Awakening (Born From Shadows #1)

If she thought that Freya and Riley’s mansion was the largest house she had ever seen, this palace was completely blowing her mind. The ceiling was way above her head as if it were the sky herself. The walls were littered with art, massive columns guiding the pathway to the throne. The throne was carved out of wood with bits of silver-plated through emphasising the smallest of details. She almost felt sorry for the woman sitting on it, it didn’t look by any means comfortable.

The woman wore a crown upon her head, shaped with feathered patterns, that looked like it weighed a tonne. She had red hair, virtually maroon, that reached no further than her shoulders. The closer Tatianna approached the throne the more details appeared. The impeccable skin, not a scar to source pride. The Queen was beautiful, looking elegant with potency. The guards around her bowed and she didn’t know what to do. Did she bow as well? For some reason bowing to someone just didn’t feel right to her. She didn’t want to give this Queen she had just met complete power over her through submission.

“Tatianna, you finally made it to my home,” the Queen said. Not once did the Queen mention Tatianna’s indisposition to bow, so she presumed that the royal Elf was unbothered by it. Then she realised how the Queen’s tone sounded in her eardrums, it was like she expected Tatianna to arrive, and also already knew her name. Perhaps she had been informed by one of the Elves in Sylfin, she deduced. “When I first heard of an elf in a Haveenté appeared, you could only imagine my shock. At first, I thought you were someone else but alas you are not,” the Queen told her. So, this Queen knew about her months ago. Then why did she let her fend for herself? Why not send help or protection?

“If you knew about me, then you probably know what is occurring in the Hollow Plains. Why haven’t you sent help? They are children,” Tatianna demanded. She knew that she should probably hold off on her incriminations, especially with the number of sentinels surrounding her. That would be the survivors’ move, but she just couldn’t let those children die without trying to do something. She had promised Clay she would get help. She had to avail at least one person after letting so many down.

“I am aware. Children are a rare gift. They are the definition of purity and I intend to preserve that. I have already sent a group to investigate the situation further and protect the children.”

Tatianna heard something fluttering, then a bird swooped in through the palace halls. She was surprised, to say the least, that a bird was sanctioned indoors. She looked closer at it, focused on analysing it. Coming to the conclusion that it was the same bluebird that was following her from Haveenté. It landed on the Queen’s shoulder and Tatianna took a step back. Was the bird following her for an ulterior reason? Not because she was an Elf but as an informant? Suddenly she felt the panicked need to get out of here, but the guards surrounding her would stop her from the action.

“My friend here was watching you, as you probably already deducted, and she had some interesting things to say.” Say? Could the bird talk? Tatianna’s confusion intensified along with her flight instincts. “I am sorry for your loss. An arrow through the heart is such a sorrowful way to go, but at least it was quick,” the Queen said. Tatianna’s heart pumped fast against her chest. It transpired so quickly that she didn’t get to say goodbye, Tatianna did not need to be reminded of this. The scene repeated itself through her mind every night. “Now we must move forward, I hope you have had enough time to mourn, or else this will all be even more difficult for you.” There was a threat clear in the Queen’s words.

“What do you mean, what the fuck is going on?” she dared to ask. Fear was threading through her with each passing minute, but as trepidacious as she was, the mention of him from the Queen’s mouth just aggravated her even more. And anger’s charm was confidence.

“You have quite a tongue on you. That will have to be fixed. You see Tatianna you are very special for reasons beyond your comprehension. Beyond even mine. I heard a wolf has chosen you, that is quite fascinating,” The Queen said, her words so similar to Kayter’s. Whatever was happening it did not seem good for her. Was Kayter just pretending to be kind so that he could lead her here? Was that why he was so inclined to make sure they arrived safely? He had lied to her, manipulated her when she was finally learning how to trust people. That left a sting in her heart, dried out her breath, and broke her down even more. The more times she gave away her trust the more broken she became. It was not something to be given away like a free brochure of her life, but rather something that needed to be earned. It was a mutual bond; she could not trust someone without them trusting her and right now, she knew that this tether of a bond was not forming between her and this Queen. The Queen of the Elves was not to be trusted. She was to be feared.

“I of course will teach you the manner of our ways, anything I deem to be fit for your ears, nothing that you can use against me. your life is going to drastically change,” the Queen listed her sentence for a crime she didn’t know she committed. There was no negotiation, just the set rules. Was this all karma for all the horrible things she had done? Did she deserve what was happening?

“I do feel sorry for you, after everything you have burdened. I know you are strong and that is precisely the reason why this must happen. Strength can be both a gift and a fatal flaw.”

The Queen rose from her throne, stepping down from the dais until she was close to Tatianna. Like most people, the Queen was taller than her, but she did not let that intimidate her. “Maybe in another life, we could have been friends. Under different circumstances of course. The crown is a burden. I may not wish to do this, but I have no choice. It is my duty to protect my people, and this is the only way I can. You have to understand that.” She forced herself to not look petrified, to not flinch as the Queen placed her hand under Tatianna’s chin and lifted her head. Their eyes met and she stared into the Queen’s aqua orbs not backing down.

The Queen stared at her. At her eyes. Analysing every detail from the virtually black, dark grey colour that surrounded her pupil, to the gold flakes that spread unevenly on the border of her iris like a cloud of electrons surrounding a nucleus. The Queen’s entire demeanour changed. They stared at each other, both keeping an emotionless facade on. “Most monstrous people are not born but created. You are the exception. Even if we don’t get to choose who we are born to, you are a monster with a soul blacker than night.” The Queen’s words instantly reminded her of the woman she met in the Hollow plains.

You have a black soul, but a bright heart, child. I fear the darkness within you will take over.

She had been fighting it, telling herself she isn’t a monster but so many people were telling her she was. She didn’t want to believe them, had no trust in their words but she couldn’t help but feel affected by it. Remember the people she has killed and just feel the void within her grow feeding off every doubt and pain she had.

The Queen removed her hand off of Tatianna’s chin. The Queen’s back was facing her as she yelled her command, not even giving Tatianna the courtesy of acknowledgement. Why would the Queen do so, she thought, you don’t have to be polite to monsters. The Queen’s words were loud and clear echoing through the throne room. The guards surrounding her answered their Queen's call without hesitation.

All matter of weapons pointed straight towards her, each tipped with Kaddeian steel. She felt the cold metal bite her skin as shackles encased her wrists, bounding them together and locking away her freedom.

“Motherfuckers,” she mumbled.

The End

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