(Big thanks to Caralia for choosing draft #8! I had a lot of fun writing this! It was another ones of those that I only had one word on.)

———

Nova hates this castle.

She knows that she and Haze are here to prove not all witches are bad (actually most aren’t), but she can hardly take these people.

They have uppity attitudes with their suspicious glances and hushed words (and some not so quiet). They hold their jewels a bit tighter around them, walk a bit faster. Have their guards just a smidge closer.

Haze may be blissfully unaware or just not addressing it, but it ticks Nova off. It is an automatic function by now to notice body language and certain behaviors. It is her survival instinct.

Her sister is the kindest, sweetest human being (that happens to also be a witch) that there is. The fact that no one can see past a label is stupid.

Walking along the halls towards the training grounds, Haze tells Nova all about what Princess Aziza told her at lunch. Lately, it has become quite obvious that Haze and the Princess have been getting close. A feeling of uneasiness settles in Nova’s gut. She knows Haze’s intentions are pure, but are the princess’ rooted in the same way?

They just reach the entrance to the training grounds to meet Ward when Nova’s ears pick up on something.

“Did you hear that they are actually working with the witches?”

Nova pushes Haze flat against the wall next to the archway of their desired destination.

“Yeah, they must be trying to keep an eye on them. There’s no way in hell the king and queen would trust a witch and a witch sympathizer. They are too shrewd for that.”

Nova resists a scoff.

The two knights leave the grounds and walk right past Nova and Haze. What great observation skills.

“Maybe their goal is to lure them in and then capture them. Execute them.”

With every word spoken, Nova’s blood boils infinitely hotter. She feels herself go for the hilt of her knife, but Haze stops her.

Once the guards were out of sight, they peel themselves from the wall. Haze grabs her sister’s hand, “I’d like to see them try to get us.”

A smile creeps on her face. They’ve been through jagged roads before but always came out the other side together. A few words should not undo her composure. First, they need to bring positivity to the witch’s name. Then she can stab someone.

They enter the training room with their chins up and heads held high, confident.

Ward greets them with great enthusiam. He bounds up to them, reminding Nova of a young animal.

“You ready to train us?” He asks, gesturing to a group of knights. The small bunch are varying in degrees of reluctance. Some had outright snarls on their faces, disgust evident. Fingers tapping at their weapons. Eager to fight them. Some just looked hesitant, shifting from one foot to another.

With one sunny smile from Ward, Nova almost forgets about the rude ones.

But it is difficult to completely let that go when she is training them. At least she gets to train them her way. The method to survive in the Wild Thicket.

Turning to the guards, she claps once to get their attention in her. “Alright. Some of you hate us. That’s fine. Better even. You won’t hold back then. We won’t either.”

A few snicker at her last statement. It just makes her smirk.

They don’t even know what they are in for.

“Haze, if you would?” It has a questioning tone, but it is a signal.

Haze lifts her hands up and her hands glow purple. All the light in the room flows towards her. It would be a beautiful display if these people weren’t afraid by her magic.

Once all the light is absorbed, her lavender glow dim until the room is entirely pitch black.

The darkness shrouds them, hiding them from the hungry gazes of their predators

“First lesson of the day. You won’t always have your vision. Tag either me or Haze and you get a point. Get tagged, then you are out.”

Sensing Haze next to her, Nova grins in the darkness.

“Good luck.”