Long Live The Queen

Chapter 3 - Long Live The 7th Queen

Iris looked up into the night sky, golden eyes narrowing. Beyond the fog of evil that lingered in dense clouds above the castle the castle glowed brightly, creating a haze red glow around it. It was at it’s peak, and already the creatures in the golden cages were reacting to its call.

Iris eyes slide back down to cages where the men and women within were stirring. Some were holding their heads with their hands, eyes closed in pain, while others were on the ground, curled in a ball writhing in pain. Iris could not peel her eyes away from the scene before her, as each of them sprouted fur, and bones began to break audibly under screams of anguish as their bodies began to contort in reaction to their shift.

Watching human beings transform into beasts was the most horrific and yet fascinating thing she had ever witness in her life. As clumps of bloody flesh fell off their bodies replaced by fur and completely new anatomies, Iris was found a new appreciation for werepeople, and a new wave of pity and anger surged under her surface. This kind of misery should never be put on display… Here these men and women were at their most vulnerable states, and this foul mad king had them on display for the warped nobles of his land to amuse at, during a ball he was going to choose the next women he intended to kill.

The fury surging under the surface made it hard for Iris to keep her face straight. It only took moments for the horrific event to end and by the time it was done there were two large werecats, two large wolves, and one wolf-like creature that stood on hind legs in the cages. Her eyes were glue to one who stood on two legs, he was snarling, drooling, and now charging uselessly and madly at the cage he was trapped in.

“You have a Lycan in a cage.” Iris said numbly, and Jonathan practically purred in satisfaction next to her.

“I do. Do you like him?” His question caused her eyes to slide to the man, one brow sliding upwards.

“I refuse to answer trick questions.” She said blandly, and Jonathan let out a low laugh.

“Smart girls are so much more fun to tease.” He responded. Iris swallowed her repulsion for the despicable man and looked back to the cages. The werecats were hanging their head, their ears low back against the head, tails tucked around their body. The wolves were baring their teeth half heartedly at the nobles who were stepping closer to look at them, though the fight did not reach their eyes.

The only one who looked like he had a scrap of pride or fight left was the Lycan. And again, Iris swallowed another surge of anger. These were sentient creatures, with souls, and minds, and hearts, and families. They were no different than elves, or fae, or even humans. They should not be in cages. Nor on display like freaks.

The mad king was indeed mad. And worse than Iris imagined. The thick aura rolling off him was making her sick to her stomach. Jonathan was now grinning sickly, his gleaming green eyes taking in the sight of the beasts in the cage as if he was getting off to their situation.

Something wasn’t right – and it wasn’t just that the king was a whacked out evil psychopath. Iris couldn’t put her finger on it, but she was too furious on behalf of the beings in the cages that she couldn’t think straight to decipher the feeling.

My mother’s predictions have never been wrong. And that’s fine… if I am going to be chosen… then I will choose my own path in the shadows. Iris mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest with fury and conviction. If her mother was right, then that was going to be fine with her. She would not wait to die like the others before her had done.

“Yes, they are wonderful, aren’t they?” Jonathan’s voice boomed loudly beside her, making her jump slightly. Her hand was still in the crook of his elbow and Jonathan stole a glance at her. “Now that the opening festivities are done, I invite everyone back inside. Eat, drink, be merry. I will strike up the band and commence to visiting with the available daughters here. Thank you everyone, for attending.” Jonathan addressed the crowd, and as people began to make their way back inside, Iris stood very still.

When his green eyes looked down at her, she forced a small smile on her face for politeness.

“Don’t look so sad, Miss Santanero. I have a feeling we’ll be meeting again soon.”: He whispered before slipping his arm from her hand and walking away. His whispered promise left chills on her skin and dread filling her stomach.

He can’t kill me if I find a way to kill him first. She had just made up her mind when the feeling of a hand on her shoulder had her jumping again, whirling around defensively. Her eyes took in the sight of her dark-haired father and relief filled her bones. Instinctively she stepped closer to him, a hard shudder going down her back.

