Rise of the Dark Queen

Chapter 6

I stepped away from Vindex. “Thank you, I have to go sort some things out now. Be good.” I leaned in and kissed him on the top of his snout then left his stall and shut the gate. When I exited the stables Tiberius was waiting for me. He looked at me with regret and sorrow in his eyes.

“Look kid, I’m sorry. I made a promise and maybe I shoulda told you some stuff but I was tryin to protect ya, even if I messed it up. I’m not really good with the emotions and words and stuff, ya know?”

Yes I did know. I sighed and then stepped up to him. “I understand, I don’t like it, but I do understand. It was just a lot to hear after what I went through in that forest.” I wrapped my arms around his waist in a hug, he stiffened for a moment before his arms came around me and hugged me back. We released each other and I took a step back.

“So what happens now?”

He looked at me with a guarded expression. “Now I take ya back to Stryker and he is gonna take over the baby sittin duties. I hope ya are ready for the castle life, fancy parties an meetins with those uppity nobles. Don’t let those pricks look down on ya girl. You’re a royal, and ya got the blood of the beast tamer in ya. Marriage or not you’re a princess now, don’t let em forget it and you show em what yer made off. Your mom was fierce and strong, you got that from her. Your father is a hard man but he’s a good one, he loved your mom, he’ll do right by ya, I know it.”

I was getting choked up again, my emotions getting the best of me at his gruff but kind words. I also knew what he was trying to tell me without saying it. I was to be taken to my father, and he would not be coming with me. I swallowed thickly as I met his gaze.

“Now now, none of that, no more tears girl. I always knew you’d be leavin me someday, nows as good a time as any. Now let’s go find my old friend, he’s busy gettin everythin in order to take ya back to the capital.” He cleared his throat, visibly holding back his emotions as he began to lead me to my new protector.

I lay in bed at the local inn, staring at the ceiling, this one was much larger than our little place back in our village. I can’t say I’d miss anyone from that place other than Tiberius. Not many people my age lived so far away from the capital. Most who lived there were wanted their solitude or were perverts any time I had interaction with them. My mind swirled with questions and mixed emotions. Part of me was terrified of what would await me in my new life and how I would get along with King Cyrus. My father. The thought was still surreal and foreign to me. The other part of me was a little excited. I was going to meet my real father, live in a castle, eat fine food and wear fine clothes.

But I also knew what came with all those fine and fancy things. Responsibility I most assuredly was not equipped or ready for. And I had no doubt it would bring new dangers as well, dangers I knew nothing about. Assassins and court politics, wars and obligations. I had the beast taming powers, no doubt I would be called upon to use them once I was queen. I suppressed a shudder. Definitely not ready to think about that yet, I don’t even know how I’m going to survive being a princess and heir to the throne.

I always felt that there had to be more out there, more to life than living in isolation. I wanted to make something of myself, I didn’t want to just exist. I often argued with my mother about why we had to live in such a remote area. I know now why she insisted.

I groaned, I needed rest and letting my mind ponder all these things was doing me no favors. We would begin our journey to the capital tomorrow and it would be a grueling ride for me. I was to travel with general Stryker and the members of his elite force. It would take us a week. I’ve never traveled so far in my life. Stryker has already sent word to the king of his discovery of me by way of a his own hawk. Most used ravens, he told me that his hawk could find us with the kings response as we traveled. It must have been due to his elven powers. All elves, light or dark, had a strong connection with nature.

I woke just before dawn. I had managed a decent enough amount of sleep. I got out of bed, dressing in fitted forest green riding pants and a loose white blouse. My shoulder and arm were still tender, I was glad for the comfortable fit of the clothes I borrowed from one of the girls that worked the inn. I looked with distaste at the dress the owner of the inn had left for me, no way was I wearing that on a week long journey. Over the blouse I laced up a black fabric corset that had no boning. It would serve it’s purpose well enough and also be comfortable enough to ride in. Last I pulled on a pair of black riding boots that laced up to my knees. I slipped in my dagger, Tiberius had found it in the woods and given it back to me. I then braided my hair in a low and tight crown braid that came just over my ears. I didn’t want to deal with my hair whipping around as we rode.

I looked into the mirror that was in my temporary room. This was as ready as I was ever going to be, I thought as I stared back at my reflection. Crowned princess indeed. I turned my gaze away from the mirror and headed towards the door, towards a new and terrifying life… here went nothing. I descended the stares into the dining hall, Stryker was already there with his men. They were sitting at a long table, there was half a dozen of them. They were alone in the dining hall, it was still too early for the other guests to be up yet. I steeled myself then walked over to the table.

