The Reluctant Queen by Melissa A. Craven

Author:Melissa A. Craven [Craven, Melissa A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Hour Studio

Chapter

Nineteen

“Alithea? What’s happening?” Aunt Astrid followed me down the winding stone steps into the Citadel proper. Pasha growled softly beside me, a quiet echo of my own righteous anger.

I sensed the growing crowd behind me, but I couldn’t hear them through the thick cloud of darkness that housed my rage.

“Come on.” Ben urged. “Let’s get you back upstairs. You’re looking a little rough, particularly around the eyes.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Your eyes are all red , Thea. It’s freaking everyone out.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Druan’s calloused voice hissed in my ear. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me back from the Citadel gates, but I fought him. I clawed at his arms with my sharp talons, not realizing my Valkyrie was so close to the surface. “You can’t help her, Thea. If you want to help her—or any of us—stay inside where it’s safe until you are stronger.”

“Hey man, don’t force her.”

I was vaguely aware of the anger in Ben’s voice, but my vision was colored red, like my world was bathed in blood.

“Let her go.” Vendela’s quiet tone was the only reasonable one among the frantic arguing. “She knows what she’s doing.”

She and Amara took their places at my side, wordlessly daring the men to stop them from leaving with me.

“It’s time we all trust her.” Vendela lifted her shield as Druan took a step back, releasing me.

I heard their words, but I was somewhere else—somewhere deep inside myself where the only thing I saw was my proud, regal mother, a captive of a ruthless enemy. “I may not have the power to fight Neela yet, but I will not stand by and let my mother suffer a moment longer.” My voice grated in my throat as I stepped through the grand gates of the Citadel, leaving the magic of Astrid’s protection behind.

“This is madness.” Druan and Ben, along with several other Valkyrie men stepped in front of me. Dragon fire licked at their feet as Amara snorted a warning for them to back off.

“The second she leaves the Citadel, Neela will know she has returned. The princess is not walking in there without protection,” Druan snapped back. “Let us go first.”

Liquid hot anger boiled inside me. These fools were keeping me from my queen held captive in her own home. I would not stand for it. The slick oily shadow of my magic welled up inside me, feeling unnatural and sickening. This time I didn’t care. “If you must.”

With Druan’s unit marching ahead, I walked along the pathway to the palace. My palace. A deceptive calm washed over me, drowning out the soldiers’ footsteps. I wore a mask of serenity, concealing the rage surging like a tempest inside me. The darkness of the gods’ power had won. It was in control and it only wanted one thing. Neela’s head on a pike.

Leaving the protection of the Citadel was like shining a spotlight on my return. Even the power of the gods stood up and took notice.

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