Page 101 of The Time Of Queens

“What do you think?” Sophia groaned sarcastically.

“A little late for gardening, isn’t it, sweetheart?” Draven asked, being the first to speak and making me squeak out,

“I can explain.”

At this Pip accidently dropped her shovel, making them arch their necks to see what had fallen.

“Oh no, well would you look at that, how did that get there… my flabbers have been well and truly gasted,” she said, making me groan. The sight of Draven’s brow lifting prompted Pip to lean closer to me and whisper,

“Not sure you can talk your way out of this one, Toots.”

“Yeah, but she will give it her best shot,”Sophia added, winking at me.

“I’m waiting, my queen,” Draven stated, making me clear my throat before telling him,

“Okay, so we found Layla creeping up to Amelia’s room, so I hit her over the head with a piece of artwork, we dragged her arse in a trunk, locked her in it, and were waiting until after they cut the cake before we got rid of the body,” I said, making Sophia mutter to Pip,

“Okay, I guess she won’t come up with something.”

“Come again?” Draven asked incredulously.

“I forgot the air holes but, yeah, that about covers it,” Pip added, now waving a dirty hand to her husband, who was shaking his head while rubbing his forehead in exasperation. As for Draven he started rubbing the top of his nose, looking as if he was trying to find the words. Zagan, on the other hand, winked at his wife as if he was proud.

“And I gather that she is finally dead?” Draven finally asked.

“Well, she wasn’t the first time, but then Toots hit her in the head with the shovel and it kinda started to fall off, so yeah, I would say she’s dead now,” Pip added helpfully, shrugging her shoulders.

“Good, then if that is the case… can we all have this next dance?” Draven replied, surprising a laugh from me. Then we looked to one another, shrugged, and said,

“Sure, seems like a good way to celebrate to me,” I said, tossing my shovel and prompting Sophia to do the same.

“Me too, although I need a drink,” Pip said.

“I need a bath,” Sophia added.

“I will happily oblige,” Zagan said, taking his wife’s hand and helping her across the grass.

“Dancing does sound good… oh wait, we should have done it on her grave… what, too soon?” Pip commented to Adam, who tucked her next to him, telling her,

“Perhaps tomorrow, my little Winnie, perhaps tomorrow.”

As for me, Draven came and swept me off my feet, his suit getting instantly dirty. Then after looking back over his shoulder, he said to me,

“That’s my queen…”

Making me reply with a smile and a single word said over his lips…

“Always, my King.”

EPILOGUE

DRAVEN

“Are you sure he is ready for this?” Lucius asked me as we watched the solitary, dark figure walk along the crowded streets of Shanghai. His large frame was one that couldn’t be hidden among those he passed, as he towered above most of them. His face, however, was a different story as this he hid under a black hooded sweater beneath his leather jacket. I could see even from the rooftop how others gave him space, a wide birth, as no one wanted to get too close. And for good reason, for of course, I knew why.

“He will have no choice,” I said, my jaw hardening as I had no clue how this was going to go.

“And if he fights you on it?” Lucius asked, making me sigh, knowing this was a likely possibility.

---