《Kova + Rey》


 Prologue

    "This is as far as I can take you." A hooded figure spoke to a woman and her small child.


    "Thank you, Daivik." She whispered, her bright violet eyes glimmering with starlight tears rolling down her brown cheeks. She looked down at the small hooded figure next to her.


    The young girl''s hood was pulled slightly back from her head exposing her thick curly starlight hair. Her little cheeks were wet with tears as she stared at the boy across from her.


    The boy''s crimson eyes were hard on her as he grabbed her hood, pulling it tight over her head to cover her hair.


    "You have to keep your hood over your hair, Rey. I''m not going to be around to keep pulling it up for you." He growled. She nodded, wiping her tears trying to fight the sob rising in her chest.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "K-Kova I don''t want to go. I want to stay with you." She cried. The boy''s hard knotted brows softened, black tears welled in his eyes. He quickly blinked them back, shaking his head.


    "I don''t want you to go either, but it won''t be forever. My father will fix this. We''ll be together again soon." He said and she crushed him with a hug, her body shaking with tears.


    "I''ll miss you so much." She cried and he pushed away from her, pulling her hood back over her head.


    "I will too, but you have to be strong Rey. Don''t let them catch you."


    "I won''t." She said shaking her head, her violet eyes filling with anger.


    "We have to go, Reyna." Sienna said pulling her away from the young boy as the ground shook from an explosion in the distance.


    "Come on, Lucian we have to hurry." Daivik said taking the boy''s hand but he held tight to Reyna''s not ready to let her go.


    Sienna and Daivik looked at each other as the sounds of the roaring Demons grew louder around them.


    "Stay safe, but you need to run Sienna!" Daivik growled as they grabbed their children around their waists pulling them away from each other.


    "We''ll always find each other Rey. Don''t forget that!" He yelled as his father ripped him away from her.


    "Kova!" She screamed reaching for him as her mother ran with purpose through the trees.


    "I know baby, I''m sorry. I''m so sorry." Sienna cried holding her head down as she ran to catch up with their coven.

 1 - Reyna - Hello, Again

    A fifteen year old Reyna, stood on the steps of the expansive Magics Academy. She looked up and the tall stone structure with its multiple peaks that kissed the swirling pink and blue sky above them.


    She couldn''t wait to attend Magics Academy when she was younger. It''s the best school in the realm. Every matriarch of the DiEdaan coven mastered their craft here. And now, she''s the only one to return.


    After the VonCaligo clan nearly desolated her coven during the genocide, she was the youngest living member left. Now that VonUmbra clan have returned to power and ended the seven year war. It was finally safe for her and her coven to reintegrate into society.


    She took a deep breath, her hands shaking as she pushed open the large cherry wood door. She was nervous to attend school, but she was excited to be around people her age again. It''s been seven years since she''s been had any friends.


    She sighed, walking through the halls of the academy, ignoring the awkward looks from the other creatures around her. She knew it was going to be a shock to the other students. It''s been a while since they''ve seen a DiEdaan too.


    She shook off her nerves, and let out a breath. Everything will be fine once she sees Kova. She wanted to tell him she was returning. She hoped she''d see him before she started school again, but he was never around when she went to his home with her parents.


    She wrote to him everyday, knowing she could never send him her letters, but she held on to hope that they would see each other again. She smiled to her self as she walked through the main hall of the academy.


    Her heart thumped in her chest seeing Kova leaning against the wall talking with a group of other demons.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    His back was turned to her but she''d recognise his midnight hair and those black horns anywhere. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she ran toward him, her curly starlight hair flowing behind her, ignoring the stares and gawking eyes on her.


    "Kova!" She yelled in excitement.


    She saw him cringe, turning around to look at her. She stopped mid-run at the crimson glare he was giving her. Was he not happy to see her?


    "That''s not my name." He said coolly, his demon friends snickering around him.


