The Crown Prophecy

by M. D. Laird

  “I have been angry and hateful towards you, and I have denied your love because I blamed you for my agony. I know that is unfair of me and I don’t believe that, but sometimes the evil part of me takes over. That probably makes no sense. It probably makes less sense when I tell you that I do love you, I love you very much, and the thought of you with anyone else cuts me to the core. Despite that, I can’t give myself to you. So much of me is dealing with getting through every day without losing myself in my grief that I just have nothing more to give.”

  Eve wiped the tears that had streamed down her cheeks before she threw her arms around his neck. He put his arms around her and held her. “Oh Calab,” she said. “I am so sorry. I’m sorry for everything that has happened to you and for everything that I’ve done. I’ve been pushing you and sniping at you, you told me it was complicated, and I should’ve accepted that. Instead, I was awful to you.”

  He wiped the tears from her eyes. “Hey,” he said softly. “I’m not innocent. I have used you and treated you appallingly, I almost knocked you unconscious and frightened you half to death so don’t feel too sorry for me.”

  She smiled at him. “I forgive you.”

  “I don’t deserve it.”

  “Yes, you do.” He nuzzled into her shoulder.

  They curled up on her bed, and he told her about his wife and his girls. He shared his memories of his girl’s first words, the funny things they did, their stroppy teenage years, and told her about when they grew up and found love of their own. Sometimes he laughed, sometimes he cried and sometimes he said nothing and enjoyed a private memory. When he finished, he pulled Eve tightly to into his arms and kissed her head.

  “Those are beautiful memories,” she said. “I’m honoured that you shared them with me.”

  “They are more precious to me than any book. As much as I struggle with my feelings, I never want to lose them again. I never want to lose my love for my family again.”

  She kissed his cheek before holding him once more. “For the record, I don’t think you’re ugly.”

  “Of course, you don't.”

  “I don’t, you have a beautiful smile.”

  He pulled away from her and gazed into her eyes, perhaps looking for a flicker of insincerity. Finding none, he pulled her back into his embrace. “Love to faults is always blind,” he said, quoting Blake.

  “Always is to joy inclin’d,” she replied. He chuckled and kissed her hair. She lay her head on his chest and allowed the rhythmic thrumming of his heart to soothe her to sleep.

  Eve awoke in Calab’s arms. She winced at the pain in her head, but for the first time in a long time, her heart felt lighter. He stirred.

  “Good morning.” He smiled at her, but his smile turned into a frown when he looked at her face.

  “I’m sure it looks worse than it feels, it’s not too bad.”

  “I don’t deserve to be made to feel better,” he said. “You should make me suffer.”

  “Perhaps I shall take you to Lycea on my next shopping trip and drag you around all the shops and make you carry my purchases.”

  “You’re a cruel mistress, Your Majesty.”

  “It does seem rather harsh. Perhaps I could just insist on you calling me by my name instead.”

  “It’s not the way things are done here, I’ll be strung up.”

  “Maybe when no one else is around.”

  He smiled shyly. “I’ll compromise and call you Genevieve; mostly because it’s a very pretty name and I rarely have the occasion to say it.”

  She smirked at him. “Deal,” she said, resting her head on his chest and listening to his heart thrum for a few more minutes. “You were right about Will.”

  “Don’t listen to me. I was jealous and cruel.”

  “It is unfair of me, though.”

  “He is capable of his own thoughts and making his own decisions. He makes you happy and maybe one day I can be the one that makes you happy, but for now—enjoy your love.”

  After Calab had left, Eve moved to study her reflection. She had a hand print shaped bruise across her cheek, a small puncture wound below her ear where a claw had caught her and a lump in her hair from the fireplace. It was not a pretty sight, and though she managed to cover most of it with make-up, she knew the thorian would not be easily fooled. She hoped they would fade in time for the CRM the following week. In the meantime, she planned to feign illness and stay in bed. She told her staff she did not wish to be disturbed and asked for meals to be brought to her room.

  She thought of what Calab had told her about his essence. His essence was pure evil, but he still strived to be good—even in the face of torment. She felt he was worthy of a chance of redemption.

  The Christmas ball fast approached, and to Eve’s mind, it was a merrier affair than the awkwardness and loneliness she had felt the previous year. She attended with Will and the seven Impærielas who had accepted the invitation including Lord Ezra who flanked Queene Orrla. The Impærielas initially kept to themselves and appeared shy. However, after several drinks, they warmed to the other guests, and they actually laughed and joked with the hominem instructors who had been delivering their combat training.

  “I never thought I’d live to see the day,” said Mikæl over Eve’s shoulder, “the Impærielas attending our party and making moves on the fae queene. You’re an influence, Your Majesty.”

  She grinned at him. “A good or a bad influence?”

  “I’ll decide which at the end of the evening.” He gave her a mischievous wink and continued his mingling amongst the other guests. Will smiled at her before inviting her to dance. They danced closely until the same quartet from the previous year assembled on stage.

  “May I borrow our queen, Guardian?” asked Calab. Will eyed him curiously. It was the first time he had seen the demon who had kidnapped his father since that day many years ago. He had learned that Calab had taken care of Eve and saved her life on more than one occasion and although he professed no love, he no longer held a grudge.

