Winter Queen

by Erica Marie Hogan

  “The link stronger than ever before.” Brae swallowed. “Sometimes I don’t understand, but I know it’s Mirae.”

  The Winter Queen lowered her hand. “Yes.”

  “But there’s something else, something strange,” Brae continued, keeping her feet firm so the Queen couldn’t move around her. “As if there’s another presence alongside Mirae’s, watching out for me, filling me with strange senses, I’ve never felt before.”

  The Winter Queen said nothing, just stared at her. Brae took a deep breath and pushed on.

  “I feel as if my sister, my big sister who protected me and watched over me for all those years we grew up, is with me also. But ... but that’s not possible, is it? She died in the Gracian Wood five years ago, her body never to be found. She couldn’t be alive ... could she?”

  The Winter Queen looked in her eyes. “Is that truly what you believe, Brae Jandry?”

  “Have I reason to believe anything else? I have been given no other proof, I have been offered no other explanation. Mirae has risen, declaring herself the rightful heir to Nfaros ... is that not proof enough she saw our sister die in the Gracian Wood?”

  “You ask me this, yet you already know the answers. I see the truth in your eyes, Brae Jandry, as you have seen the truth in mine.”

  Brae held her breath, her heart thundering so loud she could hear nothing else as the Winter Queen reached for the golden chain around her neck. Slowly, she slid the golden dragon from beneath her collar. The ruby eyes glared up at Brae, identical to her own necklace. Gasping, Brae fell to her knees, tears streaming her cheeks. She kissed her sister’s hand.

  “Your Majesty, Adlae Sundragon, Queen of Nfaros, Winter Queen, and Sword Maiden of Sunkai,” she rasped, her shoulders trembling as she fought sobs.

  Looking up she smiled, seeing her sister behind the mask of the Winter Queen. Seeing the woman who had raised her after their mother’s death shining through the icy blue eyes that had once been as sharp and bright as emeralds.

  “My sister, my dear heart. You’ve come back to me.”

  “Now let the world know,” Adlae whispered bending to kiss Brae’s forehead. “Your sister, the true heir to the throne of Nfaros, the true Sundragon, still lives. She is Winter, and she has come to free you all.”

  “Something’s happened.” Raphaela’s voice brought Roderick up short.

  He turned in the saddle, gripping the reins tighter. Raphaela was his constant companion and advisor; the only one he knew he could trust besides Damari. Since she’d joined the Eventide Sisters, her magic had grown and assisted him in more ways than any would know or understand. But now, as he looked into her dark eyes and saw the twist of her lips, he was afraid to know what she knew.

  “What do you mean?” he grumbled, turning his back to proceed through the Lower Village to the docks.

  The people scrambled out of his way, keeping their heads down or their eyes averted. He had heard the whispers on the streets already though, no matter how quiet they were. Already Roderick knew the people in the Lower Village spoke of loyalty to Mirae Sundragon. Some even spoke of loyalty to Brae Sundragon, which served only to heat his ire. The throne was completely out of Brae’s reach, and the people could not change the law, no matter how they wished to.

  “There is a surge in the city, a power unknown to me.” Raphaela stood up in her stirrups as if she could stretch high enough to see over the tops of the buildings all around them. “But this power is strong, Roderick. Very strong.”

  He frowned. “Do you know where it comes from?”

  “Close to the Blood Keep.” Raphaela turned to him, eyes wide. “The Winter Queen.”

  Roderick’s back stiffened, and he turned to his guard quickly. “Return to the Blood Keep and assure the Winter Queen’s safety in the castle. Do not return to me until you’ve found her.”

  “This is something I cannot control, Roderick.” Raphaela reached between them, grasping his sleeve in her gloved hand. “But I know Brae Jandry has played a part in this surge, I am certain. Will you allow me to do what I must? As we discussed?”

  Roderick hesitated, his mind tumbling with the consequences of Raphaela’s request. If he let her go through with her desire, if he let her take action against Brae Jandry without proof, then the entire city could turn against him. The Lower Village was already whispering on the streets, spreading rumors and disloyalty among his people. Some of the disease had even started to spread to his noblemen, and if he lost their support, he lost half his army.