    "You must be the DiEdaan. Didn''t your coven fill you in?" A blonde demoness smirked. Her piercing crimson eyes looked her up and down. She smoothed her hair, sliding closer to Lucian.


    "What are you talking about?" Reyna frowned.


    "Demons don''t talk to DiEdaans." She smirked again, sliding her hand up Lucian''s arm as if she were marking her territory.


    Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, "Is that true, Kova?"


    A snarled curled over his lips, a low growl rumbling in his chest, "It''s true, Reyna. We''re not friends anymore and my name is Lucian." He grumbled, pushing passed her, his friends following and laughing in her face.


    Reyna stood in the middle of the hall, her shoulders shaking trying to keep her tears from falling. She ignored the looks of pity and amusement from the students around her. She covered her face and ran down the hall pushing into the bathroom. She stumbled into a stall, slumping down on the toilet and cried.


    When did he become so mean?

 2 - Lucian - The New Girl

    Lucian looked back to see Reyna escape into the bathrooms but not before he saw a tear fall from her violet eyes.


    He quickly squashed the guilt rising in his chest. She doesn''t understand, he can''t be seen with her. Demon clans are still weary of the DiEdaans, especially students who came from clans who aligned themselves with the VonCaligos. The wounds are still fresh and some clans still feel prejudice against the dark skinned, starlight haired coven.


    They think her coven is too powerful and they''ll try to take over the demon clans. He admits that is completely twisted coming from the species that ran a coup on their own people, against his clan.


    He knows he should help bridge the gap, especially in the academy, but he has a reputation to uphold. While his father is trying to mend the wounds in the wider society, Lucian has to keep the demons'' faith in the VonUmbra clan. His father can''t see that it''s too soon for integration.


    "Why did she call you ''Kova''?" The Blonde demoness asked, her hand tightening around his. Lucian sighed, looking down at her brown horned head. He can smell the jealously rolling off her. She doesn''t like that the DiEdaan knows something about him that she doesn''t.


    "Don''t worry about it, Nyx. It''s nothing." He smiled, pulling his hand away from hers. He weaved his way through the desks, dodging the vampires and sliding out of the way of a few unicorn horns. He sat in the back of the classroom and stared out the window.


    His faint smile fell from his face. Reyna calls him Kova because that''s what he wanted her to call him. He never liked the sound of Lucian on her lips, it always felt wrong.


    He preferred her to call him by his demon name and it just became their thing. He''d call her Rey and she''d call him Kova. No one else called them that and no one corrected them when they referred to each other so informally.


    To this day he has never let anyone call him Kova and now she won''t either. His heart clenched with guilt and regret at the thought. He''s waited so long to see her again. He constantly worried about her, angry that his parents wouldn''t let him talk to her. He lost his best friend and the VonCaligos were to blame.


    So he threw himself into the demon society to fill his mind with something other than the fear that Reyna was dead. He told himself he joined so he could figure them out so and take revenge on the VonCaligos for what they did to their families.


    Then he became friends with Thane VonCaligo and his cousin Lucy. They were nothing like he thought, they were good. Maybe a little arrogant and completely ignorant about Reyna''s coven, but he liked them and they helped bandaid the loss of her.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    So he ignored the things they said about the DiEdaans and let himself fully immerse in the society. By the time the news broke that Reyna DiEdaan would be returning to the Magics Academy, he already let himself develop into someone she wouldn''t understand.


    He filled the hole she left with the demon society. He doesn''t need her in his life anymore, their friendship was childish.


    "Good morning, everyone. I''m sure you have all heard we have a new student joining us today." Mr. CeLani, a centaur with a deep brown coat, short brown hair and deep brown eyes, announced as Reyna stood next to him. All traces of her tears were gone from her face. Her violet eyes and the starlight freckles on her chocolate cheeks glimmered in excitement.


    "Hi everyone, I''m Reyna DiEdaan. It''s nice to meet all of you." She smiled as some students gasped and loud chatter filled in the room.