  “Of course,” said Will, handing Eve’s hand to Calab who bowed towards him.

  “May I have this dance, Your Majesty?” Calab asked, bowing towards her.

  “You may,” she curtsied.

  “You look beautiful, Genevieve,” he said, leading her into the dance.

  “And you look very handsome.”

  He smirked at her. “You never said when we were going shopping.”

  “You want to come shopping?”

  “Why not,” he said. “I could do with familiarising myself with the overpriced coffee industry for when the time comes.”

  She smiled. “Next week then, I shall send you a note. While we’re speaking of employment, how would you like to be a librarian?”

  “A librarian?”

  “Yes, we’ve commissioned three public libraries, one each for Eurasia, Laurentia and Laurasia. They are scheduled to be open by the middle of February, and I wondered if you would like to be in charge of running them? You’d have staff of course, and we can negotiate your salary at the next CRM.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “Would I have a say in what books are held?”

  “You’ll have a budget; you can order what you like.”

  “The Demon Librarian,” he mused. “It sounds like a book title. I may write that tale and shelve it under YA fiction.”

  Eve laughed, more at the thought of him knowing what YA fiction was. “So you’ll take it?”

  “Of course. I’d love to, thank you. I should hand you back to your guardian now. Send word of our road trip.”

  Eve rolled her eyes. “What on earth have you been reading during your retirement?” He gave her his heartbreaking smile and handed her over to Will.

  “Thank you, Prince,” said Will, bowing slightly.

  “It is Librarian now, Guardian.” Calab smirked and gave an exaggerated bow before walking away.

  Will gave her a weak smi
le. “You’re in love with him,” he murmured, “and he is in love with you.”

  Her smile faltered, and she broke his gaze. “There is nothing between us,” she said, “only friendship. I did want something more, before us, but nothing came of it, and now I am happy with you.”

  He nodded slowly and continued to waltz her around the floor. “You’ll be around long after I am gone,” he said. “I should be happy that there may be someone waiting to make you happy—even if he is a demon.”

  “Don’t think like that,” said Eve gently. He shook his head and said nothing more.

  The training continued despite the cold weather and Eve had bundled up with multiple layers in an attempt to keep out the cold. They were moving on from hand-to-hand combat and were starting with the first of their weapons. Some targets had been set up in the training ground of various sizes and distances, and they had to hit them with a bow and a crossbow. Eve had felt more confident trying the bow after she had taken down a deer on her first attempt during a hunt in the fae realm. Nevertheless, she was shocked to find that she managed to get the hang of it immediately and hit far more targets than anyone else with both the bow and the crossbow, including a good number of bullseyes. Eve beamed when the instructors made a point of telling her that she was a natural at the end of the session.

  The training session was followed by the final CRM of the year. Eve arrived at the Guild of the Crown which was situated beside the building commissioned to be the public library. She spent a few minutes in awe of the alchemical architects manipulating the metal and rock to form the walls of the Eurasian library. She had been surprised to learn that the exterior would take the team of architects only a few days to complete, and much of the time spent completing the works, would be on the interior, and now she could see why. She could see how alchemists could have easily formed the mountain ranges and hills of Anaxagoras.

  The meeting commenced with its usual routine of ratifying minutes and following the agenda regarding spending. Calab’s salary was negotiated, and she gave a small smile when the leads were quite generous with their offers when they realised it would be Calab who would be running the libraries. This also alarmed Eve and she was suddenly struck with the consequences that Calab had warned her about. The rulers argued and complained about the spending to provide sanitation for the Arkazatine people, they had even grumbled about the cost of the libraries. Yet when it came to Calab’s salary—their friend’s salary—they were very generous with Thalia making the greatest contribution despite her unwillingness to make a more significant contribution to public spending.

  The thought sickened her. Thalia had also been more than happy to pay Eve’s mortgage—the queen’s mortgage—and had given her an expensive book but remained vehemently opposed to contributing more than any other order despite the Procnatus’ great wealth. Eve was more alarmed when she realised that she had thought of Calab for the role of the head librarian, and it had not occurred to her to advertise and interview for the position. She had just offered it to her friend. Yes, he needed a break and was perfect for the post, but who else in Arkazatinia was perfect for the job? Who else needed employment? Who else needed the opportunity for a new start? The realisation made Eve nauseous, and she had to push her feelings aside to continue with the rest of the agenda.

  In addition to spending, the alliance also discussed the issues regarding the dark alchemists and the witches. There had been only rumours so far and no confirmed sightings, even by the scouts who still kept watch over the witches. It was agreed that the scout team would be increased. Avalon had very little information on known dark alchemists; the last alchemist they detained had refused to tell them anything before he was executed for treason and they had no other leads.

  The rulers agreed they should start stocking up on weaponry in the event of an attack and Eve placed an order for swords and daggers with the alchemical blacksmiths and for bows, crossbows, weapon and ammunition sheaths, leather and metal armour, jackets, pants and boots with the hominem.

