The Reign of Queens: A Kingdom of Diamond Antlers Novel

by Zachary James

  He laughs and in a demanding even voice he says, “As your maker I command you.”

  The words fall from my mouth in a heavy waterfall and the crashing water is too fast and hard to stop. I have no control over my mouth or voice as I say, “For thirteen years of my immortal life I was being raped, beaten, and violated by a man who stole me from my family and locked me in a cellar. He used shackles laced with mountain ash to keep me from killing him, but once the Tree of Light was chopped down the mountain ash no longer hurt my skin and I was able to leave the cellar. I took great joy in killing him. I quickly tracked down his brother, who also participated in my daily abuse, and made a fun scene of killing him and his wife as well. As I was about to kill him, he managed to stab me. Since the Tree of Light has been chopped down, I couldn’t heal as before.”

  “Holy gods.” Acacius groans through a shadowed stare and frightened features. He runs a hand through his ash hair making it tousled and messy for the first time. “I am sorry.”

  “What the hell was that?” I shout and run to his side where I grip his jaw between my bone crushing fingers. How did he make me tell him that? That’s not fair!

  “Makers can command their prodigies to do whatever they please,” His voice becomes soft and distanced. “Molaris used those words on me more than a few occasions as well. I know what you went through.”

  “You have no idea what I’ve been through,” I hiss and let my fangs slide further from my gums. He doesn’t understand what I have endured in my lifetime. He has no right to even offer empathy for my past. I still see the white scars on my wrists where my shackles laid and I even sometimes feel the invasive hands touching my skin. It makes me sick and this anger makes me want to vomit on the floor.

  He grabs my wrist and throws me back into the chair. He braces his hands on the arm rests and he leans into my face. Our noses are centimeters from touching. “I do, Athena, I really do know what you’ve been through. Growing up, a small Fae boy, I too was beaten. By my uncle who raised me. When Molaris found me, and turned me into a Vampyre, she loved commanding me into her bed chambers. This has been going on for the past six century’s, Vampling. Please don’t tell me what I have and have not endured.”

  Two sides of the same coin, I say within my skull and pray he hears it.

  Indeed, he coldly whispers, the word not reaching my ears. A tear slides down my cheek from my burning eyes and my vison becomes a red gloom. Wiping away my tears I look at my palms. Crimson smears my skin and I realize; Vampyres cry blood.

  <<>><<>><<>>

  Chapter Seven

  ~Evaflora~

  The fire crackles from the hearth behind her as she leans over the map of Elkwood. Her onyx hair is unbound and blowing on a slight breeze from an unknown origin. For hours she’s been brooding and waiting anxiously for the return of her second, Darwin. When he was sent to acquire the item it was a well flushed out plan that should’ve taken moments, unless that little twat got in the way. Evaflora wouldn’t even consider that possibility. She couldn’t imagine her kingdom without him being the blade to the sword she holds.

  Ariadae can do whatever she wants, because no matter how hard she fights, her mother knows every way to make her crumble and break at the seams. Equadoria will be Evaflora’s. She’ll do anything necessary to have it.

  A small knock and Evaflora grunts the acceptance of entrance. A bustling maid scurries on swift feet into the chamber and bows deeply. “Speak,” Evaflora growls.

  The blue skinned faerie stares at the queen in horror as her soft voice announces, “The general will not return.” Evaflora’s blood boils and she barely stops herself from destroying the entire chamber. “He was captured by the Titanium Queen, I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” Before the faerie could turn on a heel to leave Evaflora spilled her blood across the walls and carpet and floor. The High Lady roared loud enough for the damned gods to hear. Ariadae will see her end soon, but first, Evaflora wants her second in command back.

  <<>><<>><<>>

  ~Ariadae~

  My purple oblivion of power vanishes before, what seems like, a legion of sentinels’ barrel through the door and begin looking toward Jax and me with stone cold faces. “Where’s the assailant?” A young voice asks from the back of the squadron.

  I point to the window and order through gritted teeth, “He is in the rear courtyard, his legs are most likely broken, but if he is alive take him to the dungeons.” I have never seen or used the dungeon myself, so why not start putting the area to use. Besides, I have a few questions to ask Darwin.

