The Queen’s Curse

Chapter 14

Ada POV

We followed the fae through the halls and into the throne room. The walls and ceilings were high and covered in greenery and gems. It was as if it were out of a fairytale.

As we stood outside the large door waiting for it to be opened I grabbed Cyrus’s hand. I had no idea what would be on the other side of the door all I knew that Cyrus made me feel safe.

The doors creaked open and we walked into a giant room that looked like an arena. I looked around for the queen but seen no throne.

“Ah-hem” I heard from above.

I look up to see a woman floating down in a large wooden chair. She looked nothing like the fae who all resembled. You couldn’t tell male from female. The woman looked like a human. She was tall but slender she was pale but not translucent like the fae. She had black hair intricately braided atop her head with a golden crown. The crown had gems just as everything else in the palace did.

“What is your name, shifter?” She demanded snapping me back to reality.

“Adalene, Your Grace.” I say with a small bow.

“And you have come to be in the land of the fae by simply touching a gem?” She asked quizzically.

“Yes. You see, I am in search of my family gem. My mother had it hidden in the Forest of Enchantment. She marked it on the map, I assure you we did not come here purposely.”

“And who is your mother, child?”

Child? She couldn’t be much older than me and she’s calling me a child.

“Clara. Clara Stonewell.”

“Ah, Stonewell. Your mothers married name.”

“Yes, I am not aware of her maiden name ma’am.”

“That is because she has no maiden name child. And her name isn’t Clara.” She spit angrily. “What person takes a beautiful name and changes it to such a bland name? Distasteful.”

“I’m sure I do not know what you mean, Your Grace.” I say puzzled.

“You must be starved Adalene. We shall talk over dinner.” The queen claps her hands and a table full with food appears.

“Your mothers name is Clarimonda.” Says the queen matter of factly. “She must have started going by that dreadful name when she married your father. How is he by the way? He was always nice to look at.” Her laughter made me anxious. She sounded absolutely maniacal.

“My father is dead. He has been dead for quite a long time now. How do you know my mother?”

“Oh dear forgive me. She’s my daughter. Which makes you my granddaughter.” She smiled.

“Granddaughter?” I say choking on my water.

“Well yes child. I know I’m too young to be a grandmother. Your mother was very headstrong as a girl. She was visiting the human realm learning how the fae transition the seasons when she was only five hundred. She met your father and has only come home once since then. To hide this dreadful gem. She said she may come back for it someday but I never imagined she would have a child at such a young age.”

“My mother is five hundred years old?” I exclaimed.

“Well, add a few years it but yes. Still but a young girl. She was to pick a price when she became 700 but she had that childish dream of a soulmate. I suppose she could still come back and choose her prince sooner.”

“If you are fae and my mother is fae, why do the both of you look so different than the fae I have seen?”

She scoffed. “We are royalty my child. That is why we look different than the common fae. Tell me child, have you come into your fae powers yet?”

“No, Your Grace. I’m afraid all of my powers have been locked away by a witch. That is why I need my family stone. So that I may come into my powers, awaken my wolf, and protect my people.”

“I see. I do have your stone and I will give it to you, but I’d like to keep your man servant.” She says eying Cyrus with a smile.

“Forgive me my queen but he is no man servant. He is mine.” I say loudly even surprising myself.

“He belongs to you but he is not a servant? You’ve confused me dear.”

“He is mine and he stays with me.” I growl.

“Okay dear, I suppose I’ll have to find my own play thing then.” We stand and walk to a wall covered in drawers.

“Here we are my dear. The Stonewell gem, passed through thirty generations of shifters. It truly is remarkable.”

“Thank you. We should be going now.”

“Oh Adalene, do tell your mother that it is time for a visit.” A poof of light and she was gone. We were now standing at the pool of water again.

I was dreading going back through the stone but we needed to get back. A fae walked over and told me to think of where I wanted to go.

I grabbed Cyrus’s hand once again and closed my eyes to picture just outside of the Forest of Enchantment. In a poof of light, there we were staring at the last place we’d seen Ren.

“Ren, are you here?” I call out without an answer. I looked around and my gaze set on Cyrus.

“He said he would be here.”

“Perhaps he had to leave for an emergency.” Cyrus spoke sounding a bit worried.

“I suppose. Let’s take a look around for his shield.” We walk a bit further searching for a sign of Ren when we came upon the wagon and horses. I wondered why his shield wasn’t up and his camp was so exposed.

“Ren!” I call out. “We’re back.”

“Stay back Princes.” Cyrus said in a serious tone.

“What is it?” I ask coming closer.

I look to the side of the wagon to see Ren lying on the ground and blood all around him.

“REN!” I screamed. This cannot be real. I’ve known this man my whole life. He had secrets I’ve yet to learn about myself and my family. Ren was the closest thing to a father I’d had and now he’s gone. I crumbled to the ground but a pair of big arms caught me before I hit the ground. Cyrus held me tight to him as I sobbed, grieving this wonderful man who had lost his life because of me.