  But the consequences of not acting against Brae Sundragon could be calamitous. Roderick straightened his shoulders, reaching up to press his crown securely on his head. Grinning, he looked at his sister and saw a familiar sparkle in her eye.

  “Of course, sister. You have my permission to do whatever is necessary.”

  Tall, crisp green grass swayed over the endless plains, rippling like ocean waves in the chill winter wind. The sky seemed brighter here—a deep blue ceiling stretching as far as one could see. There wasn’t a tree in sight, not for miles, and it was now strange for her to see. Trees had become a part of her life, her natural roof—the forest her home. Mirae tightened the belt around her waist, holding her coat together firmly while the fur cloak Jaeger had offered weighed heavily on her shoulders, keeping her body warmth radiating all around her.

  Soon these fields would be covered with thick layers of white snow, draping Nfaros in splendor. Mirae had seen many a beautiful winter when she was a child, but those memories were quickly disappearing behind the years she’d spent sheltered in the Woodlands, void of winter’s storm. But now the Winter Queen had come. The wind was alive, and Mirae knew the snow wouldn’t be long coming.

  All the more reason for us to make haste over the plains. We cannot be trapped on these flatlands when the storm hits. Mirae shuddered, more than ever wishing she’d gone back into Quintaria one more time to coax Astra from her hiding place. Jaeger hadn’t wanted the risk, instead sending Griyer, who hadn’t returned in time before they left. Mirae hated the feeling of leaving some of her people behind, but at the time she thought she had to.

  Now she wanted to turn around and ride back to the city, throw Astra over her horse and carry her by force back to the plains. But the woman clearly didn’t want to follow them, not yet, and Mirae couldn’t waste time waiting for her. Brecken was on his way; she knew by the fear she felt in Brae. What she had to worry about now were these treacherous plains. The Kliat could be a beautiful place but was shielded with snares that could kill a man while he slept. Astra would be valuable on these flatlands, but she and Jaeger would have to band the people together and do what they could according to the lessons Astra had taught them. They were without their Prophetess. Mirae would simply have to accept the loss.

  Thunder danced beneath her, his nostrils flaring as the crisp air excited him. Mirae cooed softly, soothing him and stroking his neck gently. He had been unsettled ever since they left the city, just as all her people had. They looked at her strangely with curious and wary glances that spoke of their wavering faith in her. Jaeger glared at anyone who looked at her twice, and Mirae tried to calm her second as best she could. He sensed the tension in the camp, the fear that came with the knowledge they were being followed by the king’s army. They would only be safe when they reached the Pilvaa, which could take days longer than they could afford. But they had to try. At least now, they were a step ahead.

  Mirae lightly pressed her heels into Thunder’s sides, urging him forward through the camp. The men were erecting tents in a perfect circle while the women prepared the herbs and children used stones they’d collected in the forest to create a ring around the entire campsite. Once the stones were laid, the women would sprinkle the crushed herbs around the camp and speak the words Astra had taught them. Mirae never understood how the process created the shield, but the preparations always worked. She could only hope
it would again, even without Astra.

  Jaeger rode up beside her, astride his tall gray-speckled gelding, holding out a wide-rimmed stone cup of wine. Mirae smiled her thanks, taking it from him to gulp down half before she handed the cup back. Jaeger swallowed the rest. Grumbling under his breath, he readjusted his cloak on his shoulders.

  “It’s been two days and still no sign of Astra,” Jaeger said what she’d been thinking. “The shield won’t last against Black Ones long, Mirae.”

  “I know,” Mirae answered. “I am counting on them staying beneath the shelter of the trees.”

  “Black Ones go where the Abyss guides them,” Jaeger snarled. “After the sun sets they do not need shelter. The closer we come to the Pilvaa, the danger increases for all of us, Mirae.”