  Following the CRM, Eve and Lord Ezra met with the hominem patriarchs who advised her that the instructors would be moving onto swordplay in the New Year and that would conclude their basic training. The Impærielas would be expected to train on their own to maintain skills and fitness although the hominem would still provide instructors on a less regular basis to teach advanced skills. The instructors agreed to help Eve and Ezra to form the Impærielas into an army. Having worked so closely with them, they could identify who would be best suited to particular styles of combat and identify teams and leaders.

  “The Impærielas have never spent so much money,” said Ezra to Eve after the meeting concluded. Eve gave him an apologetic smile. “It’s a good thing, It is long overdue. We can still be a peaceful people and defend ourselves if necessary.”

  “Calab would say, Si vis pacem, para bellum.”

  “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Ezra chuckled. “It is a little extreme for the Impærielas, but I respect the sentiment.”

  Eve smiled. “Perhaps,” she said. “But it is better we are prepared. We have enough money. I spoke to the Treasurer this morning, and he reluctantly agreed that the Treasury was robust enough to accommodate some additional spending.”

  Ezra smiled at her. “We?” he said, “I think that’s the first time you have said that, Your Majesty.”

  She winced. It was true that she had never felt a part of their community and never thought of herself as Impærielas—it was always them and her. She was human, and they were Impærielas. “I think I was quite difficult when I first joined your order, I think I still am. I know I don’t have enough respect for your traditions, but I am trying.”

  “Yes, you were certainly difficult, and you still are.” He grinned. “But, as you have said, Arkazatinia wouldn’t have sent us an outlander queen if it did not want changes to be made. I never thought I would see the day when I would associate with other Arkazatines and never imagined I would enjoy their company nor did I think I would be glad.”

  “I appreciate you saying so, I’m sure not everyone agrees with your assessment, though.”

  “No, Mother is furious at me for my friendship with Queene Orrla and at you for encouraging our attendance at the Procnatus party as we have never observed the Festival of Peace. She spoke to Lady Ariana about displacing you as the queen and the Crown.”

  “Really?” said Eve. “Was Lady Ariana displeased? She has not voiced any concerns to me.”

  “She was reticent as always and simply stated that it was Arkazatinia’s will that you should be the queen and the Crown,” he said. “You’re not angry with my mother, are you? I probably should not have said anything.”

  “No, of course not,” said Eve. “I do seem to be going against popular opinion on everything, though, except the army. Perhaps I should try harder to respect the traditions.”

  “We have been accustomed to our way of life for so long, and your ways seem alien to us,” he said. He paused for a moment and avoided her gaze. “I know it is not my place to say, but… No, I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

  “What is it, Lord Ezra?”

  Ezra scratched his face while he chose his words; then said, “I don’t mean any offence.”

  “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  “Many people feel that your personal relationships are a little…inappropriate.”

  “Inappropriate how?”

  “Well…Mr Farley is mortal, and a relationship with him is somewhat…well, it cannot go anywhere,” he said. “However, people are more concerned about your relationship with the former Asmodeus prince. We are learning to adjust and to be more inclusive, but to have our queen romantically involved with a demon is just…well, many people won’t understand.

  “I’m not criticising. I can see why you have affection for him and really it is no different from Queene Orrla and me, except that…you’re the queen.” Eve turned her gaze to the floor. She knew th
at the Impærielas thought this. She had seen the glances and glares and heard the whispers and rumours. It did not make listening to Ezra any easier. “Your Majesty,” he continued, “I know this is not what you want to hear, but the community feels it needs to be said. As a queen, you need to be seen in a certain light and your relationships expose you—and the Impærielas—to ridicule. You have refused before, but I ask you to consider my offer to find you a suitable match within the Impærielas community.”

  “Lord Ezra, I cannot marry someone I do not love.”

  “Perhaps you’ll learn to love them,” he said. “The Impærielas are good people and Impærielas men make good husbands.”

  “I am like the other thorian, Lord Ezra; I can give no one an heir.”

  “Perhaps that situation will rectify itself once you have a good marriage.”

  “I do understand what you are saying, Lord Ezra,” she said. “It’s just that I cannot rid myself of my feelings for either Will or Calab and I cannot marry someone I do not love. Perhaps my relationships and your relationship with Queene Orrla won’t invite ridicule; perhaps they demonstrate tolerance and equality.”

  He gave a small smile. “I promised the community council I would speak to you about this,” he said. “Please don’t think this is personal. I actually agree with you. I think things need to change a little for our race to survive. We have been stuck in our ways for too long. It is time we allied with the other Arkazatines.

  “You were right, we have always expected the rest of Arkazatinia to protect us and gave no thought for our own defence. If we had taken more responsibility, perhaps the dark alchemists would not have been able to infiltrate our order and perhaps we could have taken a stand against the Imperator. They targeted us because we were a weak link and they had easy access to the Crown once that link was broken. That cannot be allowed to happen again, and we must accept changes. Those changes take different forms. I did not see it at first as I was stubborn, but I do see it now… Though a demon and the queen…that will take a lot of getting used to.” She smiled at him as they climbed into the vector and made their way to the guild with her angel and demon guards in tow.