Stryker was the first to notice my approach and arched a brow as he took in my outfit. Ah, it seems he expected me to show up in that dress. He motioned for me to sit at the empty spot to his right. They must have been waiting for me so we could all eat together, they were in quiet conversation. I sat down at Stryker’s side, I felt a rush of nerves at being so close to him. He smelled like fresh spring air and citrus. It was delicious, I wondered if he tasted as good as he smelled. I flushed at the thought, gods it was going to be hard to spend so much time with him in close proximity without embarrassing myself. Get it together Coralleigha. The men at the table grew quiet. Gods I hope they didn’t notice me eyeing him like dessert.

Stryker turned to me, “Good morning, Your Highness. I see you’ve decided to dress practically for the long ride.”

I cringed internally at the title, I chanced a quick glance at the other men gathered at the table. Of course Stryker would have had to tell them who I was, I should have expected this. They no doubt had been given strict orders to protect me.

“Please, you really don’t need to call me that. And yes, the last thing I want to do is spend a week in a dress trying to learn to ride side saddle while struggling to keep up with trained soldiers.”

His brow arched and a slight smile twitched on his lips. I seemed to both surprise him and amuse him.

“I’m afraid I must insist on it, Your Highness. It is your new title and birthright. When we are traveling, wherever we stop I’ll call you by your name. We must keep your identity a secret until we reach the capital and the king can make a formal announcement then introduce you to the kingdom and the other realms.” He said simply.

I shifted nervously in my seat. I suppose I better get used to the title and formalities. Just then the owner of the inn stepped into the dinning hall balancing a tray laden with food, he served us all and hastily retreated back to the kitchen. We all began to eat in silence. I was glad for it, I had no desire to try to make small talk as anxious as I was feeling. After we were done eating we headed towards the stables, the dawn light painted the sky with beautiful hues of yellow, orange and pink.

Standing next to the stables was Tiberius. This would be the last time I saw him for a long time, maybe years… possibly forever. My throat tightened. I ran to him and threw my arms around him. He squeezed me back tightly. It hurt my wound but I didn’t care, I needed this.

“Hey kid, I ain’t dyin, no need to looks so sad. We’lol be seein each other again. Aye girl, you can let go already don’t want these men spreadin rumors that I’ve gone soft.”

I let out a soft laugh then let him go and took a step back, my eyes began to water but I held back my tears.

“We wouldn’t want that, would we, old man.” I said with a smile. He smiled back, it fell away after a few moments. He swallowed hard.

“Good bye girl, remember everything I taught ya, and remember everything I told ya yesterday.” He said, voice thick with emotion.

“I will, I promise. Good bye.” I choked out.

He nodded then looked around me to Stryker’s men. “I’m leavin her with you lot now, take care of her.” He looked to Stryker, “good bye, keep an eye on her, she’s a handful.”

I saw a small smirk play on Stryker’s lips, “don’t worry old friend, I’ll keep her safe.” And with that Tiberius turned and strode away. I watched him walk for a moment before turning back towards the stables. Stryker’s men were watching him leave with a mixture of shock and amusement. I huffed out a laugh, they probably never thought they would see the famous Tiberius show a tender side. They probably didn’t even know he had one until now.

I entered the stables and let Vindex out of the stall, two days was far too long for a wild animal to be locked away. He was eager to be free, he stalked out ahead of me. The men had already gotten their horses and we waiting outside.

“By the realms.” I heard one of the soldiers breath out in shock. I smirked, it made me feel like some sort of badass to have the shadow wolf by my side. He looked around and bared his teeth, letting out a low growl towards the group waiting for us.

I sighed, “Now now, we talked about this yesterday. These are good soldiers, not like the ones you had to kill for me, ok? Behave, they won’t hurt me.” I cooed

Stryker’s men gaped at me, it seems talking to Vindex as if he were my friend seemed to throw them off guard. Or perhaps it was my casual mention of how he had killed those soldiers in the woods. Stryker was making his way over to me with two horses, one I assumed was for me. It took a moment for the horse to settle due to the presence of the enormous wolf, but eventually I was able to mount. He would be able to keep up with the horses easily.

“Ride close to me, Your Highness, the road we travel will not be without danger.” Stryker stated. The title still grated on me but the smooth way it rolled off his tongue made me shiver. This man was going to be the death of me. I prayed to all the gods that I didn’t embarrass myself with being in such close proximity to him for the next week. Without another word, we left.