The Dragonscale Throne Read online

  "You can?" My heart skipped as we made our way under the canopy.

  Many fae watched me, theirs faces pinched in excitement as they stared at the feast laid out around us. A group of dwarfs performed on the fiddle as they danced around, their merriment bringing a smile to my face.

  As Geryline raised her hand, they all quietened, waiting for her to address them. It appeared that she was in charge. Was that a good thing? In a place where Seelie and Unseelie lived in harmony?

  "For two years, we've managed to keep our village a secret, only those in terrible danger allowed to enter. Our spells have kept us hidden from those who would never accept our way of life." Stepping away from me, Geryline held her hands to the side. "From the day we agreed to help restore the balance in fae nature, we've achieved the impossible. We've shared all that we have so that we can live comfortably."

  "You have?" I announced, tears coming to my eyes as I was reminded of my home village, Ramedia.

  Geryline turned to me, her usually stoic expression blooming when she saw the trickle of tears on my face.

  Sarsia came to stand beside me, her hands loose by her side. She trusted those in the village, just as I did.

  "We believe in fairness," Geryline said, looking back at her people.

  My father had demanded respect naturally the way Geryline did. It was a trait that I had always been proud of in my father, one that I wished I could emulate.

  "We've used our magic to follow your journey." A pixie stepped forward, bowing when I smiled down at him. "We knew as soon as you entered Althea that things were going to change."

  A tall fae man stepped forward. He was slightly different looking to normal fae, his nose too big and his forehead stretched higher than would've been deemed attractive for the court of the Seelie. Bending into a flourishing bow, he looked up at me from under his dark hair. "Princess, the village people would like to offer their services to help you defeat the false King of Althea."

  The tips of my fingers tingled as everyone in the square shouted, hummed or sang their agreement. They were laughing and hugging one another, genuinely glad that I was amongst them. My heart soared at the idea of villages across the land sharing the same morals as my human village. Seelie and Unseelie could live side by side, these people had proved it.

  Holding my hand in the air, I silently asked for quiet. Their voices dwindled as they watched me, every shape and size of creature transfixed on what I would say. My shoulders remained strong, even though the pressure to rescue Althea was building by the day. The people in front of me sent warmth and joy to me, expecting me to be the recognised Lost Queen that they had all come to know through their own folklore. I would have to live up to that expectation.

  "I would gladly accept your offer to aid us in our quest to return Althea to its rightful state. We must bring the land back to life, to prevent death multiplying. Your allegiance is greatly received. I will do everything in my power to claim back my throne so that we can live peacefully again."

  A little sprite came forward, his voice high-pitched when he spoke. "King Jordeek claims that he wants to unite the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, but he's going about it the wrong way. Would you want the same for your kingdom?"

  My heart leapt into my throat. I hadn't contemplated the idea that I would want to copy Jordeek's idea of bringing the two fae courts together. The idea didn't sit right in my chest after hearing what the Unseelie were like, but the sprite standing in front of me was Unseelie and treating me with the utmost respect.

  "I want the best for both Seelie and Unseelie. I want to see your lands in Falonia."

  "The princess will work hard to restore peace to both Althea and Falonia," Larnika interrupted, coming up behind me. "Her sole purpose as queen will be to make sure that every person across both lands has a fair life."

  The sprite tilted his little head to the side, smiling up at me. "That's a purpose I can get behind."

  The cheers that echoed in the air were joined by the music of the fiddles as the dwarfs started up a cheery tune.

  Geryline held her hands in the air and shouted loudly. "Let us feast!"

  Coming to my side, she indicated with a nod of her head that I should follow her.

  Sarsia stood by my side, her expression fierce as we came out from under the canopy and headed towards the woods behind the buildings.

  "I'm not sure I trust her," the witch whispered to me as we walked three steps behind Geryline.

  Glancing at Sarsia, I smiled gently. Her braid was tucked into her cloak, her rush to get it on apparent by the skewed position of it. I looked down at my already tattered dress, grateful that the hardy leather had stayed fresher than my old gowns. My hair was in desperate need of a wash, the dark strands dishevelled.