    "Alright calm down, I''m sure Reyna wouldn''t mind answering one or two questions, right?" The teacher asked and she shrugged nodding her head.


    "Is your hair really woven from moonlight?" A vampire asked and she laughed, shrugging her shoulders, "Possibly, we are all born under a full moon."


    Lucian sighed, shaking his head at the ignorant question. Nyx smirked next to him raising her hand, popping a piece of gum in her mouth.


    "What was it like watching half your coven murdered by demons?" She laughed and Lucian''s heart clenched, his eyes darting to Reyna.


    Her vibrant violet eyes hardened on Nyx. He could see the anger swirling inside of them. Reyna wasn''t like the rest of her peace-loving coven. She''s always had a bit of a bite to her and Nyx has no idea who she has just insulted.


    "Nyx! That was completely inappropriate. Reyna, you don''t have to answer that." Mr. CeLani said shaking his head.


    Reyna smirked her violet irises spreading over the whites in her eyes, "I don''t plan on it." She said her voice deathly calm as she pointed her finger at Nyx.


    "I''ll show her." She growled as Nyx began to scream next to him. She fell from her chair, curling into a ball, crying and writhing on the floor.


    Reyna put her hand down, her eyes returning to their vibrant violet. Lucian watched in utter shock as she calmly took the only empty seat in the front of the classroom.


    It''s been a long time since a DiEdaan has attended the Academy and Mr. CeLani looks terrified. A slight smile tugged at Lucian''s lips, Reyna only used a tiny portion of her power to reduce Nyx to the floor. She is lucky Reyna hasn''t had her right of passage as a DiEdaan or Nyx would be in far more pain that this.


    "Um, Lucian why don''t you take Nyx to the infirmary?" Mr.CeLani asked nervously.


    Lucian nodded picking Nyx up from the floor. He glared at Reyna as he passed. She glared back at him, she just drew the line in the sand. They aren''t friends anymore and she has made it clear she is not being kind to anyone who hurts her. He can''t blame her for that, but she better stay out of his way too.

 3 - Reyna - New Friends

    "She took a demon down with a look. She''s amazing." Someone else gasped and she grinned. DiEdaan''s are amazing and she''ll be glad to finally remind them why.


    Unlike Lucian, she actually plans on doing as their parents wish and bridge the gap between her people and the rest of the magical creatures. As the youngest DiEdaan and next in line to be the Matriarch of her coven and next co-leader of the realm, she has to be diplomatic - within reason. She isn''t going to tolerate anyone disrespecting her.


    "Hi! I''m Elowen. I''m from the DiFleur coven." A young girl with fiery red hair, deep green eyes under round specs smiled at her. She was tall and lithe, like most of the DiFleur coven are.


    "Hi Elowen, it''s nice to meet you." Reyna smiled as they stood outside the classroom.


    "What you did to Nyx was unbelievable. I thought for sure Lucian was going to set you on fire for it though!" Elowen gasped.


    "Me too especially since those two are kind of thing, you know." Another young boy said standing next to her. He had short jade green hair, smoldering grey eyes and short spiked red horns poking out of his head. His skin was an iridescent green with faint glimmering dragon scales under his skin.


    "But she had no right asking that question. I''m Kyrell, I''m from the LaChen dragon clan." He smiled and she grinned, the LaChen dragons are forest dragons. Her coven spent time hiding in their lairs when the VonCaligos took power. They are a very joyful and humble clan, who are deeply into the healing arts.


    "It''s nice to meet you both, but don''t worry about Ko-Lucian. He''d never hurt me," she frowned, "or at least he wouldn''t before." She sighed shaking her head. She knows it''s been a long time since they''ve seen each other and she knows the tense climate between demons and the DiEdaans but he''s a VonUmbra. Why is he getting wrapped up in the demon prejudices against her coven?


