“My whole life has been a lie because of the laws we have in place. I want to enact a change, help those in our community, and better our kingdom. But I need your help.” I glanced at Mother and saw her face turning red.
Breakfast from this morning, what little I’d eaten, threatened to make a reappearance. I swallowed and did my best to not lose it.
I turned to the local villagers. “Are you willing to help me make everyone’s lives better? Would you stand with me while I rewrote some of our laws?”
“Yes!” a younger woman shouted.
Lifting the crown, I placed it gingerly on the seat cushion of the throne. “As of today, a sovereign ruler no longer has to be male. This law is archaic and outdated. Other nations within Uskaria no longer scoff at having a female ruler. We are the only one’s living in the past.”
Mother rushed over and grabbed my arm. “Don’t you dare.”
“Oh, I’m daring. You bet your sweet ass I am.”
“Language!” she whispered.
I jerked my arm from her grasp and yanked the wig off. Astrid didn’t have time to braid my hair this morning, so she’d pinned it up instead. My hand swept through, pulling pin after pin until my shiny, chocolate hair tumbled down my back.
Gasps echoed throughout the room.
“How could you?” Mother shouted. “I handed you everything and you’ve thrown it all away, and for what? To lose your kingdom and your home?”
“Mother, the law has been changed. The only one not accepting it is you.” I squared my shoulders. “I am now Queen of Sulenia.”
“The hell you’re not.” Her hands wrapped around my neck and the weight of her body pushed me to the ground.
I struggled to breathe as her grip tightened on my windpipe. Despite her age, she was strong, and I couldn’t manage to throw her off me.
This was it. I’d finally found someone to love, someone who accepted me for who I was, and I was going to die because I confessed it to the world.
Chapter 12
A roar vibrated through the air, followed by the screams of the guests as they fled in fear.
The walls shook as a large aquamarine dragon knocked chairs out of the way and stalked toward the dais.
“You can’t have her,” Mother screamed. “Your kind is no longer welcome here.” She refused to loosen her grip.
Stars danced across my vision as I fought to extricate myself. I opened my mouth to plead for my life, but no words came out.
The dragon roared one final warning, smoke coiling out of its nostrils.
“I said go. Get out of here.”
Finally, sweet, blessed air filled my lungs as Mother abandoned her task of murdering me to back away from the more dangerous creature in the room.
Everyone else had run from the room except Helena’s parents.
Helena’s dragon form was beautiful and a sight to behold. I rubbed my neck, coughing, as I watched her back my mother into a corner.
“Do you concede?” said Helena’s father.
“I don’t understand why your daughter is attacking me.” Mother threw her hands in front of her face like it would save her from the attack. “None of this is her business.”
The Queen of Dragonia came to stand next to her daughter. “It does concern Helena, because your daughter is her mate.”
“Her what?” Mother dropped her hands and gawked. “They’re both women.”
“And in our kingdom, gender doesn’t matter.” The Dragoni Queen took another step forward. “Now, I ask you one more time, do you concede? Give up this fight and let the girls have their happily ever after.”
“And if I don’t?”
The Dragoni Queen threw her head back and laughed. “No one harms a dragon’s mate and lives. You’re lucky to still be standing.”
“This is an abomination,” said my mother. “How can you condone this?”
“Fate has already chosen who will stand by my daughter’s side. I would never step between such a pairing.” The Dragoni Queen reached out a hand to help me up. “Why are you so against your daughter being happy?”
“Her cousin is going to steal the throne from her and it’s all her doing.”
Helena shook her massive head, and within a few seconds, she was back to her human form, dress and all.
“You’re still clothed,” I said.
Helena winked. “I guess we do have a little magic in us after all.”
“If anyone tries to overthrow my claim, they will be dealt with accordingly.” As I stepped to Helena’s side, she wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me close. “Right, my siren?”
“Absolutely.”
My mother sank to the floor. “I’m so sorry for everything. You know I only did it because I love you and your sisters.”
“I know, but this kingdom was due for a change,” I said.
“It wasn’t easy not having your father around. I could only do so much as a queen until you became of age.” Mother shook her head. “I still don’t understand how you can love another woman—”
Helena growled.
“But—” Mother held up her hand. “I will support you.”
“You will?” I asked, tears in my eyes.
“Of course. All I’ve ever wanted was the best for you and for you to be happy.” She held her arms open.
I ran over and sank to the floor beside my mother, throwing my arms around her shoulders. “Thank you.”
* * *
As I stood on the steps of the castle, I addressed the people of Sulenia as their queen for the first time. Mother still feared what the rest of the kingdom would think now that the truth had spread like wildfire, but all I saw were smiles and encouragement.
“As your queen, my hope is to solidify our kingdom, spread hope, and help change or enact laws that will perpetuate these promises.” I threaded my fingers through Helena’s. “If you believe something should be changed, do not fear bringing it to my attention.
“Long live the queen!” shouted an older gentleman in the back.
Others picked up the cheer, chanting it over and over.
I glanced behind me to see the approval of my sisters shining through their smiles. Astrid was still a little grossed out when I kissed Helena in front of her, but she no longer made gagging noises. It was an improvement.
Standing next to my mate, my heart filled to bursting. I’d finally found my happiness. With her by my side, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t accomplish.
No one should stand in the way of anyone's happiness. I believed everyone should be able to love who they wanted, and I’d make sure going forward, that no one in my kingdom would ever have to hide who they truly were.
The End
About the Author
Jennifer Laslie is a crazy cat lady who lives in Utah with her wonderful family. Her office affords her a mountain view that she loves! When she's not thinking about cheesecake or cats, she can be found in the bookstore in the Young Adult section, coffee in hand.
Find out more about her at authorjlaslie.com.
Other Books by Jennifer Laslie
The Unfortunate Spells Series
Who Ordered a Medium (Novella)
When to Spell Disaster (#1)
When to Scry Wolf (#2)
What the Hex Happened (#3)
Why Didn’t You Ward Me (#4)
Where Are My Solsticers (#5)
The Thicker Than Blood Series
Marked for Death (#1)
Order of the Shadow Dynasty
Rise of the Elites Collection
Untreatable
Young Adult Dystopian
Mermaid Adrift
YA Paranormal Romance
Sordid Depths
Dystopian Paranormal Romance
Azure Embers
YA Paranormal Romance
Solstice Flames
Jingle Spells Anthology
Rae of Hope
Twisted Fairy Tales Anthology
Exiled
A
Midsummer Night’s Sidhe Anthology
Forbidden Throne: An LGBTQ+ Fantasy Novella Page 6