by Riley Walker
I take the dagger from him with my left hand and make a fist with my right hand around it, leaving my thumb up.”
“Very good. Now, I want you to lay your thumb down on the hilt, like so.” He gently pushes my thumb down until it is flat on the hilt, facing the tip of the dagger.
“This feels much better. Thank you Winston.” I look into his eyes and give him a smile. “Now, do I just throw it?”
“No, Princess. You do not just throw it,” he replies while chuckling. “First, you need to learn how to aim correctly. Throwing a dagger is all in the wrist. You need to be able to flick your wrist hard enough to get the distance you need, while also controlling it, so it will hit your mark.”
I pull back my arm and sling the dagger with all I have. It completely misses the tree. Actually, it barely misses my feet. Yeah, I threw it right into the ground in front of me.
Winston picks up the dagger and walks behind me. “Here, take this and hold it the way I showed you.” I take the dagger and again, line my hand up. “Now, I am going to hold onto your wrist and I want you to relax and move with me. Do not let go, just feel the movements.”
I nod my head and Winston grabs my wrist. He lifts my arm up, bringing it slightly behind my head. I feel him level out my wrist before pushing it back forward. He stops the movement, leaving my arm in the air. “Here. Do you feel where it is? How your arm feels in this position? This is where you would let go. One final flick and release. One more time before you try to throw it again.”
I lower my arm and let Winston guide me through the movements once more. “Now you try it.” He released my arm and walks over to stand by Shelby. I do exactly what Winston showed me. I hold the dagger correctly, pulling my arm back just slightly behind my head. I then bring my arm forward and flick my wrist right before letting go. This time, the dagger sails out of my hand and hits the tree with a thunk. I watch it fall straight to the ground.
I stomp my foot, and yes, I know it’s an immature move, but at this point I do not care. Huffing, I look back at Winston. “What did I do wrong this time?”
He raises an eyebrow at me, probably not too impressed with my stomping skills. “You held on too long. Plus, it is only the second time you have even attempted to throw a dagger. When your arm is perfectly parallel with the ground, you let go. Your arm was pointing down before you released it.” He taps me on the back, then runs off to retrieve the dagger. He hands the dagger to me once he gets back. “Try again. This time, take your time and let go when your arm is stretched out straight.”
I once again, take the dagger from his outstretched hand. I grab the hilt just like Winston showed me, pull my arm back, then throw it forward, flicking my wrist and releasing the dagger as soon as my arm is straight as a board. I hold my breath as we all three watch the dagger soar through the air. It’s almost like watching a movie in slow motion. I see it spinning and watch as the tip of the blade hits the tree, and stays. Holy cow. I did it.
“I did it!” I jump up and down, throwing my arms in the air and doing my happy dance. Shelby is laughing and jumping around with me, and Winston is standing there with a big grin on his face. He shakes his head and lets out a deep laugh.
“Alright, Princess. What do you say we let Shelby have a chance now?”
“Yeah, okay, sure.” I smile at Shelby and watch as she gets into place.
“Shelby, just do exactly what I showed the Princess to do.”
I am still doing a small happy dance when I watch Shelby throw her dagger.
Seriously?
“Oh my gosh! I did it! On the first try too. Did you see that, Frannie?” My best friend, who I now dislike, is grinning from ear to ear and squealing.
“Great job, Shelby. First time luck, huh, Winston?”
“Actually, she did everything right. Do you want to try it again, Shelby?”
She is off, running to the tree to pull her dagger out, leaving mine just hanging there. “This is so exciting. Okay, here goes nothing.”
I use my palm to slap my face. She did it again.
“That is amazing, Shelby. You are a natural with the dagger.”
Winston turns to look at me, “Do you not agree, Princess?” He is smirking at me. He knows how much I am annoyed right now. Asshat.
“What’s the matter, Frannie? You jealous that I am a natural?” Shelby sticks her tongue out at me. Smart mouth.
