The Nevermore Chronicles
Book 1
Silencing the Queen
By: Stephanie McKitrick
Proud product of The Ruby Fox Publishing ©
Owned and operated by Stephanie S. McKitrick
2016 - 2017
Books by Stephanie McKitrick
2016-2017
The Nevermore Chronicles book 1: Silencing the Queen
ELITE RED
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The Nevermore Chronicles
Book 2
Queen takes Knight
Copyright © 2016 by Stephanie S. McKitrick,
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By: Stephanie S. McKitrick and published through
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Acknowledgments
To my wonderful husband Josh, Thank you for always believing in me and of course for inspiring me everyday with your undying love!
I love you!
“My lady there is a Lord Darkwood here to see you.”
“Take him to the throne room, please Geraldo, I shall be along shortly.”
“Yes, my queen. Shall I give you time to ascend the throne before escorting him inside?”
“I'll go there now, wait a few moment's then bring him in.”
“Yes, your highness. Will there be anything else?”
“ No, thank you Geraldo.”
“My pleasure milady.”
Geraldo's footstep's could be heard echoing throughout the halls as he began his decent down the staircase. This castle was simply too big, I had often thought so in my youth and now as an adult I still feel the same way about it.
I guess some thing's really never do change. I removed myself from my large oak desk and made my way to the door, sparing a last longing look at my disheveled work place.
So many letter's to answer and law's to review yet it seemed as though I had no time at all anymore. These were the day's I missed my father and his wise council dearly. I washed the thought's from my mind as I closed the door behind me and began the journey towards my overly extravagant throne room.
There was business to tend to at the moment, some new Lord or something. I sighed inwardly. When were these “Lord's and Ladies” going to stop coming out of the wood work? Never I suppose, oh well, heavy is the head that wears the crown.
I am the queen after all, it's my duty to see all who come to me seeking an audience. OK, so here we go, three long hallway's, check. One large and long portrait gallery, check. Thirty two suit's of Armor standing at attention, check.
Here we are the throne room. FINALLY! Through the horrendously over sized door's and up to my throne. I was ready to receive guest's.
Though the general area was a bit too much for my taste I have to admit I love my throne. I had it specially made, Dogwood laced over strong blackened Walnut. Not too flashy but just enough “WOW” to let you know who was running the show in this kingdom.
I had designed it myself and honestly, I think I deserved a little pat on the back. It featured my kingdom's emblem, the Raven, atop it's face.
Not a lot of time to spend looking over my lavish seat today though. Geraldo would be bringing in the Lord Darkwood any minute and I most definitely needed to look my most queenliness......hmm....I wonder if that's even a real word. Oh well!
Finally finding a semi comfortable position I sat and awaited my guest, but then it came to my attention something about the room was wrong, something was off.
I looked around and then it hit me, Zephyr was gone. My loyal pet and friend was nowhere to be seen. I would have paid it no mind save for the fact that he literally NEVER leaves my side for longer than it takes him to hunt and catch his meals. Where in all creation could he have wandered off to. Unfortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by the sudden creak of the large double doors. I watched as Geraldo stepped inside then bowed gracefully, his lean frame allowed him movement even I sometimes found myself becoming jealous of. He side stepped quickly as he announced my visitor.
“My lady, Queen Serra Noir of the kingdom Nevermore may I present Lord Darkwood.”
From behind the engraved door frame stepped a tall, well built (not that I was admiring), extremely handsome man. Skin kissed perfectly by the sun, hair the color of the deepest, darkest black with hint's of crimson when the light hit it just right, eye's that shone bright like two polished Emeralds.
Good Gods the man had muscles bulging out all over his body, why it looked as though his shirt and jacket may burst apart at the seems any minute.
Who was this amazing beauty of a man, I wondered. He crossed the floor with ease and poise he'd definitely been in the company of royals before. I extended my hand and immediately he clasped it in his. His lip's were warm and soft as he pressed a kiss to the tip of my knuckle's then bowed low as he released me and backed away a few paces.
I found myself immediately missing the warmth of his mouth on my quickly cooling knuckles. I shook myself mentally and reminded myself he was here for a purpose I had yet to discover.
“Rise and state your business Lord Darkwood.” I said in my most queenly tone.
“My lady, I am honored to be a guest in your court. I am even more so honored you agreed to speak with me this morning.”
Oh ho ho a smooth talker, so he's one of THOSE types.
“Thank you Lord Darkwood for your sentiment's. Sadly, I must ask you to state your business again, I am very busy today, you see, and I mustn't dally very long.” My desk was calling me back to it's comfortable chair to finish my letter's.
