The Gentle Maiden and Five Lustful Brothers-Chapter 131: the beginning

Things were going so well for Violet and Ash and Odette. Violet, or rather, Queen Violet, had abolished the rule about maidens belonging to the purebloods. And with that, maidens were being born; it was like evolution waited until it was safe to show itself. Though none of them were energy vampires, like her and Odette, they were born with abilities now, the maidens evolved into something new, something more. Ash had helped stabilize regions where the turned were running rampant. Ash took a step back from his work with music, giving more responsibility to Jeremy, forcing him really, into managing the record company. He still worked, but more behind the scenes. Jeremy became Co-CEO and was now the face for the company.

Lilith still roamed where the wind took her, except for one week out of the year, she would come and visit her darling girls. Odette’s birthdays became more than a family party but an extravagant social event. It’s the only time she was exposed to the nobles and royals. Every year their interest grew. The less they saw of her the more they wanted to know. People tried endlessly to get close to her. Every pleasantry exchanged had ulterior motives, every gift, every hello, all of them.

Violet and Ash were expected to participate in social events but would leave Odette behind with Rosa and Jeremy. Her and Delilah would have a sleepover. Violet and Ash kept her tucked away, safe and ignorant to her world’s politics.

She trained hard every day until she turned 16 and she got a taste of her abilities.

On her 16th birthday, Odette was sparing with Ash at the Bucharest castle. And he had nearly pinned for the 19th time that day. Furious it was about to be 20th, something in her cracked and she felt a burst of energy. Everyone on the property felt it. Ash was sent flying backwards from the blast. Dusting himself off as he stood up, he watched as dirt lifted around her moving at will. Odette looked around in awe at was transpiring around her.

"Seems someone found her abilities. Telekinesis that’s a cool one." Ash looked at his daughter proud. She was powerful. He forgot how powerful. He knew instantly they would have to train harder, her abilities would only grow, and she’d have to be strong enough to handle her power, mentally capable of it.

Him and Violet would have to talk with Arya about the next step in the binding spells unraveling.

Violet looked at her daughter the moment she walked in the door and knew exactly what happened.

She smiled but there was an ache in her heart. She knew what would follow, life had been so peaceful she’d forgotten the Prophecy, forgotten her daughter was powerful, and forgot her daughter had been bound.

She watched as Odette danced and practiced moving things immediately, trying a vase, but only making it wobble, she focused hard on and specific flower, plucking it from the vase.

After playing with her new ability all night, she finally went to bed. Violet and Ash sat on their bed using their Witch’s Glass. Violet and Ash called Arya.

Arya appeared in the mirror "You know we’ll be arriving tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, but this can’t wait. It’s about the binding spell." Ash spoke first.

"Oh, she did turn 16 today, didn’t know it would happen on this exact day. What ability showed itself first?" Arya asked. She showed have expected them to show today, but she also overlooked the fact the binding spell was coming to an end and slowly her powers would start unlocking.

"Telekinesis. Pretty powerful she can almost move vases and she’s precise with her aim already, able to specifically select a single rose from a vase. And she has no idea how difficult of a task that is for someone who just opened up to their new ability." Ash answered.

"Hmm..." Arya hummed curiously, "Outside of training, there’s not much we can do. But make sure you keep an eye on the development of other abilities, more will show as the binding spell cracks."

"What do we do if she..." Violet couldn’t even say it. The thought of what it is, what it meant. It scared her.

"If she gains that ability before she’s ready, we’ll figure something out when and if that time comes." Arya responded.

"When should we tell her the truth?" Violet asked quietly. They’d live with a lie from a long time, built their life around a lie. And confessing the truth, that was never easy. Odette also wasn’t one to let go of something easily. She was like her father when it came to temperament.

"That’s totally up to you guys but would probably suggest you hold off until after she graduates. No need to add extra pressure on her shoulders, she’s already got puberty and school. She doesn’t need the weight of a prophecy." Arya offers her input.

