The Archer Queen

by Blake, Nova

  What was going on here? Surely the present king should be protecting his people.

  A hand tugged at the string belt around my waist and I turned quickly to see a young girl, grubby and thin. Too thin. "Please, ma'am, have you anything to spare?"

  I swallowed hard as I looked her over. She had a dark bruise on her left cheek and she was pressing one arm against her stomach as if either the arm or her belly was sore. I couldn't tell which.

  "Where are your parents?" I asked, looking around for someone. She was too young to be out on her own.

  "Dead," she said. "Can you spare some food?"

  I was reaching into my bag before I'd even thought about it, passing her the rest of the bread and a few small coins. I knew it wouldn't last her forever, but it would help her for now. And once the True Queen was in power, our realm would flourish again, and I vowed that there would not be children starving in the streets. Her loss was etched in her face, in her irises. They were a mirror of my own when my father died and I’d felt so lost and alone in the world, even though I had mother. And Thomas. I'd always had Thomas even when I hadn't acknowledged it.

  This girl had nothing and no one.

  "Have you got somewhere to stay?" I asked.

  She had already bitten into the bread and, mouth full, she shook her head.

  "If you go to the inn on the western edge of town. Tell them that Jaelyn said she would pay for your room and food for three days."

  "Oh, ma'am!" The girl started to cry and she surged towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist and squeezing me tight. My arms went around her as well, wondering if this was the only physical affection she'd had since her parents died. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

  "You're welcome, child. Now go, eat, get cleaned up. Rest."

  "I will. I… This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." Her eyes were big and brown and full of emotion, wet with it.

  I fished my hand into a pocket and pulled out enough to cover the first night. "Give them this and tell them I'll pay the rest when I come back later." She held out her hand and I placed the coins in her palm. "I'm trusting you with this."

  The girl nodded and began to step away, then she turned back. "My name is Maegyn, and I won't forget this." She gave me another dip of her head and then she rushed off towards the inn. I watched her for a moment, trying to trust that she would actually go there and take care of herself. That no one would get in her way.

  Satisfied that I had done all I could do, I took a deep breath and reset my brain to the task at hand.

  Find the horse.

  Make a plan.

  * * *

  It felt like I had looked everywhere with no luck. There wasn't a single stable that I could find aside from one at an upper-class inn; certainly nothing with what felt like it might have the right level of security for a holy relic.

  Feeling like I'd failed, I decided to set out along the clifftop to see if I could find a way down to the sea. There were stories told of beautiful caverns along the coast here, and I thought they might lift my mood a little. Time was ticking and I just needed this one more piece of the puzzle before we could travel back home and I could face Anya. If I could find these caves, it would be one small triumph in a day of failure.

  Not too far from the castle walls I found a pathway down the cliff. It wound this way and that with the curve and jag of the land, dug into it and hopefully propped up by some kind of supports. I set off down it with a last look back at the town.

  I was safe. I didn't have to worry. No one knew who I was, and if it came to it, I was armed and could have an arrow nocked and drawn in a flash.

  There were only a few others coming and going along this particular path, which made me wonder whether there were other more secure routes by which to travel. It wasn't something I'd ever have dreamed of asking back home; this court was as distant to anything I knew as the other queendoms were, and it had been that feeling of being trapped, and stuck in the rut of my life which had prevented me from really getting on and actually living it.

  Such a waste. I should have taken off after my father died and my mother had returned to her home queendom. Should have grabbed Thomas by the shirt and kissed him hard, took him to bed and then dragged him with me, away from Terebellum and out into the world.

  If I had, we wouldn't be here. At least, I didn't think so.

  Rushed footsteps sounded behind me, and then I was shoulder barged; not enough to knock me into the low barrier at the edge of the path, but enough to make my heart beat faster. Strong hands gripped my elbow and steadied me.

  "I'm sorry. I was—" He broke off midsentence, then took a step back and I finally looked into his face.

