Page 18 of Their Queen

Slowly, I came back to myself, Avalonia relinquishing her hold on me, and I called my magic back inside. I followed it back to the source only to find that the cage that had been there before was no longer there now. I finally had full access to my own magic. Opening my eyes, I knew instantly that I would no longer be the same as I was before. I lifted an arm, glancing at the skin that glowed there, evidence that my glamor had broken as well.

Footsteps sounded out behind me, and I turned, noting that my vision was sharper and clearer, the sounds crisper. If I focused, I could hear the low conversations from the people in the pub. Their awe echoed into my bones as I continued to stand there among the slaughter before me. Cyerra halted instantly as I turned around to face her, her eyes going wide. “Holy shit!” Her words broke me from my stupor, a grin lighting my face for a second. She took in the bodies and piles of ashes at my feet, saying, “You were badass! Where the hell did that come from?”

“Obviously, I finally have access to my magic. I broke the locks on it.” My satisfaction ran through me, a part of my brain unable to process the magnitude of what had just happened.

“Clearly.” She laughed with me. “And that shit you did with the rope. That was crazy!”

“What can I say, I had a little help from a superhero on Earth. She gave me the inspiration.” I laughed, thinking about how I should probably purchase a leather bustier and tights.

“Well, tell her I said thanks. When you walked out there by yourself, I didn’t know how the hell you were going to get out of that, but it seems you got your powers just when you needed them, lucky bitch.”

I laughed again. “Seems like.”

Just then, the crowd rushed out to me as the middle-aged farmer I had been talking to earlier, Jeremiah, approached me. “Thank you, my Queen. The woman you saved was my daughter.” Tears prickled his eyes as he remembered just how close he had come to losing her. “I owe you a debt.”

He crossed a fist over his chest, resting it on his heart as he dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “I vow my service and loyalty to the true heir to the throne. Long may you reign.”

As if his words spurred the rest into motion, they all dropped to their knees swearing fealty and sending up their gratitude. For once, I didn’t brush them off, somehow knowing that this moment had been inevitable. My reign depended on this fight, and now I needed to obtain the loyalty of my people if I had any hope of reaching the throne.

After a moment had passed, I spoke. “Please rise.” Once they had done so, I continued, “As your Queen, the only thing I ask in return is that you spread what you have witnessed here today. Tell anyone who will listen. The time for cowering in fear is over. From today forward, I will be bringing the fight to Titania. It’s time she relinquished the throne to its rightful heir as ordained by Avalonia.

“I call upon the people of Avalon, the able bodied who wish to join the cause. Pray and she will lead you to me. She will direct you straight to the resistance, where we will fight for the land and for Avalonia. Now is the time.”

Cheers sounded out around me, and the barkeep walked up to me, dipping his head in deference. “Your Majesty, please join us for another drink to celebrate your reign. It’s on the house.”

I smiled at him regretfully. “Thank you for the offer, but I must be going. Avalonia is calling me onward. Who am I to deny her will,” I told him honestly as I felt the tug in my gut again, that insistence that there was somewhere else I needed to be.

“I understand. If there’s anything you need, I’d be more than happy to supply it. And, in the meantime, I’ll be sure to spread the word about how you saved our village.”

“Thank you. Be well,” I told him as the tug in my gut grew sharper. Avalonia’s impatience was calling me onward. I turned back to Cyerra. “Ready to leave?”

“Of course. Let me grab our bags, and we can head out.” I nodded, letting her fetch them as others continued to approach me. I spoke with them as I waited, knowing they needed this moment. Such a simple action to demonstrate to them that even though the capital may look down on them, in my eyes, they were equal. If anything, they were more important. They were the backbone of the land, ensuring that Avalonia’s people lived to see another day. Without them, we would perish as surely as if we had been struck down by a blade.

The farmer approached me again. “I don’t have much, but what I do have is yours. It won’t be easy feeding an army, but I’ll coordinate supplies to make sure you have what you need.”

“Thank you,” I told him, truly grateful for his offer. “All those hungry men will surely be happy with full bellies. Your efforts will be no small part in the battle. Not everyone fights with swords.”

“Very wise, my Queen,” he told me, wrapping an arm around his daughter, who was still visibly shaking.

She looked up at me, her voice weak as she said, “Thank you.”

“No woman should ever be a victim. Trust me, it’s not easy, but this violation is not the end of you. You will learn to trust again. You will continue to be strong. And one day, you will find happiness and peace again.”

My words brought tears to her eyes as I heard two sets of footsteps approaching. Cyerra was arguing with someone, and when I turned to find out who it was, I smiled as the young man she had been dancing with earlier trailed after her.

She stopped, glaring at him. “I said no. You can’t come with us.”

“And why is that, Cyerra?” I asked her, a teasing note to my voice, remembering how she’d outed me as we’d entered the pub.

She looked at me with exasperation, knowing what I was doing. “I thought this was supposed to be something you had to do on your own?”

“It is, but tonight I realized that it’s also my chance to gather an army.” Turning to the young man, I said, “Be welcome.” He grinned triumphantly, whooping out at my acquiescence. Cyerra rolled her eyes at his obvious excitement and thrust my bag at me.

“Let’s go,” I told them both, setting out in the direction Avalonia pulled me in. The only difference this time was that I was confident in her plans. I’d follow wherever she led, assured that this path was the one I needed to travel.

Chapter Fourteen: Arryn

We had been traveling for two days now, pushing our horses and selves to the limit, only resting when we absolutely must. We were all frustrated by the limitations placed on us by this mode of travel. After using Brannoc’s powers for the last several weeks, we’d become spoiled, but we didn’t dare risk expending all of his magic on this trek. Should something happen where we needed to make a quick getaway, we needed him full of his magic to get us all out of there. Besides, there’s no way he could take all six of us very far. At full power, he’d be able to get us all of about ten miles away, and then he’d need to recover, leaving us at the mercy of any other threats out there.

---