    "That''s right we heard you two used to be really close before the VonCaligo incident." Elowen nodded as they walked to their next class.


    "We were, but what do you mean Nyx and Lucian are a thing?" She frowned. Elowen and Kyrell looked at each other smiling at her naive question.


    "Well, they''re a couple, you know boyfriend and girlfriend. They''re always together." Kyrell shrugged. Reyna laughed shaking her head.


    "VonUmbras don''t date," she laughed, "they have mates they don''t have a need for dating. Lucian and Nyx aren''t a couple, he''s just good friends with her, that''s...that''s how K-Lucian is." She sighed, a wave of jealously washing over her. She thought that''s how they''d always be, but she was wrong. Demons don''t talk to DiEdaans anymore. At least not here.


    "I never thought of it like that," Elowen nodded, "well you would know best, you did grow up with them." She smiled


    "Yeah, well the demons at the academy still have their secret society and Lucian and Nyx run the show and there are some VonCaligos who go here too, so you need to be careful." Kyrell said rolling his eyes.


    "I know, I still can''t believe there''s VonCaligos here." Reyna said shaking her head, she thought most of them hid away in their clan in the southern regions.


    "We could say the same of you. Why have they allowed a DiEdaan here?" A tall broad shouldered red headed demon grumbled. He had light pale skin, short black horns poking out of his head and his crimson eyes pierced Reyna in disgust.


    "We''ve been liberated after your clan nearly killed us all." She growled, feeling her powers itching to come out.


    "Oh look at her, you''ve upset the little witch." Another red haired demoness, chuckled next to the large boy.


    "Leave her alone, Thane and Lucy. I don''t want to take anyone else to the infirmary. She''s not worth it." Lucian said pushing them down the hall.


    "I can''t believe they let her kind back in here." Thane grumbled, pushing Lucian''s arm off of him as they continued down the hall.


    Reyna was fuming. She can''t believe Lucian is friends with VonCaligos! He knows what they''ve done to her coven, to his clan! To their grandparents! How can he possibly hang out with them! She felt tears pool in her eyes. He''s not her Kova anymore.


    "Come on, they''re just assholes." Elowen sighed as they continued on to their class.


    Reyna made it a point to surround herself with as many friends as possible. She spoke to and befriended all the creatures she had classes with, save for the snooty demon society. Who ran the school with arrogance and fear.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It made her so angry that Lucian acts the way he does around them. It''s not him. He isn''t arrogant or prideful like that, or at least he was never like this around her.


    She stood at a podium facing Lucian in one of their debate classes. They were both trying to get top marks to advance into the diplomacy programme for their fourth year specialty. They have been tied for top of the class all semester and this debate could potentially break it.


    "Alright Reyna and Lucian, in light of the recent meetings and conferences the Magics Council has been having with the mortal UN Council, what are the implications for mortal and creature integration? Reyna you are for integration and Lucian you are against. Reyna you won the coin toss you may begin with your opening statement." Mr. JuKeta, the black and silver haired vampire explained.


    Reyna nodded stacking her note cards on the podium, "We are one Earth, one planet and we should be one people. Our realms push and pull against each other fighting for a place on the planet. If we integrate creature and mortal relations we can learn and grow with one another to cultivate a planet that can benefit both our realms. We are no different from one another and granted, it will take time getting used to our vastly different cultures. But like all of us, we embrace our differences and that is what we can teach the mortals."


    She watched a smug smile spread over Lucian''s lips as he nodded to her, "That''s all beautiful rainbows and sunshine, DiEdaan. We all know your coven is known for its peaceful ways and naivety, it''s why you need to work with VonUmbras." He grinned, turning to the classroom.


    "We have to be realistic. Mortals are afraid of creatures, they don''t understand the way we look, the way we eat or the powers we possess. Creatures would rather kills us than to break bread with us. Look at America and Australia, they would soon as shoot us before learning with us. We can''t bring that kind of negativity and darkness to our realm." He said and she fought the urge to roll her eyes at him.


