The Queen

by Suzanna Lynn

  Following the mass funeral of the fallen men of Grasmere, Ashmur made a royal announcement, abdicating his throne. Baylin was crowned the new King before his wounds had even completed healing.

  With a new title, Baylin utilized his power to use the generals who were taken hostage during the battle as bargaining tools for a new alliance and treaty with the five Kingdoms. Though negotiating the terms were hard with all the fear and animosity in the realm, trade was once again open between the Kingdoms, and much-needed food and supplies were sent to aid Grasmere in repairing the damage the war had inflicted.

  Kardell was quick to form a new treaty with the Kingdoms, having been seen as a traitor to the Realm. King Vandar was swift to blame Mirstone for the treachery and sent gifts of emeralds and ships to show his good will.

  Strathen joined Grasmere in stating should Ranhold or any other Kingdom choose not to take a stand against any acts of war, it would be considered an equal act of war. King Lars agreed, publicly apologizing for his inaction.

  King Gideon and Queen Fia were stripped of their titles in Mirstone and sent to live in the Kingdom of Strathen under the watchful eye of King Artos. Baylin felt it only right to spare their lives, given the deception of Syndra and the death of their daughter, Isla.

  Luana agreed it was the proper way to preserve the young Princess’s memory, seeing as it had never been she who betrayed the Kingdoms. I would like to think I would have liked her.

  Luana was pleased to know Baylin’s friendship with King Rydel created an alliance never before seen in the history of the Keld. The once elusive race came out of hiding and found friendship in the people of the Kingdoms. Ferric and Faylen, in particular, had been spending a great deal of time together.

  Baylin’s most recent act was bringing together the Kings from all the Kingdoms and officially overthrowing the Bed Wife Law—releasing all the bed wives from their arranged unions. Many of the young women chose to remain with their lovers, while some returned home to their families.

  “How do you like it, milady?” Meg asked, pulling Luana from her thoughts.

  Luana looked into the looking glass. Soft, silvery ringlets created a halo around her face. As she turned her head, she could see the pale blue flowers that adorned her hair. “Oh Meg! It’s simply beautiful!”

  The handmaid blushed. “Well, I’m sure His Grace will not be able to take his eyes off of you. He’s been waiting for this day for quite some time.”

  Luana smiled. “As have I.”

  Meg crossed the room, picking up a beautiful pale blue gown. “Are you ready to put on your dress, milady? It’s almost time for the wedding.”

  Luana’s heart swelled in her chest. Wedding. We are finally going to be married. “Yes, let’s put it on.”

  As Meg and another handmaid assisted her with the dress, Luana thought of the evening Baylin had proposed.

  Luana stood on the balcony overlooking Grasmere. Bonfires were lit all over the Kingdom as the people celebrated the end of the war, the crowning of Baylin as King, the union of the Kingdoms as well as the eradication of the Bed Wife Law.

  Even though the nights had grown cold with winter’s bitter winds, Luana basked in the light of the moon, enjoying the festivities from afar. Baylin came up behind her, wrapping his warm arms around her.

  She leaned her back into him, allowing him to incase her in warmth. “Shouldn’t you be celebrating down in the Great Hall?”

  “Shouldn’t you?” he laughed.

  “I was, for a while,” she said, turning to face him. “But then I started to miss El—”

  “Shh,” Baylin playfully scolded. “We’re not to speak his name until we do it at a proper celebration.”

  She laughed. “It’s just you and I here.”

  “Someone could overhear.”

  “Like who?” Luana questioned. “Do you fear a passing crow might announce it before you’re ready?”

  “Perhaps,” he said, pulling her close.

  “You and your silly traditions,” she laughed, pushing her hands against his chest. “He will be walking before he knows his proper name.”

  Baylin smiled, taking her by the hands. “Yes, I suppose traditions can be a bit silly. But there is a new one I would like to try.” His face flushed. He swallowed hard, looking at her.

  “What is it?” Luana questioned. “What is the matter?”

  Baylin sank down to his knee on the ground in front of Luana, keeping her hands tightly in his.

  “What are you doing?” Luana asked, shocked to see Baylin on the cold stone floor.

  “Luana,” Baylin began, “when you were a little girl you asked me if you could ever be a Princess. You told me that when I became King, I could change the rules and we could live in the castle forever. Do you remember?”

  A tear slid down Luana’s cheek. “Yes… and we were going to spend our days eating strawberry tarts and attend balls.” The words caught in her throat at the memory.

  “Well, I’m King now, just like you said,” Baylin continued. “And though I do not have the power to make you a Princess, I do have power to make you my Queen… if you’ll have me.”

  More tears began to fill Luana’s eyes as Baylin stared up at her, his own unshed tears glistening in his eyes.

  “Luana,” Baylin said, taking a hard swallow. “Will you be my wife?”

  She fell to her knees in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes, of course.”

  “Milady, did you hear me?” Meg asked, pulling Luana from her memory.

  “What?” Luana asked. “I’m sorry, I was lost in thought.”

  “I asked how you like the dress,” Meg responded.

