Winter Queen

by Erica Marie Hogan

  Mirae’s eyes fluttered, and she sat up sharply, holding the rough woolen blanket against her chest. Sweat glistened on her bare shoulders, cooling her skin. Astra crouched beside the fire, feeding it with twigs as she hummed a tune Mirae didn’t know. Probably one of her native songs. She often sang those, though she refused to speak of where she’d come from.

  Except there were trees there. Always trees, no place was without them. Mirae sighed, reaching for her clothes.

  “You were overcome with the fevers,” Astra commented without looking away from the fire. “Be not angry with me for removing your garments, no? I will ne’er take them from you again.”

  Her thick accent was still strange to Mirae, one of the many she could not place and didn’t think she ever would. Shaking her head, she quickly changed back into her clothes, weaving up the back of her bodice as fast as she could manage.

  “How long did I sleep?” Mirae asked, frowning at the bandages wrapped around her hands.

  “Not long. The moon has only just risen to its peak.” Astra waved a hand to the ceiling. “Pain you will not feel from your wounds, no. They will heal by sun’s first light.”

  “Thank you,” Mirae muttered, rising to pull on her boots. “When did the rain stop?”

  “The droplets ceased when you first slept.” Astra hummed. “The darkness falls heavy upon the forest tonight, Mirae Sundragon. Return to your circle, before the Black Ones come.”

  “Black Ones?” Mirae paused tying the strings of her cloak at her neck. She’d heard Astra refer to many strange things which supposedly roamed these woods, but never Black Ones.

  “Serve the one who fights the Creator they do.” Astra looked up at her with those pools of silver. “You do not know Black Ones?”

  “You mean Wraith Spawn?” Mirae laughed softly. “Those creatures are from children’s tales, Lady Astra. You know that as well as I.”

  “With these eyes you see, yet you believe in little.” Astra sighed heavily, shaking her head. “No use to you, I am, without faith.”

  “You are of great importance to me, Lady Astra, and I thank you.” Mirae smiled, reaching out a hand to the woman. “I hope we can be friends.”

  “A valuable thing, friends.” Astra perked up at the word. “This we will be.”

  Mirae shook her head before backing away, maintaining the respect Astra was due. She bowed low at the waist before ducking out of the tent, pulling her hood up as she made a run for the circle. Once she was within the border of the tents, she looked back, only in time to see Astra’s two guards duck into the tent, where they were shielded from the night magic.

  Mirae didn’t think she’d ever comprehend the powers in these woods at night, but Astra knew them well and countered them with the power given her by the Creator. Not all were blessed with the purest powers that belonged to Astra. Some were embodied with a darkness they could never overcome. She didn’t know why the Creator didn’t cleanse them of it, but she did know there was darkness in the world; a darkness that would combat the Creator, perhaps until the end of time.

  “Your Majesty.” Griyer rushed up to her as soon as she entered the circle, Jaeger and Lara close on his heels. “There is a shadow approaching.”

  “A shadow?” Mirae frowned, pushing back her hood as they gathered all around her. “What are you talking about?”

  “You must come into the safety of your tent, Mirae,” Lara urged, gripping her arm to guide her away. “The circle protects us, but we are safer out of the shadow’s sight.”

  “What shadow? Jaeger, tell me what you’re talking about please!” Mirae tugged on his sleeve.

  “We have told you, there are many dangerous mysteries in these woods, Mirae. Many things that threaten the world, in its entirety,” Jaeger murmured.

  Mirae frowned, shaking her head. She had opened her mouth to speak when suddenly she was lifted off her feet. The ground trembled as she fell flat on her back, staring up at the sky. All breath left her lungs, stilling her body. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming as she watched the black cloud curl over the sky, shadowing the stars from view as it billowed like smoke over the dome of their circle.

  Gasping, she sat up, staring at the border of the circle. Flashes of light burst against their shield as black creatures slammed into it, shrieking and wailing every time they hit but still coming. Mirae had heard these sounds before, but she never ventured out to see, never let herself believe they were something more than a nightmare. But now, watching as this shadow fell upon the entire camp, Mirae knew the dark creatures of the Woodlands were real, as Jaeger had warned her all this time.