“You alright, my darling?” He asked softly and Iris shook her head. She suddenly felt faint, and she leaned into Breon weakly.

“I need to sit down Daddy.” She answered and he helped her to a nearby stone bench, turning her away from the cages. They sat in silence for a while, letting people file inside until there were only a few people lingering outside, young girls with guardians or parents hoping to avoid the King for as long possible.

Music began to play from within the palace and the music notes drifted faintly to their spot out in the quiet courtyard. Iris noted that the gardens around them were lush and green. Again, she wondered how this was possible – it hadn’t rained in years. Most sources of water were drying up and it would be difficult to pull water from a river all the way to the palace.

“Talk to me.” Breon urged her, his eyes scanning her stressed and pale face. The crashing of the Lycan in the cage behind her stopped, and she turned her face to see he was calming after more people were leaving them alone, the crowd thinning rapidly. She turned back around in relief, sitting on the stone bench unceremoniously.

“Mom’s never been wrong with her premonitions and predictions.” She said slowly to her father, and Breon frowned. There had only been one time before in their lives together that Breon had ever wished his wife was wrong in her talents before now, and that was when she predicted the era of darkness falling the kingdom. The wish for his wife to be wrong this time was even stronger, but he knew better.

He sighed and sat down next to his daughter, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Iris took his silence as confirmation of what she was saying and permission to continue.

“I think he will choose me. And when he does… I want you and Mama to be okay with it.” She told him in a stern soft voice.

“I am not okay with my daughter marrying a man that will kill her. You are your mother’s world. And if I could steal you both away and hide you forever I would.” Breon responded, his voice cracking. Iris reached up and grabbed his hand that was around her shoulders and shook her head.

“I’m not going to let him kill me.” She said defiantly, and Breon looked at his daughter confused. She paused, turning her body to look at Breon, her golden eyes swirling, this time allowing the fury to show on her face. “That man, for the good of the kingdom has to go. I don’t know what he is, but its hard to say he’s human. Look at these men and women, Father!” She hissed, brandishing her hand towards the cages where she failed to notice that all the werebeasts were now looking at her, perking their ears up.

Their animal hearing was picking up on her words that were spoken so quietly despite her anger. She could not afford to be overheard, though she was not considering that she already was.

“There is not a single soul in this world that deserves the kind of life that they are living. On display, humiliated, and caged! How long has it been since they have been fed decently? Or set free to be allowed to move? All this little display he put on was a mockery, not only to them but to all of us! The entire kingdom is his toy for disparagement, and we are all in his cage.” Iris clenched her fists, her voice shaking with hatred and fury.

Breon looked at his daughter then, and realized he may have underestimated her strength, and regret filled him. Instead of teaching his daughter to not be noticed, he should have been teaching her how to fight. But his daughter was a force to be reckoned with, much like his powerful wife. And suddenly hope filled his heart. He smiled at his daughter and nodded.

“You’re right. What will you do?” He asked softly, and Iris looked at him, her face falling into a small smile, leaning forward to speak more softly but so that he could hear.

“I am going to usurp the Mad King. I am going to set this kingdom free.”

“You can’t be serious?” Breon leaned back to look at his daughter with shock. Iris was gentle, never had a confrontation in her entire life, big-hearted daughter just declared she was going to usurp the mad king who likes to murder his wives.

“If I am going to die, then I might as well go down fighting.” Iris folded her arms, her golden narrowing. Breon couldn’t do anything but run his hands through his hair in stress. She had a point. Never had he expected this to come from his wife’s prediction.

“Okay.” He said, nodding tiredly. “Okay.” He repeated helplessly, and Iris reached over and took his hand. He looked at his daughter and thought back to when she was a child, his heart breaking with each beat. She was looking down at her feet, biting her lip lost in thought, and he had to fight back tears as he silently prayed that she could be that innocent child again.