Violet sighed. She hated lying to her daughter, to anyone. And this. This was a big secret. A huge confession. One that would change everything.

"Ash you’ll have to step it up with her training. If she’s already this powerful her first hours with her abilities, her power will increase faster than everyone else. We need to find a way to express to her to keep her strength hidden, not let people know what she’s capable of." Arya confirms what Ash was suspecting and already planning.

All the excitement and pride Ash felt before, came crashing down. Baring the weight of their secrets and cover ups. The truths they buried. The reality they would all eventually have to face.

"Did you know Kalvin plans to ask Odette to be his girlfriend at her birthday?" Ayra mentions with a smirk. Knowing it’ll piss off Ash and make Violet feel happier. She always loved Kalvin. Thought he was the sweetest.

"No. Absolutely not. My little girl is not ready to date. Not with a prophecy breathing down our necks." Ash rejected the idea instantly.

"Ash, I think it’s you that’s not ready. Don’t blame Odette." Violet giggled. She knew Kalvin would end up with one of the two girls. Delilah or her Odette. And either one would make her happy. But Violet thought Kalvin and Delilah would be the ones to get together. The way Delilah looked at Kalvin. And the way Kalvin looked at her. But then again, he did always follow her young Odette around like a little kitten.

"No, Violet. She’s not allowed to date." Ash insisted firmly "I forbid it."

"Ash, stop, you’re being ridiculous, she’s a teenager, she’s going to date. Be happy the boy is as good as Kalvin. And is nothing like you and your three brothers." Violet smiled at Ash winking at him.

Ash rolled his eyes and scoffed. But she’s right. Kalvin would be 200x better to his daughter than any of his brothers or him were to Violet when she first came to live with them. They were atrocious to her. Real pieces of shit. He knew it, they knew it. But Violet was the reason they changed. She gave them something they never had, something they needed.

Humanity. What it means to have humanity. To feel loved and to love. To feel safe and provide safety. To be forgiven and understood.

The brothers were deprived. Violet healed their broken hearts, and gaping wounds.

Kalvin had been raised with love. He knew how to show it and how to give it. He could do whatever it took to keep his daughter happy. Honestly Kalvin would be a blessing for Ash when it came to loving his daughter. He knew Kalvin, he trusted Kalvin.

Still the idea didn’t sit well with him. Thew idea of anyone with his little girl. She was perfect and too good for anyone.

"I’ll think about it, if Odette accepts his confession." Ash grumbled. Still very unenthusiastic about it.

"That means it’s a yes." Violet giggled.

Arya distracted them with the gossip and they didn’t realize it was her plot, but they were feeling better already thinking about something other than the elephant in the room.

Things would be more difficult for them from here on out, so this small moment of reprieve was what they needed.

After Odette’s birthday, her rigorous training began. Ash ran her with drills every day. Not just exercising her abilities and teaching her different ways she can use her skills in combat, but also in combat. He trained her with daggers, bows, swords, and even guns.

She was as deadly as she was beautiful. Fearless, the embodiment of strength.

Odette knew she could show anyone her abilities or her skills. She could only ever express half of what she was capable of. Only her father saw her real strength.

Not even Kalvin. She had no idea why she trained so hard, but she would never disappoint her father. She was desperate to prove herself to him. He was the strongest and bravest man. to her, Ash was her hero.

Ash would whatever it took to live up to his daughter’s expectations.

Violet continued to work with Violet on staying humble and holding on to the kindness that lived hidden in her daughter’s heart.

Violet watched her daughter harden herself over the years, distancing herself from people. But could do nothing. People started to see her daughter as unapproachable and unpredictable. She had a sharp tongue and like her father a short temper.

Odette loved animals, and she was good with them, children as well. Despite the permanent scowl that resided on her face, they flocked to her.

Violet and Odette were always tending to strays and visiting orphans. This was something the two of them always did together, their little secret. Odette told her mom she had an image to maintain, she couldn’t have people knowing how compassionate she actually was. She needed to keep them all a distance. She told Violet.

"No new friends, Mom."