“Oh yes of course your highness, might I beg pardon, but please, I would love for you to address me by my first name, Dimitri (Di-me-tree). I should hope by the end of my stay in Nevermore we would be the greatest of friends.”
Bold! I like this one, maybe isn't one of THOSE types after all. He has a sort of spark about him. Not to mention he's absolutely gorgeous to look at and that voice! I could listen to him talk all day!
“Well, do you now? Hmm so what exactly brings you to Nevermore...Dimitri Darkwood? I can only guess you have traveled from afar. Darkwood is not exactly a name you hear often in these land's.”
A smirk played on his lip's as he contemplated his next move carefully.
“I see you are as worldly as I have been led to believe my queen. I am in fact from a great distance away. I come here...” He appeared to be contemplating on the choice of word's he was about to use. “... seeking refuge.”
I must say I was a tad shocked by that last bit, but I kept my composure, as a good queen often does.
“Ah, I see, now we get to the bone's of it all. Refuge? I harbor no criminal's in my court. Not even rich one's.” I said as I eye'd him suspiciously.
“Oh no my lady you misunderstand, I am no criminal. I seek refuge from.....well, my mother. Queen Dahlia of Laredum. She wishes me to take a wife. I must confess I do agree a kingdom need's a strong, wise, and just king who should by all rights have a wife to stand beside him. But I want to choose my own bride, I want to fall in love. I simply want to marry for love not social expectation. My mother thinks I am taking too long in finding my mate so she has set up an arranged marriage. I know nothing of this woman I am to marry, save for her name and a few minor details about herself th
at she divulged very unwillingly upon our first meeting. I honestly find the woman to be a complete bore and quit frankly she doesn't appeal to me in the way's of what passes for beauty to me. She hate's art, hate's the hunt, hate's the outdoors, and hate's my kingdom.”
“If she hate's your kingdom and everything you hold dear, then why would she be so willing to marry you?”
“Social standing. Her father will, through her, gain better social standing and so will she. She is a Lady of the court as of right now. She's also very.....snooty.”
I nearly let a snicker slip but bit back the rolling laughter before it could break free of my body and ruin the mood of the room. My hidden laughter died quickly when I looked into this handsome stranger's eye's. The poor man looked so pained in his telling of this Lady he was to marry. I simply couldn't force him out of the kingdom. My heart bled for him.
“Alright Lord Darkwood I grant you permission to stay in my kingdom for as long as it takes you to find a suitable wife. Do you have accommodation's in the village?”
“Oh, thank you so much your highness, I will be eternally grateful to you! Um, sadly not at this moment seeing you was my main objective. I came straight here from the dock's.”
I couldn't help the little leap my belly took when he claimed me as his number one objective, like seeing me and being in my presence was the only thing he wanted. I knew the real reason why he was here, but hey, I get lonely so I fantasize.
“You shall stay in the castle as my personal guest.”
Wait....what did I just say? Why did I say that? He's going to think I'm some kind of loose transient! A look of shock flashed across his face, but was gone as quickly as it came. Then he smiled brightly and bowed low again as he reached for my hand, which I prominently placed in his. He kissed it softly with those warm lip's once more, then released. Your highness, I would be the most honored of all men in the world to be your guest.
The men at the docks said there was to be a rather lavish ball of some sort within the next week or two. Is this true?”
“Oh yes you're talking about the Raven's Ball. We have it every year, it's to celebrate the new harvest. Will you be in attendance?”
“I had thought I might make an appearance, as a representative of my own kingdom. Would it be horribly rash of me to ask that you save a dance for me my queen?”
“I'd love to dance with you...Dimitri. The ball is a masquerade so be sure to stop by the tailor's on the upper end of Bridge Street. Tell him I sent you. He should have plenty of time to work on your costume before the ball, which is in exactly ten day's by the way.”
“I shall go there now, and how may I ask will I know you at the ball? In case some other Lord has stolen you onto the dance floor, I should like to be able to recognize you so that I may steal you back.”
Ohhhh he really is smooth.
“Simple...” I said in my best flirtatious voice. “... look for the Raven.” I smiled like some sort of vixen. I couldn't help myself.
He bowed again, only this time as he came back up to stand his attention was not on me but something else. His muscles tightened and his jaw clenched. His beautiful brow began to furrow ever so slightly just as I knew my own was doing as I gazed upon him in wonderment. I opened my mouth to ask what was the matter, but he beat me to the punch.
“My queen, I don't mean to alarm you but, If I may ask, what is that?!”
He nodded to the space beside my throne that once sat vacant, but was now taken up by an extremely large mass of black silky fur. I smiled as I realized it was Zephyr. He'd finally come in at some point to sit by my side like always.
