Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The scene opens on a panning shot of Levimare, the capital, starting in the clouds and ending in the city. The camera centers on a snowy clearing. Everly and August can be seen playing together. Evander is standing off to the side with his arms crossed, watching August as he was tasked to by Rylee. He is dressed in clothing suitable for the snow with a light colored cloak on his shoulders lined with fur. He watches Everly play with August with disdain, disliking the embarrassment that Everly is making of himself. Eventually, Evander gets fed up with Everly and approaches him. Evander grabs Everly by the collar and drags him to his feet.
Evander: What are you doing on the ground like this? You're a Prince.
August scoots away as Everly narrows his eyes at Evander.
Everly: Isn't August one as well?
Evander huffs.
Evander: But he's a child. Last time I checked you were older than me.
A smile rests on Evander's face, thin and easy.
Evander: Although, since you like rolling around on the ground so much,
Everly's gaze hardened.
Evander: perhaps you'd like to entertain me in a battle?
Cuts to a profile shot of Everly facing right. Everly: No weapons.
Cuts to a profile shot of Evander facing left. Everly: No magic.
Evander shrugs his shoulders and unties the sword from his hip, throwing it off to the side. His smile is cruel and magic is alight in his eyes.
Evander: Well, what are you waiting for?
Everly approaches Evander quickly and gets a hit off of Evander. Blood runs down from Evander’s nose but the smile stays. Everly makes another swing at Evander, but Evander crouches down and swings with his leg. Everly jumps up. As Evander raises up Everly tackles him and they fall to the ground. Just as Everly is about to pin Evander, Evander pushes him off. Evander scrambles over to pin Everly, placing his hands on Everly’s throat.
Evander: You’re not as tough now, are you? Not a Prince now, are you?
Pain is evident in Everly's expression, but he still glares.
Everly: How is this any different? Us sitting here on the ground.
Evander tightens his grip, magic sparking within his gaze.
Evander: You don’t know anything. Everything is about your place in the world. And when you stand on top, it’s because you crushed everyone below you.
Lukas: What are you two doing?
Evander loosens his grip, his eyes widening in shock. Lukas standings above them, eyes narrowed and a crown upon his head.
Chapter 2
Evander and Everly stand near each other in a large hall, Lukas standing before them. Evander is staring at the floor, not meeting either of their eyes.
Lukas: Can either of you tell me what happened out there?
Everly: It was irrational and unbecoming. We shouldn’t have done it in the first place.
Evander clenches his hands into fists but looks up, trying and failing to keep his expression steady.
Evander: It was nothing of importance. We were just about to resolve it.
Lukas: Not very well if you two were still on the floor.
Lukas sighs, glancing out the window behind Evander and Everly.
Lukas: Don’t think that the snow has let you off easy. Once it lets up, you're going out digging to find your sword.
Lukas walks over to Everly and places a hand on his shoulder. Evander looked away, anger evident in his expression.
Evander: Why is he so kind to Everly? Father was molding Everly into the perfect heir just like he did to me. But I never saw that gentle look that was too genuine to be fake. I had to be perfect.
Image of Evander suspended in a gilded cage, possibly with him winged that were clipped.
Evander: And there’s no room for concern with perfection.
Lukas placed a hand on Evander’s shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts and causing him to flinch. Evander looked up to his father’s eyes.
Evander: There’s nothing. Why do I even try?
Lukas: You’d best apologize to Everly.
Evander: Father couldn’t make his little Prince apologize to his disobedient brother, now could he?
Evander: Yes Father
Lukas stepped away.
Lukas watches him and Evander walks over to where Everly is standing. But before Evander could apologize, the doors to the room and Rylee comes in. She is in distress.
Everly: Queen Rylee
Evander: Mother,
Everly approaches Rylee first but Evander is not far behind.
Evander: What’s wrong?
Rylee looks around the room.
Rylee: August, is he here?
Evander: No.
Evander’s eyes widen.
Evander: He’s not here because of me.
Everly: Did he come in before the snow?
Rylee: No. He didn’t.
Evander glanced at the door, a serious expression that is tinted with a bit of guilt on his face.
Evander: I’ll go look for him.
Everly steps forward to stand by Evander.
Everly: I’ll go too.
Chapter 3
Evander and Everly stand across from each other, the snow whipping up in a frenzy around them. Evander is glaring at Everly, trying to keep himself civil as Lukas is on the other side of the door.
Evander: Why are you here? I could handle this myself well enough.
Everly: I want to help. I was distracted by our fight as much as you were.
A self-deprecating smile is on Evander’s face. He scoffs.
Evander: So you are willing to admit to imperfections. Now look at who’s being humble.
Everly narrows his eyes but doesn’t lash out to Evander’s surprise.
Everly: You don’t like me. You’ve made that very clear. But I don’t think it’s warranted. I haven’t done anything.
Evander’s shock fades away into cruel enjoyment.
Evander: What you did or didn’t do doesn’t matter. There's a hierarchy at play and you need to know your place.
Everly: And why is that? What is so important that you need to push me down at every opportunity?
Evander: Maetia must really be different. You didn't have a fight for the throne?
Everly: Why does any of that matter? I'm not Challenging you for it.
Evander: You don't see it?
Every gives Evander a black, confused look.
Evander: You really don't see it. Have you not seen how Father treats you?
Everly: How Father treats me? Does that really matter?
Evander can’t contain his anger anymore, his magic alight in his eyes.
Evander: Does it matter? Of course it matters!
Evander grabs onto Everly’s scarf pulling his forward.
Evander: You’re the heir he wants! Despite everything I’ve done for him you’re still the one he chooses!
After his outburst, Evander releases Everly, realizing what he just said. He steps back and turns away.
Evander: Just, don’t follow me.
Evander leaves and Everly watched him. After readjusting his scarf Everly follows Evander.
Chapter 4
Evander is storming through the streets, his eyes darting to the empty pools of light from the lamps scattered about. Everly is struggling to catch up, trying to keep some distance from him and Evander. Evander glances back and spots Everly.
Evander: You’re not that slick. Stop darting about.
Everly: You weren’t exactly welcoming before.
Anger flashes across Evander’s face but he controls it.
Evander: Make yourself useful and keep a lookout for August. He can’t be far.
Everly and Evander walk in silence for a few moments.
Everly: You care about August more than you let on.
Evander: Of course I care for August. He’s my brother. Quieter. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
Everly: I- I know what you mean. I left someone behind.
Everly pauses.
Everly: He was my younger brother no matter how much blood we actually shared. I hope the Maetian king wasn’t too harsh.
Evander: Paris?
Everly flinches.
Evander: Father never liked him but he wouldn’t say why.
Evander: I’ve only seen him once. He was powerful
Image of Paris silhouetted
Evander: even without his book.
Everly: He isn’t someone that should be crossed.
Everly wraps his hand around his upper arm, curling in on himself.
Evander doesn’t continue the conversation and they continue to walk. A few moments later, a figure can be seen. August comes into view through the snow. Everly crouches down.
August: Ever!
August runs into Everly’s outstretched arms and hugs him.
August: I’m so glad you’re here!
Everly pulls August up, holding him in his arms. August’s arms are around Everly’s neck and Everly is supporting August’s legs.
Everly: You’re safe now.
Steps are heard. August and Everly glance off to the side and see footprints in the snow.
Everly: Let’s get back now.
Scene shifts to Evander, who is storming through the snow, his hood up over his head. He ends up stopping against the wall, leaning with his back against it. This is the first shot of his full face. His eyes are red and tears are in his eyes.
Evander: Why did I think anything would change? I’m not the one anyone wants.