  He was gorgeous. All tanned skin and freckles, dark hair that was just a little mussed from the wind. His eyes were a deep brown and his lips were so full. He towered over me.

  And the expression he was giving me suggested he thought I was gorgeous too.

  "I am so sorry," he said again. "I was lost in thought and I didn't see you though how I didn't see you is beyond me because, my gods, your hair, it's like fire, and your skin is luminescent, and…" He scrubbed a hand across his face, grazing the stubble there. "I'm Tol." He extended a hand to me.

  I looked at it for a moment before shaking it, that scorching heat searing through my body at the connection.

  No. No. No!

  I already had three men, and I had seen the fourth fletch on my arrow, but I didn't need another lover. I had enough. “Jaelyn,” I said, trying to act as if nothing was happening here.

  Tol's eyes went wide and he gripped my hand tighter, drawing me closer to him. "You've done something to me," he said. "And I like it."

  "Must have been a shock," I said quickly. "Maybe our elements don't align."

  "Or maybe we are both as attuned to fire as each other, and sparks flew." His long lashes grazed his cheek as he winked at me.

  "Nope," I said, snatching my hand back. "It's fine, by the way. You didn't knock me over and I'm not dead, so…" I looked down the long line of steps to the sea. I so wanted to go to it, to touch it, to see how it felt on my skin. But I turned and started back up, not wanting to continue walking in the same direction as this man.

  "Where are you going?" he asked, taking the steps two at a time to catch up to me.

  "I, ah, forgot something," I said, nodding as if to confirm the lie. "Take care." I raised a hand in farewell, but he grabbed it and stopped me from turning away.

  "Please, my lady. Forgive me my rudeness. Won't you come with me? I can show you the sights, the secret caverns, the place where the wind sounds like a harp through the rocks…"

  "I…" I bit my bottom lip. I wanted to see those things, but I did not need another man in my life. "I can't. Not right now. Sorry."

  "Oh, lady. You wound me." He let go of my fingers and pressed his hands to his chest as though he was cupping his heart. His face looked bereft as he stepped back, and then back again. My heart lurched as he stepped out up onto the ledge, then into nothingness and dropped from sight.

  "Tol!" I rushed to the edge, clutching at the low ledge as I peered over.

  Only to see a splash, feel the speckles of water hit me on the cheeks as he dropped gracefully into a pool and then surfaced. He pushed his wet hair back from his face and peered up at me with a wide grin.

  "Come in," he said. "The water is lovely."

  "I will not," I said, shaking my head. I pressed my lips together, trying to stop them from cracking into a grin spurred by relief and amusement. "Enjoy your swim."

  "Please, let me see you again," he called to me as I stood. "There's a masked ball at the castle tomorrow night. Come. Dance. The theme is Ascended and Cursed!"

  My mouth opened, closed, and then I said, "Yes. But only if I can bring my friends." I couldn’t believe that this opportunity had fallen in my lap. It was almost too good to believe.

  "I will put your name on the list at the door. Jaelyn, and friends
. Farewell, lovely lady. Save a dance or four for me." He saluted me, and then sank below the water and swam to the edge of the pool.

  Relief swelled through me as I ran back up the steps. Relief that we had a way inside the castle now, and relief that Tol was okay. Well, he might be a little crazy, but I could handle that.

  I wasn't sure I could handle more romance though, more strings connecting me to others, more men in my life.

  Every man I fell for was a danger to my heart. Any one of them could be lost and take a part of me with them.

  I had to find a way to keep us all together.

  And to tell the others that there was someone new for them to meet…

  25

  Jaelyn

  When I got back to the inn, I paid the owner the extra money for Maegyn’s board and food for the next few days, and then made my way upstairs to our room. All three of my men had returned and were playing cards at the small table, Farrow obviously winning from the expression on his face.

  Golden afternoon light streamed in the window, making the room seem warm and welcoming. I closed the door behind me and made my way to them, shuffling in next to Thomas, who slipped an arm around me.