“Of course not, Shelby. I am proud of you for learning how to throw a dagger. It’s not like you can protect yourself any other way. I mean, what can you do in your penguin form? Slap the enemy on the ass?”
“Princess, that was uncalled for.” Winston chastises me, his hands on his hips.
I groan, then walk over toward Shelby. “He’s right. I am so sorry. I’m just tired and frustrated, and taking it out on you. Please forgive me for being a big jerk.”
“Aw, Frannie, I understand. Give me a hug you big, old bitch.” I grab my best friend in a hug and we both laugh.
I turn to face Winston, “Thank you for saying that. I needed to be called out for acting like a spoiled brat.”
Winston pats me on the shoulder, “Anytime, Princess. Alright, let’s continue training on daggers. Hitting the target a few times does not classify you as an expert. Grab your daggers and let’s go.”
27
Girl Fight
Shelby and I went back to our rooms for showers and now we are stretched out across my bed relaxing after our day of rigorous training.
“Frannie, I was a badass today. It was nice being able to do something so well. I made that dagger my bitch!” Shelby yelled while throwing her fists in the air.
That made me snort, “Yes, Shelby, you definitely made it your bitch.”
“Hey, Frannie, Winston’s not so bad after all.”
I give her a curious look, “How so?”
“Well he did put you in your place after you were being mean to me. “ Shelby laughed and then threw a pillow at my head.
“Ugh, I apologized already, you evil little penguin.” I can’t help but smile at my best friend when she looks at me with her mad face.
“I’ll show you evil. I have yet to smack your ass. Your time is coming, Princess Frannie!” This sends us into a fit of giggles and snorts. When both of our stomachs growl at the same time, we look at each other yelling, “Kitchen!”
We run to the kitchen giggling like fools without a care in the world. In light of everything that has been happening, it feels good to have moments like these. That is, until Shelby runs through the kitchen door slamming into the back of Hawkeye. Since I am hot on her heels, I run smack into her and once again, we go down in a tangle of arms and legs.
I look up to see Hawkeye with a bottle of Fey wine and a handsome grin on his face. “Hello ladies. I see you’re falling all over yourselves for me.”
Could he be a bigger ass? I push myself off the ground and help Shelby up. “Hey there, Hawk. Just the man I was looking for.” He quirks an eyebrow at me. “What do you say we grab some snacks and head out to the patio. Shelby and I were hoping you would be up for a game of poker. It’s getting boring around here.”
He winks at me, “Sure, Princess, but no strip poker. I’m not facing Rook’s wrath again.”
I laugh out loud remembering what that night led to. Shelby is looking at us with a curious expression. “I’ll explain later, Shelby. Let’s get some snacks.”
We are searching the pantry when Winston walks in. “I just spoke to Hawkeye. He invited me to your little poker game tonight. He told me to tell you to grab more wine and hurry up.”
Shelby looks up at Winston with an innocent smile, “Winnie, are you sure you want to play with us girls? Poker is a man’s game after all.” It is taking everything I have not to bust out laughing. Shelby is even better than me at poker.
“Come along ladies, let us men show you how to play the game.” He winks at us and heads out to the patio. As soon as he is out of earshot we burst out in a fit of giggles.
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“Shelby, I don’t think Hawkeye has clued him into our little secret. This should be fun.”
I see the mischievous look on her face as she says, “Think he will play for money?”
Oh this night is going to be fun.
Several hands later, Shelby and I are racking up. The guys refused to play for money, but we found cookies. We are using those as poker chips and my pile seems to keep disappearing. The wine seems to also be disappearing. I wonder who is eating all my cookies, I mean poker chips, and drinking all my wine?
Shelby is sitting next to me hiccuping when I hear someone clearing their throat. “What do we have here?” Edrik asks, with his arms crossed over his chest.
Rook turns his head toward Edrik, “It looks like a poker game to me. At least this time, everyone has their clothes on.”