  “Jaeger ... what are they?” Mirae rasped as he pulled her to her feet, dragging her toward her tent.

  “They are the Black Ones.”

  “Wraith Spawn? That’s impossible! They’re a myth!” Mirae shouted as the wails grew louder, filling her ears and drowning out all other sounds.

  “Mirae!” Jaeger snarled as he shoved her into her tent. Stumbling through she turned to face him, her chest heaving and her eyes wide as he shouted at her above the noise. “There are no myths!”

  Then he disappeared into the darkness.

  Damari’s hands moved with lightning speed as she laced up the back of her dress. The garment was thin, no ornaments or beading, just a simple black robe she could move in with ease to her destination. The Winter Queen would be waiting for her near the gate as they planned. They would go to the tavern, where Brae had agreed to meet with them in secret. Strange, not meeting in the barracks, but if Brae was correct in thinking Brecken suspected her of conspiracy, then best Damari’s visits to their quarters cease. She had feared this, but there was no help for the situation. For the sake of Noelle and Brae’s safety, this was the way things had to be, and Damari would do whatever necessary to see them live long happy lives.

  Safely out of the reach of my brother and sister. Damari sighed, her heart heavy as she settled her black cloak on her shoulders before fastening her sword to the leather belt framing her hips. She pressed her hands to the belt, frowning at the panther’s face that stared back at her from the buckle. Damari hated the panther, despite her father’s efforts to raise her to have pride every time she saw their family signet. She had never liked big cats, and panthers frightened her most of all. When she thought of panthers, she saw her sister’s dark eyes, pools of black liquid that could swallow you up in their depths and destroy you.

  A shudder rushed through her. Damari turned away from the mirror, reaching back to tug her golden tresses loose from the back of the cloak. Twisting the strands, she tied her thick rope of hair at the nape of her neck before lifting her hood as a cover. She pulled on her gloves and stepped from her chambers. Taking a sharp turn to the left, she made her way down the hall toward the back stairs leading her to the armory. Better if she went this way, where she didn’t risk running into Raphaela or Roderick taking a turn around the palace as they always did before bed. Her brother and sister often spoke in secret after dark before the bells rang out into the city, announcing curfew. Damari knew the visit would have to be quick; she couldn’t risk the Winter Queen’s well-being by keeping her out after the last bell. She’d seen her brother’s cruel glances at the ageless queen, and she didn’t like the looks. Damari knew with certainty the Keeper of Winter was not exempt from her brother’s laws, not in his mind at least. She wouldn’t risk her life, or winter’s coming, by endangering the queen any further than she herself would allow.

  The look in her eyes had been strange when she spoke of Brae Jandry. Every time they mentioned her name, there was a spark there. Damari had promised her they would meet with Brae, but it had been awhile before she’d been able to arrange the visit. After the Winter Queen’s walk through the city with Brecken Jandry the day before, Damari wondered if the meeting would even be possible. The city had been uneasy since then. The Winter Queen returned from the barrac
ks to the chambers appointed her in the Blood Keep and hadn’t stepped outside of her room for the rest of the day. Damari had worried for her, but she seemed well when she’d come down for the evening meal.

  At dinner, the young queen had passed her a note beneath the table, requesting they meet with Brae Jandry as soon as possible. Damari had been able to—after much trouble escaping her sister’s watchful eye—get word to Brae who had agreed to the meeting if they could gather in the tavern, due to some unexpected guests in her quarters.

  Damari didn’t know what that meant, and she hadn’t asked. Whatever happened in the privacy of Brae’s home was her business. But she did know Brecken had spent a night in the guardhouse—something that hadn’t happened in the five years they’d been married. Brecken hated the guardhouse—having to stand guard over the prisoners and sleep in one of the cots in the cells as though he were one of them. So, whoever the guests were, they must’ve caused a horrible rift between the couple to drive Brecken from his quarters. Damari only hoped the storm would calm between them. The last thing they needed was Brecken watching Brae even more closely than he already did. She didn’t know what she’d say if they were caught discussing their secrets in private. Raphaela and Roderick still believed her nightly walks were for her health, neither of them suspected her of treachery ... yet.