  Luana ran her hands over the sheer fabric. It was smooth and soft to the touch. The dress was cut off the shoulders with several layers of soft flowing ruffles along the edge that touched her pale skin. She crossed the room to examine the dress in a large looking glass. The layers of fabric swished and trailed behind her as she moved.

  “I… I look…” The words stuck in her throat.

  “You look like a Queen,” Meg answered.

  *****

  Luana peeked around the edge of a door off the side of the Great Hall. The large room had been set to host the royals, generals and dignitaries from all the Kingdoms within Wintervale. The room was filled to bursting, even the balcony areas were filled with people.

  “Are you ready?”

  Luana jumped at the sound of Valasca behind her. “I’m not sure. There are so many people.”

  “And they are all here to see you, my dear,” rasped Ashmur, walking up next to Valasca.

  Luana blushed. She had not spoken with the former King, Ashmur, since the day she saved his life. He was a man of few words and certainly had never been one to spare any for her.

  “Valasca, my love, would you allow me a few moments with Luana?” Ashmur asked.

  Valasca cocked an eyebrow at him. “I suppose I should go check on my grandson anyway.” She walked away, a smile spread across her face.

  Luana looked up at Ashmur nervously. “Your Grace?”

  “Luana, I fear I have been extremely ungenerous in my feelings toward you,” Ashmur said. “I allowed my devotion to tradition to cloud my judgment. I treated you very unjustly.”

  Her breath hitched. Is he apologizing to me?

  “You saved my life, Luana. You saved this Kingdom,” Ashmur admitted. “I never even thanked you.”

  “Oh, there’s no need, Your Grace,” Luana stammered.

  Ashmur reached out and took Luana’s hand. “Yes, there is, and I’m sorry that I was too stubborn… too… too troll-headed to see what a treasure you are.”

  Tears formed in her eyes. Her heart thumped in her chest. “Your Grace, thank you for your kind words.”

  “Enough of this Your Grace nonsense. You will be my daughter before the night’s out,” Ashmur said. “Call me Father.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt.” Valasca walked up, carrying the baby in her arms
. “But it’s time.”

  “Oh!” Luana swiped the tears from her eyes. “How do I look?”

  “Absolutely beautiful, dearest,” Valasca said, kissing Luana’s cheek.

  “Yes,” Ashmur agreed with a warm smile. “You’re a vision.”

  Luana leaned over and kissed the baby on his head. “My sweet boy. Mother loves you.”

  “I’ll take good care of him,” Valasca said. “We will see you out there.”

  Ashmur offered Valasca his arm and escorted her into the Great Hall. Horns sounded when Luana stepped through the door behind them.

  The hall was alight with thousands of white candles placed on tables, hung from chandeliers and, as was custom, held by every member in attendance.

  Luana’s heart raced as she walked down the center of the room. Onlookers gasped in awe as she passed. Her pale blue dress trailed behind her along the smooth stone floor. As she walked, guests tossed flower petals into the air, raining them down on her.

  She looked up to see Baylin standing on the steps to the throne. Her heart sang at the sight of him in his deep indigo tunic. The candlelight glittered off the silver embroidered trim that ran along the tunic’s edge.

  Her pace quickened when her gaze met his; his blue eyes bright and joyous as he watched her. His long black hair was swept back, allowing a fine silver crown encrusted with sapphires to rest on his head.

  When Luana reached the base of the steps, Baylin walked down to meet her. He extended his hand and led her up the stone steps to where his father and mother stood with the baby. Faylen and Ferric stood to the side, smiling. They each held a pillow covered with a silver cloth adorned with the diamond crest of Grasmere. King Rydel stood before them, having extended the great honor of overseeing the wedding.

  Rydel smiled as he began the ceremony. “King Baylin, son of Ashmur. Luana, daughter of the moon. You come before this great gathering to profess your love and lifelong devotion to one another. King Baylin, please express your vow to Luana.”

  Baylin swallowed hard. “I vow to you the first bite of my bread and the first sip of my wine. To shield you from harm, keeping you and our children in the safety of my arms. I vow to not be parted from your side, lest death take me.”

  “And you, Luana,” Rydel said. “Confess your vow to King Baylin.”

  Luana’s eyes swam with unshed tears and she looked up into Baylin’s face. “I vow to give myself to you, so that we two might become one. To bring forth children whose laughter will fill the halls of this great castle. I vow to not be parted from your side, lest death take me.”

  Rydel continued. “King Baylin, will you please take Luana’s hand in yours?”

  Ferric stepped forward and removed the covering from his pillow. It held a long indigo cloth. Rydel retrieved it and Ferric stepped away.

  As Luana and Baylin held hands, King Rydel took the long strip of indigo cloth and slowly wove it around the couple’s hands while speaking. “Baylin, King of Grasmere and High King of Wintervale, Luana, daughter of the moon and Princess of the elves, you have bound yourselves to one another, in the sight of the gods and on these who stand before you.”

