A CROWN OF SHADOWS: BOUND BY RUIN

TWIG

NALORIE

The cold had vanished, leaving only the murky waters of the dense southern forest. My earlier journey had been arduous, with my head nearly rolling off my neck more than once. Orion was meticulous about his territories, but the tree gnomes were kind, helping me navigate the matrix. The faeries, however, were wicked and conniving; they stole my magic pouch, tossed me off the path, and nearly got me killed by an ogre. The forest beasts almost mauled me, leaving me with little clothing. Luckily, the southerners are more accepting of nudity, unlike us northerners, where modesty is paramount, especially for women.

In moments of calm, my mind drifts to the mad king. Why did he brand me? What was his plan? How did he find me? I needed answers from King Orion.

"Queen. Daughter of Ursag, the mighty conqueror of the four kingdoms."

A whisper startled me, causing me to stumble. A twig-like creature stared at me with glowing eyes, its form oddly human. Gathering the bronze coin that had fallen from my pouch, I asked, "What are you, and why did you call me queen? I was a princess before my kingdom fell."

The twig creature made a strange noise, attempting to speak. "I'm the guide of the matrix."

"The what?"

"Are you deaf?" It was just as insufferable as the faeries.

"King Orion sent me to help bring you to Moonshine."

"What? King Orion? What in the seven hells is going on? He brands me like a slave, forces me on this draining journey, and now sends me a twig as a guide? The sadistic bastard let me fight for my life just to come to him."

Suddenly, the twig began to glow. It cracked and emitted a bright light before exploding, revealing a dangerously beautiful woman with hazel eyes and shimmering skin. I felt acutely aware of my dirt-caked body and unkempt hair.

"I don't mate with females," she said, snapping my agape mouth shut with her slender fingers.

My dark skin likely couldn't hide the blush on my face. For the first time in months, I found myself admiring someone—this woman, no less. I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. "Take me to King Orion. He has much to explain."

She regarded me as if I'd just told a joke. "You have no manners befitting royalty. What was King Orion thinking, having you bear that mark? I never thought I'd doubt an offspring of Isis and Ursag. You look too odd to be born of such powerful rulers."

In a surge of anger and humiliation, I unsheathed my sword. Doubting my bloodline was an insult I wouldn't tolerate. The disrespect to the throne of Azume was unforgivable. But the twig laughed, demeaning and mocking, swatting my sword away with ease.

I dropped the sword, raising Twig into the air with my marked hand. This creature might think I'm just a pitiful princess, but King Orion's brand wasn't left for show. It had granted me strength, agility, and the ability to manipulate objects—or even people—with my mind. A flicker of fear crossed Twig's hazel eyes before she masked it with an arrogant facade. Good. She should fear me.

I released my grip, letting her drop to the ground with a loud thud and a crunch. The sound echoed through the murky forest, a reminder of my power. I was certain her nose was broken; I confirmed it when blood trickled down her face, staining the earth beneath us. She shot me a deadly glare, but I met her gaze with indifference. "Now, would you lead the way, or should I break one of your bones again? I'm sure you wouldn't mind. You're a magical being, after all—another would grow."

"Follow me or you rot in here," she snapped, shouldering past me and stomping forward with a fierce determination. I followed, leaving a respectful distance between us, my thoughts racing. I felt like a voyeur, unable to look away from her. Not out of lust, but out of sheer curiosity. I had never seen anyone so unashamed of their nudity. But then again, she wasn't human.

The journey was exhausting. Each step sent tremors of fatigue through my legs, and I could feel my strength waning. I was sure Twig knew this but wouldn't care—not after I had nearly killed her with the king's brand. My endurance was fading, and the kingdom was still nowhere in sight. Doubts crept in; perhaps she was one of those deranged witches of the East, souls lost between the worlds of the undead and the living, leading me to some dreadful fate.

In an attempt to break the silence, I ventured, "Do you have a name, or are you fine with me calling you Twig?"

She whirled around, her eyes blazing with indignation. "My name is sacred. I serve only the king, and only he knows the name I bear."

"The king. What's he like?" I pressed, hoping for insight into the man who had turned my life upside down.

"Powerful. Fair, and just. Nothing like the kingdoms have painted him to be. You all call him Thea's king just because an old, deranged hag prophesied so. You're one of them, aren't you? You also call him the mad king."

Her words stung, forcing me to confront the prejudices I had inherited. I trailed silently behind her, pondering the implications of her accusations. Before I could respond, we arrived at a peculiar statue, its features grotesque yet oddly compelling. It seemed familiar, and a flicker of recognition reminded me of Delphine's warnings about the tree gnomes. They hadn't been helpful at all.

"The barrier. I thought—"

"You can see it?" she interrupted, disbelief coloring her tone.

"What do you mean? I passed this route like a day ago. It's the matrix, isn't it?"

"The king's brand must be more potent than you realize. You've stepped into the matrix, and the barrier isn't supposed to be visible. Yet, you see it." Her hazel eyes roamed my body, a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny.

"Why are you still stuck here? If you can see the barrier, why not lift it with the brand on your palm? Did you really listen to the tree gnomes?" Her laughter echoed through the trees, sharp and mocking, igniting a wave of embarrassment within me. The gnomes had fooled me, and I hated that I had let myself be misled.

"You thought the gnomes were helpful because they were nice? What made you think they would be any better than the faeries?" she challenged, her voice dripping with disdain.

I sighed, the weight of her words pressing down on me. "I was desperate. I thought anyone would help."

"Desperation is a poor guide," she replied, her expression softening slightly. "You have much to learn about this place."

I steeled myself. "How do I lift this barrier?" I asked, reaching out to touch the strange statue. The moment my fingers brushed its surface, an energy surged through me, and Twig's expression shifted, as if she were about to speak.

Before I could react, my body felt as if it were being sucked into an abyss. The sensation was overwhelming—like being pulled apart and reformed in an instant. I touched my face and arms, feeling every inch of my body to confirm I was still intact.

When I finally dared to look up, the forest had transformed. The air was thick with the scent of blossoms, vibrant colors bursting around me as the gloom receded. Before me stood Twig, her demeanor changed, more regal than before.

"Welcome to the South. Queen Nalorie," she announced, her voice carrying an unspoken authority.

"Queen?" The word hung in the air, heavy with implications. "What do you mean? I'm no queen."

"Not yet," she replied, a sly smile curling her lips. "But here, in this land, your bloodline gives you power. The brand signifies more than you know, and you will need it if you wish to navigate the treacherous paths ahead."

I took a step forward, heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "What do you mean? What lies ahead?"

Twig's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Everything you seek—and everything you fear."

As I stood there, surrounded by the lush vibrancy of the South, I felt the weight of my destiny settling on my shoulders. This journey was far from over; it had only just begun.