In Malice (The Stolen Queen Book 1)

by A. M. Hodges

  "It's not stupid Rey," he consoles, "They are your people now. Give them time. I know Bramble said it's important to present yourself a certain way as Queen, but it doesn't hurt to let them see the real you underneath too. To have both, you have to be both."

  "When did you get so wise, little brother," I shove him playfully.

  "I've always been this wise, you've always just been too stubborn to listen."

  He's right about that. I've been depending on his wisdom since we were seven years old. Even though most of the time I didn't listen, I don't know where I would have been without him. An idea springs into my mind.

  "I know you have no desire to rule, but how would you feel about being my royal advisor? I could use my best friend."

  His smile beams at me as he throws his arms around my shoulders. Good, I'll take that as a yes then.

  Slowly but surely, everything is coming together. All the puzzle pieces are falling perfectly into place.

  Chapter 44

  Lucah and Miles shifted back when we were half a day away from the Valkyn strong hold. Apparently, that's what it's called. It's more like a fortress than a camp, from what I've been told. It makes sense, being that it is so close to Crystaline and the Royal Residence.

  The strong hold surrounds the bottom of the mountain that houses the capital city and the Royal Residence. The capital city of Crystaline is built into the side of the mountain and the Royal Residence resides at its peak. It's kind of hard to picture, honestly, but I guess it's just something that I will have to see.

  Lucah and Miles keep pace with us, walking easily on either side of my horse. Although he isn't in his wyvern form, there is still no doubt that Miles is the Crown Prince of Angof. As promised, he remains free of all glamour. The tension in his body does not go unnoticed by me. It can't be easy, being a royal of a warring continent walking right into the enemy's biggest strong hold.

  Especially since the Valkyn still have no idea that their beloved King is not actually dead but ruling the continent that he once declared war on.

  As we approach the strong hold in the distance, I have to work to keep my features neutral, because what I'm looking at is seriously fucking awesome. There’re towers! Full stone towers spread out as far as the eye can see around the bottom of the mountain. They are attached to stone walls that are quite possibly a thousand feet high and I can make out archers patrolling the tops of them in the distance. It looks like something straight out of Mulan.

  The towers are topped with gargantuan crossbows and flames burn high in their sconces. A double door made of steel interrupts the seemingly endless walls as a small army waits for us out front. There isn't a single colored head in sight, just a sea of platinum that stands out in stark contrast to the obsidian armor. Archers train their arrows on us as we come to a stop a good fifty feet from the waiting regiment.

  "My name is Reyna Sorialla Valdikye. I seek entrance and safe housing for my warriors and an audience with your Generals," I project in thick Malatian. Thank god, my accent has gotten waay better.

  No one replies or moves, giving me the awful sense of Deja Vu. Just as I am starting to get uneasy feeling, the regiment splits with practiced ease right down the middle.

  A woman full of regality and grace walks down the path that they created for her, her gold dress shining radiantly amongst the sea of dark armor. Her skin is the color of dark chocolate and flaming red dreadlocks are piled high on top of her head, adorned with an array of gold and silver beads.

  I dismount my horse as she comes to a stop in front of me. Her eyes are the color of autumn leaves. Deep ambers, reds, and oranges swirl in her irises and when she smiles, I swear I go into some kind of trance.

  "Slantde, Reyna Sorialla Valdikye. We've been waiting for you."

  Her voice is warm and motherly, her accent incredibly thick as she switches to English for my benefit, making me feel immediately comfortable with her.

  "Please, join us. You and your warriors are welcome here. Brenjun," she calls without looking away from me and a particularly fierce looking warrior steps out of the ranks.

  "Find your fellow warriors lodging and food. I'm sure they would all enjoy a bath and a meal after their journey. I see our General has finally returned to us," she winks at Jeb, "Your presence has been missed, Jebediah."

  He beams at her as he dismounts his horse, followed by the others.

  "It's good to see you Rashana," he pulls her into a hug, surprising me.

  She chuckles as she pulls away and steps back to look at the rest of the group.

  "My favorite triplets, back to wreak havoc once again. And Lucah! My how you've grown. So far away from the cub that insisted on curling up to sleep in my wardrobe every night. Feral little thing," she leans towards me like we’re conspiring.

  "When he was young, it was almost impossible to keep him out of his panther form. The poor thing would growl when people came near him, even when he wasn't shifted. It took ten warriors just to get him a haircut."

  A blush creeps up Lucah's neck that reaches all the way to his ears as Josiah snickers.

  "It also looks like there has been a new addition to your band of misfits, well, besides the obvious one," she smiles softly at Miles, "Hello, young Prince."

  "High Priestess," he acknowledges her formally.

  "Oh please," she waves him off, "Call me Rashana. Now, why don't all of you join your warriors. The Queen and I have things to discuss."

  Josiah places his hand lightly on the small of my back as he passes, and Jeb kisses my cheek before the others follow them through the metal doors. Rashana offers me her hand and I take it as she pulls me in the opposite direction of the fortress, the doors closing at our backs. I look around in confusion, stumbling behind her as I try to figure out where she is leading me.

  "Where are we going?"

