I'm planning to make this a short-ish story, so it probably won't be too long and complex. Hope you like it! Might be a bit cliché. Oh well. Also, the chapters will have the name of the character the point of view is from. Enjoy!

Layla

"It's her."

"The Princess of Glacies."

"Her eyes are odd."

"Don't stare at her too long, or she'll hex you."

I ignored the whispers and stares as I walked down the cobblestone road, surrounded by guards. They glared at me every time I shifted my arms, rattling the chains. Was it odd for a princess visiting another kingdom to be chained like a convict?

It made sense to me, since my kingdom would have done the same to them.

Glacies and Yven had a long history of war and hate. Since they were directly beside each other, it was inevitable. Especially when people fear things they can't comprehend.

"Isn't Glacies that country of witchcraft?"

"Tis said. But they're all freaks."

"Closed themselves off from the world to do god knows what."

"Destructive lot."

I held my head high against all the sneers and glares. They knew nothing about us or me. They could believe what they liked. It was true we wield magic and closed ourselves off, but we weren't destructive. Unlike the Yven's who wielded their superhuman strength and abilities for violence and so called 'glory'. Then again, we both found each other destructive because we wield our abilities against each other.

Fear always had a major role in everything. We feared each other, one having something the other didn't, so we did what people always did when they couldn't comprehend something. We lashed out. And that's why we secluded ourselves and hid what we could do until it was a faint memory. Because we were tired of the confrontations and endless fighting. That's why I was here in Yven.

"Move faster." One of the guards jabbed a staff into my back, making me stumble. I could see satisfaction in their eyes as they were able to display their 'superiority'. Bunch of idiots.

"Open the gates!" The huge thing creaked ominously as it opened, and I knew there was no way out. My feet felt heavy as I stared at the huge stone castle. This place would be my prison.

I could feel the knot around my neck tighten as I stepped through the doors and they closed ominously. The place was deathly silent, as if everyone was holding their breath. The only sound was our footsteps and the clanking of my chains. Further and further we traveled, all the barely furnished halls looked the same. I knew I would get lost if they just left me there.

My heart beat faster as I saw the doors to the throne room ahead of us. I was in a foreign land, which I barely knew about. Mother had sent me to learn their ways and talk peace with them, since we were tired of mourning. Especially father's death.

But the second option made my stomach churn, and I hope it didn't come to it.

"Enter!" a voice boomed inside and I paled. The king of Yven –Hugh Loteria –sat imposingly on his throne and looked harshly at me. His huge figure and strength intimidated me, but I tried not to let it show. I wouldn't embarrass myself and my kingdom.

"I see you've arrived, Princess Layla Secloshen." He looked pleased seeing the obsidian chains –the only substance capable of suppressing our magic –around my wrists.

I fought to keep them steady. "Yes."

The doors flew open and Justin Loteria –the crown prince –entered the room, running a hand through his spiky blond hair.

"Sorry I'm late, father," Justin said lazily, looking lewdly at me. A smirk tugged his lips and I felt my blood freeze. He was up to something I wouldn't like.

"Shouldn't you show your respect?" he said, walking over.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know your customs yet," I replied stiffly.

"You see, you're supposed to bow low so your head touches the ground." This was a lie. No one else had done this. I knew he was trying to humiliate me.

The king only watched in amusement as Justin stood beside me.

"Come now, don't be shy." I bit back a cry as he grabbed my hair and yanked, fighting back the tears that pricked my eyes.

"Enough!" a new voice commanded.

Justin turned towards the new comer and scowled. "What are you doing here, Donovan?"

Donovan raised a brow. "Is that any way to speak to your older brother? I'm a Loteria too, so I have every right to be here."

I could only stare at him in confusion. I thought Yven only had one prince.

"We haven't forgotten that, Donovan," Hugh said in a bored tone.

"Then have you forgotten this is a princess you are man handling, Justin?"

"No," Justin growled and shoved me aside.

Donovan narrowed his eyes at him. "Before you lecture someone about manners, correct your own first."

"Whatever," Justin spat and stormed out of the room.

Donovan ignored him and turned towards me, bowing. "I am sorry for his actions."

"Don't apologize to her," Hugh snapped.

"Father," Donovan said testily and to my surprise Hugh actually settled down.