  Luana’s heart skipped a beat as she held Baylin’s gaze. His beautiful blue eyes seemed to make everything around them disappear. This is it. All the waiting. All the pain. All the suffering. It came down to this very day and this very moment. I’m to be his Queen.

  Faylen removed the covering from her indigo pillow to reveal a beautiful fine silver crown with small diamonds and sapphires twinkling through the swirling filigree. Rydel took the crown and gently placed it on Luana’s head.

  With the cloth wrapped around the couple’s hands, Rydel lifted a hand above each of their heads. “It is with great joy that I present to you King Baylin and Queen Luana.”

  The crowd erupted with applause, cheers and cries. Flower petals rained down from the balcony.

  Baylin leaned in and pressed his lips against Luana’s—their warmth sending a shockwave of emotion through her. Her unshed tears could no longer hold off, and she began to cry tears of joy as he kissed her.

  The couple came up for breath when they heard the sound of their son crying from the arms of his grandmother. The noise from the celebration had startled him.

  Luana reached out as Valasca passed the squirming boy to her. She held him close, Baylin pulling them both into his arms.

  Baylin leaned in and kissed Luana on the cheek, whispering in her ear. “I love you.”

  “And I, you,” Luana replied. She looked down at their son, who was calming down from the excitement. “Is this a public enough celebration to announce our son’s name?”

  Baylin cocked his head to the side, looking from Luana to the surrounding people, who were already beginning to take part in the festivities by drinking ale. “I believe this will be the perfect celebration. A celebration of our love.”

  Luana smiled warmly up at him.

  Baylin raised his hands. The horns blew out to signal the crowd needed to quiet.

  “My people,” King Baylin said, “it seems only fitting, with brothers and sisters from all the five corners of Wintervale present, to announce the naming of our son.”

  Low murmurs filled the room as people began to whisper in excitement.

  “As you all know, his naming celebration was marred by the war meant to destroy our bloodline,” Baylin continued. “However, our line is strong and we endured. We have come together as a unified Realm and will see joy and peace in the coming years. This is the legacy I give my son.”

  The crowd applauded; smiles shined across the faces of the guests.

  Luana held the baby close as Baylin wrapped an arm around her waist. When the crowd quieted, he continued. “Queen Luana and I would like to present Prince Elmond!”

  The crown erupted in cries. “Long may he reign! Long may he reign!”

  Luana sighed, thinking of what her life had become. She had grown from a little girl who played with a little boy in a goat field to a young woman providing for her family. She went from being a slave, to a lover, to an Elven Princess and finally to a Queen. She kissed little Elmond on the top of his head. “Yes. Long may he reign.” She laid her head against Baylin’s shoulder, basking in the glow of her joy. “Long may we all reign.”

  THE END

  Enjoy this sneak peek of

  Hook’s Little Mermaid

  Book one in The Untold Stories series

  (Coming in 2016)

  Chapter One

  Most people know me as Captain James Hook, however, that is not my name. I was not always the mean, villainous creature that history has painted me to be. It may surprise you to find, that deep down, I am not wicked at all.

  My true name is Jameson Shaw. I grew up slaving aboard fishing ships; learning the ways of the sea and working my way up from a meager Cabin Boy all the way to Captain. I had dreams of bigger and better things, however I was quick to discover that there was not much money to be had in the fishing business. Such hard work with so little return! Honestly, it’s a wonder not all fishermen turn pirate eventually.

  So, having had enough of being broke, without a spare doubloon to my name, I threw out my fishing net and began flying my pirate flag aboard the Jolly Roger.

  I started out an honest pirate… well… honest enough. I had a code and I made my crew stick by it or walk the plank. We never robbed or hurt women nor children. We avoided bloodshed at all costs. I even made sure that we gave a little to the less fortunate from time to time.

  I had plenty of gold, the finest ship a pirate could ask for, and my crew respected me. I had it all!

  Until the day a little mermaid named Elynna came into my life.

  Let me tell you my untold story.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Author Suzanna Lynn is a full-time mom of three beautiful, energetic children and lives with her husband and children in a small town nestled in the deep rolling hills of Missouri.

  Growing up in the Ozarks, as a ch
ild Suzanna spent her days wandered the fields and woods surrounding her home. She would imagine them to be filled with fairies, dragons, and all number of creatures.

  Having not lost her childhood imagination, Suzanna has written numerous poems, songs and short stories that have won various awards. However, in 2014 she decided to stop wishing she could write a book, and made the dream a reality.

  She is the author of 'The Bed Wife Chronicles' and ‘The Untold Stories’ series’. She also has three other books in the works.

  ALSO BY SUZANNA LYNN

  The Bed Wife: A Novella (The Bed Wife Chronicles #1)

  The Heir: A Novel (The Bed Wife Chronicles #2)

  The Queen: A Novel (The Bed Wife Chronicles #3)

  Hook’s Little Mermaid (The Untold Stories #1) Coming 2016

  AUTHOR LINKS

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorSuzannaLynn

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSuzannaLynn

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Suzanna_Lynn

  Blog: http://catonthelap.blogspot.com