Chapter Three

Kiandra

The sun was setting, and an inexplicable feeling washed over me, as if it might be the last sunset I would ever witness. I recognized it as an irrational notion, but it lingered as I searched for my sister. I scoured numerous rooms, feeling like I had explored every corner of the castle before arriving at a small training ground near the vast garden. Laughter reached my ears, drawing me closer.

As I entered the training area, I saw a group of guards indulging in merriment, seemingly oblivious to the impending threat to their princess. They watched as a smaller guard expertly fired arrows at a distant target. Though their hair was tightly bound at the nape of their neck, I recognized that form and silhouette, and I instinctively prepared to mimic Vivina's stern scolding. However, I froze when Cassia's arrow struck the target's bullseye flawlessly.

"By the Gods," I murmured aloud, and the entire group turned to look at me.

I watched as the color drained from Cassia's face, leaving her pale. But she quickly regained her composure, a mischievous smile gracing her lips.

"Let me guess. The queen demands my presence?" she teased.

"She does," I confirmed.

"Well, the queen can wait. I'm practicing."

"That's hardly practice fit for a princess," I reminded her.

Cassia's smile broadened as she approached. She wasn't as tall as Vivina, but she still stood a few inches taller than me. Clad in the thick brown leather garments worn by all guards, she appeared broader as well.

"And what does a librarian like yourself know about being a princess?" she teased, her eyes challenging me.

I sighed, rolling my own. She was aware that I couldn't openly acknowledge our true relationship as sisters, but she enjoyed pushing the boundaries.

"Well?" she prodded, gently pressing the end of her bow against my chin, and tilting my head backward.

I couldn't afford to show disrespect, but I conveyed my silent message through my eyes, warning her not to push too far. She lowered the bow, her smile taking on a sweeter look. It was clear that her words and actions were all in good fun.

"I suppose I have no choice," she said and sighed theatrically.

"You can't hide."

"Not all of us can, anyway," she groaned before turning to the guards.

She tossed the bow to one of them and then began making her way toward the castle. I hurried after her, but the strength in her legs propelled her forward much faster.

"Could you slow down?" I requested.

"You tell me the queen needs me, and now you want me to wait for you?" She chuckled.

"I didn't say she needed you."

Cassia abruptly halted, causing me to collide with her well-armored back. I rubbed my nose to ease the pain as Cassia slowly turned to face me.

"What?" she inquired.

"What?" I echoed.

"So, Vivina doesn't need me?" she questioned.

"Well, she wants you nearby."

"Nearby?" Cassia laughed, a hint of mockery in her tone. "I'm not a child! I don't need my older sister to hold my hand while we're besieged by an army of Alphas."

"I'm aware."

"I'd rather prepare to fight than sit by her side and smile, only to be forced onto my hands and knees by a damn Alpha."

"She just wants to keep all of you safe," I reminded her. "Besides, Vivina is ready to bear the burden herself to ensure none of you have to suffer."

"But we will have to. Once those doors come crashing down, we lose all power. And despite Father being protective of us, you know he would have eventually surrendered us to an Alpha. That's the way of our world—Omegas submit, and Alphas lead."

She spat out the last part, her anger obvious, and I empathized with her frustration. However, I was determined that none of my sisters would ever be forced into servitude. I had learned the secrets of the tunnels and how to keep them safe, and I was resolved to ensure their protection. Yet, I hesitated to inform them separately. Solana had already demonstrated her reluctance to listen to me, as she believed no one truly acknowledged my existence. I knew I needed to prove the knowledge I had acquired, and it would be easier to convey this information if they were all together.

"You will find a way out," I reassured her.

Cassia's voice was laced with desperation as she asked, "Do you see one? Do you see our salvation?"

I faltered, not having a clear answer. I looked around at our surroundings, trying to find a glimmer of hope.

"I..." I began, but Cassia's frustration overtook her.

"I would do anything to trade places with you. Why didn't Father simply write us all off as stillborn babies?" she lamented.

"My circumstances were unique," I whispered, my gaze fixed on the ground.

There was a moment of silence, and then I felt Cassia's hand on my shoulder. I raised my head, seeing a small, sad smile on her lips.

"I'm sorry," she said gently.

I met her gaze and shook my head slightly.

"It was uncalled for," she whispered. "I know you never had the privilege to meet our mother. I should not have thrown that at you."

"But that doesn't mean you had her for long," I pointed out.

"I had her longer," Cassia admitted.

I nodded slightly, not wanting to delve into the painful topic of our mother.

"I just meant that things would have been easier if he had written us off as stillborn too," Cassia explained.

"You may be some of the last known Omegas," I countered. "It would have been a grave loss for him to do that to all of you."

"Nevertheless, it would have been easier," Cassia conceded.

I nodded again, acknowledging that I did not bear the same burdens as my sisters.

"Yet, we do know how to mask our scents because of you," she added, attempting to inject some humor into the conversation. "Perhaps once those Alphas barge in here and catch a whiff of our blended scent, it might give them second thoughts."

"I fear it will take more than that." I sighed.

"Maybe, but it's a great way to tell them to shove it where the sun doesn't shine, right?" She chuckled and playfully shook me. However, something had changed in Cassia. Her grip was unusually tight, and her strength seemed to have grown. I had to reach out and grab her wrist to stop her from shaking me so hard. She looked at me, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"You're hurting me!" I told her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"What have you been doing? Or should I ask, what have you been eating? Omegas aren't normally this strong," I groaned, rubbing my sore shoulder.

"I might have done some secret training to prepare myself for the day we have to defend ourselves," she admitted.

"Does Vivina know?" I asked.

"What part of ‘secret training' didn't you understand? Aren't you supposed to be the smart one?"

"Is it wise?" I inquired.

