The Elementals Trilogy [REWRITING]

Chapter 3

(Golden's POV)

Golden heaved herself up to the Heirs' den. Her hind legs had decided to give up on her when she woke up this morning and despite that she was still ordered to clean their den. She dropped the bundle of moss at her paws and took a deep breath before giving her paws a few quick licks before hauling herself towards Lilacfern's nest.

"You know Golden, you can still talk to me," a lilac she-cat purred quietly from the corner, her yellow eyes softly radiating through the gloom.

Golden shook her head slightly, her entire body sagging from both the physical and mental toll that fell on her. Her former best friend didn't want to give up on her, despite how much she knew it wasn't possible.

"Yes, you can," the heir's sweet meow sounded again, "I don't care about what they think...we can still be friends you know."

Golden's tail drooped in defeat, "I'm a commoner, Lilac."

Grey screeched and sprung forwards, at nothing in particular, his mouth foaming, spittle flying everywhere.

"Please Grey, please snap out of it!" Golden beseeched, crouching beneath a brittle sapling.

Grey whipped around and glared at her, eyes glazed over, and it seemed as if he was looking at something oblivious to everyone else. Golden watched as he bared his teeth, claws sliding out and ominously stalked towards her.

Golden gasped as she shook her head, clearing the flashback from her vision.

"And...that's...that's all I'll ever be," she stammered quietly after a lengthy pause, head lowered, and quickly began working on Lilacfern's nest.

Only the chattering of cats outside could be heard and the occasional clink of Golden's claws as they scraped across the stone floor.

"We can still talk though," Lilacfern mewed, a hint of despair edging her voice.

"No...we won't...and never will," Golden murmured, shaking her head sadly as she took a step back, taking a quick glance at her work and started making the second nest.

"Won't be able to do what?" a silky meow echoed through the cave as Golden tensed and turned her head around.

As she expected, the cat was no other than the Crown Heir, Shadefern, of BreezeClan, the most portentous cat that she'd ever met. She lowered her head, ensuring that she didn't make any eye contact with Shadefern. No one spoke, and even Lilacfern seemed to shrink in the presence of the tom.

"I asked you a question, commoner, and you are required to answer. I'll repeat myself. What aren't you able to do?" he purred, a growl laced behind it.

"Nothing," Golden replied, not exactly sure what to lie about.

"Nothing, what?" Shadefern growled. His tone was so sharp that Golden flinched and briefly glanced up and into the blazing green eyes of the Crown Heir.

"Nothing, Crown Heir Shadefern," Golden hissed.

She heard a sharp crack and tasted blood in her mouth. She wobbled slightly, but another blow struck her and the last words she heard were,

"Respect your Heirs, you filthy commoner."