    "I find it odd that you would use fear as a tactic to deprive our realm, our world, of the prosperity it deserves. We all know your clan is known for its bravery and brash bravado ways, it''s why you need to work with DiEdaans." She smirked, turning to face her peers.


    "It''s all well and good to play the game of fear mongering. It takes bravery and courage to embrace the difference of one culture or one realm. The mortals suffer from climate anomalies, air pollution, gun violence and war. And we are right next to them. Our worlds are constantly bleeding into each other. Why wouldn''t we use our resources and our knowledge to build a better world together? Arrogance and ignorance isn''t going to stop what''s already happening. We''re not heartless creatures and we only have one planet to live on. We need integration to live in a better world, one world." She said to cheers from the pro side of the room.


    Lucian nodded striking out a few points on his note cards, "You''re absolutely right, Reyna. Except for one thing. Why would we allow that kind of energy to infect our realm? We are the superior species. Let the mortals ruin their realm and when they do, we intelligent and knowledgeable creatures will rebuild it without them." He said to the cheers in the con side of the room.


    "You would essentially be committing indirect genocide on their realm instead of helping them because you think we are the superior species," she laughed shaking her head, "I would expect nothing less from a Demon Society pundit." She spat the compliment as if it were an insult.


    Lucian snarled slightly,"Yes and I would expect nothing less from the permissive DiEdaan who would love for us to use our resources to help a species hat doesn''t have the capability to figure it out themselves." He spat back and she curled her lips back, a low growl escaping her mouth.


    "This is a debate you two, not an eloquent insult contest. Get back to the facts, you''re better than this." Mr. JuKeta slapping his rovel on his desk. They cleared their throats looking back at their note cards.


    "Back to my previous point, our worlds are bleeding in to one another..." Reyna began, shaking off the rage she felt for Lucian. She is going to crush him.


    They continued to debate their points neither one running out of valid points to the argument. Mr. JuKeta had to stop them once the room erupted in side debates over allowing mortals into the realm.


    "Alright, alright calm down everyone. Lucian, Reyna you may take your seats. That was an excellent and engaging debate!" He smiled in pride at his top two students. It has been so long since he''s had a DiEdaan and and VonUmbra in his class. It is refreshing to hear the level of their arguments.


    "So who won, Mr. JuKeta? Who''s the top debater?" A student called out. Reyna and Lucian glared at each other not really caring who won the debate, just annoyed that they were cut off. They had so many more points to argue!


    Mr. JuKeta laughed his sharp vampire fangs poking out of his mouth as he shook his head, "Reyna and Lucian are the top debaters. Their arguments on both sides were valid and factual. This debate was always going to be tough. There are equally valid points on both sides and you two argued them exceptionally. I''m sorry to disappoint you but top debater will remain a tie." He said to the groans in the classroom.


    "Reyna, Lucian congratulations on your acceptance into Advanced Diplomacy." He smiled at their glaring faces. Their eyes grew wide at Mr. JuKeta''s announcement as they looked at him in shock.


    "What? Both of us?" Lucian asked and he nodded.


    "But I thought there was only one spot open?" Reyna asked and he laughed.


    "There was, until I pleaded with the headmaster to allow both of you. You''re far too great to lose one of you to some other programme. You''re prodigies." He said his eyes shining with awe.


    "Great, more classes with you." Lucian grumbled as the bell rang. Reyna stuck her tongue at him as he hurried out of the classroom.


    Reyna and Lucian tied for everything. They remained at odds with each other for the first year Reyna was back in the academy. Their parents couldn''t understand why they were both so at distant towards each other. The offspring of the Patriarch of the VonUmbra clan and the Matriarch of the DiEdaan coven have always been friends, they''re always been close. It''s why they have ruled the realm since the dawn of time.