“Oh it's only Zephyr.” I said smiling back at him.
“Ah, so you know the beast.” More a statement than a question.
“Yes, of course. He's my pet, best friend and guardian.”
“I see. Body of a lion, head and neck of an eagle or falcon, wings that have the appearance of daggers,you know not many people have ever seen such a magnificent creature let alone tamed one. You must be very special.” There was that smile again, my insides started melting.
“He is the special one. Zephyr is a Griffin..he's the ONLY black Griffin. He's been with me for as long as I can remember. Always protecting, always watching for thing's that shouldn't be.”
Zephyr raised his head to rest it on my lap before turning to Dimitri. I could sense him sizing Dimitri up. He stood and slowly approached him. For a moment I wasn't sure what was going to happen then suddenly Dimitri bowed low and introduced himself as if he were speaking to another human being. Even more shocking was when Zephyr himself bowed to Dimitri. This day was getting stranger and stranger by the second.
Despite my reservation's about all that has happened this morning I decided this was a wonderful thing and I simply wouldn't press it. Dimitri excused himself and left. Once alone Zephyr came back to the throne and laid beside me once more and again placed his large head in my lap.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment and waited to feel the connection between the two of us. There it was, a slight little tingle right where my spine and skull meet. His deep voice came in clear as a bell.
“I like that man.”
“I can see that my old friend. What was that just then?”
“A show of respect deserves one in return does it not my little Serra? (sir-rah)”
“Of course, but he bowed to you as if he knew you were...well...as if he knew you were more than you appeared.”
“Maybe it was because he is more than he appears as well.”
We didn't have time to finish the conversation as maid's and servant's were beginning to enter the room to start the morning's chores. Suddenly Geraldo re-entered, seemingly in a hurry and with an urgent message.
He bowed, then approached the throne. Appearing out of breath, which was very unusual for him, he was typically all Go-Go-Go. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear when he spied some servant's near us, dusting drapes.
“Serra there is an urgent situation in the stables you must go there now. Don't doddle just go,quickly but inconspicuously.”
He addressed me by my first name, something bad was going on. I rose and nodded my thanks before hastily exiting the castle. Once outside I debated only for a second on whether to go through the servant's path or the garden path to get to the stable's. Garden path it was, taking the servant's path would only raise suspicion.
“What could be so urgent Geraldo would address me by my first name?” I asked Zephyr through our bond.
“I'm not sure Serra, but I don't like it one bit, this has bad written all over it.”
We rounded the last of the rose bushes and there the stables stood in all their glory. Thing's of beauty the royal horses were and just so, they deserved a beautiful place to sleep and be housed. I opened the large stable door and saw nothing but empty stall's.
Gathering my cloak around me, I stepped through the door with Zephyr right on my heel's. We made our way passed stall after stall of nothing when suddenly I spotted two guard's standing in the corner on the far side.
I straightened my back and headed their way. As soon as they saw me they jumped to attention. Tristan and Barron, I knew them well. Barron had been my childhood friend and first crush, though I would never tell him that. I had named him captain of my personal guard.
What in the blazes was he doing here. Tristan was his right hand so after seeing Barron here, I expected to see Tristan not far behind. But that still didn't answer my question. Barron met me a few feet away from the stall.
“My queen, I take it Geraldo found you.”
“Well it helped that he KNEW where I was all morning... Now, drop the formalities Bear, what's going on? Why are you two in here?”
“I was out on patrol near the fire marshes when I heard something in the undergrowth, upon further inspection...well...it was...”
He looked away for a second, I could see he was horribly uncomfortable, but my curiosity was peaked and I needed to know what he had
found.
“You found....what? ” I prodded.
“A man we found a man, he's badly beaten. I'm not sure if he'll...”
He looked away again. Barron or Bear as I had always called him, was never shy or at a loss for word's. He was always headstrong and blunt. I'd never seen him like this. All sign's were pointing towards him knowing the man. But that would be impossible, the land's outside my fire marshes are decrepit, hence their name The Dead Lands.
I created the fire marshes using magic. I surrounded my kingdom with them to keep out those who wished to do myself or my people harm. With Zephyr's help I had sealed the magic and it became impenetrable.
Now my curiosity was defiantly peaked. I placed a reassuring hand on Bear's forearm as I pushed open the stall gate and walked inside.
On the floor lay what looked to be a pile of dead animal's, but upon closer inspection was in fact a man or what was left of a man, wrapped in animal skin's. It's un-telling how long he had been out in the cold. I peeled back the layer's of animal one by one.
The Nevermore Chronicles: Silencing the Queen Page 1