It’s bright and early. Jewel and Leah bathe and dress me for the day. I tell Jewel and Leah I would like to explore West Wallow, visit some villages, and ask if they can inform King Fenris of my plans.
Releasing my hair from the bun, Leah insists I at least put some flower pins in, but I kindly refuse.
Jewel and Leah exit the room to help prepare breakfast and let King Fenris know of my wishes while I stand in the fresh morning air on the balcony taking in the view of the lake.
Skipping out of the room and down the stairs to the dining room, I wait for King Fenris. He enters the dining room a few moments later and sits opposite me.
‘Good morning, King Fenris,’ I say with a big smile. ‘Well, my love, you are extra chirpy today. I was just informed you have plans to explore our kingdom?’ He asks.
‘Yes, I want to learn more about this kingdom, see the villages, and meet the people,’ I smile.
‘I see… well, I already have plans for you. First, we are going to the training fields, as today the army will leave and head toward Moon Crest Valley for war. We will be going with them,’
I choke on my breakfast at his words and quickly compose myself.
‘Oh, already?’ I ask as I try to mask the worry in my voice.
‘Yes, we will reach the border in a few days. Commander James will lead them under my orders, where the soldiers will take out as many werewolf villages as they can. Then I will lead them to Moon Crest Castle, where we will burn the castle to the ground. After that, I will claim Moon Crest Valley for myself and make you my Queen. Once I have the head of Alpha King Damon in my hands, of course,’ He smiles.
I try to stay calm.
‘But King Fenris, thousands of people will die!’ I say as my eyes well.
He slams his fist on the table: Frightened, I flinch.
‘Damn it, Maia, do you want the wolves to take over, to rule West Wallow and kill our people?’ He says angrily.
I look down at the table. I can’t look King Fenris in the eyes. Tears roll down my cheek. I hear a sigh from King Fenris. He stands up and walks over to me, and takes my hand.
‘Princess, I’m sorry I lost my temper, but every war has death. It’s inevitable, my love, and this war has to happen. We will follow the army and camp along the way at villages so you can explore them, my love,’ he says.
‘I thought you wanted to keep me safe here at the castle during the war?’ I ask in confusion.
‘Well, there has been a change of plans, and nothing will happen to you while you are under my protection.’ He says with a grin. Hesitant, I nod.
We arrive at the war fields. The army erupts with a roar and cheers at my presence. The army has wagons packed with tents, weapons and food. The soldiers are all in rows of lines, ready to march. It’s a large army of around thirty-five thousand men. There are some horses saddled and ready waiting for us. There is one particular horse I approach. She is beautiful and the same colour as my dark black hair.
I stroke her neck as she rubs her face against mine with affection and lets out a sweet neigh. She is one of the few horses that wear beautiful jewel armour. I place my foot in the stirrup and swing my other leg over. Sitting in the saddle, I hold the reigns and gallop over to King Fenris with a pleading look.
‘Well, you do complement each other, I guess. What are you going to call the horse?’ King Fenris asks.
‘Raven, her name is Raven.’ King Fenris nods in approval and hops onto his horse Nimble. Commander James and General Zander greet us and inform King Fenris the army is ready to leave.
As the army leaves West Wallow, I gallop and talk to different army members. I notice Sir Hugo up ahead and decide to gallop alongside him and his horse for a while.
‘Princess Maia,’ he says in confusion.
‘Sir Hugo,’ I say with a smile and a nod.
‘It’s just Hugo now…’ he says and looks away.
‘Oh, But I thought…’
‘After you refused to… cut my head off. King Fenris removed my knighthood status. He said I was no longer welcome to enter the castle grounds or go anywhere near you, or he would follow through and have me beheaded,’
I gasp.
‘Sir Hugo! I mean Hugo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,’ I say with worry.
‘Of course, you didn’t know, kitten… there is a lot you are not meant to know,’
‘What do you mean by that?’ I ask.
‘I’m sorry, I’ve said too much. If King Fenris sees me talking to you, he will have me killed. He doesn’t want me to tell you the truth. That was why he wanted you to kill me,’
I pause in thought for a moment.
‘I know he is lying to me, Hugo. I know the werewolves are not the enemy. He wants them all dead to rule both the kingdoms as one,’
Hugo looks at me.
