Dragon Queen by Clarissa Gosling

Author:Clarissa Gosling [Gosling, Clarissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prinsenhof Publications

Everything changes

Birgith followed her brothers’ journeys from within. She sensed them split off from each other in different directions. Nikulas passed over the mountains to the east of her. She worried for him, flying back to where he’d been captured. But his bond remained steady, anticipating what was to come, rather than stuck in the past.

Artur was the first to succeed. The fire he lit burnt within her, too. And his sense of jubilation ricocheted between them.

Birgith wandered through the trees in the dark valley. The stars twinkled in the clear sky, giving enough light to see the tree trunks. Without clear direction, she found herself in the clearing at the centre of the valley.

Her mother was already there, resting her head against the golden tree.

She took her mother’s hand, tremors running through both their bodies.

“They’ll be fine. No one can stop them.” Birgith tried to reassure her mother.

Varvaara shook her head. “It’s not that.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve spent so long hiding here. I don’t know if I can do this.“ She gripped Birgith’s hand. “I worry what this world will do now you’ve declared your existence.”

Birgith shrugged. “I don’t know either. But the only way to find out is to keep moving forward. We can’t let our fears hold us back.”

Varvaara nodded.

Within her, Birgith felt the second fire burn. A beacon of strength from the other side of the mountains. To her, Nikulas’ celebration felt tinged with sadness. Though she didn’t have time to question that.

They stood, holding hands, as Vincenc searched for the final temple. All Birgith could tell was he still moved. If he didn’t find it, would two be enough? How long should they wait?

After what felt like an age, Vincenc’s triumph flowed towards her. He’d found it. The third flame burst into life, rocking both women on their feet. The power rushing through their veins was colossal.

Varvaara took a moment to recover. Then she placed one hand on Birgith’s shoulder and the other on the trunk of the golden tree. “I relinquish my birthright in favour of my daughter. She receives all rights and responsibilities which were passed to me through Queen Soovi and my sister Loviise.”

The tree reached for Birgith, winding through her spirit. All three of her cores strengthened, solidifying her connection to the world.

The words came to her, without conscious thought or direction. “I claim this land of Kaitstud to protect and care for. I will treat all of its inhabitants as equal partners. Til my last breath, I’ll give all I have to make this a better place for us all.”

The golden tree swelled, bursting into bloom. Buds swelled between the leaves, opening into delicate trumpet shaped flowers. Dark orange at the tips of each of their six petals, the colour faded to white at the bottom. Their sweet scent swirled on the breeze round them.

Varvaara picked one, tucking it into Birgith’s hair. “There. They might not recognise this, but it proves your ascendancy.”

Birgith swallowed. This had been the straightforward part.

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