the lion blood princess the crown of blood trilogy

Cursed

I crept quietly around the candle lit hallway crouched down behind a dark cherry wood runner table, covering my mouth with my hand to stifle the sound of my breathing.

Hearing light footsteps padding down the long hall I pulled my knees tight to my chest realizing too late I'm stuck unable to run or I would be caught.

“Oh goodness i guess my little darling has all but just vanished into thin air, who will i share my tea with oh dear, or my cakes?” spoke a soft feminine voice, her footsteps began to disappear down the way they had come so i found it to be the perfect chance to search for a new hiding place, that turns out to be a horrible decision as i stand and long strong arms capture me, pulling my body to hers.

“Aha! Got you!” Mother yelled giggling “I win this time” she added and kissed my forehead gently.

“That's not fair you tricked me”i respond whining i hate losing especially losing at hide and seek. “Come now smile, it's tea time you love tea time Ellie”mother spoke with an air of grace about her at all times even when playing games with me.

She took my small hand in hers and started navigating our way through the long hallways of the castle that seem never ending.

The castle was massive and very old and the decore reflected that with it’s large brite stainglass windows that stretched from floor to ceiling depicting our history, our wealth was extreme gold and silver covering every inch of the structure , rich tapestries and paintings , plus our slaves and thosands of staff at our disposal, but what else could you expect from the royal family.

My mother Queen and father King of Gemheld land of the humans and the four realms, the lands of iron blood Drelvder, they were the metal smiths and dragon lords, Winteckels the fae lands of magic and mystic creature, Meridian they were elf folk and controlled the lands across the seas of locdraoon they were good with exports and imports in the kingdom and then there's the lands of the sun were my mother hails from Frowilier a lush green forest full of mystery and dark magick and the lands of goblins and imps i had only seen it once to visit the duke and duchess my grandmother and grandfather plus her older brother my uncle lord Baron.

Then there's me, “ah Elowen did you hear anything i just said to you??” mother inquired with mild irritation,

“Oh i'm sorry i must have been lost in my head again” i explained which earned me a slight glare as we walked through the large arch that led to the interior garden, mother loved to spend as much time as possible out in her lush garden she had told me that it helped when she missed home.

“So have you been keeping with all your studies?”

“Um, yes” a sheepish tone to my voice,

“ How will you ever rule or find a suitable sutor if you are illiterate and dim witted?”She fussed as we sat down for our tea and cakes.

“Why do I need to care? I don't even know if I want to be the queen, the blade is the one thing I'm good with. What if I were to just be a knight?” i question even if i knew that would never be possible not with my beauty and bloodline in question, i was normal height with curves that made me look much older then my age of 16 i looked much like my mother full pink lips a heart shaped face littered with freckles that's made me looked sun kissed with my lightly tan complexion, but yet were the high queen had hair the color raven black and pin straight, i was graced with what my father calls the lion blood, i have pale blonde almost white long and unbearably curly locks, it was full and all the way to my waist, but my eyes looked like neither of my parents they matched my grandmother and uncle baron, they look like clear light green pools hidden in a ancient forest, even if i was illiterate as mother had joked i would still have an endless list of high lords and princes to choose from.

“That's not funny ellie, you know once you are 17 and finally introduced as the crown princess and heir to the kingdom you must marry”

“Plus you can still practice with your blade, there's nothing wrong with having strength and smarts,” she said, giving me a smirk, shoving a large bite of cake into her mouth in what I would call a very un lady-like way.

We sat and enjoyed our tea in silence for a bit when my personal maid Ella came up with a tray of letters for mother.

“Oh thank you Ella dear, would you like a cookie?” mothers kind smile looking up at ella who gladly accepted the cookie who smiled right back at her giving her a curtsy, “thank you your grace.”

“What are those??” i was very curious,

“These my love are propositions for your hand” she said as if it was nothing , i looked back at her i know my eyes must be bigger then the plates on the table .

“B..But mother, I'm not even 17 yet i don't understand” i trailed off “it feels too soon” i added staring off into the garden because if i looked at mother right now the threat of tears was very real. My entire life no matter how much freedom I was granted I always remembered in the back of my mind that in the end I was to be some man's prize, I would never truly be free.

“Ellie? Are you okay?” mother called to me with concern heavy in her tone,

“Yes I'm fine just feeling a bit tired, maybe our game wore me out more than i thought” i plastered a hopefully believable smile on my face as i ran my hand through my unruly mop.

“Okay darling go rest up it seems we may be hosting a guest for a while” mother spoke in dismissive tone as she intently looked over one of the letters, it was a dark purple almost black color the wax seal was a steely sliver with what looked like the crest of the iron blood.

“Don't work yourself too hard my queen” I teased to lighten her sudden mood change and stood up then gave her a quick peck on the cheek rushing out before she decided I should stay to keep her company instead of resting.

Mother laughed lightly and swatted at me in a playful manner i raced out of her garden into the large mezzanine that led to the greathall, the mezzanine had a large stained glass dome that depicted the stars and heavens and on the floor directly below it was a stone mosaic that showed the entire kingdom.

It was a sight to behold during the daylight hours. I love to lay on the cold stone floor and let the light warm golden sunray wash over my body. This was my happy place. I could spend hours laying under the magnificent dome.

Mother did tell me to rest so maybe i could just take a quick cat nap under the sun.

Deciding that this was the easiest place to rest, I laid down on the cold stone and looked up to the glass mapping every star speaking softly, each constellation's name I spoke like you would to a lover, my favorite being the constellation Earadanea the lonely drake or dragon. its bright surface lulled me as my eyes started to close and I drifted to sleep under the warm light. Maybe I was as tired as I claimed in the garden.

