not me! But that was not the only thing on my mind!

"NO, THIS GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PRINCESS CAN'T BE MY MATE!... GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PRINCESS... GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PRINCESS!" Romick's harsh words echoed in my mind, haunting me like a broken record.

I restlessly lay on my bed, tossing and turning in a futile attempt to sleep. But sleep eluded me like a thief in the night, slipping through my grasp despite my exhaustion. As I felt the familiar subtle change in the air around me, I knew it was getting close to sunrise. With a resigned sigh, I slipped out of my bed, changed into tights and a loose crop top, and decided to go to my secret training den hidden deep within the labyrinthine caves surrounding the academy's castle.

Dasha had instructed me to take the day off, to recover from the attack, but I knew he was more concerned about Romick's reaction when he realized I was his mate. I was also sure Romick had no idea of the depth of the connection we shared, or he wouldn't have so easily said those words to his wolf. Then again, why would he care what I, a good-for-nothing Princess, felt? As I walked through the familiar path, I stretched my hand to reach the tunnel walls that led to my training den; letting the craggy surface guide my path while it reminded me of my mate's words yet again...: "NO, THIS GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PRINCESS CAN'T BE MY MATE!"

While I wanted to be thankful to him for saving my life, his harsh words ran like a knife through my heart, and I was beyond angry. I didn't need his pity! Yes, I am blind, but not helpless! Just as my rage threatened to burst out like a disturbed volcano, the familiar scent of wood and leather enveloped me, calming my frayed nerves. Mom's trusted Leprechauns had built this den under Dasha's supervision and no one but Dasha, Kiah & Uncle Jay knew of its existence within the academy.

It was built to look like any other gym in the academy with training weights, punching bags, yoga mats, ropes, a kickstand, and target boards along with my bow and quivers filled with custom-made arrows that spread across the length and breadth of this particularly large cave. But it was a secret for a reason! I'd found special and rare elemental gems within these caves that emitted a living aura-like frequency, and the Leprechauns had installed them within the target boards and obstacle simulators to aid me in training. My personal favorite was the special arrows I had designed for myself, giving me the perfect balance despite any wind traction. Mom often teased me, calling it my personal Bat Cave; though I have no idea what she meant. (Probably was something back from Earth, where she was raised as a kid.)

With practiced ease, I retrieved my bow and quiver, feeling the comforting weight and familiarity of its wooden curves in my hands. Archery had always been my solace, my refuge in times of turmoil, and that day was no exception. With each arrow I notched and released towards the target, I found a semblance of peace amidst the chaos of my thoughts. "NO, THIS GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PRINCESS CAN'T BE MY MATE!" The rhythmic twang of the bowstring echoed in the silence of the den, a soothing melody that drowned out the noise of my worries.

Though I was physically blind, I could see the auras of all the living and magic, allowing me to distinguish those around me with an ease no one could comprehend. Of course, the scents and sounds aided in giving me the clarity of the surrounding space. And because, unlike my parents, I didn't possess elemental magic, Dad had decided to train me in self-defense early on.

But try as I might, I couldn't shake the memory of Romick's unexpected intervention. Why had he risked his life for mine? Was it out of duty or pity... or was there something more beneath the surface? And what's with his newfound ability to morph the size of his wolf form at will? It was a power, unlike anything I had ever heard of! I'd noticed his aura shine differently moments before he expanded his form to 30 feet.

As I released each arrow, I pondered the mysteries; his aura was gigantic, for a moment it felt like his aura was as vast as the Lospien. It enveloped my entire being and the weirdest part of the encounter was being able to see the world through Arsa's eyes. I was shell shocked when it happened, fear gripped me. The Beast's attack didn't shake me as much as seeing the vivid colors of my surroundings and the ginormous trees shrinking to the size of a shrub.

But neither Romick nor Arsa seemed to be aware of it, and it left me with more questions than answers. Could it be the fate bond that connected us in that way? But it was unheard of a pair to have a bond like that before completing the ceremony, and I hadn't even turned 18 yet! If it weren't for the vision, I wouldn't be able to identify him as my mate! We, probably, had a bond that was only beginning to form. Yet it was stronger than the strongest complete bonds I'd seen before. Heck, my parents' bond brought my father back from the dead!

With each question, I released an arrow. The twang of the bowstring marking the release and the thwack of an arrowhead marking the impact. I let the rhythmic echo of the twang and the thwack through the den began to calm my anxious mind.

"Kyrah..." I heard a melodic whisper, carrying with it a sense of urgency and desperation.

I froze gripping my bow tight, while feeling my quiver for an arrow: ready to shoot if it were a threat.

"Kyrah... come to me dear..."