  Damari’s skirts rustled against the stone wall as she hurried down the stairs toward the armory. Pressing her hand to the wall for balance, Damari peeked around the corner to make sure none of the soldiers were loitering about before she hurried down the narrow hall. The hall was silent save for the scurry of a mouse or two as she disturbed them where they hid in dark corners. She shivered as she approached the door, the wind howling, creaking the hinges as she pulled back the rusty latch. Damari slipped from inside, locking the door securely behind her before she turned.

  She could see the Winter Queen at the gate, her staff in hand and her white cloak wrapped all around her frame, the hood up and hiding her vast amount of white hair beneath. The woman turned, sensing her presence as she approached. Damari almost stumbled. The youthful face and crystal eyes still startled her. Shaking off the shivers rushing over her skin, Damari quickly closed the distance between them.

  “You haven’t been waiting long, have you, Your Highness?” Damari bit her bottom lip.

  “No, young princess.” The Winter Queen smiled, gently patting her hand. “When do the bells ring?”

  “In another hour,” Damari replied. “We must be back before the last.”

  “Of course.” The Winter Queen waved a hand to the gate. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes.” Damari preceded her through the gate, smiling sweetly at the guard as she passed him by.

  “These guards do not question you walking the streets this late?” The Winter Queen asked softly.

  “They have become used to my habits. I cannot sleep without a long walk in the night air,” Damari said over her shoulder. “My brother has ordered them to disregard my nightly walks, even if I am out after the last bell. But I prefer not to be; being out late is not worth the questions my sister asks.”

  The Winter Queen nodded but said nothing more, her staff clicking quietly on the stone. Damari’s eyes darted back and forth, watching the streets for any unusual movement. The people were still milling about, but most were hustling their children into their homes or packing up their wares in anticipation of the bells. Damari sighed, glancing at the sky.

  One hour. Just one hour ... what does she hope to accomplish with Brae in such short a time? She knows I support the Sundragon. She knows I want Brae or Mirae back on the throne ... but what can we possibly hope to decide in an hour? Damari glanced over her shoulder at the queen. The woman’s face was a mask of serenity, nothing of what she was thinking or feeling in her eyes.

  Damari decided she shouldn’t try to figure out the woman. All that mattered was she was bringing a queen and a deposed princess together, and if they were discovered, they would all be killed. But if they weren’t, then they could become a force to be reckoned with. A force even her brother Roderick couldn’t stop.

  Adlae cupped her hands around the steaming mug of tea, watching as the Quintarian woman bustled back to the kitchen with her empty tray. Damari Kael fidgeted nervously, her eyes transfixed on the door. The corner of Adlae’s mouth twitched as she resisted a smile, thankful she wasn’t as anxious over seeing Brae as Damari seemed to be. The tavern was quiet now, most of the locals honoring the curfew and gathering in their own homes before even the first bell had rung. Looking around, there were only three others in the tavern now, all of them travelers. Two Kaldoners and one Draedinian, all of whom were waiting on the innkeeper to take them to their rooms. Adlae lowered her cup to the tabletop, observing the Draedinian where she sat in the corner.

  She wasn’t one of the Eventide Sisters; Adlae would’ve sensed if she was. But she certainly had the look of them with her long black hair and sun-kissed skin. But what marked her Draedinian were her lavender eyes. They darted all about the tavern, watching the two Kaldoner men warily and eyeing Adlae’s staff curiously. Adlae wondered if she even tasted the stew the Quintarian woman had put in front of her, so occupied was she with watching every person in the room. Adlae shook her head, turning her cup in a circle on the table. Damari watched her, glancing back at the kitchen doors.

  “Rufus and Analli won’t be able to keep their doors open much longer.” She fidgeted nervously. “The guards become uneasy if establishments aren’t locking up at the first bell.”

