1 Chapter 1

My hands were still shaking from the aftermath of what had just happened. Although I tried to sit as calmly and gracefully as I could, only I knew about the storm of thoughts that ravaged in me.

What happened out there? How does this make any sense?

I was lost in the events of today when a voice startled me and pulled me back to reality.

"Princess, the Council would like you to come in and give your statement." Aimee said as she gestured towards the door.

As I walked in the never ending hallway towards the door I saw a bunch of students trying to get a glimpse of the drama and among them were Eva, Max and....Liam? He was here? But why?

William tried to pull an reassuring smile but his concern was evident. Yes, I liked Liam, and at any other given time I would be thrilled to see him concerned for me, but not now, not for this.

What will he think of me now?

I tried to get a hold of myself and kept walking. I couldn't help but contemplate over the events of last month and the sheer irony and timing of it all. Most importantly, I couldn't help but think how my life had just turned upside down.

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(A month ago)

I was walking in the Palace gardens. Looking at the flowers and taking in the fresh air. I was feeling relaxed. I hadn't felt so calm in a long time. I stopped when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to walk towards that direction to find a woman with her back faced towards me, singing a familiar lullaby. I instantly knew who she was.

"Mom?"

She turned and gave me a smile. The aura around her was surreal. And then it hit me - she was dead. She had been dead for 10 years now.

My heart stopped and sank. The expression on her face changed from ' joyous and serene' into one filled with terror as she yelled.

"Run Valerie. Run...Run.....RUN!"

I didn't hesitate. I turned and I ran. I was about to exit the garden when 2 figures blocked my way. They were covered in a black and a white robe respectively. Their faces were covered with long masks and they each had a crown on their head. They kept humming something that was inaudible and started walking towards me .I panicked. I turned to run again but only to be blocked by another such pair.

I did not loose hope. I kept trying to run away but their numbers only kept increasing to a point where there were 16 of them surrounding me as they hummed their chant. They kept walking towards me and encircled me. Suddenly they all went silent. For a moment nothing happened and then they started walking towards me, together.

I panicked. I Closed my eyes and screamed only to find myself on my bed as I opened my eyes.

It was a dream!

I breathed a sigh of relief and tried to calm myself down. For a few moments I sat there trying to think about the dream- mom. She looked as beautiful and radiant as I remembered her. But what and who were the weird masked people.

I need to clear my mind.

I stood up and walked towards the terrace adjacent to my room. As I stepped out into the terrace I felt a blast of cold air on my face and a chill all over my body.

Should've grabbed the coat first Valerie, you genius!

I started looking outside. It was somewhere around dawn and the view from here was beautiful, with lush green gardens and a stream flowing by. Spring was around the corner and winter winds were receding. Then it hit me.

"Happy 16th birthday Valerie!" I said and with a faint hope looked towards my hands.

Let's try one more time. Maybe, just maybe.

And with that I tried with everything in me, but there was no sign of it....no magic! no element!

I was disappointed but then again the result hadn't been any different for the last 16 years. Almost everyone had given up on the thought that someday I would have an element of my own.

Royal children or 'starseeds' were gifted with magical powers with each and every one of them having the ability to use any one element - Fire, earth, air and water. Everyone except me that is. Some children could use their elements from as young as 4 years old. But by the age of 16 almost everyone could conjure and control any one of the elements. I was the only one in my family who couldn't. I was the only royal in Norfealm who couldn't. It was not something my family was proud of, they would often brush it off by saying that I was a late initiator. Now they would have to accept that I wasn't a normal royal.

After the age of 16 every Royal would have to start mastering their element. And that is when they were to be admitted to the Academy of Shircai to learn about the world and their elements. Humans too could study there but only the exceptionally brilliant ones or the children of high ranking officials got in. I, on the other hand fit none of the descriptions except for the fact that I could fight. Not only did I stand a chance in them, but I could actually win combats. All these years while my siblings trained with elements, I trained with weapons.

The squeak of my door made me turn.

Who could it be this early?

I entered my room to find my elder sister Evanora and my twin brother Valerio.

"Happy birthday Valerie!" Evanora said as she ran towards me excitedly and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back.

"Happy birthday Val!" Rio said as he hugged me too.

"You too! I'm surprised that you're not drunk yet .According to the plans you had a week ago you must be unconscious right now."

"Yeah I had to drop them. There were a ton of guards at every possible entryway last night. I wonder why. Oh, and before I forget, dad has asked us to meet him in an hour so freshen up."

"I bet its about the Academy " Nora had a tense expression on her face as she said those words. Nora was 17 and she still hadn't joined the Academy due to the events of last year. To say that these events were dramatic would be an understatement, they were dark. But she could join this year. With us!

"I can't wait to go to the academy. I hope it's just like how they told us."

I freshened up and headed towards dad's study. I could hear two people arguing inside but as soon as I stepped in they stopped. Standing there with my father was my aunt Verina. She had been like a mother figure for me since mom died. She was the perfect amalgamation of brave and kind with dark brown hair and brown eyes like me. At another corner stood my uncle Vasilikios, who I assumed was arguing with aunt Verina. Just when I was about to say something Rio and Nora entered. Dad, aunt and uncle wished Me and Rio.

All of us sat on the sofa in the middle of the room.

"As you all know" dad said " You three are now over 16. It's time for you to attend the Royal Academy of Shircai."

I was excited and nervous. It would be a whole new world with new friends and so much more to learn. I had dreamed of this since I was 10.

"But as you know Val doesn't have powers like the rest of us. So, with a heavy heart I have made this decision that Val, you will not be attending Shircai. I'm sorry Val."

The excitement I had earlier started turning into disappointment and then to rage. I was furious! I felt tears swelling up in my eyes.

"WHAT!"