Chapter Twenty-Two

 

 

 

 

Ariana was a good queen. Or so she wanted them to believe. She watched them, carefully taking them in, one by one, like one would watch their doom entering the room. Shade was sure she would not be welcoming. She didn’t know exactly why, but the air was thick with tension as they entered the throne room. Shade could feel it like electricity crawling along her skin and choking up her breaths. Why would this interim queen object to her presence unless she had no plans to give back control of the Scren Seelie Palace? Could that be it?

It was looking pretty bleak. Nyol’s demeanor had even changed as they entered, looking more like a prison warden escorting his charges in to present them to his queen. The guards surrounded them on every side. It made Shade sweat under her jacket. The heat here seemed to be a thousand degrees hotter than outside the gates, where winter seemed to want to seep into everything. Here the warmth was stifling, and she could have used a nice cool breeze.

“My Queen, I present Shade, a changeling princess and daughter of Verenis, the deceased ruler of the Scren Palace.” He motioned toward Shade and she stepped forward. Urged on toward the queen, she approached the dais, hoping she wouldn’t regret it. Her insides churned as she got closer, feeling Ariana’s aggression which was plain as day across her face. Her disgust at meeting Shade was no secret.

“You dare come here and attempt to take the throne from me? Imposter.” She waved her hand at Shade, as if dismissing her as she slumped back into her throne chair. “I will not have this nonsense in my kingdom. Lock them up, lose the key.” Her features morphed into boredom, a mask of insanity already replacing her anger.

Great, an insane Seelie queen. Fine replacement for my father, thought Shade.

“Wait. I demand an audience!” Shade held her hands out toward the guards, who only stopped when she hit them with a blast of air. They paused, glancing at Ariana for further instructions. “I challenge you for control of the Scren Court, for I’m the rightful heir, daughter of Verenis and Jade. You know this, and yet you deny me.”

Shade didn’t know where this confidence sprung from, but she could feel her grandmother’s memory charm magic swirling inside her. She had every memory of the court’s functions in her grasp. She could challenge Ariana to the death if she wanted to, since she was the rightful heir of the former king. It made her smile, secretly thanking her grandmother Lana for the sweet knowledge of such things.

Ariana looked horrified. Maybe she hadn’t expected a challenge. She’d have to respond now and accept or submit to a public demand like that. Her skin flared bright red, and the anger in her eyes was not short of intense. “How dare you?” she hissed, shooting up from her throne and jetting down toward Shade with a dagger she’d hidden in her hand.

Shade had seen it, though, as if the queen moved in slow motion. The jeweled dagger flashed in her vision, and she flicked her fingers, willing the metal to melt in the queen’s hand. Just as she made the motion, a screech filled the room as Ariana fell to her knees, screaming from the pain of burning metal in her hand. She had dropped the melting dagger, but her skin was already charred. Wisps of smoke rose in the air from the puddle of metal and jewels now melting on the marble floor. Shade watched as the queen whimpered, clutching her arm to her chest.

“Kill her!” Ariana snarled, searing her deep, amber eyes at Shade. But the guards didn’t move at her command. They couldn’t interrupt the dual; it would mean banishment from Faerie forever. Shade smiled with this realization, stepping forward and holding out her hand for Ariana to submit.

“Do you submit your rule to me, the rightful heir of the Scren Palace?” Shade had just reached her when Ariana sent a scorching wind toward her. Shade felt it sear her skin but repelled it just before it got too hot, sending it back toward the queen. It singed the edges of her hair, making Ariana yelp again before she withdrew the wind. She collapsed, weeping as she stared up toward the ceiling. Her face lightly reddened from the heat, and her skin blistered and blackening on her right hand. The pain was etched across her features.

“I submit,” she muttered, closing her eyes and fading into unconsciousness. With that, Shade turned to face Dylan, smiling widely and running into his arms.

“We did it!”

“No, you did it.” He pulled her close, but stepped away as he watched the soldiers gather tightly around them.

The look on their faces ranged from stunned to angry. Paki was at Ariana’s side, and the resemblance was unmistakable now. He must be her son, Shade pondered as her gaze followed his hateful glare to find Nyol. His decision to either control his guards or order them to attack would be crucial, and she hoped it would go their way.

The silence was broken only by the metallic clink of weapons as the guards shifted in their places, unsure of what to do as their leader took in the situation. His calm eyes looked wise beyond anyone else’s, making Shade hope that his wisdom would choose the right direction.

“Stand down,” Nyol ordered his troops. Weapons lowered at his command, but no one backed away from them. Shade pressed her back against Dylan, praying this wouldn’t be the last time she would get to stand by him. She could feel his heart beating frantically along with hers as they awaited their fate.

“Behold, Queen Shade. May your rule be forever blessed.” Nyol kneeled down on one knee and bowed his head, both arms crossed at his chest. With that, a wave of soldiers kneeling rippled down the room, everyone following his lead. Shade turned toward Dylan, and joy burned in her eyes as well as tears. He smiled back at her, stepping back and kneeling down as the others had. Everyone was now kneeling, all but Corb—who’s intense stare made Shade’s fear ripple once more under her skin—and Paki, who was still at the side of Ariana’s unconscious body.

Shade was more afraid of Paki than Corb, but both sent shivers down her spine. She watched as Paki sized her up, finally bowing his head as he headed toward the back of the room next to Corb. He eyed the Ancient Ice King before he slammed his foot into the backs of Corb’s legs, sending him down to kneel on his knees as Paki shoved him down. After this, he also took a kneeling position, holding his sword to Corb’s neck as he bowed his head toward Shade.

The exhilaration was intoxicating and Shade relished it. She could hear her grandmother singing in her head and almost feel her warm presence next to her. The scorching heat was unbearable. Even though she knew it was the Summer Palace, Lana’s voice in her head told her she’d never had it this hot. It was Ariana’s doing, and Shade could unravel the spell if she wished. The people hated it, and they would adore her for fixing the weather. Shade grinned, knowing Lana was right.

Thank you, she whispered in her head to her grandmother. No one knew her better now and knowing her essence would be forever with her made her smile. She knew it would keep her safe and always be there for her, no matter what happened in the future.

“Please rise,” she said to Nyol, who glanced up at her and rose to his feet. “Thank you, Nyol. I am indebted to you for your loyalty to the court.”

He nodded, bowing to her. “I knew you were the rightful ruler from the moment I saw you. You would’ve made Verenis proud. I’m most privileged to have been here for your return. I swear the royal guard will be absolutely loyal and at your service with whatever you need.” He rose and gave her a comforting grin. Turning toward Ariana, who was rousing from her shock-induced sleep, he asked, “What would you like me to do with the former queen?”

Shade hadn’t even let that cross her mind. Flicking her eyes toward Ariana, she contemplated what to do, hoping Lana had an answer for her.

There was only one solution to the problem. Memory alteration, Lana’s voice whispered in her head.

Really? Shade wrinkled her nose at the thought, knowing how devastating a memory loss could be. But it was the only choice that would allow Ariana to live a free life in the court once more.

“Her memory of her reign is to be erased and altered. She will be treated with nothing but respect and love from everyone in the court. Anyone who does otherwise will answer to me. Please make sure she is taken care of, Nyol.”

He nodded, moved toward the fallen queen and had two guards scoop her up and remove her from the room. Shade knew her demand would be fulfilled, and for once, felt she could rule the Scren Court. With Lana’s guidance from her memories, she could do it, and she would.

One step closer.