Page 15 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

Last night, Dryston trailed over it and after hissing in pain, he had stopped with worry. It was sweet so I pushed through the pain and let him continue. Although, he’s spoken to me before about wanting to get it fixed by the healer. He hated the look of it so I tried to keep it hidden from him when we are together.

The first time he saw it, he bombarded me with questions on it but I told him the truth, it’s a birthmark. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t there.

I shake off the thought, rubbing the aching mark shaped like a bird.

I bathe and dress into my coronation outfit, silence ensues around me, driving me crazy. I open my balcony doors to let in a fresh breeze, birds chirping break the dead air in my room. I take a deep breath. As much as I am prepared for this, I feel as though simultaneously I am not ready for it. I take a step out from my room, looking over the lawn full of guests mingling. The coronation was starting soon and while the festivities after will be in the dining hall, I crave for it to be outside. But, Rya and Dryston assure meinside is the better option.

None of this was my choice. Not technically. I was born into this world and ‘sold’ to a betrothal for my safety. And because of that betrothal, I was to be the future reigning queen of Zorya.

My entire life has been planned out for me and now, I can’t breathe.

I gasp for breath, stepping from the edge of the railing and stumbling into my room as I fight for air to enter my lungs.

My chest rises and falls in quick succession and I whimper out in pain from my heart hurting.

A knock sounds, “Verena?” Hadeon’s familiar voice breaks through the door but I can’t answer him. “I’m coming in.” He calls out, not hearing me.

My knees give out and Hadeon closes my door before rushing over to me. “V, what is wrong?” Words refuse to leave me as I gasp for breath with his arms wrapped around me.

My vision gets blurry as he questions on how to fix this but I have no answers even if I could speak.

Pain shoots through me before fading out almost just as fast. My hand flies to my face, holding my cheek. I jerk my face back to him, his eyes and the way they swim with worry.

“You were not well. Please tell me you can speak now? Your breathing seems to be back to normal.” He was right. My heart still beats fast but my breaths are coming and going just as they did my entire life.

“You slapped me.”

“I’ve been privy to a few episodes of these sorts before we met. Breaking the attention from your panicked breaths help you return to normal.” I allow him to hold me, regaining my composure.

“I am sorry you had to witness such a scene. I am to be queen in a short time and I can barely handle stress.”

“You handle it fine. It is a big accomplishment— becoming queen.” He smiles at me, allowing me to stand while he assures I do not fall over.

I scoff, “Accomplishment. This was handed to me for my soul, it seems. None of this was my decision. I thought it’s what I wanted but maybe I was wrong?” I finally voice my fears to him ina whisper so quiet he almost doesn’t hear it. I am trusting him although I refuse to meet his gaze.

“You will make a phenomenal queen. If you desperately wanted this, I’d question otherwise. You’re not starving for power. So, to me? I shall say you are pretty well off. But, I’d follow you anywhere— were you to run though.” I laugh, finally, relaxing. I know he is joking, we’d be fugitives against the crown. But, I appreciate the gesture all the same.

“Thank you, Hadeon. For everything. You are truly the only family I have.” He smiles at me before hugging my smaller frame. “I must finish getting ready and then we can start. Let the king know?” He nods before taking his leave and I gather myself.

Time to show this court and this country who I am.

Standing at the doors, alone again, and this time I know Hadeon can’t prevent me from walking by myself. I take another steadying breath and nod to the guards at the doors who look at me like their queen already.

The guards and the staff here have respect for me because I have respect for them. That I am more than sure of. Of course the guards answer to the king over me but some of them have made me question if that is true. I have allies and that makes this easier.

The doors open and I walk in to the music selected. All eyes are on me, some with disdain, others with awe, and a few are neutral like they could not care less about being here.

I make eye contact with no one, staring straight ahead of me at the gorgeous queens crown. I can see Dryston on his throne, his mother standing off to the side with her mother regent crown on next to Lianna. Hadeon stands by my throne. The archbishop stands in front of the thrones on the top of the few steps leading to them.

Stopping just before the steps until the archbishop leads me up, we stand side by side like a wedding altar and face each other. Lianna comes forward, fixing my gown and moving back to her mother. I smile at her sweetly.

Practically the same as Dryston’s, the archbishop speaks his monologue before my vows and hands me the scepter.

“I, Verena Woodall, solemnly swear to rule Zorya as it’s Queen. And as it’s queen, my duties are as follows: I will rule as the center of life in Zorya, I willstifle any strife between beings, I shall school those in need of righteousness, I will use my power to cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, and to execute all my judgments. I will uphold-” My vow is cut short by an all too familiar voice.

“Ladies and gentle-fae of the court. I thank everyone here and appreciate all your support.” Dryston stands from his throne and refuses to meet my gaze. “Now that I am king, I cannot allow this to happen. Lady Verena has been groomed to take over as queen her entire life. But she will not be our queen.” There it is. The room falls into a deafening silence, the only sound is the pounding of my heart against my ribcage. I see lips moving but no words reach my ears, as if I am trapped underwater. My vision blurs and darkens at the edges, an ominous sign of impending danger. Hadeon steps closer to me with a determination in his eyes. My hands shake uncontrollably, nails digging into my palms until they draw blood. Tears well up behind my eyelids, threatening to spill over and betray my fear. “And as one of my first decisions as King, I place the royal guard Hadeon under arrest for treason. Because of his affair withLadyVerena.” I audibly gasp and Hadeon stops moving. I watch as royal guards, also shocked, come over to grab Hadeon who doesn’t even fight them. I look to Lianna, whose face is ghostly white, shaking her head at me saying she didn’t know. And then my eyes find Hadeon. He will know what to do. He goes to reach for me, but Dryston’s personal guard grabs him tightly after slamming the hilt of his sword into the mans gut.

“No!” I scream, smacking guards away from my best friend. The room stops talking, the guards stop moving him. I step closer to Dryston, “Howdareyou. Hadeon and I have never been anything but respectable. I understand not liking him but this petty accusation is pathetic. You will not crumble my reputation or name. Or his for that matter. Where is the proof?” I search the crowd frantically, waiting for someone to say something. But the cowards wait and do nothing.

---