  "Did you fare better than us?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

  "Yes, and no. I didn't find the stable, but I did manage to get an invitation to the party at the castle tomorrow night."

  "A party!" Killian lit up.

  Farrow rolled his eyes. "You are far too excited by that."

  "You just don't know how to celebrate the right way in the forest, Farrow. You can't blame me for my parentage." Killian turned his gaze back to me. "Please tell me that it's going to be big."

  "I don't know," I admitted. "But it is themed, Ascended or Cursed."

  "Themes always mean it's big. I wonder if this is their own version of the party Mother threw a few days ago." He pursed his lips in consideration. "Leave the costumes to me. Thomas you can help."

  "Me?" Thomas frowned.

  "Yes, you. Farrow is terrible at this kind of thing, and hunters have patience. Unless you want to come with me?" Killian glanced my way, but I shook my head.

  "I think it's better if I keep a low profile. The less I'm seen the better. Just in case."

  "Wise," Farrow said. "I'll keep you company, and also track a good way out of the city in case we do find the horse."

  I hated the idea of sitting in this room, twiddling my thumbs, but I knew I should rest, take the time to adjust to the changes inside me. It had all happened so quickly, the bow, the quiver, which I now wore inside my body. The magic flaring to life under my skin.

  The men.

  "Oh," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "I think there might be a new addition to our wee group…"

  All three men groaned.

  "Who is he?" Thomas asked.

  "Don't ask. I'm sure we'll find out soon…" Farrow shook his head. "I know True Queens often have more than one companion, but four? Hopefully that's the last. One for each relic?"

  Killian scooped the cards off the table, straightening the edges and placing the pack in the middle of the table. "Come on, Thomas. We should start looking for supplies. Don't want to leave it too late." He got up and pushed passed Farrow, heading for the door. Thomas dropped a kiss on my forehead as he stood.

  "Stay out of trouble," he murmured.

  "That's the point," I said innocently. "No trouble from me." I gave him a sweet smile and he shook his head, trying not to smile back.

  Once they were gone, Farrow turned his attention back to me. "And what shall we do?" His gaze was intent, suggestive, but I shook my head to dispel him of any seductive aspirations.

  "You know more about the Dawning and the True Queens than any of us, and I need that knowledge. I want to know how this all works. Your Court is the only one willing to uphold the old ways, to give up their relic for the good of the nation. This is something only you can help me with."

  "It would be my honor." Farrow dipped his head, acknowledging that he was taking my request seriously. He poured himself a mug of water, and then one for me, sliding it across the table. Then he took twelve cards from the deck and arranged them in a circle on the table.

  "These are the gods and goddesses," I said.

  "These are the representations of them, their physical manifestations when the True Queens are on their thrones. You – they – are the symbol of their power. And this, is the wheel."

  "The wheel? I've never heard that expression used before."

  "It's how my mother taught me about it. Wheels are round, and so they move easily, they travel well." He pushed two cards from the circle on opposite sides. "If a few spokes disappear, it still runs, but it's not as smooth. And if too many are gone…" He removed more until what was left couldn't be called any kind of circle. They were just sporadic cards, lying randomly on the table.

  "The wheel is broken…" My gut clenched.

  "And everything falls apart."

  I leaned back in my chair and bit my lip. "How many True Queens did we have during the last cycle?"

  "Eight, perhaps. It's always hard to know for sure, but things are bad already. We need all the queens this cycle or the queendoms will just get worse. Magic has all but slipped from the land, vicious beasts have made a return, alliances are crumbling and the rich look after only themselves."

  I knew his words to be true. I'd seen the evidence of it across our lands; and we hadn't even lost our queen that long ago. She had reigned long and well, kindly. It was just a shame that some of her descendants weren't ruling quite so well…

  "All I can do is make sure the rightful queen takes her place on the throne," I said, keeping my words free from emotion. I didn't want to claim it was me, didn't even want to admit that maybe I wanted it to be me. Kind of. That I thought I had the right mindset to be good at it.

