[Death's Queen 01.0] Death's Queen

by Janeal Falor

  “You can never rule this country. That's my job,” I say.

  He comes at me. Who knows his intentions? Either he wants to knock some sense in me to get me under his thumb or he wants to kill me. But I won't let him.

  I strike first, throwing a dagger at him before he can reach me. It enters his shoulder, but still he comes at me, even with no weapon in hand. It takes more than a scratch to stop him, even if that was my poisoned dagger. He's immune to the venom. It would take more than I have to drop him. I'm not going to defeat him.

  As he comes closer, I pull out a second dagger with a slash and thrust, cutting him again. He knocks my hand aside, pulls the blade out of his shoulder, and goes for my gut. I block him with my other hand. Blood seeps from his wound, but it’s not enough to stop him.

  My guards stare at the fight like they don't know if they should join in or not. Even Afet and Wilric are looking at me aghast. I can’t see Nash anywhere. Maybe he abandoned me the moment he heard.

  I pull out my knife and dodge back to my throne. Something hits it as I dive behind it. I push out fast the same side I came, catching him by surprise. There are several screams from those gathered. Boots stomp closer. Afet and Wilric finally come around, but they won't reach me in time.

  Soon, this will all be over.

  I fight hard. With all my power. And yet, his little effort feels like more. He's tougher than I am. I can see it in his eyes. He taught me everything I know, but he didn't teach me everything he knows.

  My daggers are useless, my poison useless. All I have is the knowledge he gave me. There has to be more. More I can use to get out of this.

  I have to be quick. Faster than him. Faster than me.

  It doesn't matter.

  I can't win.

  I'm going to die. But not without taking him with me.

  I give it everything, pouring myself into the fight like I've never done before. The first queen's presence is near, hoping for my victory and life. Whether it’s because I just drank the Mortum Tura or because of the danger to my life or perhaps some other reason, I don’t know.

  But it's not to be. Heedless of my safety, I slash at him. He drops, avoiding my dagger. He swings a blade at my legs, but I manage to kick it out of his hands, for once being faster than him. I have the high ground for the only time I can ever remember. Where this power flowing through me is coming from doesn’t matter. It only matters that I finally have power to defeat him.

  I hover over him. My win is imminent, but it's harsh. Cold. Whatever I do to him, there is a certain part of me he’ll always have a hold over. No matter what happens, that part of me won’t ever recover. It will be wounded by him even if I win.

  “An assassin was never meant to be queen,” Daros says.

  “And yet, a queen I am.”

  I move to stab him in the heart. Just before I sink my knife to the hilt, I stop myself. I promised not to kill for any reason.

  It's a promise I can't break, even now.

  I put the blade to his throat. “Never again will you have power over me.”

  Chapter 45

  The party is over, to say the least.

  People go home, taking their shock with them. I’m not certain how many of them believe Daros's words, but I do know this has left them with a bad impression of me.

  I stalk over to where several guards have Daros restrained, his wound bound. I don't want to face him. I want to turn and run in the opposite direction. But there are some things I have to know. Fleeing is not an option.

  “Why did you have me kill the previous queen?” I demand of him.

  He sneers.

  I want to whip out a blade and place it against his throat, but I'm stronger than that. “Tell me.”

  “The same reason I’ve always had you kill people. She was in my way, insisting on things I didn't want. You think I can afford all my nice things while being under heavy taxes?”

  I stare at him. I didn't expect a response. “All this was about taxes?”

  “Among other things.” He smirks.

  It’s odd that he’s bound and restrained by my guards, yet so smug. “Who were you going to put on the throne?” I ask.

  His smile fades. “Not you.”

  That much is obvious. “Who, then?”

  He clamps his mouth closed, in the way that means he's done talking. I've seen it too many times before. At least I got a little bit of an answer out of him. I wish I could give him whatever made Faya run her mouth, but it's not to be.

  “Take Daros away,” I tell the guards, but I don't notice their reactions in my daze.

