Rise of the Dark Queen

Chapter 7

We rode at a brisk steady pace until midday, they must have been worried about going too fast for my first long distance trek to the capital of our kingdom. I was grateful when Stryker called for us to stop to rest our horses and break for food and water. Vindex had no problem keeping pace but I imagine this was his first venture out of the wilds where the shadow creatures dwelled. He seemed on high alert. I reached out to sooth him.

“It’s ok Vin, you’re doing great, thank you for watching over me,” I cooed to him as I stroked his fur. His head was level with that of my horse, his shadows seemed wholly unnatural under the bright sun that streamed through the trees lining the main road.

Stryker approached my horse, extending a hand to help me dismount. I was completely unaccustomed to such behavior. I didn’t know if it was because I was a woman or because I was the newly discovered crowned princess. Either way, the attention rubbed on my already raw nerves. I couldn’t tell if it was irritation at being coddled as a woman or my new constricting title causing me discomfort, but I hated being treated like I was delicate. My mother raised me to be independent, sure, I had manners but I have never been a damsel. He waited patiently for me to accept his hand. I arched a brow and wordlessly dismounted on my own.

“Although I appreciate the gentlemanly gesture I can assure you it is unnecessary. You will come to find I am neither frail nor meek. I would thank you, if while we travel you didn’t coddle me. Perhaps my days of independence are now behind me but I refuse to become some hapless maiden just because I’m now a princess.” I stated as I looked into his eyes. He arched his brow in return as he lowered his hand.

“As you wish, Your Highness.” He stated simply. I ground my teeth together. He may give into some of my pushing but it seemed he was set on pushing back, reminding me there was no turning back from who I now was.

“Well I would expect nothing less of our lost princess being raised by Tiberius himself. Is it true you killed eight trained soldiers in those cursed woods?” One of Stryker’s men asked me, his voice held a note of unbelief. Stryker’s eyes grew hard and he looked as if to reprimand him, I rushed to answer, not wanting him to get in trouble and not wanting this long trip to be silent and awkward. I wanted them to talk to me. For one more week I could pretend to be slightly normal, before my new title would bring me formality and little chance to speak freely again.

“Well, technically I only killed one myself and injured three. Vindex killed the other seven. I guess it depends on your point of view. I asked for protection and he gave it, so if you want to place responsibility of their death on me you could, but to answer your question I only killed one by my own hand.”

He looked impressed by my answer.

“Now if that isn’t a political answer, I don’t know what is.” Another soldier stated with amusement in his voice. “You’re gonna do just fine at the castle, fierce princess.” I huffed a nervous laugh, it seems I was already winning a little faith, though I’m not sure killing and answering questions politically were reasons for strong faith in a ruler. I suppose for men who spent their lives serving in the army it was. Ah, well…

“Thank you, I’ll have to take you’re word for it, but let’s not get your hopes too high. I foresee it being quite some time before I’m ‘doing just fine’.” I answered with a sad smile as I led my horse towards the stream to drink with the other horses. Vindex stayed by my side as I stretched my stiff limbs. My arms and legs were aching and my ass was numb, I had a feeling by the time this trip was over I would be in some serious pain. I hope a nice hot bath would be waiting for me at whatever inn we were stopping at, come nightfall.

We gathered together and ate and drank our rations. As we sat on the ground I heard the loud screech of a hawk, I looked up and watched as it circled a fast decent. Stryker held out his arm as the hawk landed, he released the tube tied to his leg by a red string and send him off with a command. My nerves spiked as I realized what he had just received. A reply from my father about me and my discovery. The food I had already eaten turned in my stomach. Maybe he would say he didn’t want me, to leave me forgotten in my distant corner of his kingdom. Did I want to go back to my old life? Pretend as if I didn’t care to meet my father, knowing he didn’t abandon me but had no idea I even existed. As terrifying as being heir to the throne was, the thought of returning to work at the inn without any answers of who I was and what I could do scared me more.

I want to know why my mother left him, what made her run. Was it only for my safety? Had he loved her? Had she loved him? Could he help me find answers to her recent disappearance? Dozens of questions swirled in my brain along with my anxiety. I clenched my sweaty palms as he unfurled the paper and read my father, the king’s, reply. Vindex whined and bumped my side, nuzzling into me. Shadows swirled over my arms and laced with his huge body. My furry friend eased my anxiety as I closed my eyes and buried myself into him in return, taking a deep steadying breath. I opened my eyes and noticed Stryker was watching us with an assessing gaze. He looked back down at the letter when my eyes met his, aloof mask setting back over his face.

Not for the first time I felt as though he was routing around in my soul. Watching me with the intense interest of a predator looking for weakness in it’s prey. He had the eyes of someone looking to devour. My heart thudded in my chest as I thought of him between my legs devouring me. I shivered as the image flashed through my mind. He was the type of man who could pull your darkest desires and secrets to the front of your mind. I furrowed my brows, I couldn’t let him do either to me, I neither needed or wanted him to know my lustful thoughts or my secrets. I had to get a handle on myself. My life was in enough chaos without adding a crush on a man who could be a century or more older than me. To him I must look like a child.

He looked up as he finished reading, folding the note and tucking it away as he once again met my gaze.

“The King is greatly pleased to learn of your existence and urges us to continue our journey to the capital so he can meet you. It is as I said, he wishes to announce you as his heir as soon as you have settled into the castle. Right now our priority is getting you there safely and quickly as possible, Your Highness.”

I let out a slow breath, some of the anxiety loosed in me, my father has accepted my existence and is eager to meet me. That, at least, put one of my worries to bed, but there was still far too much for me to be anxious about to feel at ease. I nodded my understanding and looked away to the distance. It was starting to hit me hard what was happening to me. I prayed to all the gods I would not be a disappointment to him or the kingdom. Less than a week ago I was just a young woman working at an inn, now the future of a kingdom would rest on my shoulders. I only hoped I would not be crushed under the pressure. Clouds began to roll in and darken the sky as my thoughts turned morose. Vindex barked snapping me out of my trepidation. I gave him a week smile and stroked his fur.

All too soon we were rounding up our bourses and preparing to ride. Stryker walked up to me, laying a comforting hand on my shoulder and squeezing lightly. An understanding look entered his eyes as he spoke.

“I understand the weight of what you must be feeling. You may not have been prepared from birth for this role you must fill, but I promise you will be prepared. You will not be alone in this, you will have the support of many. I can see much of your mother in you, I know you will rise to meet this challenge.”

I could read the sincerity in his eyes, it was probably the most emotion I’ve seen him express since I met him. He must have been very close to my mother. I gave him a small smile as my eyes grew slightly misty. I reached up and lightly laid my hand on his where it still rested on my shoulder.

“Thank you, it means a great deal to hear those words, coming from you, I feel as if I have no choice but to believe them.”

I let my had fall away as he gave me a brief smile in response then released my shoulder and mounted his horse. I followed suit and once again we were back on the dirt road heading towards my new future.