"We must fight for flight."
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'So, how are we going about this?' Brother Xander asks.
'What do you mean?' Brother Brutus responds.
'Well, are we taking Emilia away now, or at a later time?'
'Now,' I say firmly, looking at my younger sister.
'Emilia wouldn't be able to control her emotions. Not after what she's heard today.'
Both of my brothers nod in agreement. She was too innocent for deception, especially against someone who had raised her.
'Emilia, can you go pack your things?'
'Pack?' She asks in confusion.
'Yes. Do you know how to?'
She shakes her head. 'No.'
'I'll help her,' Brother Xander sighs. 'You two should sort out the logistics.'
Ushering Emilia back to her room, he leaves Brother Brutus and I on our own. Being in front of Brother Brutus made me tremble again. Despite knowing he wasn't going to harm me, I cannot shake off the years of terror after such a short time.
I hide my trembling hands under my dress, looking down at my lap. After what feels like hours, I hear Brother Brutus shift in his seat.
'Well, this is awkward,' he mumbles. 'You were so bold just minutes ago. Where did all that fire go?'
I blush at his comment, looking up in annoyance.
'I'm not always that talkative! Go ask Brother Xander!'
'Yeah, right. Apart from Emilia, you're the most talkative child I've seen.'
'You're a child too!'
'No, I'm not. I'm an adult now.'
Looking proud, he straightens up his lapel, his nose so far in the air, I can see his nostrils.
I snort as I try to hide my laughter.
'What?' He asks, looking annoyed.
'You, an adult?' I snicker.
He pouts before turning serious once more.
'You can protect her, right?'
The smile falls from my face.
'Yes. I can protect her. You won't be able to contact her regularly, though.'
'But I can still contact her?'
'Only through me. You'll have to come over to get a letter to me without anyone knowing. Can you trust anyone?'
He shakes his head.
'I can't trust anyone.'
'Then it'd be safer if you had no contact with her. As for us, we'll have to meet at night. That's probably safest.'
'If we meet, can I still give you a letter for her?'
'Yes, but we can't meet regularly. It'll have to be random so no one can catch us.'
Brother Brutus nods.
'I'm not like Xander who can see you at any time. We've had no relationship before this, so it'd be suspicious if I suddenly take an interest in you.'
'How long do you think it'll take before Lady Kaitlyn finds out?'
'Probably by tonight.'
'Then it'd probably be best if you return to the army today.'
'The whole reason I came today was because I was going to leave again anyway.'
'This'll just push your travel up a bit then. How long do you think we have?'
'A few hours at most.'
'And the minimum?'
'Any minute.'
'You don't know when she's returning?'
'I have no idea when Natalie's returning… or her husband, for that matter.'
I frown.
'That'll be a problem. We need to leave as soon as possible. I'll go check on Brother Xander and Emilia.'
'Let me come with you.'
We both stand when we suddenly hear a scream.
'Aaahhh!'
'Emilia!' Brother Brutus shouts.
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Being around this big brother, I feel nervous. He is so different to big brother! Big brother is loud and a bit dumb. This big brother is quiet. He barely even looks at me. When we reach my room, he smiles at me.
'What do you want to take?' He asks.
'My plushie…'
'Do you have a lot?'
'Five,' I mumble.
'Did Brother Brutus get them for you?'
I nod.
'What else do you want to bring?'
'I dunno. What should I bring?' I ask.
'Do you want some photos?'
'Photos?'
'Yeah. Pictures of your mum, dad and Brother Brutus.'
'I don't really have many of those. Just of big brother.'
'Those are fine too.'
He watches as I go looking for the things I wanted to bring.
My bear, dolphin, horse, rabbit, and wolf. Then photos of big brother, my favourite dresses and a set of pyjamas.
'Is this enough?' I ask.
'Well, you need your self-care things too, don't forget,' big brother Xander says kindly.
'Okay!' I rush off to find what I need.
'Don't forget a towel!'
It takes time gathering everything I might need, but I finally have a bag full of my things.
'Are you sure that's all you want to bring?' He asks once more.
'Yes…'
I'm scared. I'd never left home before, but now it's happening. I won't see big brother. I won't see Mum and Dad. I'll be all alone. That's scary!
