“Please. Pretty please. I won’t be able to go to sleep without seeing them,” Nev pleaded.
He chuckled softly and asked, “You know you’re a stubborn thing? How about we just peek out the window instead?”
“Alright,” she agreed, slightly disappointed.
He opened her bedroom window and smiled at her as she stared up at the night sky. “Alright, time for sleep. You need your rest. Love you,” her father said, tucking her in and kissing her forehead.
Nev hugged him around the neck and kissed his cheek. “Goodnight,” she whispered.
“Goodnight. Sweet dreams,” he replied softly, walking slowly out of the room and pulling the door to.
That night Nev was woken up by her father. He placed his hand over her mouth and handed her bag to her. “I thought we would have more time. I should have told you so much more, but I thought you deserved to be just a kid—at least for a while,” he said, his face full of regret.
Nev looked at her father, puzzled, and fought to clear the fog of sleep from her mind.
He leaned close and spoke quickly, “Listen closely. Your mother was brave, beautiful, and kind. She was also the Empress Astrella. When shadows overtook her, I fled with you. I was forced to leave the woman I loved to be killed so that I could save you. The one who killed her knows you are her daughter. He will stop at nothing to capture you and use you. For now, you must hide from him and survive. But one day, you will need to face him and your past… or you will have no future. You have a destiny to fulfill, but tonight you must survive.”
Nev tried to speak, but her mind was spinning, and she just looked at him feeling frightened and confused. She sniffed back tears as he placed a necklace over her head. It had a small purple gem attached to an emblem of a raven. It was the same gem that was embedded in the dagger he had given her earlier that day. “I don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling.
“I know, and I’m so sorry for the burden you’ll be forced to carry. It’s your destiny to achieve greatness, but the road will be long and arduous. Take this necklace. It is a piece of your past and your future. Whenever you need help, it will aid you, and your path will become clear. Now, a bad man is coming here. I will keep him busy and give you time to escape,” he said, as he glanced out the window.
“What? No, I am not leaving without you,” she said frantically.
“My part in your journey is over, but I will always be looking over you. You must run tonight, and one day you must stand and fight. Then you will be able to seize your destiny. You are the risk worth taking. Never doubt you were and always will be worth it,” he said, sharing a warm smile with her.
“I can’t do this alone,” sobbed Nev. “Please. You have to come with me.”
“You are so much like your mother when she was young. You will find your courage. Listen to your heart, remember your training, and find others to help you… eventually. For now, you will need to be wary of everyone. Don’t get close to people or stay in one place for very long. It breaks my heart to know you will be alone, but you must not let yourself be captured. I hope, one day, you’ll find someone kind and trustworthy. Someone to help ease your burdens and help you no longer feel alone. Hopefully, more than just one someone,” explained her father. The sadness in his voice was evident. “I love you more than words could ever convey my dearest daughter,” he said, kissing her on the forehead.
Nev nodded and rapidly put on her shoes, cloak, and pack. She turned to look at him, tears streaming down her face. Lunging into his arms, she hugged him tightly. “I love you,” she said, with her face buried against him and her voice muffled.
“I know. I love you too. Now you must do one final thing for me,” Nev’s father implored, kneeling before her. He took her hands in his and squeezed them tightly. “Flee into the woods, and no matter what you hear from this cabin, you are not to return. Promise me,” he pleaded. His tone was deadly serious.
She gave a single nod and whispered shakily, “I promise.”
He kissed her again on the forehead and quickly tied a piece of purple fabric around her wrist. It was the same cloth that concealed her dagger earlier. “This is a piece of your baby blanket. I’ve always carried it. Keep it and know you will always carry my love. Now go, be strong and remember your promise,” he said, smiling with tears in his eyes as he stood up.
With that, Nev ran through the door and into the darkness outside. She’d run all the way to the clearing before her mind allowed her to think past the shock. Suddenly, Nev stopped and stared down at the spot where she had found the rabbit. Memories and emotions poured into her, and she turned and began running back towards the cabin. I only promised not to go back to the cabin. I won’t get too close, she said, running as fast as her feet would carry her. Her mind raced as she ran. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe this was just some horrible test to see what I would do, and he was waiting for me to figure that out and come back home.
Nev heard screams before seeing any flames. The sight of her father strapped in a wooden chair stopped her in her tracks. The scene was taking place just in front of her cabin, and she found herself unable to look away.
A strangely armored man stood over her father, his silhouette being lit
