2 – The Beginning?

"Skyler? Skyler! Wake up." Lucas half said half shouted as he pushed and pulled me awake.

I immediately sat up straight and punched Lucas square in the jaw. My lungs sucked in air. I looked at Lucas as he had his hand over his jaw. His mouth twitched into a smirk.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"It's like I should be asking that question to you." He chucked, rich and deep. "Are you okay?"

My hand reached protectively over my gut. "I think so...Unless you want me to tell you what Dicktalons do to people."

"Aw, is lil' sis having a nightmare?" Lucas teased, his eyes making a mockery of me.

"Shut up Lu!" I warned and punched him playfully. "Why don't you go somewhere and be helpful for once?"

"I'd say the same to you, but you'd just have to watch out for the Dicktalons on the way."

A pillow was flung in his direction as he left the room, laughing.

Lucas always cared for me and we got along pretty well. I was grateful for him waking me up.

Drenched in sweat, I got out of bed and a pang of pain flew through my shoulder.

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘐 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

Stepping towards the windows I drew the pale cream curtains, expecting sunlight but instead got an overclouded sky. The peaks of winter.

I dressed and went downstairs to see everyone in the palace preparing for winter. Winter in Captacold was like no other. (Hence the name. I mean it's pretty obvious).

Snow always came with it and got as high as a grown man's waist. It was only bad for certain years and I hoped this year wasn't going to be one of them.

Strange things happened where more beasts are evidently roaming through Darkwood -Day and Night- and new creatures never seen come alive.

The snow storms were also horrific but that's like a plus to the rest of the info.

"Good Morning, Miss Scott. Can I get you anything?" Connor patiently waited for me.

The palace's very own cook.

And a great partner in crime when it comes to covering up for me when I've snuck out to see my best friend.

"No thank you, Connor. Where is Father?" Equal patience came from my tone.

"He is discussing some matters concerning Captacold, Miss. But if you would, could I leave a message for you?"

I already started shaking my head. 'I'll see you around." My hand waved as I headed out of the palace.

Chloe, my father's assistant, appeared by my side shortly after I exited.

"Aren't you going to training, Sky?"

The colour drained from my face.

I loved sparring with my father's men, but just because I'm his child doesn't cut me any slack. I didn't even know how late I was.

As if on cue, Chloe spoke up, "Well hurry up! They must have started already!"

I already started walking towards The Grounds which turned into a run, leaving the stone palace behind me.