Later that morning, I stood in front of a long mirror and stared at my reflection. It feels like forever since I've worn something other than plain t-shirt and yoga pants or Alec's t-shirts. With us moving so often, we could only carry so little and with only so many pairs of clothing, I was relieved to find spare clothes in this safe house.

I straightened the white, sleeveless sundress that reached mid-thigh and combed through my long auburn tresses with my fingers. I swept them to the side, but felt awkward having one side of my neck exposed. Readjusting my hair, I evenly split the ends of my hair to cover my shoulders.

Although I look horrifying with all my battle wounds on my body, the sun dress provides an easy access to slip on and off. I didn't have to worry about slipping my limbs through any hole.

Sighing heavily, I dropped my arms and walked out of the bedroom. I ran into Kian who was also leaving his room. His hazel eyes landed on me and a soft smile played on his lips.

"Hey, you," he greeted me.

"Hi."

"Need a little help?" he asked as he put a hand out.

I slipped my hand through. Grateful for his weight to help me walk a little straighter. Kian stood a little over six feet, packed with tone muscles and wavy chocolate brown hair. He matched well with environment with his sun-kissed skin. He had on a beach button up tropical shirt and a pair of white shorts.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"So, how are you feeling with everything that has happened?"

"Lost. I can't believe all three of you went through this without telling me anything. You, especially."

Kian looked remorseful. His smile dropped and he gave me a pitiful look. I raised a hand into the air to stop him.

"Don't."

"Grace, I wanted to tell you many times, but we had rules."

"Fuck everything," I responded bitterly.

We appeared downstairs and noticed Quentin, Alec, and Lucy hanging out in the kitchen. They turned to look our way when they heard us coming. Lucy sat her glass of water on the kitchen counter and walked over to me.

"Hey. How you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I replied and to be honest, I do feel better. I don't know what it was, but some of the wounds on my back seemed to have almost disappeared. Could be some kind of supernatural shit that I'm not aware of.

"That's good. You hungry?" Lucy asked.

I nodded my head.

"Good. Alec made us some breakfast."

Kian led me to the table and sat down in one of the wooden chairs. Alec walked over the plate of food. He made scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. It was the last thing my mom made before everything went to shit. I tried not to think about it while eating. Swallowing the food felt like eating sawdust. It was delicious, but my mood did not help with eating.

"So, I thought we could do a couple sessions of training. We have Kian, Quentin, and Alec here. They could help us both."

I eyed Lucy before looking at the boys.

"We will work with the two girls separately. To allow the attentiveness both girls need," Quentin said with a shrug.

Alec nodded his head and crossed his arms in front of him. His biceps bulging in clear sight with the black sleeveless tank top.

"Alright. I'll start with Grace. I'll teach her everything she needs to know about Renovia," Kian announced and I knew he was feeling guilty for hiding everything from me.

"Alec and I will spar with Lucy in the meantime."

I try not to let Lucy and my differences get to me. She was exposed to this for much longer. Teaching her separately from me made sense.

"Excellent. Let's start now."

I finished off the last of the food and Alec picked up the plate to go wash. I should focus on learning. I wasn't one to not work for what I wanted and putting an extra effort wasn't something new to me. Feeling renewed and more determined, I turned to Kian.

"Could we walk on the beach while you tell me more about it?" I asked.

Kian's smile brightened and he nodded his head. I stood up and put my hand out for Kian to take. However, Alec grabbed my hand before Kian could.

"I'll work with Grace for now. You can work with Quentin, Kian."

Nobody said anything, but I noticed the confused look on everyone's faces as Alec peeled me away from everyone.

We headed out the front door and I was blasted with a wave of heat. I inhaled deeply and caught a whiff of the ocean breeze. My body relaxed and I leaned a little into Alec as we walked slowly down the beachy sand.

"Renovia is an endless spiritual world. With a vast green landscape and mountains, pristine rivers, lakes, and everything you can imagine. Our realm is an ancient realm. Lived longer than earth or any other planet you can think of. Everything that lived and breathed in Renovia lived freely."

"Will I get to visit it one day?"

Alec stopped mid stride alongside the beach water, his eyes stopped on me.