“How should I do it?” She asked quietly after a few minutes, her golden eyes going back to his face, looking uncertain and lost. Breon frowned and thought hard. Even if he was a cruel murdering mad king, it was treason to usurp a king. Jonathan had plenty loyal to him for whatever reason, and not all were against the way he ruled his kingdom.

“You’ll need to get supporters first. People who would back you as Queen. Then come up with a plan to safely take the throne. It doesn’t have to be a violent take over, either. You have skills in leadership, use them to your advantage.” Breon advised, and Iris nodded.

“When I find supporters, depending on who and what they are, I can better come up with a solid plan.” She said, and Breon grunted his agreement. Iris stood and sighed. “We better get back in there…” she said mournfully and Breon stood.

“How will I survive losing you tonight?” Breon muttered and Iris smiled.

“You’re not going to lose me.” She said as she hugged her father tightly, closing her eyes. For a moment Breon held his daughter tightly, taking in her scent and the way it felt to hug his little girl. He was terrified, his heart filled with anguish at the reality of the situation. When he let her go, he cleared his throat, barely keeping back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

What were the chances of his daughter surviving? He didn’t want to think about it. He took her hand in the crook of his elbow and began to lead her inside, both straightening their backs and putting on their neutral faces.

The ball dragged on and on, and throughout the course of the night, Jonathan would come back to Iris, and dance with her. Their chat was idle, most of it the King taunting Iris and trying to get a rise from her as they twirled about the floor. When it suited him, he would drift off to another girl, but always he returned to Iris.

Breon could only watch helplessly as the king lay his monstrous hands on his daughter again and again to dance with her, feeling defeated and angry. And finally, well into the wee hours of the morning, it seemed the King had had enough toying around. Iris went to her father’s side as King Jonathan went to his throne and clapped his hands, signaling for the band to quiet down.

“While most of the ladies here are quite lovely, there is one tonight that has my interest in particular.” Jonathan reached out and took a cup of whine from the ghoul that served him, taking a long and exaggerated drink from it. Whispers floated around the room, and Iris could feel the anxiety in the room spike intolerably.

She held onto her father’s arm tightly, her heart pounding. This was the moment she lost her freedom, and maybe her life itself one day.

“It’s been a pleasure dancing with you all tonight, but I do say that this ball is over, and it’s time to turn it into a wedding.” The slender but built man drawled his words out as he approached a pedestal that had been raised on the grand stairs of the ballroom that led to the higher reaches of the castle.

“My new wife shall be…” Jonathan paused, looking through the crowd until his eyes fell on Iris, and he smiled wickedly. “Iris Santanero. Come here, bride. And let us be wed.”

Sighs of relief could be heard all around Iris as her on stomach tightened and cramped. She looked up at her fathers defeated face, and nodded, leaning up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“You’d best give me away, Daddy.” She said softly, and Breon jerked his head in a stiff nod, holding onto her tightly as he walked her toward the stairs. She stepped up them, followed by a minister of the King’s own choosing. Breon gave his daughter away, his eyes avoiding the king so that he could not see the hatred in his eyes.

The minister began to speak, but one look from the king and he skipped to the vows.

“Do you, Iris Santanero, take Jonathan Rolland to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I… do.” Iris answered softly, her eyes narrowing. As if she had a choice in the matter to begin with. Jonathan didn’t even let the minister finish his question before he was waving his hand impatiently.

“Yes, yes. I do.” He answered gruffly.

“You may now ki-“ Iris wasn’t expecting to have to kiss him. She thought he’d forgo that formality. But her face was roughly yanked up, and a stern gruff kiss was planted on her lips before she had time to process what was happening. When he pulled away, he turned and raised her hand and grinned. Iris could not help but feel as if the walls were closing in on her, but she held her face straight as she faced the crowd.

“Long live the Queen.” He said with audible laughter dripping from his voice. But the solemn response echoed throughout the ballroom seriously, Iris golden eyes glued to her father’s sad and angry face as everyone echoed the words.

“Long live the Queen…”