    Reyna ignored her mother''s pleas to spend time with Lucian over their summer holiday. She refused her requests, she wouldn''t be spending any time with that arrogant demon. He''s not her friend anymore and she has other things she could do with her time. She doesn''t care about the traditions of her coven and his clan. They don''t have to be friends to rule the realm together.

 Sienna & Daivik - Summer Interlude

    It''s been a year since their children have been reunited and they''ve successfully ruled the realm for two years again. Sienna looked at her daughter sitting in the corner of Daivik''s office and Lucian sitting in the opposite corner. They were both glued to their hologram phones on their wrists.


    She sighed, Reyna has settled in at the academy, she''s become very close with her friends, Kyrell and Elowen. But her rivalry with Lucian was still going strong. Reyna wouldn''t talk to her about it and she seemed not to care about his arrogant and pompous attitude towards her. However, she and Daivik were determined to keep pushing them together.


    They forced them to spend their summer together, they deemed it a diplomatic induction since they have both been accepted into the Advanced Diplomacy programme.


    She and Daivik took them on various council and regional meetings throughout the realm and their two stubborn children still barely spoke to each other, besides the occasional hello.


    It unnerved them that they were so at odds with each other. It''s uncommon for a VonUmbra and a DiEdaan not to get along. Especially since the two used to be joined at the hip when they were young.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "We have to do something about this, how can we expect them to lead together if they won''t even talk to each other?" Daivik sighed, shaking his head.


    "This can''t last forever, they''re young." Sienna smiled, patting his hand but he wasn''t convinced.


    "They''re not that young, we were hosting some of our own council meetings at eighteen, that''s only two years away and we never acted like them."


    "We also didn''t go through war or genocide at eight years old. Don''t forget they were separated for seven years. Give it time, they''ll come around." She smiled and he sighed nodding his head.


    "You''re right."


    So Daivik and Sienna thought it was only fitting that, as a show of peace and solidarity, the VonUmbras would host Reyna''s right of passage ceremony on their lands in the demon forests.

 4 - October

    *Lucian*


    "Have fun at Reyna''s right of passage this weekend. It''s so disgusting your clan is hosting it on your land." Nyx scoffed shaking her head. Lucian''s noticed it absolutely infuriates her that he used to be really close with Reyna. She has never understood his clan''s partnership with the DiEdaans. She calls it an obsession with their coven, but it''s just the way the VonUmbras and the DiEdaans have always been.


    "It''s not my choice. My Dad is trying to show the realm he respects the DiEdaans. Plus, their sacred grounds were destroyed by demons." Lucian shrugged.


    He didn''t care that his clan was hosting her right of passage. He just hates that his parents are forcing him to attend, it''s not exactly the way he''d like to spend his birthday weekend.


    He and Reyna''s birthdays are a day apart, they used to celebrate them together when they were younger. He always teased her that he''s the oldest as they''re only separated by a few minutes. He smiled at the memory, he was born at 11:57 on October 30th and she was born at 12:01 on October 31st.


    "Yeah and let''s not forget my clan destroyed those lands. Wouldn''t mind doing it again too. Worthless DiEdaan scum. They just want to rule us all and your father is falling for it." Thane huffed and Lucian shook his head. He may not want to ruin his reputation, but Thane''s ignorant views of her coven are starting to annoy him again.


    He used to be able to ignore it, but now every time he insults her a small twinge of anger sparks inside of him.


    *Reyna*


    "I don''t want to have my right of passage at the VonUmbras! Why can''t we have it here?" Reyna whined as she followed behind her parents over a small bridge that led through an opening to the demon forests.


    Normally, when a DiEdaan witch turns sixteen she or he is brought to the DiEdaan''s sacred land deep in the forests of Litanya. It''s said, their land is where creation of the realm began. Unfortunately, the VonCaligos destroyed Litanya during the genocide.


    "The VonUmbras want to show a truce of peace with our coven. This is for the good of the realm." Her mother smiled at her and she huffed turning her face away from her.