"It's your kingdom, Grace. You or your sister will rule it one day. Regardless who rules the kingdom, it is still your kingdom. You both were born for this role and no one can take it from you."

Despite his confidence, I felt a seed of doubt harvest itself inside of me. What if I don't meet their expectations? I've seen disappointment one too many times in these past couple of days. Alec's scolding the other day was still fresh in my mind.

"Tell me more about how my parents ruled Renovia."

Ocean water brushed over our feet. Alec moved us farther away from the water. I'm sure he didn't want to get my injuries wet and especially with salty ocean water. The heat of the sand felt warm on the soles of my feet.

"Renovia believes in a monarchical system of government. Only bloodline successors will have birthright to the throne until abdication. In history, there has never been a moment of abdication in your bloodline. Your father ruled with constitutional monarchy and fairness. The people adored your mother and respected your father. Together, they brought Renovia to even greater heights with treaties among other supernatural beings. We were growing and thriving, but with everything growing, we were bound to meet individuals who wanted to destroy us. Very much like Great Britain, your parents also have a cabinet of special individuals who assisted your father in his reign. These cabinets consisted of six Elders who specialized in every area of the government—trade, communication, war, agriculture, economics, supernatural, and history."

Alec led us to a rock and settled me down on the rock before sitting down next to me. A huge palm tree cast a shadow over us and cooled our bodies from the morning heat. He rested one arm over one knee and looked at the horizon.

"Have you seen Renovia?"

"Once, but it is not the same. Renovia has been in ruins and unlivable since the war. No one has been to the land."

"Where are our people?"

"Hidden until our moment to rise, I guess." He shrugged his shoulders.

"And when will I get to see Renovia?"

Alec glanced my way.

"When you are ready, Firefly." He swept a strand of hair from my forehead.

I looked into his light grey eyes and saw a reflection of me. At this moment, I couldn't catch my breath. If only I could remain in the center of his eyes forever. Pining after someone I know would never be mine hurts. Do I wish to not love him this much?

I couldn't imagine not loving this man. The heart doesn't choose who lives in it. No matter how hard I tried—and believe me, I tried for years, I couldn't change my feelings. I blinked and looked away. It doesn't mean that I would stop trying. For my only sanity, I will stop loving him.

"What's wrong?" Alec noticed the change. I don't know how.

"Nothing."

Alec looked like he wanted to say something, but the sound of the other three sparring caught our attention. We both glanced at the front of the house and watched Lucy knock both Quentin and Kian onto the sand. A loud grunt came from Kian as he landed with a thump.

"She's learning fast," I said. "I can see why she will be queen material."

Alec looked back at me.

"You will learn too, Firefly."

My spine stiffened at him calling me Firefly again.

"Don't call me that," I retorted.

His face scrunched up and he didn't look too happy with my response.

"Why?"

"I'm too old for pet names," I lied.

"You'll always be my Firefly." My heart skipped a beat. This is exactly what I am talking about. He doesn't know what he was doing to me.

"I don't want to be your Firefly."

"What's wrong-"

"Hey, Alec. Come beat some shit out of Lucy, please," Quentin shouted across the beach.

"Go." I pushed him away.

He look hesitant like he wanted to say something more.

"Yo, man! We're getting beaten by a girl!" Kian pleaded.

Alec sighed and got up from his spot and jogged over to the trio. I smiled at the sight of Quentin and Kian wrestling before slapping each other on the back.

When it was Alec's turn, he moved with such ease. The way his muscle flexes with little effort and pain. He knew what he was doing and with every move, it was as if he anticipated Lucy's attack. Watching Lucy fight, it renewed my ambition. I needed to grow. Even if I couldn't regain my powers, I will do everything I can to not be a weakness to this team.

I lightly touched the injuries on my thighs and although it still stung, I hope it will heal soon. I mean, I am a vampire. Shouldn't I have some kind of healing power? I should've asked Alec this question.

I loud cry from Lucy jerks my thoughts back to the scenery before me. She lost to Alec. The boys cheered and pounded their chest. I couldn't stop the smile spreading across my face. At this moment, everything seems normal like there isn't a threat just outside waiting to attack. All the stress and expectation seemed to weigh a little less.