I spit my wine all over the table and see a confused look on Shelby’s, Winston’s, and Edrik’s faces. This immediately has me choking on the wine, trying to catch my breath. I am going to ignore his comment and I hope I don’t have to explain it to Edrik later.
I’m going to kill Rook.
Rook lifts his chin at Hawkeye, “Mind if we join you?”
Hawkeye gives me a knowing wink. “Of course we don’t. The more the merrier.”
Winston shuffles then deals another hand. Once we all have our cards, Winston looks around the table, “Am I missing something? What about having our clothes still on?”
I try to change the subject. “Edrik, do you have any news on Armand?”
Edrik studies me closely, trying to figure out what I am keeping from him. “King Bastian informed us of a spotting in the mountains not far from the Dark Kingdom’s castle. When we got there, he was gone but he is definitely using it as a home base. We found several items of his along with fresh food and clean clothes.”
Rook shifts a little in his chair and runs his hands through his hair. That is his telling sign when something is bothering him. “What is it, Rook? What aren’t you two telling us?”
Rook winces when he sees I have caught on to him. “Cara, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just know, we found his hiding spot and we put several soldiers on it. We will get him.”
“Tell me, Rook. You know I don’t like to be kept in the dark on any of this.” I give him my best angry look. It probably looks more like a constipated duck, but he gets the point.
“Fine. We found a shallow grave.”
Shelby gasps and grabs my hand. All I can do is hope that it isn’t someone else we know.
“It wasn’t one of ours, Cara. It was Sherry. I’m assuming Armand was angry because she wasn't successful in whatever her mission was. Her usefulness had run its course, so he got rid of her.”
“You mean, she didn’t poison the right person? That person being me.” I push myself up from the table. I have had enough of this conversation and thinking back to that night is too much for me to think about.
Winston grabs me by the elbow, “Princess, where do you think you are going?”
“I’m going back to my room. I think I’ve had enough for one night.”
I try to pull my elbow out of Winston’s grasp, but end up falling backwards instead. Right into his lap. I look up into his eyes, an apology on my lips when he presents me with a big, beautiful smile. “Princess, don’t be a downer. Stay. Play a few more hands and drink another glass of wine. Tonight we forget about everything and just be normal.”
I nod in agreement, and reluctantly get out of Winston's lap and sit back into my own seat.
“He is right, Chess. We all deserve a night off. Let’s just sit back and have one night of no Armand talk.” Everyone seems to be in agreement. “So, tell us what all you and Shelby did today?”
“Oh, Eddie! You would be so proud! Winnie worked with us on throwing daggers. I got mine to stick in the tree the first time! Rookie, you have to see my aim. It is spot on.” Shelby gushes about herself. Again. If I didn’t love her so much, I swear I would punch her in the throat.
Rook must sense my frustration because he turns his attention on me. “Cara, how did you do with your dagger lesson?”
“I did fine. Thank you for asking.” I turn my head away and look over at Edrik. He can read me too well. I should have looked at Hawkeye.
“Chess, what’s the matter? You look upset.”
“She’s mad because she didn’t pick up the dagger as fast as I did.” Shelby looks over at me, her tongue sticking out of her mouth.
“If you don’t put that back where it belongs, I’m going to grab it,” I warn her.
“Girl fight. This is how I always thought a poker night should end.” Hawkeye kicks his feet up on the table, a sly smile on his face. “Do we need to move back? Give you girls more room to pull hair, or whatever it is you do?”
I look at Shelby and she looks at me. We have been best friends long enough that we can practically read each other's minds. I give a small nod of my head and Shelby winks back at me. She mouths “One, two, three,” and we both reached under the table with both hands and throw our end up. Sadly, Hawkeye just happens to be sitting opposite of us and the table flies toward him, throwing him off balance. His chair falls back, Hawkeye along with it, and all the glasses and bottles of fey wine fall right on top of him. Shelby and I both stand, high-five each other, then double over in laughter and snorts. Well, I am doubled over, my best friend is waddling around. The snort-a-shift penguin is back.
