Page 9 of Emerald Queen
Drake shook the thought from his head as he walked out into the hallway. His attraction to Emersyn was electric. But he knew the age difference could be an issue for her, even if she liked to tease him. It was more like punishment for forcing a guard on her.
Drake stopped at her door, “Have you heard from the queen at all?” He asked the young guard standing at her closed door.
“She poked her head out and asked where you were, but beyond that, I have not seen her.”
“Ok. Alert me when she leaves her room.”
Drake stared at the door for a moment, then nodded his chin toward the guard as he walked away. Emersyn, the queen, had no idea how much control she had over him.
Drake was sure he’d do just about anything she asked.
And he meant anything.
Chapter 5
Emersyn laid in her bed. Her brain wouldn’t shut off, giving her a moment to breathe. She hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since her parents death.
Well, except for when she passed out in the garden. It was the first time she’d felt completely relaxed and in tune with herself.
Emersyn closed her eyes and thought back to the last conversation she’d had with her mother. She’d told Emersyn that on her twenty-first birthday she’d be coming into her heritage. Emersyn assumed she meant something to do with becoming queen, but her dad had alluded it was something more.
Her parents had been right about the garden oasis. It was a place to ground yourself and become one with nature. Emersyn stood, padding her way to the massive windows that lined her bedroom.
Emersyn peered into the darkness, wishing she could talk to her parents one last time. Glancing at the window seat, she noticed her orchid had wilted. The pot felt heavy in her hands as she clutched it to her chest.
“Great – even my plants die and leave me.”
She smiled as she remembered her mother’s words the night before they left – actually, it was the night before they’d died.
“Emersyn, nature is part of who we are. When you turn twenty-one, it will all make sense. It will be like a switch is turned on and you will become attuned to the earth. When it happens, don’t be frightened. It is who you are. Do you understand?”
“Yes, mother.”
“No… Emersyn, I don’t think you do. It is the way of the Emerald Queen. It is in our blood – the earth… it’s what makes us who we are.”
“Fine, mother. I get it. I’ll become one with the earth.”
She closed her eyes and sighed, “So much for being one with the Earth.”
The orchid had been the last thing her mother had given her – telling her it was an early birthday present. Emersyn’s hand began to tingle, the pot warming beneath her touch. Cracking her eyes open, Emersyn sucked in a breath when she spied a soft glow emanating from her hands.
“What the fuck?”
The pot slipped from her startled hands, crashing to the floor. Emersyn stared at the shattered ceramic on the floor. The broken holder was not what had her freaked out. No. The vibrant and very alive orchid on the floor is what had her stunned.
“Your Majesty?” the room was suddenly filled with light.
Glancing toward her door, she saw the guard standing in the opening. He must had heard the crash.
“Officer Sterling…” she glanced at the floor, “I’m sorry I startled you. Silly me. I wanted to sit on the window seat and knocked my flower over.”
“What is the meaning of this?” A very disheveled and shirtless Drake stood behind the officer.
“Sir.” The officer stepped aside, allowing Drake to enter, “I heard a crash and came in to investigate.”
“Emersyn, are you hurt?” Drake stormed over to her, noting the shattered pot on the ground.
“No… it was an accident. I’ll get it cleaned up.” Emersyn started toward the bathroom, stepping on a shard of the fractured container.
