PROLOGUE

" Oh my baby. " She whispered, as she picked up her 2 year old son form his crib and hugged him fiercely. Tears that she'd promised she wouldn't cry gathered in her eyes.

" Mama?" He looked up and grinned his dimpled smile. Blue eyes, big and innocent were still laced with sleep. Little hands reached up to hold her face.

It was eerily silent. The only noise came from the wind chimes that hung in the nursery window, as they swayed in the gentle breeze. Dry leaves rustled every now and then. Even the crickets were silent, as though aware of what was to come next. The room was bathed only in moonlight.

As she walked to the window, part of her gold and silver embroidered gown that wasn't covered by the dark cloak, caught the moonlight and shimmered. Raven coloured tresses tumbled down in loose curls and swayed as she moved. Moonlight danced off the silver circlet lying high on her brow, making it appear as though, it were indeed white flames that crowned her. The ruby, set in the circlet seemed to have garnered a life of its own, red flames erupted within it, dancing around each other.

She looked out the window, worried blue eyes scanning the palace gardens. People hurried and talked in whispers. To any one who looked up at the nursery, it would seem like any other day, the queen was having a moment with the young prince.

The castle at Lurnah, was built into two faces of the hight white stoned cliff, that rose 2000 meters above the sea lying beside it. One side, faced the sea, while the other lay perpendicular to it and faced land. It was built in five levels, each level leading to next by an elaborate winding marble pathway, wide enough for 60 men to stride abreast. The towers and turrets jutted out of the stone

The lower most levels held the barracks, while part of the great city was built into in the higher levels, while the rest of the city lay set around the foot of the cliff. The white city was surrounded by 3 concentric walls, several feet thick and a 100 feet high, each having a massive wooden door. A part of the cliff that faced the sea, was cut in a magnificent arch extending as high as two levels ( several 100 feet). It allowed the ships to enter. Once inside, the ships could dock in the massive harbor, that lay within. At present numerous ships bearing the kings banner and the royal colours, blue and red, were silently making their way out to sea.

The castle was magnificent to behold, whether it was in the rays of the sun, or bathed in moonlight.

The queen watched as the last of the people milled into the castle. Those who were not soldiers, or not in a position to fight, were led underground, towards the mines, where they could be led to safety through a secret passage, If everything didn't go as planned. She shuddered at that thought. The soldiers secured the doors to the city and the archers, both women and men, stationed themselves on the battlements atop the walls.

She moved away from the window and exited the nursery, still carrying the young prince, who had fallen back asleep, his hand clutching the chain around her neck. Silently opening the door to the bed chamber beside the nursery, she called out.

" Aiden? Adrian?" The older two boys stirred.

" Aiden." She whispered again, as she smoothed hair off the 9 year olds forehead and then ran a hand down his cheek. Her heart, once again contracted painfully.

" Aiden, wake up."

" Aw, mamma. Another 5 minutes?" Came the sleepy reply. She smiled and kissed his forehead.

" No, sweetheart, you have to wake up now."

Her voice seemed to have finally trickled through his sleepy haze. Aiden blinked his eyes open and sat up in bed.

" What is it? What's wrong?" He asked taking in the expression in his mothers eyes. He stood up and walked to the window. Away from the castle, flames from thousands upon thousand torches flickered. They were moving gradually toward the castle. They would be here in 15 minutes.

" They're coming aren't they?" Aiden asked quietly.

The queen walked over to the window and squeezed her first born's shoulder, with the hand that was not wrapped around 2 year old Dominic. The attack had come earlier than expected.

" Yes." She said and Aiden whirled around to look at her. Determination glinting in his brown eyes, that looked so like his fathers.

" I'll fight. I will. Look I can control it now, just like you." He proceeded to lay his palm open. The queen quickly placed her palm over it, even as a blue flame flickered to life over the young boys hand.

" I know. Aiden, I know. But you cannot fight. Not today."

" But Ma-"

" Aiden." She sighed.

" Okay." He replied in resignation and walked over to his still sleeping 5 year old brother.

" Adrian, wake up, Mamma says wake up."

She turned towards the door. Lucian should have been here by now, along with Zoran. No sooner had she thought of him, the king walked in and called out to her.

" Sameerah!"

Adrian was now awake and ran to his father. The king picked up their second born and hugged him as fiercely as she had, only moments ago hugged Dominic.

" Oh, Lucian." She said in a hoarse whisper as the king drew his family into his arms.