  She grins over her shoulder at me, "Somewhere more private to talk. You know, to avoid prying ears and all."

  She leads me over a hill and to the woods. To

  Grandmother’s house we go.

  I chuckle at my inner joke. We don't speak as she drags me along, pulling me deeper into the trees. To be honest, it's making me nervous, and when I get nervous, I babble. Awkward Reyna is making a comeback.

  "This isn't the part where you kill me right?" I chuckle nervously.

  She just winks at me, which obviously doesn't help at freaking all. Real hilarious, Rashana. You're a true comedian.

  After a few more minutes of wandering, aimlessly for me and with purpose for Rashana, through the trees I see a clearing in the distance and the makings of a stone building. It's more opulent that I first thought, I notice, when we get close enough to see its full glory. There isn't a single piece of wood or shingles or any other building material. It is solid stone, marble if I had to guess.

  A dozen steps climb up to meet Corinthian columns that line the stone porch, which stretches the length of the building. The doorway stretches the length of three sets of double doors, sans the doors. Sconces burn bright with flames on either side and it looks to be two stories high. When we climb the steps and step inside, it smells of incense and burned out candles as I look up at vaulted ceilings towering overhead.

  Two steps raise to a dais where some form of an alter lingers, carefully set, at the bottom of a gorgeous sculpture in the back of the room. The faces of a dozen or so men and women are carved with reverence, gowns and robes tumbling down their bodies with such authenticity that I swear they move in the breeze. The woman in the middle holds the only color, her dress carved from obsidian and her hands cupped in front of her. In her palms sits a golden crown.

  "What is this place," my voice echoes through the cavernous space in awe.

  "This is my temple. Come," she leads me towards the alter. Around the small slab that serves as a table, a rug and sitting cushions in colors of purple and silver adorn the floor. Rashana sits down on one and waves her hand at the cushion across from her, indicating for me to sit. I plop d
own less than gracefully and sit cross-legged.

  "I've been waiting a long time for your return," she begins, "There are a great many things that I intend to share with you, but first things first. I assume you have some questions for me, one in particular if my feeling is correct," she smiles knowingly.

  I don't like that smile. I don't like that smile at all. That smile tells me that she knows something that I don't. That smile makes me feel twitchy.

  "Is it possible to have two mates?" I blurt. Her smile grows bigger.

  "For every other Fae, not at all. But you, young Queen, are an entirely unique situation."

  My lips purse and my nose wrinkles on their own accord, my annoyance becoming evident on my face. It's not the first time I've been called unique. At first, it was endearing and made me feel less like the freak that I thought I was. Now, it's just annoying.

  Rashana takes the hint and continues.

  "There are many significant things about your birth, things that shaped who you are and who you will become. First, is the power that you hold, and you haven't even begun to reach its depths. There has never been a Fae as powerful as you and the more power you hold, the more balance it needs. Your mates are what balances that power in you, and what allows you access to the power you haven't tapped into yet. They were created for you, Reyna. Being by your side is their purpose, their destiny."

  "It's....he's...I have..." I stutter and stumble over the words, unable to form a complete thought. She leans forward and takes my hands gently and an immediate calm washes over me.

  "I don't know how to do this. I don't want to hurt them. Especially not Jeb," the words tumble from my mouth, laced with panic, "I don't want him to feel like he isn't enough. Because he is, he is enough. Then there's Josiah, and I promised I wouldn't break his heart. I promised! Everything was fine and then I met him, and it was like I found something that I didn't even know was missing."

  I'm borderline crying as she shushes me in soothing tones.

  "It's okay to be scared. This as all new to you and coming at you at an unfathomable rate. But you were made for this, this is your destiny. This is their destiny too. It's why they are drawn to you," she sighs deeply before sitting back, "Your brother was never meant to take over the throne. It was always meant to be you. Long before your birth, before even your mates' birth, your rule was prophesized. It was a close kept secret, only the royal families knew of it."

  I try not to cringe at her use of the word "mates”. I'm not ready to acknowledge that tidbit of information yet.

  "Prophecy?" I finally manage.

  Her new smile is tight lipped and sympathetic, "For another time. For now, you have a decision to make. Just like with Jebediah, it is your choice to choose Josiah as your mate. After you've made your choice, come back to my temple. We'll talk about the prophecy then," I follow her to a standing position and begin to protest.

  "But…"

  Before I can finish, the temple is gone, and I'm left staring at the gates of the strong hold. I don't even try to comprehend how I just went from the inside of a temple at least two miles away to standing at these gates in the blink of an eye. One second, I was standing in front of Rashana, preparing to argue. The next, I'm standing here. I shake it off and head towards the gate as it swings open towards me.

  As the gates close behind me, I set out to find the warriors and the others. My stomach is in knots over facing Jeb and Josiah right now. Maybe I'll avoid them, just for a little bit, until I can fully wrap my head around the information I was just given. With that in mind, I wander around my new surroundings; peeking into blacksmith tents and looking into the windows of what I assume to be taverns. My hiding doesn't last long.

  Soon, Jeb and Josiah are falling into step on either side of me. I should have known better; they always find me.

