AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wanted to see who had been loyal to my mother and would be to me. I wanted no traitors or cowards in my court. Looking at the terror in everyone’s eyes, I could tell that they feared Tianna much more than me. It would be a big gamble to throw their lot in with me.
If I lost the Challenge, they’d all lose their heads.
I could see some of them had made the decision, and some of them in the gray area were obviously struggling—mostly they wanted to go with Tianna, but what if I won? I wasn’t as cruel as Tianna, but whoever chose her would have no part in my realm if I took back the crown.
“Choose,” Elvey said again.
“Who are you to demand this of us?” someone shouted. “You’re but the Dragon Queen’s new plaything.”
“Have some respect if you want your tongue intact after this is over,” I said coldly. “ElveyFionn is my rightful mate. He was destined to be my mate right from the beginning, but Tianna tricked him into a blood bond and cursed me. Now my mate and I have finally united. He’s my consort and king to both theDanaenyth dynastyand Sihde.”
I sensed Elvey tensing beside me. He hadn’t expected that I’d declare him as mine in public. I probably should have consulted him first to see if he was willing.
But we didn’t have time to get everything right.
Murmurs and whispers rose and fell, but I didn’t care for the court’s reactions. I turned my head slightly and glanced at Blaze, Rai, and Iokul. They stared ahead, bearing no expressions. Their masks helped to cover their feelings, but I had detected the muscles twisting on their jaws.
“What about your other three mates?” someone sneered.
“That’s none of your business,” I said. “But if you’re so concerned, you can see that they’re pretty much occupied with my old aunt.”
The veins jumped on their temples. They could cover up their expressions, but they couldn’t hide that.
It felt good to know I could still hurt them a little. But did I really want to hurt them? Yes, yes I did. Rage and resentment had started to uncoil in me at their betrayal after the initial shock had gradually faded.
No, they hadn’t really done it, or I would have been turned to beasts by now.
What kind of game were they playing?
“Long live Queen Daisy and King Elvey!” Rosalinda shouted, and my royal guards echoed the words in a fierce roar.
They were the only few shouting in the entire court, which sounded pitiful despite their enthusiasm. If I had predicted this, I would have brought my army in to get more cheers and chants.
Tianna’s cat-green eyes marked my team with a death threat. If I lost, she’d torture my companions before killing them.
“Enjoy your short-lived grandeur, niece, since it’ll be more fleeting than you think,” Tianna said, venom brimming in her voice. She turned to her court. “Where’s your loyalty? The traitor Elvey demanded you choose. Show him where your allegiance lies.”
She wanted me to see how she had her court under her thumb and what a short leash she held on them. She wanted to show me I was but a self-proclaimed lone queen no one wanted.
All the Fae started moving. Most of them moved to her side, but surprisingly, one third of the Fae moved to the left side—my side. They stood with me, despite being terrified of Tianna.
“We pledge our allegiance to Queen Daisy and King Elvey,” a female Fae declared after taking a deep breath. Her violet eyes glued to me with determination, fear lurking beneath. “We serve the true queen Daisy Danaenyth, daughter to the crown princess Zuzana.”
A few voices joined her pronouncement, then as one, they dropped to their knees.
As my magic probed them, it validated their sincerity. Some of them were my mother’s old supporters and had survived Tianna’s purge. Even as a dark Fae, my mother had always been kind. She would have ruled Sihde differently. She would never have ruled with terror and manipulation.
All Fae knew that Tianna had coveted the throne from the beginning. In order to ascend to power, she’d gotten rid of every royal family member standing in her way, including her own parents—the former king and queen.
Now I was the only one standing in her way. If it hadn’t been for the sacrifices of my mother, my aunt Aine, and their loyal guards, I wouldn’t have been here.
I’d avenge them all.
“Traitors shall be punished to death!” Tianna shouted, and her smoke and purple light blasted toward the Fae on my side. If her magic touched them, they would all die.
“You won’t!” I roared.
Elvey’s blue light lashed out to shield our people.