  Usually, I have a lot of energy after a fight. Not tonight. I'm drained. Even my thoughts are muddled.

  I wind up back in my sitting room, with Nash at my side. After everything, he's the last person I want to see.

  “Is it true?” he asks. “Are you really an assassin?”

  “It's true.” What is he going to think of me now?

  His chest rises with a slow, deep breath. The quiet stretches between us. Finally he says, “Why didn't you tell me?”

  Why didn't I? I had opportunities. I should have spoken up. I care about him as more than just a friend, after all.

  More than that, I trust him. Really trust him.

  So much so that I'm willing to tell him the truth. “Because I'm embarrassed by my past. I wish I never was an assassin, but it's what I was raised to do. It was all I knew. Daros brought me up. He taught me everything I know. It's hard to think of anything outside of what he drilled into me.”

  “Tell me one thing. Did you truly kill the Queen Deedra?”

  Those eyes come to me again, haunting and clear, right before I stabbed her. I blink to rid my eyes of their sudden moisture. When I speak, my voice is small. “I did.”

  He looks far off, to something I can't see.

  I wish I knew what he was thinking—if he's going to reject me, now that he knows the truth. Is he going to leave me? Refuse to be my Head Advisor? Refuse anything to do with me?

  No one can take away being queen from me; that much has been proven by the past. But it doesn't mean the people can't hate me. Revile me. Push me away. Try harder for my death.

  Is that what he wants now?

  I have to say something. I have to try to keep him with me, even if my efforts are doomed to fail. “I didn't want to. I didn't know I had a choice. It wasn't until afterward that I realized I could stand up to Daros. The feelings I had when I…” How do I say killed the queen? When I snuck in her bedroom and stabbed her in the heart, right between the ribs. My stomach roils. “During the last job made me realize how wrong it was. How horrid of a thing. I’d felt guilt before, but never as strongly as with the last queen. I knew I was affecting an entire nation and it was something I shouldn’t have any control over.

  “I knew when I took her life that it was wrong. The way she looked at me…” I shudder. “The look in her eyes haunts me. As soon as I killed her, I knew I made a mistake. Knew something had to be done about it. I stood up to Daros. Ran away. Most of all, I promised never to kill again. It was by far the most frightening thing I've ever done, but I stick by it.

  “Then, while I was on the streets, I thought about everything I’d done. Everything I was. The more I thought, the less I felt like living. I’d killed innocent people—done what Daros told me to do, no matter that it was because he tortured me if I didn't. I was ashamed of myself. I regretted everything I came to stand for. I wanted to end my life. That's why I took the Mortum Tura—to end my life in a way that I would be remembered in dying, even if I didn’t have a name. I never expected to become queen.”

  That's it. If he leaves me, I’ll know I tried.

  He faces me, expression flat for a brief moment, before he takes my hand. “You can tell me anything. Please don't feel like you have to hide something from me just because you're embarrassed.”

  My heart skips a beat. “Do you mean that?”

  “I do.”

  “Then
there's something else I should tell you.”

  “What is it?”

  “I care about you.”

  He pulls me close. He smells of metal and earth. “I care about you too. And as more than my queen.”

  The next thing I know, we're kissing. His lips on mine. Mine on his. It's like a magic I've never known before. Warmth swirls around me, making me want him closer. I wrap my arms around him and press him near.

  For the first time I can remember, my heart swells with passion. I want to be there for him. To help him however I can. I want to keep him safe.

  As the kiss deepens, so do my feelings. It's like allowing myself to finally feel something lets me open up. I need him. And from the way he's kissing me back, he needs me too. There's an energy here I haven't felt before.

  His lips are hungry, his fingers eager for me. I'm just as eager for the taste of him. The feel of him. Everything I ever wanted is right here. Right now. I won’t ever have enough of this.

  Telling him was cleansing. He makes me feel like being a better person. Like wanting to do right by him and my people.