  Jax moves toward me on unsure feet. I can’t stop an unknown shaking that rattles my bones from my core. He pushes aside his unsure demeanor when I break into outrageous tears and cries as I slump to the floor. What is going on with me? I’m not healing like the Fae and now I have a second power. I don’t think any Fae have had multiple powers besides High Fae. Am I a High Fae now? That would explain the extreme increase in control and strength. Jax and Zube said while we were training that my control was astonishing for being such a young Fae. They also didn’t take into account that I was turned Fae and not born into this body.

  “Whatever this is,” Jax whispers into my ear while I squeeze my shaking body into him. “We’ll learn how to control it and wield it. Don’t be afraid, Dae.”

  Minutes pass and a sentinel enters the chamber. Jax looks at him and I just listen to what they say. “The attacker is seized, your majesty.” Good.

  Jax waves the boy away and I rise on unsteady feet. The room is spinning and my knees have become weak. I look down at my hands and notice that the sleeve of my robe is completely gone. The edge is black with jagged holes and tears in the singed fabric. This was one of my favorite robes, but that is the least of my problems. I will get a new one from Rasgard and Theon. Damn! I was supposed to see them today for a gown fitting. Everything is just getting worse and worse.

  I shake away a brief image of the blue skinned faerie from the Summer Kingdom who was my only friend there. Seri. She made the most magnificent gown for the Summer Solstice and it got her killed. It was entirely my fault. Just like Gaston and Novid’s deaths.

  “Get into bed, Ariadae.” Jax says and leads me to the large silken mattress. Sleep calls to me and blurs the edges of my vision. “You had a long day.” I peel off the robe and scurry under the covers quickly trying to escape the nipping night air. “Goodnight,” Jax adds and kisses my forehead. I am whisked away into the depths of sleep before I even recall Jax removing his lips from my head.

  <<>><<>><<>>

  ~Jax~

  She has too much on her plate and I can’t scrape it off. I can see her wasting away each day and it tears me apart, piece by piece, and my hands are bound. What else can I do other than be a shoulder to cry on? I am trying in so many ways to help her, but I’m afraid it’s just hurting her.

  I saunter from my beautiful future fiancé and step into the ruined library. The small leather pouch Darwin tried to steal lies still on the cool stone right next to a ruined novel. How he knew where this was, I’m not sure. His need for what’s inside is beyond me, but I’m glad that new power has revealed itself tonight.

  Grabbing the pouch I slide into the chair of my desk and pull out the key that hangs around my neck like an amulet. I drop the pouch into the drawer and lock it safely away from the world. I guess I need to start locking everything again. I didn’t expect one of Evaflora’s guards to infiltrate the kingdom, let alone our bedroom. She is really on a path to destroy us.

  I rise from the desk and make sure Ariadae is still sound asleep before I run to the back corner of the library. Good thing Evaflora isn’t aware of this. I press a specially aged stone and it sinks inward triggering shifting hinges to open. When I discovered this place, I knew I couldn’t let anyone else know. Not even Ariadae.

  Walking into the dark tunnels, I descend the curving steps and pass ominous torches that crackle loudly through the silent descent. I reach the bottom of the stairs and peer into
the sanctuary before me. No torches light up the chamber but the domed ceiling has perfectly arched inches above the glowing leaves of the Tree of Light. When I brought back Ariadae I had extra leaves and after seeing the effects of the Tree’s magic I thought I’d try it out. I planted some of the glowing leaves into a dirt patch down here and I didn’t expect in five months to already have a new fully grown Tree of Light, but the only thing I can’t understand is why it doesn’t work. I have tested its magic again and again through different trials and nothing works. Yet anyway.

  <<>><<>><<>>

  ~Ariadae~

  I rouse to the sounds of maids and servants cleaning the library. I feel guilty for the mess, but I couldn’t help it. I’m actually shocked that Darwin and Jax didn’t bring down the whole castle during their battle.

