1 Chapter 1

Rani sat alone at a large oval oakwood table in the middle of the great hall, cursing the day she was born. Her feet hurt, she was so damn tired and hungry, and the lords had been giving her shit all day. But she had to be on her best behavior, or they'd report back to her parents.

She sighed, turning to watch the sunset through the stained glass windows to her left. The last light of day shined through its various colors. Casting the glossy gray floors into a shimmering rainbow. This was her favorite part of the room. The way the light played on her fingers as it rainbow rays colored the otherwise boring room.

She glanced around the room marking the castle worker sitting at the smaller tables at the back wall. Few braved the great hall, most preferring to eat in their rooms, least the grumpy lords might yell at them. If only she had the same option.

She scowled at her sore feet. She debated what the busybody lords and ladies of her court would say about a barefoot princess. Deciding she wasn't yet that desperate she lifted her gaze to the beef stew in front of her. She took another bite before glancing around the room again.

Her parents were in the Eastern Islands. Helping the community after a tempest left their homes in ruins. The Eastern Islands governed themselves. Her parents wanted to show their support and keep them in its people's good graces. 

Reva, her best friend, was late, and she was going to bury her alive for leaving her to suffer all alone.  She couldn't help but feel awkward with the other nobility lining the table. They were all rude old men who got whatever they wanted and she was a young princess for them to run over.

She made eye contact with one of the guards, a fair-haired young man who she knew was friends with Reva.

He read the question on her face. Shrugging then continued to survey the room for potential threats. His grey-blue eyes darting to the darkest corners. Glancing over every face in the room studying and calculating every possibility. Every threat.

"Where the hell is she", Rani thought. How dare Reva leave her to these court nightmares and sorry excuses for human beings. How dare she leave her alone when Reva knew every well she hated being alone in crowds.

Voices floated from behind the big oak wood doors. Rani couldn't help but feel relieved as Reva, her best friend, walked in; arm in arm with a gorgeous dark-skinned boy.

Reva's electric blue eyes beelined to her's. Reva gave her an apologetic look then started toward the table.

Reva's chocolate hair was sectioned into two dutch braids. Her pale, slightly freckled face, radiated happiness as she smiled at the boy and tugged him along.

She was wearing dark blue leggings. A loose white shirt. Paired with her favorite gray combat boots. Which told Rani she had been in the city today. Most likely hanging out with the boy at her side.

The pair neared the table, Rani gave the boy a small, welcoming smile, then leveled a stare at Reva.

"Hello wifey," She purred, giving her friend a playful smile.

"Hello, my love," Reva responded with a smirk.

The boy gave Reva an exasperated look that had Rani pressing her lips together. The corners of her mouth twitched upward. She pressed her lip harder.

"Should I be concerned?" He asked, his voice like silk yet strong as steel.

"Oh yes," Reva said. A picture of seriousness painted on her face. "My wife always comes first," She gestured to her, "The men in this room are decorations. A bit of fun. I could easily replace you with a mirror."

Rani finally lost it. Snorting and laughing so loud that the Lords across the table gave her a look that said. "That's not very proper for a future queen," like she gave a shit.

Reva was staring at her, fighting a smile of her own, so much light in her eyes. Others would think they were filled with lightning, though they may very well be with her gifts.

The poor boy looked so lost she almost pitied him. Almost. Everyone knew Reva and Rani were best friends, "since the beginning of time," she often thought.

"Are you going to introduce me to your new friend, my love," she asked?

"Rani, this is Easton," She looked at the boy, "Easton this is Rani, princess of Marmoris and my best friend for all time."

The boy's striking chocolate brown eyes widened as he took in her seafoam dress. Then the silver tiara nestled into her raven hair. He stumbled as he rushed to bow and she tried not to cringe.

Reva, not bothering to bow, took the seat to her right, Easton nervously taking the one beside her. He shot daggers at Reva as he lowered his voice to a whisper.

"You didn't tell me we would be eating with the princess," he muttered.

"If I had, would you have come?" Reva asked coolly. Easton glared at her more. "Relax, her Majesty isn't someone to fear," Reva drawled, "in fact, you should fear me more."

A pointed cough came from the wall to Rani's right. Reva gave the guard from earlier a look that Rani was glad had never been directed at her.