"If I must submit to an Alpha, he will see my strength first," Cassia explained with a smirk.

Cassia chuckled as she turned and walked away. I massaged my shoulder and followed her into the castle. I had been certain she was going to change her attire, but instead, she marched toward the large meeting room, believing she might find Vivina and Solana there. As expected, both were waiting, with Vivina trying to comfort Solana as they sat together at the table. Vivina's hand rested on Solana's shoulder. However, when our eldest sister noticed the armor Cassia was wearing, she leaped from her chair, anger blazing in her eyes once more.

"What in the Gods' name are you wearing?" Vivina demanded.

"Oh, this?" Cassia asked, rapping her fist against the armor on her chest, producing hollow thuds.

"Obviously!" Vivina snapped.

"It's called armor, and if you were all as clever as me, you'd be wearing it."

"That's not suitable attire for a princess."

"Well, I'd do anything not to be one at the moment, but if I can't change my inheritance, I can at least change my appearance," Cassia retorted.

"We must stand united against this intrusion and the Alphas. We will not bow, but we cannot be seen as…" Vivina struggled to find the right words to describe Cassia, her face turning red as she held her breath and gestured wildly toward the second eldest princess.

"What? As a common guard? Maybe if they mistake me for one, I can walk right past their army," Cassia quipped.

"Guards are not women!" Vivina reminded her.

"Perhaps I should shave off all my hair then," Cassia retorted.

Vivina groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Don't you understand the importance of unity?"

"I do, I just don't see how dressing up as pretty Omega princesses and sitting around doing nothing will help show unity," Cassia spat.

"That's because you haven't been listening to a word I've been saying. Unity doesn't come from displaying obvious strength or power. It comes from inner strength. If we sit here, waiting for them to enter, with our chins held high, it shows we are not afraid, and unless we are forcibly removed, we will not move," Vivina explained.

"But what does my clothing have to do with us waiting on the thrones?"

"It makes you appear rebellious."

"So does my armor!"

"But we also need to be seen as composed," Vivina emphasized, glancing between Solana and Cassia, who both found it difficult to meet her eyes. "Putting on armor or writing farewell letters will not show that we are. It shows weakness because it will mean they have pushed us so hard that we find ourselves trapped. They already see us as meek Omegas. Shall we truly give them the satisfaction and confirm their belief?"

Solana and Cassia shook their heads almost simultaneously.

"No, we must show them we are not weak Omegas. We will face whatever happens with our heads held high. Are we all in agreement?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

Vivina turned to me next, and I snapped out of my trance.

"Me?"

"You are still our sister, no matter what the royal documents say," she told me, giving me a small smile.

"I will always stand by your side," I promised. "Even if I can't stand with you."

"That's good to hear," Vivina acknowledged. "But it is probably best if you find somewhere safe. I have even arranged for a guard and horse. I believe that you—"

"Run away?" I interrupted.

"You have a chance. No one can predict what will happen to the servants here. Just because you aren't regarded as an Omega doesn't mean you're exempt from harm as a woman," Vivina said.

I found her words confusing, not entirely grasping their meaning.

"It means you can still be fucked," Cassia clarified bluntly.

"Cassia!" Vivina scolded her for her crude language.

"Oh…" I mumbled, beginning to understand.

"Perhaps … perhaps it would be best if you waited—" Vivina started to suggest.

"No! I'm with you. I will make sure no harm befalls you," I assured them.

"Kiandra, that is very sweet, but—" Vivina began to object.

"No, I have a plan."

"A plan?"

"If we prepare now, we can all leave," I explained.

"How so?"

"I found secret escape tunnels that I believe our ancestors created for emergencies, for Omegas needing to escape. They're small, dark, and confusing, but I know the way now. I have the book!"

"The book?"

"Yes, the book!"

"Not the one from the library," Solana groaned, slumping further down in her chair.

"Yes, the library. I'll go get it. I can show you everything. Just pack and prepare, and let's meet here," I urged them.

"Kiandra, I don't understand a thing."

"Listen, the tunnels lead to a secret escape point right by the ocean. We could truly disappear, and they wouldn't know what happened to us!" I exclaimed.

"She is making it up. It's the ghost again," Solana sighed.

"It's real! I have found them."

"Kiandra," Vivina began, doubt clear in her voice.

"Just let me prove it," I insisted. "Let me show you that I can be of help. I haven't spent all those years studying books and ancient scripts for nothing. Let me be of use."

Vivina looked uncertain, her eyes darting to Solana, who shook her head. But when she turned back to me, I knew she saw the pleading gaze in my eyes.

"Let's see this book," she conceded.

"Just wait. It's going to be worth it."

Vivina nodded, yet I could still see the doubt in her eyes. However, she would not have to worry. I would make sure they were all safe. So I rushed to the library. I entered with determination, but when I reached the table where the book had been, it was gone. I looked around in panic, unsure of what had happened to it. I called out to a Master who walked over to me.

"I had a book here. An ancient book of the secret passageways of the castle," I informed him.

"It was returned to its proper place," he told me.

"But I need it!" I exclaimed in desperation.

"Then you'll have to find it."

"But I can't remember where I took it from. I barely remember which section," I said, surveying the extensive library with growing anxiety. I had grabbed the book by accident, and now it was lost in the place I normally considered my sanctuary. "Can you tell me which shelf?"

The Master led me to the back of the library, then gestured to a long row of old brown books, all seemingly identical.

"It should be here," he stated.

"But which shelf?" I demanded.

"One of these."

"How can you not know which one?"

"Because I don't know which edition you're referring to. All of these discuss secret passageways in one form or another," he explained.

All of these discuss secret passageways? I thought to myself as I gazed at the rows of books. Were the passageways not a secret after all?