28
Let It Go
The next morning I find myself back in the gardens, working on my powers. They still are not responding to me the way they used to. I throw my hands up in frustration and throw my head back, screaming at the sky. “Why will they not work anymore? What is wrong with me?”
“Franchesca, might I have a word? Alone please?”
I look over in shock to see my Mother standing behind me. Everyone nods and walks away, headed for the stone benches to take a short rest. I turn around and get a good look at her. I haven’t seen her much since that awful day when Armand was here. I remember seeing her almost lifeless body crumbled on the ground. She is thinner than she was, her face almost looks sunken in.
“What is it, Mother? Are you okay?” I ask her with an honest concern. We may not always see eye-to-eye, but she is my Mother and even when she is being, well, herself, I still love her.
She reaches out and takes both of my hands in hers. “Darling, you are having problems with your powers aren't you?” My shoulders slump and she takes that as a yes. “You have to remember, your powers are intertwined with your emotions. You have to let everything go. Your anger at Armand, the fear of being the true Golden Queen, and the burden of having multiple fated mates. I know what the prophecy says. I also spoke to Ruby the other day when she stopped by to deliver more sleeping tonic for me. She told me she believes you have at least one more fated out there.”
“Mother, there is no one else. I could not handle another if there was. What am I supposed to do? Go around kissing every man in the Dark Kingdom?” My sarcasm is at an all time high right now.
She squeezes my hands, a sign that she is not impressed with my attitude. “No, Franchesca. You most certainly will not go around just kissing whomever.” Mother rolls her eyes at me. I am pretty sure this is the first time I have ever seen her do something so common. “You need to concentrate. Forget about everything else. Right now, the only thing that matters is you learning how to defend yourself. I could not bear it if something happened to you again. I was too weak to prevent him from hurting you, and there will be times when one of your followers aren’t around to help. You need to let it all go, and rein it in.”
“Alright. I understand. I can do this.”
Mother gifts me one of her rare, true smiles, “I know you can. You are my daughter. You can do anything you put your mind to. Queens always do what is right and best for their Kingdoms. Owning your powers and keeping yourself safe is what is best for everyone. Now, I want you to close your eyes.”<
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I do as she says, closing my eyes tight. “Now, everything that is going through your mind, I want you to shut the door on them all. One at a time.” I picture Armand, the prophecy, Colton’s death, my concern for Shelby, and the pressure of finding my lost mate, or mates, all behind doors and I systematically close each one. “Winston, can you come over here, please?”
“Queen Amelia. How can I help?”
“Just stand right there and try not to move. Now, Franchesca, I want you to picture the vines coming up from the ground. Grab them with your thoughts and drag them up.” I nod my head when I can picture them clearly. “Great job. Next, pull them along the ground and toward Winston.” I do as she instructs and as if I am holding on to them physically, I pull them along and over to where I can feel him standing. “Now, I want you to command them to grow. Have the vines move up his body, and wrap around him. Not tight, just enough to hold him still. Once you see this happen, I want you to will them to bloom.”
I once again, do as she asks. I see them moving up his body and wrapping around him in almost a loving caress. I then picture them opening up and blooming into vibrant colors. Blues to match his eyes, yellows that remind me of the golden flecks in Edrik’s, pink for Rook’s lips, and even a red that represents Hawkeye when he blushes.
“Now, open your eyes child. See what you did.”
I slowly raise my eyelids and gasp at Winston. He is standing there, his arms stretched out and beautiful flowers covering him from the chest down to his legs. I can’t help but smile at the sight. “I did it!” I turn to look at Mother who is also wearing a large smile on her face. “Thank you, Mother. This was exactly the help I needed.”
“Anytime, Franchesca.” She claps her hands once before continuing on. “Alright everyone, back to your training. I expect to see you all at dinner tonight. No excuses.” She looks over at Shelby, Rook, and Hawkeye, “And please do try to dress appropriately.”