"Who's that," Easton asked, glancing at the guard.

"Oh that's Eric, he's an asshole." Another pointed cough from the young guard. Reva smiled. "Eric, over there is my trainer, he likes to draw attention to himself. He's arrogant, rude, and will probably make me run an extra mile tomorrow for calling him names." The young guard rolled his eyes.

"So," Rani started, unable to hold her curiosity any longer. "How exactly do you know each other?" Reva's face flushed crimson.

"Uh, well..," she swallowed hesitantly, "he kinda saved my ass, so I invited him to dinner. He refused at first, but I finally got him to join us today."

"More like, bullied me, into coming." Easton counter. Rani ignored him and leveled a stare at Reva.

"And why did your ass need saving, and when?" One of the lords further down the table objected to her use of language. Reva sent a shocking glare and a rude finger that quieted his protests. When she turned to Rani again, her face went crimson once more.

"Reva." She demanded.

"I may have pissed off the city guards a few weeks ago."

"Again?" She sighed in exasperation.

"The city guards are assholes. They were harassing a young woman. You know I will not sit idly by and watch their disgusting behavior go unchecked."

Reva had always had a strong stance against men's treatment of women. Though she never told Rani why exactly she believed in it so firmly that she went and put herself in danger.

Rani could guess at the rest of the story. Though it was surprising to see the feelings that were occupying Reva's eyes when she walked in with him.

Reva didn't often think of men like that, she only had one other lover in her eighteen years of life. If you could call their relationship a relationship. It was more like just friends who called each other boyfriend and girlfriend.

She claimed most guys were too stupid to bother with, but it seemed she didn't find Easton stupid at all. Rani turned her attention to him.

"I'd like to thank you for helping Reva, she often finds herself in trouble," Reva grumbled, something, Rani chose not to hear.

Easton, looking a tad more comfortable, replied, "I have no trouble believing that." Reva just rolled her eyes and grabbed a roll from the platter in front of her.

"So how was court today," Reva asked.

"What do you think? Boring, pointless, the whole lot of us chasing the same arguments in circles. The usual."

"gods I'm so glad I'm not you."

"Watch it, or I'll make you come."

"Bull shit, you wouldn't dare."

"Oh, but I might need my lady in waiting to rub my feet and flip off anyone who dares speak out of turn."

Reva snorted, "I'll flip off as many people as you want, but I'm not touching your feet." She gave a disgusted glance in the direction of her feet in emphasis. "If they hurt so bad, you know it wouldn't kill you to go a day without heels."

"Oh but I do like feeling tall, not that you would know what that's like."

"Rude, someone's snarky today, been taking lessons have you?"

Easton sat silently. Watching their little battle take place as he served himself some chicken soup and a few rolls.

"And who would I have learned it from."

"Oh, I don't know," she drawled, "the girl that can electrocute your ass."

"I think we call that treason around here." As she said it she noticed Easton go stiff.

"Relax," Reva commented, "She's sooner to cut off her own head than mine." She gave Rani a half-hearted glare.

Rani decided to change the subject. Still sensing Easton's discomfort, "So are you guys seeing each other?"

"Why? Need more gossip for the court?" Reva challenged. She put an elbow on the table and propped her fisted hand under her chin.

"Always, that is our currency since we're all disgustingly rich."

"Yes, we are," Easton paused, "well, to be honest, I have no clue what we are."

Reva's face flushed crimson again. "Well, what do you want us to be?" She purred despite her obvious embarrassment.

Only when talking about relationships. Or something she said made her look weak, did she show embarrassment. She had a face of steel any other time and a mouth straight out of hell.

It was Easton's turn to be embarrassed. His dark skin hid his blush, but she could read it in his eyes.

"I let you on my boat, I'd say that says something," he muttered glancing at his food to avoid eye contact.

"Only you would find letting someone on your boat a show of affection," Reva said leaning back in her chair.

"What do you say then, you wanna be my girlfriend?"

"I don't know, let me consult my wife." Reva's gaze shifted to her. "So what do you think, cute right?"

She smiled, happy for her friend, "Very, I say you go for it."