" Your Majesties." Zoran said from the doorway, moments later.

" You don't have to worry Papa, I'll take care of Dom and Ry. We'll go down to the caves. I'll even show our people out, if i have to. You showed me how." Aiden said looking up at his father.

Lucian smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder.

" I wouldn't have expected any less of you, son. But, that is not where you are going today."

Aiden looked up in confusion, but his father only nodded to his mother and then Sameerah spoke.

" Listen carefully Aiden. Zoran is going to transport you to Mariah, the healer. She lives miles away, deep in the woods. No one will bother to look for you and your brothers there. You will be safe. Once this is over, your father and I will come get you. Do you understand?". Aiden only nodded his head, as Lucian kneeled in front of Adrian.

" Son, I want you to listen to everything Aiden says. You heard what your mother said?" Adrian bobbed his head. "Good. Look out for Dom, both of you."

Lucian hugged both the boys and whispered a few words as he passed his palm over their heads and then turned to Dominic who was still asleep. He placed his palm over Sameerah's, where it rested on Dominic's back. Neither spoke any words, but a bright light shone underneath their joined hands.

Dominic woke up and looked at his parents through sleepy eyes.

" Papa!" He squealed as Sameerah put him down.

Battle drums could be heard in the distance, mingled with unnatural screams.

" Sire? We await your command." Gabriel, Lucian's general and most trusted aid appeared in the doorway. Lucian cupped his youngest sons cheek before he left. "Stay with your brothers Dom."

Sameerah placed one last kiss on each of the young prince's forehead and finally stepped away.

" Do it now, Zoran."

The next second the doors were thrown open and a woman appeared. She had menacing blood shot eyes and cackled maniacally.

" Where are the Princelings? Pretty, pretty boys. Master would love it, if I captured them for him." She said in a trance like state as she brandished the dagger. Sameerah who had been rooted to the spot lunged forward. Adrian and Dominic clung to their older brother.

" Aga?! What happened to you?!" Sameerah cried out to the nanny as she shook her.

" Get off me!! You filthy witch!!" She swiped at Sameerah and narrowly missed.

" Zoran! Send them to Mariah!!" The queen yelled as more of people walked the hall towards them, wielding an assortment of weapons. None of them seemed to be aware of what they were doing.

Zoran turned back to the boys and began casting the spell. The boys were immediately surrounded by a golden bubble. It shimmered and began to rise above the ground when Dominic broke free of his brothers.

" Mamma don't leave me!"

" No!" Both Sameerah and Aiden cried out. Sameeraah turned around and gathered Dominic in her arms.

" Your Majesty?!" Another cry was heard just before the sound of metal clashing. Aaron, Gabriel's son had appeared just in time to stop Aga from burying the the dagger into Sammerah's back.

Zoran couldn't stop casting the spell midway, and within seconds the two boys had disappeared. More people milled in the doorway. Sameerah thrust, Dominic into Aaron's arms.

" Take him! Go! Now!"

" I will keep him safe." Aaron said as he moved deeper into the room, and Zoran began casting the spell again.

Sameerah turned back to the door, satisfied that her son was safe. She called upon all the power that dwelled within her. Anger simmering inside, added a sharper edge to it.

So this is what he was going to do? Go after her children?

She cried out and a great white flame erupted from her, enveloping her, dancing about her. She was at once the most beautiful and terrifying creature to behold. Flames leaped forward and turned the first group of assailants to ash as the others cowered in the bright light. Their weapons were wrested from them in one wave of her arm.

In the din that followed, no one saw the dagger that sailed over the crowd, connecting with a sickening thunk with Aarons head, as he shielded the young prince. Sameerah cried out as a sword slashed against her arm, in her momentary lack of concentration when she'd turned to see if Aaron was alright.

Zoran turned around to catch her clutching her arm, before flames leapt from her once again. He finished that last bit of his spell hurriedly and then turned to help his queen, not realising that the last bit of his magic had gone horribly wrong.

1984 , CHICAGO, NEW YEARS EVE

5! 4! 3! 2! 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

None of the party goers noticed the flash of white light the appeared in the sky amongst the fire crackers. A golden globe landed amongst the trees in the neighbors garden. A few minutes later, a dark haired toddler appeared in the brightly lit garden, where several teenagers were busy kissing each other a happy new year.

" Mamma?" He whispered.

I know I have another story to continue. But I couldn't get this out of my head. I may or may not continue this story depending on the reviews and how this story is accepted.

Thanks for reading :)