  "I trust her." My words received a glare before Sarsia cleared her expression.

  An apologetic frown followed her immediate response. Taking her hand, I stopped her just before we reached the woods. Her gaze dropped to the ground, her eyes unwilling to meet mine.

  "You cannot hate her because she's beautiful." Tipping her chin up, I forced her to look at me. "You are beautiful too. Why don't you see that? Why don't you tell him? Stop forcing yourself to live in agony. It's only you that can change your life and your feelings."

  Her eyes closed tightly, a tear dropping from the corner of one of them. I glanced at Geryline, who had come to a stop a little ahead of us. She stared around her, giving us the privacy we needed.

  "I'll talk to him." Sarsia sighed, her shoulders plummeting with the weight of her burden.

  Releasing my breath, I squeezed her shoulder. "Good. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to order you to do it."

  A smile enhanced her face before she nodded towards Geryline. "Why are we following her into the woods?"

  "She has a gift to give me, I think," I said as we walked to catch up to our host.

  The High-born Fae looked between the pair of us before she took out a dagger from nowhere. The silver blade glistened in the sun’s rays as they started to make their descent behind the trees.

  Sarsia went to pull out her sword, but I laid a hand on her arm.

  "Why do you need a weapon?" I asked Geryline.

  The fae tucked her long white hair behind her ear with the blade of her dagger. "Because I need to give you some of my blood in order to infuse you with my fighting skills."

  My gaze sought Sarsia, who nodded as she took a deep breath. "I've heard of High-born Seelie Fae who are able to cast blood magic, giving their skills over to those deserving of them. My sight is telling me to allow Geryline to give you this gift. To be honest, I didn't know there were any Transference Fae left, considering Pryon Glyneria ordered them all to be slaughtered."

  "He did?" I gasped.

  Geryline's eyes flashed with pain, her indifference gone for now. Her lip snarled up into her cheek. "That's why I'm so willing to help you. I told you, they killed my family."

  "How did you manage to survive?"

  Her fingers twisted the handle of the blade so it swung back and forth, loose in her grip. "I ran. I abandoned my family." Her words were spat as she gripped the handle and stood firm. "Come, let's get this finished. You can't stay here for more than one night. Jordeek will be hunting you. When the time is right, we'll lend our support."

  Bracing myself, I faced her, ready for whatever was about to take place. My belly told me to trust her, so that's what I would do. Sarsia and Larnika wouldn't have allowed me to accept the magic that Geryline was about to perform if they thought I was in danger.

  "What do I do?" I asked as Geryline held out her hand, the dagger hovering over her palm.

  "When I cut my hand, I'll place my palm against yours and recite a spell. You must be open to receiving the gift I'm giving you."

  Nodding, I kept my feet strong on the ground. Holding out my hand, I waited as Geryline ran her blade along her palm, an inhaled hiss the only sign of the pain that must have followed. She placed her hand in mine, squeezing gently as she started to speak. "I give this gift of my fighting skills to the Lost Queen of Althea, who shall use this gift to aid in her quest to end poverty and death for the land of Althea. Do you receive my gift, Layanna?"

  Hearing my name on her lips caused me to jolt. She hadn't once called me by it, but the familiarity made me smile. "Yes, I accept your gift with gratitude, Geryline."

  A spark of heat travelled through me, unfurling from my belly as images played out in my mind. Geryline running from the onslaught of the Althean guard, who were attacking her family home. Tears came to my eyes as she vaulted onto her horse, glancing over her shoulder to witness a man being run down by a sword. My mind saw the weeks that followed, showing me the immense training that Geryline had put herself through, often fighting companions she had made well into the night, in order to make her body strong and her tactics stronger.

  "It has worked," her voice came to me from what seemed a distance away.

  Snapping out of my daze, I gripped her hand, pulling her close. Wrapping my arms around her, I hugged her until her stiff back melted against me, her arms holding me as I took her pain and regret away.