  “I am sure she will be here, Damari Kael,” Adlae murmured, lifting the cup to her lips. She breathed deeply, the mint filling her senses before she took a sip of the steaming liquid. “Brae Jandry would not go back on her word, would she?”

  “She never has.” Damari’s teeth bared in more of a snarl than a smile. “But there has been trouble between her and Brecken. I worry he may be watching her.”

  “If he is, then he will question her,” Adlae answered matter-of-factly. “If he does, I am sure Brae Jandry is intelligent enough to come up with a clever answer. We are doing nothing wrong, Damari Kael, except perhaps staying out after your brother the king’s curfew.”

  “I know,” Damari grumbled. “Forgive me, Your Highness, I worry too much.”

  “Indeed.” Adlae sipped her tea carefully, the mint filling her mouth and the liquid burning her tongue. “Has there been any news? I hear rumors in the Blood Keep that one of the Sundragon sisters is still alive.”

  “My brother has many spies. They say Mirae Sundragon is the one who stole that village just north of Sunkai. They say she has moved with her army of Woodland rebels toward Quintaria,” Damari explained and shrugged. “If it’s true and not some pretender easily defeated, then Nfaros will come to war.”

  “She has a large army?” Adlae whispered casually, looking over the rim of her teacup at the princess. She took another scalding sip.

  “They say it’s quite large.” Damari nodded. “That is why my brother and sister have been so uneasy. I fear they have not treated you as they should. You are, after all, a guest in the Blood Keep.”

  “Do not trouble yourself about that, Damari.” Adlae reached across, patting the woman’s hand lightly. “The king has his duty to fulfill, as do we all.”

  “Your Majesty, if I may.” Damari leaned over the table, lowering her voice. “Why do you want to meet with Brae Jandry? Did you ... know her ... before?”

  Adlae bowed her head, gently placing her cup on the table. “You do know asking me who I was before is an insult, do you not, Damari Kael?”

  “Yes. But some questions cannot be avoided. Not in the world we now live in,” Damari answered boldly.

  “It does not matter what the answer to this question is,” Adlae replied with a grimace. “I doubt she will know me.”

  Damari didn’t ask again, and Adlae was grateful. She would ne
ver be able to explain to this woman she was about to see her sister for the first time in five years. Not until the time was right, and she revealed herself to be the true heir to the throne. If what Damari said was true, and Mirae was out there proclaiming herself the heir, then Adlae had more obstacles than she believed in between her and her father’s throne. She hadn’t seen Mirae since the night they escaped; had been certain she didn’t survive the woods when Adlae couldn’t find her and didn’t know how Mirae would react if she knew Adlae was alive. She knew what years feeding the desire for revenge could do, and if Mirae was determined to have the throne, then she wouldn’t let anything stand in her way. Not even one of her own sisters.

  Adlae hummed softly, turning her teacup in slow circles on the table once again. Damari resumed her study of the door, waiting. They’d been sitting here for half an hour, waiting for Brae. Perhaps she couldn’t get away, perhaps she wasn’t coming. Adlae stiffened at the thought. This might be one of her only opportunities to leave the Blood Keep in the evening as the unrest in the north continued. Staring listlessly across the room, Adlae wondered what Roderick Kael would do about Mirae. Would he send an army after her? Or would he spy on her, trying to catch her alone so his assassins could go to work? Adlae shivered at the thought of those trained shadows going after her sister. But what worried her most were the people her sister ruled over.

  The Woodlands was a treacherous place, filled with dark magic and creatures Adlae had come to know well. Very often, the Abyss tried to pull her in with sweet words of eternal power and pleasures, but Adlae had clung to her Creator, even when the monsters of her childhood stories came to life before her very eyes. More than ever, she wished she had the council of her Prophetess. There were many of them, some spread out in the Woodlands, others finding homes in the Ice Mountain caves. But there was one for each city, one for each part of the world that needed their Sight. Whether Tree Prophets or Mountain Prophets, they all carried the same gift, they all offered the same foresight. Adlae certainly could have used their guidance now.