I was having a lovely dream hunting an elk on horseback with my bow pulled tight and an arrow already notched when I felt a light gentle drumming on my face followed by giggles.

“Lady Elowen?? Lady Elowen?? You've done it again” the singsong voice teased,

I didn't need to open my eyes to know who it belonged to.

Even with my eyes shut i could see her night kissed skin the color of hematite and her golden eyes that remind me of the sun with her light blonde hair only one shade darker than my own with the most beautiful curls you’ve ever seen, my lady in waiting and bestfriend since birth lady Breena.

“I’m sorry but i've fallen into a cursed sleep and only true love's kiss can break the curse”i uttered an exaggerated whisper placing my hands over my chest as if i was dead , which caused her and i too both snort out in a fit of giggles.

“My lady you and your fairytales” Breena reached down to offer me her hand as i sat up rubbing sleep from my eyes and she wiped tears from hers,

“Come walk with me to the stables”she ordered more than asked as we walked hand in hand towards the staircase that led to the first floor.

We walked our way through the double doors at the front of the estate, the wind hitting me in the face carrying with it the sweet scent of lavender.

“It's such a lovely day my lady don't you think?” Breena chirped cheerily,

“Yes it is lovely and sweet” I answered in agreement.

“Maybe lovely enough for oh i don't know a ride through the wood??” I added pulling a face that made Breena squint at me, clicking her tongue in displeasure. She hated dirt bugs and anything that was unladylike.

“Oh please, please, please Breena!!” I begged, taking both her hands in mine. I tried to give her the best puppy eyes I could, she groaned and began walking away towards the side hedge to the back of the castle opening the wood gate and disappearing through it.

“DOES THIS MEAN YES!!” I called after her, lifting my dress and running down the steps in the same direction she went.

Finally catching up with her at the stables I breathed in lovely gulps of air. dresses were very hard to run in and even though i preferred pants mother liked me to be seen in dresses in my eyes it was a losing battle the queen always got her way and i had to just go with the flow.

Once inside i saw the stable boy pulling out mine and Brennas saddles, he set the last one down and turned to me,

“ Will you be needing your bow, your grace?”Thomas asked, giving me a slight bow.

“Maybe if you can sneak it Thomas that would be great “ I tried to whisper and failed as Brenna shouted from one of the stalls “no thank you Thomas we are just going for a ride, the back and forth made Thomas shake his head and giggle to himself.

Crossing my arms and pouting to myself i follow the soft sounds of Brenna speaking to Lyrea her cole black mare, Lyrea was a gift from my uncle for my 13th birthday but the beast hated me with a passion so i gifted her to Breena who calmed the savage beast when no one else could they were made for each other.

“Almost done?”I inquired, poking my head into the stall which caused Lyrea to whinny in disdain in my face.

“Yep” Breena answered patting her temperamental mare on the neck,

“Shouldn’t you grab Polk?”Breena asked grabbing the reins to lead out her horse,

I blew out a sigh still grumpy that Breena wouldn't let me hunt but I guess it is what it is.

I walked a bit further down to the back of the stables to my horses stall ,his stall was much bigger than the others because he was more than a horse he was a Firoona born in the fae lands, father brought him back for me on one of his many trips with mother to her home land.

Goddess was he majestic light color of the dawn's early morning gray big blue eyes with a long sandy mane, but how you could tell he was Firoona his short white antlers atop his head.

Opening the large stall gate I could hear Polk tapping his hooves in excitement. He loved to run and stretch his long legs .

“Hey big guy you wanna go out with Lyrea?”i asked him which made him whinny he was so smitten.

Outside the sun beamed down on us as we finished securing our saddles.

I watched as Thomas helped Brenna mout her horse while I just climbed Polk like a tree. I knew Brenna didn't need help getting on Lyrea and definitely saw the slight blush pass over her cheeks as she used Thomas for support. I guess Polk wasn't the only one smitten.

Heading down the dirt path into the trees i let Breena lead the way because Lyrea wanted to be in control, sometimes when me and Polk did end up leading Lyrea would nip at him. nothing too severe that it drew blood i just think he's too tall to see past him and i didnt blame her he's about 8ft tall.

“Sooooooo you and Thomas seem close” i joked which caused Breena to turn the color of cooked crab, “h…he’s nice that’s all my lady” she was stumbling over her words which i found quite funny seeing as she's usually very calm and controlled i have no memories of ever seeing her flustered.

The lush greenery around us was swaying softly in the lavender scented breeze. Birds sang happily around us. I could hear forest critters running around the forest filled with life, full of freedom, that Sound alone to me was better than music. I never minded how quiet riding with Breena was. I just enjoyed being with her. When I become Queen she will be a member of my court and my most trustworthy friend.

“Lady Elowen i needed to talk to you about something” Breena sounded nervous,

“What's wrong? My ears are always open for you”

“Well My Lady my father has found me a sutor and in the next coming weeks I will be leaving court to join him in the iron lands” . The last few words she spoke came out as a whisper like speaking them would cause her to just poof away right then and there.

It felt like all the happiness inside me drained away as she finished speaking.

Heading back was like torture everthing seemed dull how would I survive without Breena, being around her was as easy as breathing she was like my light in this royal pool of eternal darkness.

“Ellie say something, anything please, tell me you will forgive me, if it was my choice i wouldn’t go”she pleaded looking back at me her eyes willing me to understand.

“Haha oh Breena ill be fine im happy for you, this is something to celebrate not dread. There is nothing to forgive.” my heart broke as i kept on a fake smile, only one of us needed to be crushed by this and in the bottom of my soul knew that it should be me.

“Oh thank the Goddess I'm glad you look like you may be sick at the news, you must plan a visit”Breena mused, but i let her enjoy the news of her engagement with a smile on my face that i could bet coin on did not reach my eyes.