  Sarsia watched us as I pulled away, her gaze softening when Geryline wiped tears from her cheeks. My mind was full of what had happened to the High-born Fae and how she had helped keep the peace in this village. She had a good heart, a strong one. She would make an excellent ally.

  "You now know how to fight," she said, smiling at Sarsia as the witch stepped towards me, taking out her sword.

  Facing her, I did the same. Larnika's lessons had already taught me how to stand and bounce so that I could aim my sword. Would Geryline's gift help me to have even more skills in battle?

  Sarsia came for me, her sword swiping
left and then right. She didn't go easy on me, her strength and power forced into her moves. Without thinking, I was able to counter her attack, swiping my blade up and then down, blocking her on every movement. My heart was pounding in my ears, my palms sweating profusely, and yet, a smile lit my face as I stepped forward, forcing Sarsia back.

  She laughed as I thrust my sword towards her, only missing because I didn't throw it far enough to reach her.

  "It worked," I breathed as we both held our swords up in surrender.

  "It did," Sarsia laughed. "The princess now has guts." Turning to Geryline, she offered her hand. "Thank you for your gift. It will not be forgotten."

  Inclining her head, Geryline shook my friend's hand, squeezing it before she let go. "All I need is for you to defeat the man who killed my family. And, maybe to tell that handsome fae that you're madly in love with him. He deserves to know."

  Stifling a laugh when Sarsia's mouth dropped open, I grasped both of their hands in mine, forcing them to stay side by side. "We will defeat Jordeek. No matter what happens, good always wins against evil."

  Chapter Four

  The glass was cold as I sat on the throne, my hands tucked into the folds of my skirts. A man taller than the steps and the throne combined, knelt on the stone floor, his head bowed.

  "I'm sorry, Your Highness," he said, his voice tight with fear. "I promise not to grow my own roses again."

  Confusion filled my mind. I was queen. No, wait, I couldn't be, I had gone to sleep in Geryline's bed in the small village just before the Northern Sea. I was on the way to Dragonscale. How could I be sitting on Jordeek's throne?

  "I advise that you cut off his head," a woman with long dark hair said, her bored expression so like Marli's, I knew who she was instantly.

  A surge of malice made my blood hot. It was an emotion I was unfamiliar with, and yet, as it bubbled in my veins, I couldn't ignore the desire to act upon my white-hot fury.

  "You shall never have a chance to grow roses again. You know that the rose is the flower of the Fairling family. No other shall own its beauty. Take him to the dungeons!"

  The troll didn't utter a sound as the Althean guards approached, their swords extended. He rose from his knee, not daring to look directly at me. Good, I had instructed all those who broke the law to never look me in the eye. One or two had given in to temptation, allowing themselves to see the Queen of Althea. They hadn't been able to see anything from that day forward.

  "Your Highness." Jin came to stand beside me. "It is time for your bath."

  Getting up from my seat, I glanced over my shoulder at Liliya. An urge to fight through the nasty thoughts in my head caused me to step back to her. "You shouldn't be helping him!"

  Her eyebrows furrowed as she held up her hands in surrender. "I promise that I'm not helping him, Your Highness. I'm loyal to you alone."

  Joining Jin without saying anymore, I allowed him to lead me out of the throne room and into an anti-chamber. A steaming pit of water was in the centre of the room, the moisture in the air instantly curling the ends of my hair. Taking a deep breath, I ordered Jin to leave me. Removing my gown as soon as he was out of the room, I lowered myself into the hot water.

  "It's unwise to bathe alone," a masculine voice said from behind me.

  Spinning in the water, I froze when my gaze landed on Jordeek. He was stripped to his waist, his breeches undone and his boots kicked off. My mind was swirling. I was Layanna, the good Layanna. And yet, my heart felt heavy and hard, as if I didn't love anyone or anything. Was I dreaming the future?

  "You have a nerve coming here," I said, my voice strong despite my confusion.

  Lowering his foot onto the step, Jordeek slunk into the water. I backed up as he walked towards me, heat blasting my cheeks when he pulled water up and over his head, wetting his hair. As it dripped down his chest, I couldn't help but lower my gaze, watching the droplets run down his tight muscles.