  I roll from my bed and stagger into the closet. Before any maids can come I put on a thin, plain day gown and a large cloak lined with fur. Darting through the chamber I try my hardest not to be noticed by the cleaning maids. I don’t want to be approached by anyone or have anybody ask questions about what happened in the library. It would be the worst thing ever if the word about the intrusion spread around Equadoria. My reign as queen is already off to a rough start. My army was murdered and threats from my mother are arriving and a threat has slipped past the guards I do have. The last thing I need is for my own kingdom to panic that intruders are breaking into Equadoria. Well only Darwin has, I hope.

  Walking down the corridors I nod at passing guards and servants and I heed forward, ignoring their request to help me. I just want to go and get a new robe and my dress sized. After that I should have the day to myself. I need time to think things over. My current situation is awful and I fear it may only get worse unless I do something. Just what exactly I need to do is beyond me.

  I take a left turn and the entry hall rises around me. I lift my hood and skip a few steps towards the door. A feeling of nostalgia takes over my pores as I prepare to go outside.

  “Pardon me, Milady.” A quiet voice says and I turn to face Desirae, the maid that weaseled her way beneath my skin yesterday morning before the trial. “The weather isn’t well today for a walk. Would you like for me to call you a carriage?”

  I give a condescending smile and answer, “No, I really would enjoy a walk for myself. The weather will be fine.” It couldn’t be that bad. Nothing could be worse than my night.

  She bows and I saunter off to push open the large doors. With a loud grown, biting wind flows across my skin immediately cooling me to the core. Small wet speckles kiss my cheeks. The sky is dancing with slowly falling crystals. Iridescent stars flurry around me, a nearby child laughs with glee. It’s snowing. It hasn’t snowed in Equadoria since I received Snow, well Jax, who I thought was Snow, or who is Snow. I’m not sure how to analyze that.

  I walk across the slick stones dusted with a light layer of white snow. My billowing crimson cloak throws up a trail of swirling powder and the bright red of the fabric is stark against the white gloom of the day. The courtyard is loud today. Bustling guards and sentinels brush past me in a hurry. What could be going on? If there was something going on I would know. They may just be going through watch rotations.

  As if on command, the front gates to the courtyard swing open and two carriages, escorted by large steads, barrel in. I quickly jump out of the way of a particularly fast moving mare. The riders upon each of the horses wear the Equadorian sigil on their chest plate. Who could be arriving in such a haste?

  The guards run to the carriages and the doors swing open releasing twelve men barely recognizable beneath the gore and grime on their skin and armor. They’re what is left of my legion at the southern end of Abella. I run to a staggering man whose face is covered in large open wounds. He needs to get to a healer soon because he would be lucky if he survives the infection. He leans in to me and I call to a passing sentinel to take the heavy man to a healer. I turn to help another, but I slam into a firm, armor-plated body. I look up to chocolate eyes and a squeal passes my lips.

  “Jeremiah!” I squeeze my childhood best friend and he hugs me back. “Are you alright? Where were you?” I look all over him for any wounds, but nothing appears to be out of order. He is still my perfectly unharmed Jeremiah.

  He runs a hand through his brunette waves and just smirks lazily as if the chaos around us is nothing. “I was retrieving the survivors. I didn’t trust anybody else doing so. If something went wrong I’d want to be there. And why do you ask? Did you miss me?” I poke his gut and the firm chainmail stops my finger from tickling him.

  “No.” A blush kisses my cheeks and I look away. “Well, yes I did.”

  “How did it go?” The image of Eric’s back breaking flashes through my mind and I can’t forget his mom flying across the room. A chill rattles my body.

  “I’ll tell you later.”

  He nods. “This weather is extraordinary isn’t it?” He asks and gestures to the falling flakes. I reach out and catch one in the palm of my ungloved hand. The ice melts immediately once in contact with my skin.

  “It’s keeping the kingdom distracted for a while,” I say under my breath.

  “Distract them from what?” Shit! Jeremiah doesn’t know about Darwin breaking into the castle last night. Well how could he know anything? He’s been gone rescuing my people who need help the most.