  That I cared.

  So much of my mind was intent on telling me I was undeserving. Child of low-ranking nobility from another court and a Hunter, for goodness sakes. How could I possibly make a claim on the throne when there was a princess waiting in the wings, one who had been raised as royalty, one with the Mark.

  But she would never care like I did. I knew it in my bones, knew it in the unkind way she treated her servants, and the way that what she wanted was always more important than what anyone else did.

  "And who do you think that queen is?" Farrow looked at me, but there was no question in his eyes. His gaze was fixed, assured, confident. He knew the answer, but he didn't know me well enough to know if I would give it.

  "We will have to wait and see. The Herald will decide. The Chrion will too."

  "And what will you decide? Or, rather, when?"

  I blew out a breath. "You can be so flippant one day, and so serious the next. Why? How?" I knew I was trying to change the topic, but hoped he'd let me, even if it was just this once. I was going to have to make a decision sometime. Soon. But I wasn't ready yet.

  "Oh, come now. Don't tell me you don't have your moments too." He smiled at me. "We Bellai can be a fickle folk."

  "Truth," I replied. "And I have decided. I decided on you and Thomas and Killian. And maybe Tol, though… I'm not sure of him yet. I can't tell how he will fit in." Though the flash of his smile, the magnetic pull of his eyes tumbled through my brain at the thought.

  "Tol? That's his name then. And you know who he is?"

  I shook my head. Unlike Killian and Farrow, I wasn't aware of all the connections in the royal houses of Terebellum, had never felt the need to bother with them being a lowly hunter.

  "Oh, Jaelyn. He's the son of the king here, the Prince of Salt himself. Tell me, how did you manage to draw in princes from three of the courts? And are you sure that your Princess Anya doesn't have a brother who might want to join our ragtag group?" Farrow chuckled lightly at the look of shock on my face.

  "The Prince?" Ice shot through my veins at the thought. If he was the prince then I was going to be stealing from his father, but u
nlike Killian, he wasn't in on the plan and I had no idea how he would take it when the truth came out. And it would. One way or another. I couldn't ask him to go against his father; I barely knew him.

  But go against his father, I must. Terebellum needed a ruler, a True Queen – what Farrow had revealed about the wheel, the magic, had cemented that in my mind – and it wasn't going to be found in the Court of Salt.

  26

  Jaelyn

  I felt like a princess.

  A real one. Like the True Queen might look when she took her throne and welcomed in the full power of Chiron.

  And I was sure that Killian had chosen this for a reason. My dress was long, gossamer thin, threaded with gold and orange like a living flame. I had no idea where he'd found it, or what alterations he had made, but he was a genius with needle and thread. Of that I was now more certain than ever. My mask was like flames too, bright bold flames though, like the sun, or the hearth, warming you with just a touch. He'd set my hair in curls, leaving them loose so that they fell free. I was all flame. All power.

  I was Ascended, not Cursed, though all three of my men were wearing dark, twisted masks and dark clothing to match. Killian in darker than blood red, Farrow in emerald green, and Thomas in black and silver. Together we made a stunning combination as we strode toward the castle. Me in the lead, a man on each side and one at my back, as though the darkness were ushering the light forward. The never-ending cycle of day and night, of good and evil.

  "You don't think this is a bit much?" I asked, trying to keep the uncertainty from my voice as we neared the entrance.

  "It's too late to change now," Killian said. "But trust me. You're going to fit right in."

  I blew out a breath and approached the attendant with the list. "Jaelyn, and friends," I said, biting on my tongue to stop myself from overexplaining why I was there, why I had a right to be. I just needed to keep my head high and play the part.

  The man scanned down the parchment, running his finger along the list of names until he stopped and glanced up at me. "You may enter. Have a good evening, Lady Jaelyn." He dipped his head in deference to my position and I had to stifle a giggle.