  "We've been at war for five years. Please, release the prisoners and allow them to live in Falonia."

  Memories came to me, sieving through my mind one by one. Seelie and Unseelie Fae sent to the dungeons for minor offences. What had happened to me? Why was I so cruel?

  "You're the good one," I muttered as he came closer.

  My back hit the stone wall behind me, jolting me to stop. He kept coming, not letting up his pursuit. The heat in his eyes burnt my chest. No, I was good. I was the one fighting for those who needed me.

  "Your rule of terror has to end. I know you're not cruel, Layanna. You're in pain from years of neglect, being influenced by something that I can't quite put my finger on."

  Jordeek ducked into the water, coming closer to me. I tried to swim away, but his hand caught my wrist, bringing me closer to him. Our faces were close together, the steam rising between us. I swallowed hard, unable to look away from his piercing gaze. My insides quivered unlike anything I had ever experienced as he came even closer, his lips just a touch away.

  "You know that what you're doing is wrong, and yet, you refuse to reflect on your actions. You have the power to change everything. You can become the ruler you're supposed to be, but destiny has plans for you. You have to make a choice."

  Licking my lips, I breathed heavily as his thumb came up to brush against my cheek. My real self recoiled, not wanting the intimacy, but the queen closed her eyes and leant into his touch. I couldn't stop myself as I moved my head forward. Our lips collided, hot and wet. Moving against one another, we kissed deeply. My body was consumed, the water stroking me as his arms wrapped around me.

  "Stop!" I gasped, trying to push away from him.

  He held me tightly, not allowing me to unfold from his embrace. "You can feel it, can't you? The connection. Don't run from it. It's our calling."

  What? My destiny did not involve a romantic liaison with Jordeek Glyneria. He was the vilest man in all of Althea, probably in the world. My body had betrayed me with the lust that had assaulted my senses when he had kissed me. I would never allow that to happen again.

  "Wake up!" I said to myself as Jordeek leant in for another kiss.

  "It is our destiny, Layanna."

  Thrusting him as hard as I could, I retreated. Jumping out of the water, I quickly dressed and made my way to the door. Turning, I stared down at him, trying hard to get my breath. "You must leave now, before I kill you." The words came out of my mouth unbidden. I had always wanted to overthrow Jordeek, but kill him? Surely, I wasn't capable of that?

  "Until we meet again."

  My skirts spun around me as I marched out of the bathing room, my hair hanging wet and my feet dripping water over the stone floor of the throne room. On the other side of the platform, the door to my sleeping quarters beckoned.

  "Your Highness!" Liliya's voice was loud as she watched me, her gaze tracing up the length of me. "You didn't request your maids to help you dry?"

  "Follow me," I ordered, ignoring the few guards who stood by the door of the throne room.

  Her footsteps sounded as we made our way to my rooms. Once inside, I shut the huge glass doors. The sun came through the different colours that filled the gaps between the trees. Different patterns danced on the stone floor, their colours bright against the stark grey. Grey... it was everywhere. The trees were dying, their usually brown trunks shadowed by the shroud.

  "I know this is an odd request," I said as I stepped out of my wet dress and gestured for Liliya to hand me a towel. "But I need you to tell me all about Jordeek Glyneria."

  Swallowing, Liliya rushed to get the towel, quickly coming over to help me dry. Waving her away, I did the chore myself, making sure that the water no longer coated my skin. A dress was laid out on the bed, obviously ready for a maid to bring to me. I had beaten them to it.

  "I told you, Your Highness, I don't have-"

  "I believe you, but just tell me everything you know. I promise no harm will come to him or the Seelie Court."

  Slipping the fresh gown over my head, I paused to savour the lush silk material. I had never felt such fine cloth against my skin. No wonder this evil version of me was enjoying her time as queen.

  Liliya watched me, her eyes narrowed as I brushed the fine dress over my hips, revelling in the sensation of it.

  "Are you well, Your Highness?" she asked, a hand on her cocked hip.