Hugh regained his composure and looked at me coldly. "I'm sure you're tired after you're long journey. Unfortunately, I haven't had enough time to prepare a room for you, and they're all filled at the moment. "

I froze and suddenly felt sick to my stomach. Where would I sleep then? I didn't know how long I was staying for. He couldn't throw me in prison. And he couldn't… couldn't be thinking that I share a room with his guests. It was inhumane. I would not sell myself just to have a place to sleep in, but from the look in his eyes, he expected me too. Like all Yven's who thought Glacians were slaves and lower than dirt. I've heard the stories. Seen the victims of the Yven's brutality.

"Then where will she be staying?" Donovan asked for me, since my mouth had frozen in fear.

"She could always share a room with one of the guests," he said casually. "Maybe she can give Justin company and keep him entertained." My legs felt weak and I felt like vomiting. Sick bastard.

"No," Donovan objected. I was too afraid to register his words, but Hugh was clearly surprised.

"Then you have a better idea?" he asked challengingly.

"She'll use my room. I'll sleep elsewhere."

"You will not give something that is ours to her," Hugh snarled.

"Then we'll just share it," Donovan snapped. Hugh stared at him in shock, as he stalked forward and gently took my arm. I jerked and stared at him in confusion. I never expected someone from a country famed for their strength to be so gentle.

"Please follow me, princess." I followed him numbly as Hugh just watched us with wide eyes as we left the room.

My mind was racing and I couldn't think straight. This couldn't actually be happening. I wouldn't let them do whatever they wanted with me. I wouldn't.

By the time I regained my senses; Donovan led me into a room and closed the door behind us. I jerked my arm free and scrambled to the other side of the room, watching him warily.

"There's no need to be skittish, although I can't blame you," he sighed, sitting at a round table. I got a good look at this time. He was very handsome, with dark brown hair and ruby red eyes. His clothes were simple for royalty, but elegant. A wooden cane lay across his lap, and I don't know how I missed the sparrow on his shoulder.

"Let," he said and I stared at him in confusion. Let?

"She's scared spit less," the sparrow said, making me jump. He was talking!

"Now she looks like she wants to dissect me." Donovan chuckled as the sparrow narrowed his eyes at me.

"She's about average height. Long, curly black hair and olive skin. Her eyes are… odd. Like a cherry wood pink. She's a bit skinny, but her chest is average." I gaped at the bird. Was he checking me out?

"Let," Donovan growled.

"Okay, okay. But she does have big hips."

"Hey!" I shouted in indignation, cheeks flaming. What was up with this perverted bird?

"Now she's blushing," he stated.

"And she speaks," Donovan said with a smile. It was very charming and softened his features.

"You're dazzling her with your smile." I glared at the stupid, perverted bird and wondered why he kept stating the obvious. He could clearly see for himself… couldn't he?

No, he can't, I realized. I don't know why I didn't notice it sooner. The cane. The reporting bird.

Donovan was blind.

But he didn't act like a blind man. He didn't even feel around with his cane or hands. Besides having his eyes closed most of the time, you wouldn't notice he was blind. The cane and bird could have been fashion accessories.

"She realized you're blind."

Donovan sighed. "Princess Layla." I jumped when he addressed me.

"I'm Donovan Loteria, and this is Let," he introduced gesturing to himself and the sparrow.

"We're one of the few good folks in this building," Let said. I didn't say anything.

"She doesn't trust us," he mumbled.

"I'm right here," I snapped.

"We know," he chuckled. I wonder what it was he found so funny.

Someone knocked on the door and we both turned towards it.

"Your highness," a muffled voice said.

"Hello, Helen," Donovan greeted when he opened the door. A large woman dressed as a handmaid stood outside.

"I've got her stuff," she announced, ushering four men in who carried my entire luggage.

"Josh, Aaron, Stephen, and Kris," Let introduced. Each man bowed to me when he called their names.

"Don't worry, princess. We saw to it that all your stuff is where you left it," Josh assured me.

"Personally," Kris added.

Donovan nodded and said, "If you need anything, go to one of them or Helen."

"Thank you," I said hesitantly. I still wasn't sure what was going on.

"We'll get you more dressers and closets to put your things in," Stephen said.

"Quickly!" Aaron ordered and they filed out the room. Only Helen stayed behind.

"So you're the princess," she said thoughtfully, walking towards me. She was just slightly taller than me, and I flinched when she tipped my chin up.

"Hmm." She studied my face, and I wondered what she was going to do.

"She's a very pretty princess, your highness," she said over her shoulder and stepped back.

"I will be you're handmaid," she said, curtsying before leaving.

"What… just happened?" I asked tentatively.

Donovan just smiled. "Welcome to Yven."

So, what'd you think? I don't know why, but I kinda like the idea of Donovan being blind, though it's sad. Anyway, I hope you like it. Please review!