Chapter One

## Prologue

(Pov: unkown)

The sun burned on her back as she gazed down at the field—the once-green field now stained with red, scattered with bodies mutilated beyond recognition. She waited for reality to hit as it delayed itself further, her mind not ready to deal with the horrifying sight. These were her people, the people she was meant to protect, and now the people she had killed. She had failed them. She was just a girl; she had wanted only to do what was right. Instead, she had changed the course of history, changed the course for her people. Her eyes drifted down to the body that now laid limp at her feet. Her ally. Her friend, whose life was taken because of her. She may as well have put the red tinted blade through the warrior's chest herself. This was unforgivable. Nothing she did could ever make up for her people’s sacrifices. Pulling the blade out would end it. It would mark the end. The royal wrapped her hands around the hilt, the pain in her chest growing with the movement. She pulled the blade from the other girl's flesh. This was the end, as they had planned it to be, and it was now their job to start another story.

## Chapter One

(Pov: Ellipsis)

Ellipsis could feel anxiety budding in her chest as she mentally prepared for her meeting with the other nations’ heirs. The week prior, she had received a letter from Navier, the leader of a now notorious rebellion against the monarch. The rebel had warned her of the event, asking her to convince the King and Queen to let their youngest sit in instead of Ellie’s older sister.

It hadn’t taken much convincing. After all, Ellie was the one with a Grant from the Gods and therefore the true heir, in the eyes of the people, to her parents’ throne. While it wasn’t something she agreed with, it did come in handy for things like these.

Typically, when a royal came of age, a God chose to gift a Grant to them. Ellie had been chosen by Dario, the God of Justice, while her sister had been given nothing. Her sister was the first in their bloodline to be denied, but she wasn’t alone: the second son of Summer had been greeted with the same situation.

Most saw the two as illegitimate—unable and unequipped to rule their nation. This was obviously nonsense; Clara could do a much better job at upkeeping Spring than she could. It was completely illogical, and there was no real reason that those on the throne required a Grant.

The girl pushed her thoughts aside and glanced at her mirror. The Queen had picked it out, saying something about it representing their nation well. Clothes tended to be more on the light side in Spring—they didn’t need much warmth. Her dress stayed true to this. It was lined with golden flowers, some protruding off the lavender fabric. The skirt flowed behind her as she walked, and the back was mostly open with flowered straps creating an X. Ellie had to admit, her mother had taste.

Her mind slipped back to Navy’s letter. The older girl had a knack for being confusing.

*Just,*

*At the break into the rendezvous, out of the two male royals, the latter goes first. Those of Fall and Winter are to be cautious with. Order of the going depends on those arrived 35 added to 12 shall be the time of the first, so 35 shall be the end.*

*Your friend underground.*

A knock sounded at the door and she looked up from the note, folding it again and slipping it away. As this was the first time she was meeting the other heirs, Ellie didn’t know what to expect. Anxiety tightened her chest and grew more overwhelming with every step until she opened her bedroom door to be met with a familiar smile.

“Good evening.” Shade looked over her dress. “Are you ready?”

Some of the weight lifted off Ellie. Her friend would be there with her for this. She wouldn’t be alone. “As ready as I’m going to get.”

“Great. The others are already settled.” She spoke with a cheerful tone, beckoning for Ellie to follow her.

The older of the two obliged and followed Shade into the corridor.

“Anything new from Navy?” Ellipsis muttered, glancing to make sure no one was there to hear them.

“None so far, no changes in the plan.” The girl gave her a reassuring look as they approached their destination.

The hallways of the palace were draped in evening light, casting an orange hue on the meeting hall entrance. She stopped just before the door to prepare herself. Ellie would win all of them over—there was no other choice. She held her head high, presenting the image of what she was always told a queen should be. Shade pulled the door open, holding it to let her through.

There were four seats including hers, three of which were already taken. Jay of Summer stood as a show of respect, sitting awkwardly when the others didn’t show the same courtesy. Their blatant doubt in Ellipsis unsettled her, and she faltered before joining them at the table, taking her place at the head.

“Welcome to Spring. I am Ellipsis, next in line to the kingdom.” She spoke with a plastered smile, “I am sure you’ve been informed as to why we’re here today, but perhaps not the entire story.”

Bored stares came from Tgk and Hades, the Autumn and Winter heirs. Navy was right—Ellie would need to watch them more closely than she would need to watch Summer.

No one piped in, so she continued. "Recently, there has been the increasing threat of a rebellion looming over the kingdoms. Further actions are yet to be decided; however, the details are still inconclusive. That is why we’re here, to decide on our stance going forward.” This part was true.

“I cannot speak for your cities, but the rebels we have encountered do not pose a tremendous threat to us. They’re loud but few in number, too unorganized to possibly plot against any one of the kingdoms.” This part was most definitely a lie. Ellie needed the others to believe the rebellion wasn’t anything to worry about, and the only way to do that was to lie.

Of course, this was when Tgk chose to give her input. “None of that matters in the end. If we do nothing, then they could spiral out of control and *become* a threat.” The younger girl’s voice was surprisingly cold, more calculated than Ellie would have originally guessed.

“Autumn is right. We should remind them of their place before things get out of hand.” Hades matched the other’s unmerciful tone.

Navy was *absolutely* correct.

Jay seemed taken aback by their hostility. “Wait, wait, wait—don’t you think that’s a bit of an overreaction? I mean, these are people too, although they may be standing against us.” They stumbled over their words, trying to gather their thoughts. “Why can’t we just try to reason with them? I’m sure they’ll come to a compromise!”

“The compromise would be your head in a basket,” Tgk spoke harshly. “These people won’t stop until they either get what they want or they’re cut down like weeds.” This earned a sharp nod from the Winter heir.

Jay sunk in their seat a bit. “They don’t deserve to die just because they disagree with you.”

“And they don’t disagree with you? You’re royalty. *Worse,* you’re Blessed by a valuable God. You are *exactly* what the rebels want to destroy. If you think they will negotiate with you, are more useless to us than your Grantless brother.”

Jay stood swiftly, their anger radiating off of them. “My brother has *nothing* to do with this!”

Ellie stiffened. “Okay, let’s calm down.” Her tone was serene, despite her irritation. “We are not here to argue among ourselves. We’re here to *civilly* decide how to deal with our common enemy. Which does not include anyone currently present.” She shot glares at each of them.

“Hades,” she continued, the Winter heir returning her stare, “you agree with Tgk?”

“Yes.” Her eyes flickered to the table. “They are a threat and need to be eliminated.”

Summer fell back into their chair, sighing in distaste of the conversation. This was not going as Ellie had hoped, but she nodded in acknowledgment anyway. “How about we come back to this tomorrow after you’ve all had time to think and cool down?” She walked away from her seat, heading for the door before anyone could protest.

Shade opened the hall door, smiling comfortingly at her. She left the room without a second thought. The meeting was over. Now it was up to Navy.