Reva smirked in a way that told her she was likely about to say something she shouldn't. "Of course you say that you fall in love with every other person you meet."

"Excuse me for wanting my best friend to catch up and finally get her first kiss." Reva's face went cherry red at her teasing.

"You really are in a mood today." She turned back to Easton; face still red, "my wife thinks it's a good idea. So yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

Grinning from ear to ear. Easton was about to say something that would likely get him electrocuted. A glare from Reva had him clinching his full lip tightly.

They fell into conversation. Reva told the full story about how they met and how Easton worked at the docks and was an amazing sailor.

Easton hardly finished telling her about his family when the door slammed open. Causing the guards to draw their swords.

The guards kept their swords drawn as a messenger ran in, looking frantic. She heard the thunder boom outside and there was indeed lightning at Reva's fingertips. Rani wondered what she sensed in the winds that whispered secrets to her.

The messenger, a young redheaded boy stepped up to the table. Breathing hard, his pale freckled face looked sickly as he looked at her with fear and pity.

He started speaking and the world seemed to fall apart beneath her. She stopped hearing as the truth hit her, her heart shattered to pieces.

"Rani. Breath." A voice like thunder and rain sounded distant; as if from another world. She felt a hand grasp hers. "Rani!" Reva spoke with urgency. The fear and pain in Reva's Voice dragged her back. She had cocooned herself in the rarely seen moon fire. Only Reva with her storm powers could have breached it. There was fear and pain in her eyes.

They were gone, her parents. Lost at sea. She felt the tears slide down her face. It wasn't real, it was a mistake. It had to be.

Reva gripped her hand harder and led her from the room. She staggered going the steps. Reva gripped her waist helping her to her room, in the eastern tower facing the sea. Rani vaguely felt Reva help her out of her gown and into a t-shirt. She let Reva lead her and tuck her into her enormous bed.

Vaguely heard her call for a healer, who forced some sort of tonic down her throat. A few moments later she was dragged into a deep, dreamless sleep.

…

Reva could not think, all she knew was that her friend needed her. So she dragged herself from the sorrow that threatened to crush her. Rani had cocooned herself in the silvery glow of her moon fire. Most of the lords were backing away. Some running and others wide-eyed and tripping over chairs.

Reva started for her and Easton grabbed her arm, making to pull her back. She ripped away from him and walked straight into the moon fire. Her winds and lightning protected her from its frozen death.

She reached Rani and tried to yell her name. It came out a whisper.

The moon fire started spreading and she heard the others cries of fear, "Rani!" She said stronger, demanding that she look at her.

Her hollow eyes met hers and Reva's heart broke at the silent tear that began flowing down her friend's cheeks.

Her moon fire slowly died. All that was left was the power still shining in her sliver grey eyes as if the moon lived in them.

She gripped her friend's hand tighter and led her from the room. They were silent as she led her to her room in the easter tower. And helped her out of her seafoam dress and into a t-shirt.

She tucked her into her king-size bed, pulling the pale purple covers up to her neck.

Rani was still silently crying and shaking slightly. Reva called for a healer to bring her a sleeping tonic.

The healer was already on her way and made quick work of forcing it down Rani's throat. Within a few moments, she was deep in sleep. Reva quietly blew out the candles around the room and left.

She made it ten steps from her room. A hallway down from Rani's when she started crying.

Easton, who was waiting with Eric, by her door, came over and pulled her into a hug. Two weeks ago, he had walked -or jumped- into her life. And it was nice. The first time she felt something for someone. Besides the fictional characters in her books. She was very glad for him at that moment.

After a few minutes, she pulled away and looked to Eric, another close friend. His gray-blue eyes mirrored the sorrow she knew gleamed in her own eyes.

"What now?" she asked.

"We mourn and then Rani becomes queen." He said flatly. She felt scared for her friend, but she would be there. Whatever Rani needed she'd be there to help.

She said goodbye to Easton and asked Eric to get him a carriage home.

After one last hug and a kiss on her forehead. the kiss had her -despite the sorrow- curling her toes. Easton followed Eric down the hall and she shut her door and climbed into bed,

Reva knew tomorrow was going to be a hard day for the whole kingdom. For the queen now sleeping a short distance from her room, she knew it would be one of the hardest.