  A distant cloak tower booms the first chime of nine and I give Jeremiah a curt wave and head into the streets with a promise of conversing later on. He doesn’t follow me and I am grateful for the alone time. The citizens playing in the snow don’t even notice their queen quietly slipping past them. As I saunter pass begging vagrants I drop a few gold coins into their shaking hands and head forward towards the shopping circle within the center of the upper-class part of the city. Almost as if walking through a door, the people’s clothes change from wool and hides, to fur and silk. Large bustling dresses kiss against the snow covered stones and men escort ladies across the open space. A streaming fountain rises above the hustling crowd, loud with excitement of the snowfall.

  I excuse my way through the horde of humans and some, but very few, Fae. Giant glass windows revealing glittering gowns as white as the snow and also dresses as red as blood, greet my eyes. My stomach turns at the color. Ignoring the dresses I push into the shop called, Lacus & Forma, which is Couture & Beauty in the Fae language.

  Warmth coils around my bones and my eyes look to the hearth burning brightly. The crackling flames are as loud as the small bell that rings above my head. Carpets and small pillow chairs circle around the large shop in little seating areas blocked off by chiffon curtains. The bright colors almost seem to glow from the fire. Strange paintings and vases full of flowers, that should be dead this time of year, are scattered across the room nonchalantly. It’s been awhile since I last came here. Or at least it feels like a long time, but in all truth it’s maybe been a week.

  “Your Majesty.” A soft voice quirks and I look to the male peeking from behind a curtain. His skin is covered in scales and large bat like ears protrude from his snake like face. His hands are big with long spindly fingers that are probably perfect for a needle and thread. I ignore the internal shout to run and remind myself I’m one of them. I am a Fae. I am not in Elkwood anymore…

  “Hello, Theon.” I say. I walk to him and we give one another twin kisses along our cheeks as a way of greeting. “I missed my appointment yesterday, so I thought I should come in early this morning.”

  “Oh don’t sweat it, darling.” He drawls in a flamboyant manner as he seems to dance around the shop. He has just such an open, happy freedom that I admire. His eye for clothing design is another trait I desire. “Rasgard knew you’d come in soon, so he is just preparing your gown in the back room.” I follow Theon behind a curtain and he snaps his fingers making tea appear in small cups on a tray. He drops a sugar cube inside the amber liquid and drags a large cylindrical platform to stand on, next to the coffee table, but far enough away from t
he fire that we needn’t worry. I grab a cup and take a seat on a small cushion. “So, Ariadae, how are you and your male counterpart?” I almost choke on my tea.

  Through my coughing fit I barely choke out, “What do you want to know?”

  “Well is he taking care of your needs? Being a gentleman? Helping you with your duties?”

  “Yes, he helps me with ruling Equadoria and many of my political duties.”

  “How’s the sex?” Heat immediately turns my cheeks pink and I try to hide them by sipping more tea. I’ve never been comfortable with sharing these details.

  “It’s fine…okay…I mean…Great! I’m sorry I am just bad with these sorts of things.”

  Theon just shakes his head at me and sorrow fills his eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, Theon. Well I’m not sure.”

  “Spill!” he looks as if he is about to leap from his chair in anticipation. For a second I even think about changing the subject, but he is so approachable and I never really had someone around that I can discuss my issue with. Jeremiah wouldn’t want the details, Zube would laugh at me, and I can’t talk about Jax to Jax.

  “Something is missing. Ever since I came back from the dead I mean,” I cough on the word. “He hasn’t been around much and anytime I just want to talk all he wants to do is have sex. And I love that he wants me and loves me, but I’m not sure if I love him. Well, no, I worded that wrong. I do love him, it’s just how do I know if he is my… my-”

  “Mate.” A voice says from behind me and I nearly fly into the air and spill my tea everywhere. I turn around and look to a handsome male with skin of stone. His dark eyes greet mine and his mossy hair sways as he takes a seat next to Theon. “It’s something you will know, Ariadae.”

  “Well how did you know Theon was your mate?”

  Theon and Rasgard look to each other and smile. If only I felt that same kind of love for Jax. I want to love him and I want him to be my mate, but I don’t know if he is. As much as I want to fully allow myself to be with him and lay into him I panic and I pull back. Something just doesn’t feel perfect. And I know relationships aren’t perfect, but your mate it the person made by the gods for you. What if I can’t know my mate because I was reborn as a Fae?