'Then shall we head down?'
'Okay…'
We slowly make our way downstairs, big brother Xander holding my bag. Not being able to hold my plushie makes things feel a bit scarier.
Half-way down the stairs, the front door opens.
'Emilia, we're home,' Mum's voice calls out.
They're back! Big brother Xander places a hand in front of me, stopping me.
'Mu-'
Big brother Xander quickly places the hand on my mouth. I look up at him, a question in my eyes before looking back at the door. Swinging wide open, I see Mum and Dad with groceries in their hands.
Seeing us, Mum frowns, but I notice something flashing in her eyes. It makes me very scared.
'Ninth Prince Alexander,' she says calmly. 'What brings you here?'
'I came to visit my little sister,' he says just as calmly.
'Your little sister?' Dad frowns. 'You don't have a sister here.'
'I do. Emilia.'
'She's mi-'
'Enough,' big brother orders. 'You know that those eyes she has only runs in the royal family. She's not yours.'
Dad looks at me with the same kindness I'd seen my whole life.
'She is mine. I raised her.'
Dad opens his arms, as if ready to catch me.
'Come here, Emi.'
I take a step forward, but big brother Xander holds onto me. Seeing this, Dad slowly walks towards us, but big brother Xander tightens his grip.
'Don't come any closer,' he says firmly.
'I won't harm anyone, Your Highness.'
'Stay there,' he warns once more.
Dad doesn't listen and when he's closer to us, he lunges forward.
'Aaahhh!' I scream.
Big sister Adira and big brother burst through the doors as big brother Xander pushes Dad away with water.
What's happening? I wonder as I fall back.
My bum hurts. My hands hurt. I'm very scared.
Dad falls down the stairs while Mum throws something at big brother and I. Big brother is still looking at Dad.
'Watch out!' I hear big sister cry.
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Seeing a glint of metal, I throw my hands up.
Shik.
Using Brother Xander's water as well as the water in the air, I form a thick wall of ice in front of my siblings.
Clang. Shing.
Two objects hit the ice before clattering down onto the stairs. That doesn't stop the woman, though. Determined to get to Brother Xander and Emilia, she rushes forward, not caring if she stepped over the man who was on his back at the bottom of the stairs, seemingly dazed.
Her face is scrunched up in an expression of pure anger and hatred.
Brother Brutus rushes into action, grabbing the woman before she reaches the stairs.
'Let go,' she struggles, kicking violently.
'Stop it, Natalie,' Brother Brutus snarls in anger.
'Let me go, you filthy puppet,' she screams.
That shocks him, and for a brief second, his grip loosens. That's all it takes for Natalie to break free, rushing towards the stairs once more.
Suddenly, Brother Brutus falls backwards.
Two glints shine, one under Brother Brutus, and the other in Natalie's hand.
'Stop!' I scream as I encase Natalie and the two glints in ice.
Sweat drips down my brow as I pant from the extreme pressure. Encasing specific things takes a lot of energy and concentration, even more so in such a fast-paced environment like this. I barely have any time to react at all.
The man cries out in pain as Brother Brutus falls onto the ice, shattering the man's hand in the process.
Emilia is still sitting on the stairs, trying to process everything, and Brother Xander is looking at me.
Shit.
I just used ice magic in front of two strangers and two of my brothers.
Scenarios start flitting through my mind as I try to think up an excuse. The ice wall had disappeared when I froze Natalie and the man's hand, so I don't notice when Emilia suddenly rushes to her mother.
'Mum!' She cries, grabbing at Natalie.
The force behind her grab pushes Natalie off the bottom stairs she's standing on.
Seeing the block of ice, Brother Brutus rolls out of the way.
Crash.
Natalie falls, breaking into pieces.
'Aaah!' The man screams as Natalie and pieces of shattered ice hit him.
Brother Brutus stands up slowly, watching the man with narrowed eyes. Storming over, he picks up a piece of ice and stabs the man in the throat.
Gurgle.
Brother Xander covers Emilia's eyes and ears just before Brother Brutus stabs down, but I can only watch the death and despair of the man in front of me, my hands trembling once more.
I wasn't able to control the temperature of my ice, which is why Natalie shattered on impact. I'd frozen her to such a cold degree that she was dead as soon as I'd encased her in ice.