    "But we can''t even have it in Litanya, at least let me have it on our new lands." She grumbled as her father laughed.


    "It will be fine, Reyna. Our coven is right here around you. It''ll be just like in Litanya and come on, you''ve always been excited to get your own familiar." He smiled kissing her head as she sighed.


    "Oh you''re here! Everyone is so excited for you, Reyna!" Marika, Lucian''s mother, smiled pulling her in for a hug as Daivik and Lucian stood behind her. Reyna laughed in her arms, she''s always had a good relationship with his parents. It''s just a shame Lucian turned out so different from his humble parents.


    "We''re so glad you agreed to this, Reyna. We know you''d rather have your ceremony at home, but -The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "I know it''s for the good of the realm, Daivik. I understand." She smiled and he let out a sigh of relief.


    "Thank you," he smiled, turning to his scowling son, "Lucian why don''t you show Reyna to her rooms for the weekend." He asked as Lucian turned his glaring eyes on his father.


    "It''s not like she doesn''t know her way around our house. She''s staying in the same rooms she always has. She can find it herself." Lucian huffed walking inside. Marika''s eyes deepened to black as she looked at her son''s retreating form.


    "Excuse me," she gritted her teeth, "Lucian VonUmbra! Don''t you walk away from me, you snobby little demon!" Marika yelled as she walked inside and Reyna could almost see a trail of fire behind her as she grabbed her son by the ear and shoved him into an empty room.


    Reyna bit her cheeks to stop from laughing. Serves him right for acting like that.


    "I''m so sorry, I don''t know what''s gotten into him lately," Daivik sighed, "I''ll show you to your rooms, Reyna."


    "No, no I got this Daivik. I remember my way around." She smiled walking inside, she hasn''t been to the VonUmbra estate since she was eight years old. But, she still remembers every secret passage way and hide out she and Lucian used to play in.


    She sighed walking up the grand staircase and down the familiar hallways to her guest bedroom which was, of course, right next to Lucian''s. She opened the door and smiled seeing her ceremonial dress in the corner of her room. Her Aunt Varati made sure she was the one to make her dress and she made sure it was delivered to the VonUmbras before she could see it.


    She touched the shimmering starlight fabric and the gold crescent moon epaulets on the shoulders. The heart shaped bodice was littered with diamonds and rhinestones while the light, silky fabric fell delicately to the floor.


    She let the dress fall from her fingers and looked around the room. They didn''t change anything. She picked up an old drawing on the small wooden desk near the window. It was one of the pictures she drew of her and Lucian playing in the forests. she ran her finger over the silly drawing, slowly sitting on her bed.


    She sat the drawing down on the bedside table and lifted the gold and crimson blankets to look under the bed. She laughed when she saw a dusty wooden box, she grabbed it and blew off the dust. She traced her finger over the carved lettering on the box, ''Kova + Rey'' .


    She can''t believe it''s still here! They used to put random things they found on their adventures inside of it. Crystals and rocks they found along the river, old stones she brought from Litanya, rolled up maps they used to make of the forest. It was silly stuff but it was their box and their treasures. She sighed, what happened to him? They used to be so close. She never thought time or distance would ever come between their friendship.


    *Lucian*


    Lucian walked angrily down the hall to his room rubbing his ear. He slowed to a stop, catching Reyna out of the corner of his eye. She was sitting on her bed smiling to herself, looking through their old wooden box. He blushed forgetting that was there. He couldn''t help the small laugh that escaped his lips at the stupid things they used to collect.


    Reyna looked up at him standing outside her door, catching him with a slight smile on his face. She glared, lifting her hand and used a lick of power to slam the door in his face.


    He grimaced at the closed door. He never should have let her catch him watching her. It doesn''t matter, he growled. He just needs to get this weekend over with. He yanked his bedroom door open and slammed the door. The sooner this right of passage is over, the better.