  “I am aware, Jaeger!” Mirae snapped, pulling up short. “The closer we come to the Pilvaa the more danger, and we need Astra in order to survive! But Astra was far from lucid when I left her in Quintaria, and she would be no use to any of us if she were here now!”

  “Keats rode in from Quintaria today. He was scouting the woods, and he saw Brecken Jandry leading his armies through the Aulend.”

  “The Aulend?” Mirae’s eyes widened. “He was going around; he was going to take the road through the Night Wood!”

  “He took the Aulend road, Mirae.”

  “Which means he’s even closer than we anticipated.” Mirae shuddered, rubbing her arms. “We need to move at first light, Jaeger. We can’t waste a moment.”

  “Your tent is ready, little one.” Jaeger reached out to squeeze her shoulder. “Go rest. You have been riding since dawn.”

  He started to ride ahead of her, the breeze tugging on his cloak.

  “Jaeger!” she called, and he looked over his shoulder at her. “Stay close ... and be ready.”

  Mirae lay on her back on the cot, her sword hilt gripped in both hands where the weapon rested across her body. The wind howled against the walls of the tent, trying to bend the cloth to its will; trying to knock the shelter down. Staring up at the ceiling, she listened to the sounds coming from outside. The low ring of the shield pulsing with magic all around them and the rough swoosh of the tall grass covering the plains. The horses were restless tonight, sensing the tension of their masters.

  Mirae shifted, tracing the jewels in her sword hilt with her fingertips. Her father ordered the blade to be made by his personal swordsmith, inlaying the hilt with jewels from her mother’s necklaces. Having the sword with her made her feel close to both her parents, even though she’d never known her mother. Adlae had fascinated her as she grew up with stories of Zelaria Sundragon and her home in the Shadow Lands. Those stories gave her a thirst for more knowledge of the woman who’d died giving birth to her. Mirae wanted to visit those lands all her life, but her father never allowed her to do so.

  Your place is in Sunkai, your duty to the people here. Vihaan Sundragon had said the twentieth time she’d asked him if she could go. I will not hear any more requests for this, Mirae! Your mother is dead, and the Shadow Lands are forbidden to you. You will never see that place—do you understand?

  Mirae sighed. Even after all these years, she still hadn’t been able to visit the lands where her mother grew up. Her training began the day Jaeger discovered she was the last remaining Sundragon who could take the throne. Traveling across Nfaros was not an option for her. Mirae was content then, but now as she traveled further north, the desire to cross the border into the Shadow Lands was coming over her like a heavy weight.

  The country was the only thing about her mother she could truly know. More than anything, she missed curling up at night with Adlae and falling asleep to her older sister’s tales of their mother, who had loved them all until the day she died.

  Which was a mere three days after I was born. Mirae winced, wondering if her father always blamed her for her mother’s death. There had always been tension between them—words left unspoken, and she’d hated it. But perhaps her father had just hated her.

  He didn’t hate me. My father loved me, no matter the difficulties between us. Mirae scolded herself, combing her fingers through her hair. She readjusted herself on the cot.

  Vihaan Sundragon had been a good father and a great king, but during the last few years of his reign, something changed. The difference was the reason Roderick Kael had been able to slither into the hearts of people once loyal to Vihaan. The reason they had turned against the king they now pined for. But Vihaan Sundragon’s secrets died with him, and Mirae knew they would never know the answers.

  Mirae didn’t know how long she lay there in the dark, but her eyes had just begun to grow heavy when she heard the first shriek. She sat up, twisting the sword in her hand and rising quickly. She walked calmly across the tent where the flaps waved wildly in the sudden gusts of wind streaming through the shield. Mirae stepped out, her short hair flying up all around her face as she walked to the center of the camp. The stars were hidden beneath the black cloud that slid its way over the dome of their shield—the only light in their camp the torches blazing on the stakes outside each tent.

  Jaeger was at her side moments later, Lara and Onix following him. Mirae twirled the sword in her hand, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the shield. The Black Ones thrust themselves against it, light shooting up every time they hit just like they had in the forest. Mirae swallowed, her stomach swirling when she heard Jaeger draw his sword.

