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That was how it began. Through speeches, writings, and oral tales infested with propaganda, this belief grew like a virus. It traveled across the continent and made its way into every household and scribed text.
That was how the first book in Briar’s series started. Using this historical account as a backdrop, an unknown author had turned the timeline of events into fiction, a story about a rebellious queen.
Only one copy of the collection existed. Few had heard of it until tonight.
Once, there was a Royal who reigned during that ancient time, a woman who embodied the description of a born soul. She suffered from constant panic and fear, yet she hid it well. But ultimately, the kingdom discovered the queen’s condition, realizing she wasn’t who they expected her to be. Rejected by her people, she lived in isolation among the trees, forging it into her own wild castle.
“From the sacred wild, she will reign.”
“In the hidden trees, is her domain.”
As Eliot sang those words, courtiers stirred in their seats. Yet they didn’t rage or squint in displeasure. His tenor and the verse wouldn’t allow it, both of which captivated them.
Briar leaned in closer to me.“Lo, she fell to ruin. Then she fell in love.”
In a gruff tone, I translated,“With a commoner.”
“Who saw in her strength, courage, and valor.”
“Who saw naught but such loveliness,”I murmured.“Beyond words.”
“Beyond class.”
“Beyond courts.”
“Beyond cultures.”
Briar’s head twisted slightly in my direction, her hair burnished in lambent strands of red and gold, like Autumn leaves.“She wonders if her lover is real or a figment, too divine to resist.”
I scooted forward, my mouth rushing across her ear.“He fears this queen will bring him heartbreak, too high above his station.”
She shivered.“Her fantasy.”
I swallowed.“His dream.”
Briar squeezed the arm of her chair.“Yet this forbidden love gave her the fortitude to persevere,”she confided.“And win back her throne.”
Because everyone had the capacity to love, no matter who they were. Everyone was made of lightness and darkness. Everyone was a sunset and a storm. The state of the queen’s mind didn’t diminish her humanity. Her pulse beat at the same rhythm, her heart pumped the same blood, and her soul desired the same inevitable things.
Our quiet voices drifted toward each other, stroking and caressing like a touch. Whilst the words transcended into lyrical dialogue between the queen and her lover, Briar’s candlelit features twisted my way, her sterling gaze claiming mine.
Her, entranced by my features. Me, caught in the grip of her stare.
“Walk with me, my temptation,”she uttered.
“Dance with me, my damnation,”I husked.
“Sing with me, my beloved one.”
“Live with me, my equal one.”
“Let the world see, my only one.”
“As we become eternity.”
Her ardent expression swept over mine, the impact like a stake through the heart. I raked my own gaze across her visage, counting the freckles, worshiping the sharpness of her chin, transfixed by the slight bump in the bridge of her nose, soaking in the lush pink of her lips. And every pivotal emotion I’d ever felt combusted.
Fear. Pain. Sorrow.
