Chapter Text
Prologue- 7 years prior
"Star! Star, wait up!" I stopped and looked back at my best friend, Prince Liam Greymane of Gilneas. When he caught up to me, he looked at me and took my hand. "Star, I don't care that you aren't a Royale. You can still be my friend; my best friend." I smiled but moved his hand out of mine. "Liam, I know, but you'll soon be learning how to be a proper Prince and whatnot. Soon I'll be learning how to harness my warlock powers, and you know that the warlock trainer for this area doesn't come to individual towns. I have to go to him." He was shaking his head before I was finished speaking.
"I asked my parents to bring our family warlock trainer here, so you can stay here and we don't have to separate." I looked at him surprised. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Present day
I ran through the maze, fighting my way through the thorny vines that were trying to wrap themselves around me. "Shadow Bolt!" I threw my hand forward and a bolt of dark fire came spiraling out of my hands, setting the vines ablaze. Rolling under the falling debris, I saw the end of the maze. I jumped over the last of the vines and landed outside the maze. When I looked back, the maze doors closed. I breathed a sigh of relief.
The doors would only close if I had completed what my Master had set out for me to do. I moved to the fountain of water on the opposite wall and splashed icy cold water onto my face. The water ran down my face and neck in wonderful trickles, sending chills down my spine. I smiled and moved to the outer chamber of the castle courtyard. I grabbed my bag full of books and hefted it onto my shoulder, letting out a grunt of pain; I felt the muscles of my left shoulder stretch more than what should be normal. I knew I would have to go see the priest about getting my shoulder looked at and maybe fixed.
"Starthyst! How did the maze go?" my warlock Master asked me as I approached. "It went very well. I completed it." I smiled at him, watching a look of confusion appear on his face. "I thought that I had made it so you wouldn't get it on the first time. I guess I'll have to try harder next time. You are free to go Star," I bowed to my Master, saying, "May the Light be with you,"
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"I have no idea how you managed to tear not only your shoulder muscle but also irritated your rotater cuff, Starthyst. This will hurt you know," I nodded and looked over at Liam. He smiled and chuckled, but came over and sat next to me and let me take his hand. "On three then. 1...2...3!" The magic went into my shoulder and I threw my head back in pain, a hiss escaping between my clenched teeth. I clasped Liam's hand tightly, feeling my shoulder muscle and cuff move and stretch, going back to how they were supposed to be. When it was done, Priestess Kidate wrapped my shoulder and put my arm in a sling. "I need you to keep this as immobile as possible for the next four days. I will let your trainer know you are on medical leave. Even though I've healed you, I really just made new muscle grow, so you could easily hurt it again." I nodded and thanked her, promising to bring any kills to her.
Liam and I left, my best friend taking my bag from me and putting it on his shoulder. "So many books Star. Why?" "I have to study the warlock history, memorize ten new spells a every month, learn five rituals a month and be able to do both herbalism and apothecary work by the time Autumn comes. I am very busy," he shook his head and smiled. I smiled back and reached for his hand. Liam and I never have dated, even though the kingdom wanted us to be married. At 19, I was of marrying age, but all the available bachelors didn't want to invade on Liam. Liam had been of marrying age since he was 18, and now he was 22.
He and I had been friends for a very long time. My mother had been the Queen's Lady-in-waiting, and had been there when Liam had been born. When I had been born, the Queen had been there for my mother. And when my father was banished from the Kingdom for treason when I was 7, Liam had been there for me. When I was 12, it was discovered that I was a warlock, where in many areas was something to be frowned upon, I was terrified I would be separated from my best friend. But the Royale family didn't care that I was a warlock; many in the family were of warlock descent, and they had their own family of warlocks that trained them.
Since I was basically family, Liam convinced his parents that I would do better being trained individually than be sent to the area trainer, who had anywhere from two to thirty students at a time.
We arrived to the throne room, where the King and Queen were standing and talking. When they saw us, they called us over. As we approached, I bowed to the King and Queen.
"Starthyst, you don't have to bow to us. You're family!" King Genn said, laughing. I laughed with him. "I know, Your Majesty, but I also know that soon we will be having the annual Fall Equinox Ball and since all the Royales in the area are welcome, I need to get back into the habit." His Majesty laughed and nodded. Liam looked at me and I nodded. I knew he wanted me to be his date, as always. The arrangement worked well for us, but then the King said, "Liam, you Mother and I need to speak with you. Star, you'll excuse us?" I nodded and left, closing the door behind me. I walked to mine and my Mother's quarters. When I got close, I smelled Mother cooking my favorite meal- Potatoes and wolf steak. I ran the rest of the way, startling my Mother when I got home.
"Star! You gave me a- what happened to your arm?!" As usual, Mother went from scolding to being worried about me. "I messed up my arm Mother. I'll be fine in a few days. The priestess fixed me up, but with what she did I have to keep my arm immobile for a few days." She nodded and went back to fixing dinner. I used my magic to set the table and poured ice cold milk for us both.
"Milk for dinner Star?" "What's the occasion?" Milk was a treat for Mother and I, but I felt that tonight warranted it. "I got passed the strongest maze my Master has ever made in one try today, Mother. Now he has to make a new, stronger one. He is determined to create one that I can't get through like I have been." She smiled and hugged me. I winced when she did, but I smiled at her. Then I realized I was five inches taller than my Mother. When did that happen? I thought to myself.
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After dinner, I helped Mother clean up and then went back toward where I knew Liam would be practicing his fencing. But when I got to the fencing arena, he was arguing with his father. I felt bad for eavesdropping, but I couldn't help myself.
"I don't care why Father! I am not marrying some woman whom I have never met!"
"You will meet her Liam! She will be here for the Ball and you shall dance at least two dances with her. I will order you to as King if I must! Good day to you!" The King left then and Liam started chopping up dummies left and right.
I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor, feeling my heart shatter into a million tiny pieces. He's going to meet his betrothed....no...For in that moment, I realized I had fallen in love with my best friend.