  “It won’t be long,” Jaeger murmured. “The shield is too weak without Astra as an anchor.”

  “I did everything I could remember!” Ahmet exclaimed breathlessly as he came running up to them. “But Astra taught me nothing more than what we’ve done! I know only if you strike them in the throat or heart, they will disappear. All other strikes will not weaken them.”

  “Is there any way to keep the children safe, Ahmet?” Lara bit her lip, bouncing on her feet. Her bow was gripped tightly in her fist, and she reached for an arrow from the quiver on her back.

  “Everyone must guard themselves tonight. Keep the children in their tents, out of sight.” Ahmet shook his head, lifting both his swords from his back. “We will just have to keep the Black Ones away from them.”

  “There are enough of us.” Mirae swiped her tongue across her lips to wet them. “We can keep them back, can’t we, Jaeger?”

  She looked to her second. Jaeger smiled before turning so they were back to back. Lara and Onix took the same stance while Ahmet strode down the line of tents, calling all the men to defend their families. Mirae took a deep breath, raising her blade as she waited.

  A long, clawed, black arm reached through the shield, making it crackle. The shrill scream of the Black One chilled her skin, trembling her insides. Mirae gasped when the arm extended to a shoulder, the shield emitting a thick, black leg next before the entire creature thrust himself through.

  Lara stumbled back, but Mirae reached out, steadying her. Her heart raced as she watched the creature rise slowly, his bald head glittering against the glow of the torches and his murky eyes glaring at her. Sharp teeth protruded from between cracked and bleeding lips when he screamed, charging. Lara loosed an arrow, but the projectile did little to stop the mass of evil heading toward them.

  Mirae raised her sword and plunged forward—where the strength came from unknown to her as she thrust the sword directly into the creature’s heart. He squealed, his claws closing around her blade before he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. A strangled cry vibrated in her throat, and she stared at the thick black blood dripping from her sword, evidence the thing had been real.

  Suddenly, the ground trembled and a rumble filled the air. Light flashed, which filled the night with a deafening crash. Mirae’s feet left the ground, and she flew backward, slamming into the ground and sliding. Her head swam. She stared at the sky, watching as the dome protecting them pulled back like a curtain, dissolving in a bright white
light within moments. Ahmet cursed, Lara screamed, and the camp exploded in chaos.

  Mirae forced herself to her feet, tearing her cloak from her shoulders. She ran forward, swinging her sword aimlessly as the creatures came flooding into her camp. Their screams drowned any other sound. Smoke overwhelmed her senses, and she spun. One of the tents had gone up in flames, men and women rushing to try to put the fire out before it spread through the camp. Turning she twirled her sword over her head, thrusting down just in time to take the head of one of the creatures. Mirae cut her way through the hoards, seeing nothing but shadows as black blood sprayed across her face, staining her clothes.

  “Mirae!” Lara’s scream brought her around.

  Her heart stopped; the world slowed all around her. One of the creatures was bent over Lara, his claw raised to thrust into her heart. Mirae’s feet stumbled as she raced forward with a cry, her sword raised when suddenly she slipped. She fell flat on her face before turning, her sword out of reach. She stared up into horrible yellow eyes. Mirae closed hers, ready for death when a shrill whistle filled the air.

  The Black Ones shrieked, all of them dissolving in one stroke of white light. Mirae covered her ears from the sounds, searching for the source of this defense—the source of this magic. A moment later, silence filled the camp. Women and children crept from their tents cautiously. The men looked all around, lowering their swords to their sides.

  Mirae rose slowly to her feet. The silence didn’t last long; moans filled the air. Men were strewn across the ground, groaning in agony from their wounds and drawing the women into action. The camp bustled; people put out the fires caused by the Black Ones, gathered the wounded into what used to be her council tent. Shuddering, she lifted her sword from the ground and turned to rush to Lara where she lay trembling on the ground.

  “Are you hurt?” Mirae asked, falling to her knees beside her friend.