  When we pull apart, I'm breathless.

  I lean my head on his shoulder and breathe him in. Unbidden thoughts of how this is against the law consume me, but I shove them away. There will be time to think of such things later. For now, I want to enjoy his company.

  “I think it's time we give you a name,” he says. “You more than deserve one.”

  I hum, happy to be near him, but also at the thought of getting a name. Being called something. Having something that belongs to me and no one else.

  “What do you think it should be?” I ask.

  “That's for you to decide.”

  “I get to pick myself?” The thought isn't one I've had before. I've always been girl or now Your Majesty, My Lady, and Your Highness. It's all too much and seems nothing like me.

  What is me?

  Nothing frilly. Not soft or sweet. Fun, but with an edge.

  “What do you think of the name Ryn?” I ask.

  “I think it suits you.”

  “Ryn. My name is Ryn.”

  Afterword

  If you enjoyed reading this book, please consider helping the author by leaving a review where you purchased the book and/or on Goodreads. Even a simple one line review helps.

  You can sign up to receive notification when Janeal Falor releases a new book at www.janealfalor.com with a Release Notification link on the side bar. Or talk to the author directly at janealfalor@gmail.com

  Books by Janeal Falor

  Mine Series

  Mine to Tarnish (Mine Prequel)

  You Are Mine (Mine #1)

  Mine to Spell (Mine #2)

  Mine to Fear (Mine #3)

  Sacrifice of Mine (Mine #4)

  Darkening Light

  Ever Darkening (Darkening Light #1)

  Savage Light (Darkening Light #2)

  Elven Princess

  Bound by Birthright (Elven Princess #1)

  Bound to Endure (Elven Princess #2)

  Bound by Love (Elven Princess #3)

  Standalone

  Goddess Ascending

  A Genie’s Heart

  Acknowledgments

  This book has been in my heart for so long, I’m grateful to finally have it out there, and it wouldn’t have happened without some special people.

  I had an amazing set of beta readers this go around. Kallista Foote gave tons of good feedback on how to expand and develop the story. Jessie Wolf had a good eye for things plus great comments and insights. Danielle Lori caught lots of typos (which I’m forever making) and gave me thoughts on the books that helped. Samantha Armstorng gave very thorough notes helping me expand and solidify the story. Alexis Jones also helped me see where I needed to expand, giving good thoughts, and helping me feel good about the book. Thank you so much to all of you. This book would be much sadder without you!

  For my many errors I had lots of assistance, though if any remain I take full responsibility. Sotia Lazu, thank you for everything. You fixed up my mess of a first draft, helped me figure out what was wrong, and more importantly, how to fix it. Then, you gave it a thorough sweep through when it was ready for a copy edit. This book would not exist without you. Best editor ever!

  Erin Kasper took the time to let me know the grammar errors she found in the first chapter without even being asked. This was helpful and very sweet! Alex Richardson also took the time to point out the grammar errors she found so I could fix them. Your rock!

  Yesenia Vargas is my awesome proofreader, plus she pointed out the last few touches that needed to be made. Thanks, Yesenia! Cynthia Shepp did something incredible. She helped with my blurb. I’m horrible at writing these things, but she did a fantastic job of pulling it together.

  The cover that I so dearly love was made by the fabulous Lou Harper. Thank you so much for taking the time to put up with my pickiness and giving me the cover of my dreams.

  The biggest thanks of all goes to my family. They put up with a lot of rough times that inspired this book, not only put up with them, but helped me through them with love and care. Tai, Xandria, and Will, you three are the best ever! I don’t know what I would do without your sweet influences in my life. And my sweet Erik. There aren’t words enough to express what I feel for you. You’ve not just stuck by me through thick and thin, you patiently helped me through it, always loving me. You are my everything. I love you with the depths of my soul. Thank you.

  About the Author

  Amazon best selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family or drinking hot chocolate.

  For more information:

  www.janealfalor.com

  janealfalor@gmail.com