Page 18 of The Final Battle

“What about you? I’m sure you also have your chosen favorites in the castle who provide more than one service?“ I challenged, meeting her gaze. “We queens always have to be a few steps ahead of the men around us, don’t you agree? Sometimes, they just don’t see what truly needs to be done or handled a certain way. One might even say they’re too soft or rigid in their thinking.“

“My, my, I’m not sure we’re good enough friends for me to admit something like that in such company,“ Queen Catharine answered, glancing at her children.

I flashed her a smile and turned to the children. “Charles, Amelia, would you like to explore the castle? I’m sure sitting here with us is rather boring, don’t you think?“

Their faces lit up at the suggestion. “Could we, Mother?“ Charles asked.

“Charles, we can’t have you wandering around the castle on your own. What if you get lost?“ She argued.

“Not a problem,“ Turning, I signaled Becka, who approached. “Would you please send for Helena? She’ll make sure to look after them as they explore, and if anything were to happen, she is quite skilled in defense.“ I informed the queen.

“Alright then, I expect you both to behave as is fitting for your station,“ Catharine warned, giving them a stern look.

If she was under the influence of the Lost King, I was pleased to see that it didn’t seem to be affecting the way she was with her children. As they left, the table fell silent as we enjoyed the food that had been placed before us, but I could feel an energy simmering in the air. Almost as if by the queen not pressing me for information the influence on her was growing stronger. Could it be that she was resisting it in her own way? I had no doubt, that even if I freed her from his hold, she would not suddenly become my biggest fan. After being told about what happened to her sister, it was clear that her prejudice was from her own heart.

“Seems your plan worked,“ Queen Catharine commented, breaking the silence. “The children are gone so we are free to speak plainly with each other. After all, we are allies, we should be open and honest with each other about the resources we have to share between our countries.“

I looked at her over the rim of my mug, contemplating how I wanted to approach this. “Yes, that does sound logical doesn’t it, but I have a question I’d like you to answer me before I divulge my secrets.“ I commented, setting down my drink.

This seemed to catch her off guard. “What could you possibly have to ask me?“

Leaning forward I held her gaze, reaching out with my magic and letting it grip her. “How long has the Lost King been using you?“

Anger flashed across her face before it turned into outrage. “You dare to accuse me of being a traitor and working for the Lost King?“

“I’m not accusing, because I know you are. What was the purpose of sending all those supplies to Utros? There was no cry for help to any other country, but why would they, when there is a steady stream of goods being supplied by you. While I’d planned to lure the Lost King’s dragon here, the way we were attacked and its central focus on me didn’t make sense. Then, when the accusation came that you might be under his influence, all the dots started to connect,“ I rose from my seat and began to walk the long way around the table, keeping my eyes on her. “His dragon needed a lure to tell him where to strike. He didn’t destroy the village because the mastermind needed his informant to be able to gather as much information as they could while they visited. Oh, and let’s not forget about the fact you wanted to smuggle Queen Mary out of here. If the Lost King had her, he’d also control the queen dragon that can give birth to more dragons for him to use. I’m sure there are things I’ve missed, but that’s what I can think of off the top of my head.“

By the time I was done speaking, I was standing behind her chair. With my magic holding her in place, I reached out and settled my hand on her head. Closing my eyes, I forced my magic into her, causing her to thrash about. I felt something tug on my power and I let it pull me under. I found myself in something similar to being in Vasin’s shared mind space. Only, instead of bright light and warmth it was cold and gray, with shadows lurking about reaching out, trying to wrap me up in them. My Birthright began to glow in a shield around me, blocking the tendrils from latching onto me.

“Well, if it isn’t the little Dragon Queen herself,“ Henry drawled as he appeared out of the shadows. “I have to admit, I’m impressed you figured out about my little spy here. It was the king, wasn’t it? I figured he might catch on one day, if it wasn’t more work to kill him than to let him live, I would’ve dealt with it long ago.“

“What did you hope to gain from this?“ I asked, still feeling like I didn’t see the bigger picture. “If you had her under your hold, why not just take Creisal for yourself already?“

“That’s the question, isn’t it?“ He mused as he circled me. “What makes you think I’m going to tell you just because you asked?“

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned keeping him in my sight at all times. “It’s always worth asking, if you tell me then I’ve gained knowledge but if not, then I really haven’t lost anything either.“

“You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Most of my plans you haven’t figured out until it’s too late to do something. Then you dare to lure me right to you? Like I would ever be foolish enough to send my dragon if I thought it would kill me,“ he scoffed. “Xotha already died once, the connection we have in that way has been broken and can’t be used against us. Why do you think I did the spell in the first place? I couldn’t risk someone else figuring that out and trying what you did.“

“The more I deal with you, the closer I get to figuring you out. This war won’t end with you being the victor, I can promise you that,“ I vowed. “Even if that means sacrificing my life to make it happen, I refuse to live in a world with you in power.“

Henry stepped up into my face. “Bold words little queen, do you have the courage to back them up? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to bring me down, because between me and you—I have nothing to lose.“

“See, this is where you and I differ, I might have the most to lose, but that also means I have the most to fight for. Come at me with all you have, Lost King, and I will meet you head on with the power of everyone I love backing me up,“ I taunted. “The dragons chose ME, the fates blessed ME, I wear the crown of the Dragon Throne— not you. The kings of old knew this day would come and here I am, ready to wipe you off the face of the earth.“

Henry tossed back his head and laughed. “You believe those wives’ tales, that the Dragon Queen was foretold centuries before?“

“Yes, and so do you, otherwise I never would have been seen as a threat to you,“ I argued. “Since you found out who I was, you’ve tried to kill me or remove me from becoming who I am now. While you might be used to dealing with stubborn pig headed nobles who can’t see past their own noses, I always look at the bigger picture. I warned you, the more I know the more I see. Richard told you who I was, the lost who’s been found, pair-bonded to a black dragon in the time when evil is rising. If I’d had any doubt you, Henry, have confirmed it every step of the way.“

“Stop calling me that!“ he snarled. “I am a KING! Do not speak to me as if we are equals, because we most certainly are not. I might not be able to capture your mind in this place. But remember how close I was once before, I’ll do it again. Distance is your greatest ally right now but when we meet on the battlefield, I will turn all those people you love against you!“

“The fates saw to that as well,“ I murmured, as I reached out, calling to Paxton. I could feel the mark on my chest warm, making me believe that he could feel me. “I will be taking the queen’s mind back from you as I leave this place. Creisal is now officially an ally and even if she might not like me, I will stand by our agreement and save her all the same. Until we meet on the battlefield…“

“No! No, you can’t do that!“ Henry’s scream echoed as I was yanked out of his magical hold and back into my own body.

When I opened my eyes I found myself wrapped up on Paxton’s lap. His arms held me tightly as he slightly shuttered, his breath coming in quick panicked bursts. Queen Catharine wasn’t in her chair and as I looked around, I found her on the couch with King Thomas kneeling beside her placing a cool cloth on her head.

Sitting up, I looked into Paxton’s worried eyes, confused. “What happened?“