I take a step back when Brother Brutus stands, the ice shard still in his hand. This is the brother I remember. The cruelty. The terror of remembering I'm an anomaly that should be put to death if anyone found out I use magic. He looks at me.
'Explain yourself,' he rasps.
'I-I-'
'Now,' his voice booms.
'Now, now. Settle down, children,' a voice says calmly from the front door.
We all turn to look at the newcomer.
There Grandpa Roberts stands, still decked in his butler clothes as he fiddles with his left cuff.
'Everyone needs to calm down.'
His voice is so soothing that I relax rather quickly.
'What are you doing here?' Brother Xander asks.
'You were gone for so long, I came to check on you.'
'How did you know where I am?'
'I always know where you are, Your Highness. I am your butler, after all. It's my job.'
Looking at our surroundings, Grandpa Roberts sighs.
'This is not the place to talk,' he says calmly. 'Let's go somewhere else.'
He walks through the door, heading to the living room.
'Come on,' he says, standing next to me and looking at my brothers.
I hesitate. Can I trust him if I follow him?
I hear footsteps behind me, pushing me into quickly following right behind him, my head down.
The quiet stirs up thoughts I don't want to even think about right now.
I just killed someone. That's the only thought running through my mind. That and the fact that now my brothers know I can use ice magic. Both thoughts terrify me so much, my whole body is trembling as I walk, still in shock from it all. All I can do is open and close my hands as I stare at them while walking.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my head. Flinching, I look up, only to realise it's Grandpa Roberts. He gently pats my head, reminiscent of Mamma. Tears fill my eyes as the sadness of her death returns. I miss her, especially now that everything's falling apart. I need her advice, her hugs, her calming presence. I need her!
'I want Mamma,' I sob quietly, the words escaping my mouth before I can stop them.
'I know,' Grandpa Roberts sighs.
The gentleness of his voice and hands as he guides me to the sofa makes me sob harder. He sits next to me as he pats my back.
I fiercely rub the tears from my eyes, trying to stop them before I start ugly crying.
It's not the time to be crying, I think while sniffling.
A gloved hand appears in front of me with a tissue in it. I grab the tissue and blow my nose hard, sniffling and blowing multiple times until the tissues have soaked up all of my snot.
Why is he helping me? Shouldn't he be turning me in for using magic?
I clear my throat, looking a little embarrassed.
'Thank you…' I mumble.
Grandpa Roberts just smiles kindly.
I don't know why he's helping me, but I feel grateful he hasn't hauled me away just yet. Maybe, just maybe I can trust him.
By then, Brother Brutus, Brother Xander and Emilia are sitting on the other sofa. Brother Brutus looks annoyed, as he tries to interact with Emilia, but she just stares ahead, her eyes glassy. Brother Xander just watches everyone, unsure on how to start.
'So, let's talk,' Grandpa Roberts starts with a clap.
We all look at him.
'Now, how is Emilia?'
'She's still not responding,' Brother Brutus sighs.
'Well, she did just see the death of the people she thought was her parents. It's not something an eight year old can get over so quickly, especially since she wasn't raised in the same environment as you three. It'll take her some time to process what's just happened.'
'What I'm trying to process is the ice magic,' Brother Brutus says angrily.
'Now, now. The timing was bad, I know, but now you can move Emilia with more time on your hands,' Grandpa Roberts soothes. 'It may sound harsh, but it's reality. Natalie and her husband are dead. There's nothing you can do about it now, so don't take your anger out on Princess Adira.'
'What else am I supposed to do?' Brother Brutus asks frustratedly.
'Be a brother to Princess Adira.'
'That was you, wasn't it, Adira?' Brother Xander asks. 'The ice magic?'
I nod.
'When did you find out?'
'…Two years ago…'
Brother Xander looks startled.
'How did you hide it for two years?'
'…practice…'
'How does it work?'
I don't say anything.
'Will…will you turn me in?' I ask quietly.
Brother Xander looks away while Brother Brutus looks down, both extremely uncomfortable. I can see the calculations running through their minds, the same calculations I've been making.
'There is a second option,' Grandpa Roberts butts in.
'A second option?' We chorus.
'Yes. Use the Sealers.'