  "Krasi-"

  "Not right now," I cut him off, "We will talk about it, soon,

  I promise. But right now, I just need some time. Okay? Can you just, give me some time," I am half a second away from begging before they both nod in agreeance and turn to walk in the opposite direction.

  When the sky is dark and the noises of the day have faded, I make the trek towards the warriors. I follow the always present string that ties my soul to Jeb's. My path leads me directly to a small cottage, no doubt our lodging while we're here. Sucking in a ragged breath, I push the door open.

  I guess it's now or never.

  Chapter 45

  "So, are you going to tell us what you learned, or do you want us to guess?"

  I glare at Josiah from my seat on one of the cots, where I have been wringing my hands nervously for twenty minutes now. Josiah is half sitting on the small dining table and Jeb is leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. We're all in the exact same positions we settled in when I first arrived, and they've both been staring at me. Josiah was the first one to break the silence. Out of the two of them, he is most definitely not the patient one.

  "Fine, but there will be no questions or interruptions until I'm finished. Here it goes," I take one more deep breath in an attempt to calm myself, "Apparently, I still haven't manifested all my abilities yet. Josiah is the reason for that," I hold my finger up as he opens his mouth to defend himself.

  "My rule over Malatia was prophesized before I was born before any of us were born actually. There has never been a Fae as powerful as me, not that I'm bragging or anything, I swear I am just repeating what Rashana said. She said that the more powerful the Fae, the more balance is required. My balance comes from my bonds."

  I pause and look between them, seeing if they are connecting the dots so that I don't have to come right out and say it. Sadly, they are both still just staring at me, listening intently. So, I try a different approach.

  "Normal Fae only have one mate, because that is all that is required to balance the power within each other. I thought that the extra bond between me and Jeb was my added balance, but it isn't, not completely. My power requires more, and from what I understand, the reason I don't have access to all of it yet is because I don't have the necessary bonds in place to prevent it from overwhelming me. Kind of like a protection clause from the cosmos."

  I look between them again. Still nothing. Dear lord, I swear they aren't this slow.

  "Josiah is my extra bond. I am the first Fae to have two mates. Choosing to accept the bond between us gives me access to the rest of my abilities. Before you ask, no I don't know what they will be. In the end, it is still a choice for both of us. I won't force you into this, either one of you," I meet both of their gazes sincerely, "I am perfectly okay with the power that I have now, and

  I refuse to sacrifice your happiness for more of it."

  "I knew it," Josiah whispers so low I barely catch it, even with my enhanced hearing. I try and fail to decipher his tone. I can't tell if it's sad, hopeful, happy, or disappointed. They both look at me for a long time and I can practically see the wheels turning in their heads. I am tempted to cast out for their feelings, but I don't want to invade their privacy like that. I don't even reach for the Jeb's thoughts and my mental barriers slam down around me. They deserve to be able to process their emotions without me spying on them because I’m feeling insecure, and Jeb deserves to make his decision without the influence of my emotions.

  Josiah runs his palm over the back on his neck and moves his stare to the floor like it holds all the answers. Jeb gnaws on his lip and looks between his brother and me. Finally, Josiah looks up and cocks a questioning brow at his brother. Something must pass through their bond with each other, a thing I like to call "twintuition", because Jeb smiles an easy smile.

  "Well, we've always been good at sharing," Jeb winks at me and it earns a laugh from Josiah.

  "THAT is what you decided to go with? Come on man, "Josiah smirks at me and shrugs, “He’s not wrong though.”

  "Lovely," I snort as my face turns beet red, "I'm so glad I'm here for this part of the conversation."

&
nbsp; "Oh, come on, dande faash. Lighten up. That was some pretty heavy info you dumped on us; we're just trying to make the best of it."

  "Why do you keep calling me little bird?" I snap. I'm deflecting. I know I'm deflecting, but whatever. His pet name for me doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's actually kind of endearing, but I'm honestly nervous and when I get nervous I either get awkward or snappy. Apparently, tonight snappy is making an appearance.

  "Would you rather be big bird?" he cocks his eyebrow at me in a challenge, fulling returning my snark, "That can be arranged, dalle faash. Or I can think of something much more colorful. I'll even switch the language so the unknowing will drive you insane."

  I roll my eyes at him, "No, I don't want to be big bird. I just want to know your reasoning." Truth. The pet name may not bother me, but it does make me curious.

  "Also, no matter what language you switch to if Jeb knows it then I know it too, so HAH!" I stick my tongue out at him in what I’m sure is a very attractive and mature way.

  "My brother doesn't know everything, mo runsearc." I wait for my easy translation, but it doesn't come. Which means that Jeb honestly doesn't know the language and I am left wondering what it means. There is no telling what he could be calling me. And he is totally right. It is going to drive me crazy, but he doesn't need to know that. Fucker.

  I glare at him in what is meant to be a manner that promises violence, but he just gives me a cheeky grin, clearly not intimidated by me in the slightest.

  "Back to the previous discussion, if the two of you are done deflecting. I’m okay with it. Josiah is okay with it. So, let's get this show on the road. I'll go keep Lucah and Miles company," Jeb turns to make a break for the door.