‘Well, if you know that much already, you may as well know that King Fenris had told me to use the iron chains on you and bring you to him. He has been putting on an act when in fact, he is a very cruel King,’
‘I don’t understand. Why does King Fenris want me here if he doesn’t care for me?’ I ask.
Hugo lets out a sad sigh,
‘Because he knows of your powers, he knows you could defeat his army if you are on Alpha King Damon’s side,’
‘But King Fenris hasn’t made me use my powers yet, and he can’t make me use them against the werewolves or his army,’
‘Princess… he intends to use your powers against the werewolves whether you want to or not. He will know all your weaknesses and use them against you. You will have no choice, just like I have had no choice. I’m sorry,’
‘You’re wrong, Hugo.’
Hugo looks at me with confusion.
‘We have a choice, Hugo and my choice is to put an end to King Fenris and free all the people of Mysteria from his wrath,’
Hugo looks at me with surprise.
‘So, tell me then, kitten, how are you supposed to do that then?’ He asks, amused.
‘The same way I won you over Hugo.’ I say, winking at him.
He rubs his throat with his hand where he thought I would strike his head off with his own sword and chuckles.
‘Go get ’em, kitten.’ He smiles.
I make Raven gallop ahead and trot alongside King Fenris, keeping small talk.
Finally, we arrive at Garnet falls. The villagers are starving, hungry and underweight. They beg the soldiers for food.
Some soldiers spit at the villagers and push them back, falling over. I hop down from Raven and make my way toward the hungry villagers.
‘Maia, what are you doing? You need to get back here, now,’ King Fenris yells.
I ignore him and walk towards the crowd of beggars.
‘The forest princess,’ they all say and bow.
I smile at them all.
‘My people of Garnet falls, I am sorry it has to come to this. It saddens me greatly to see you so hungry and poor from the high taxes and this unnecessary war. I have a gift I would like to give you all, but first, I need something from you,’
The crowd becomes silent.
‘Princess, we have nothing left to give,’ one person yells out.
‘Bring me seeds,’ I say.
The crowd and soldiers all look around at each other in confusion as to why I want the seeds. A little girl approaches and pulls on my dress to look down at her. She gives me a half-eaten rotten apple with the core and seeds still intact.
‘Thank you, little one,’ I say, smiling at her.
I walk away towards what used to be a vegetable garden and kneel. Then, digging holes with my hands, I plant the seeds a few meters apart, place my hands on the ground, and concentrate.
Everyone is silent, watching on in curiosity until the ground beneath them starts to shake and rumble.
Everyone is panicking except the little girl standing next to me, watching the apple seeds sprout and grow into large apple trees. Hundreds of apples form on all the branches. I stand up to admire the trees and turn to see thousands of people staring at me, amazed. They shout their gratitude towards me and pluck the fruit from the tree devouring the fruit while other villagers approach me with different seeds. I continue planting and growing the seeds into ripe fruit and vegetables until I feel faint. I realise I need rest to regain my power back.
King Fenris approaches me.
‘My love? What is the meaning of all this?’ He asks.
I speak as loud as I can for them to all hear what I say.
‘King Fenris, the people are hungry. They have no food because you took it all to feed this giant army that isn’t even needed,’
Gasps are heard, and many people, including the soldiers, are clearly listening.
‘Princess, what are you even talking about? We need this army to kill the werewolves before they kill us,’ he yells angrily.
‘No, that’s not true!’ I yell back.
More gasps are heard amongst the crowd as more step closer to listen to an explanation for my words.
‘Maia,’ he growls, giving me a look of warning.
Everything was blurry. I used too much of my power growing all the food. I have to tell the people the truth while I can.
I quickly run towards the crowd of villagers.
‘Please Listen. You must all hear my words! Before it’s too late!’ I yell.
King Fenris yells for the soldiers to bring me to him.
‘Werewolves are not the enemy! King Fenris is the enemy,’
Everyone is in shock and confused at my words.
‘The werewolves don’t want a war. They don’t want harm brought on you all. They are kind, loving creatures that will even protect you. They even offer safe passage through my forest to those who don’t want to fight, for those who want to live peacefully,’
The guards are approaching me as they push villagers out of the way.
‘How do you know this?’ A villager yells.
I can hear King Fenris is angry, telling the guards to hurry themselves up.
‘I know this because…’ I look around. I know I was about to faint. The soldiers are only a few meters away from me. Just hang in there, Maia. You can do this. I take a deep breath and yell as loud as I can.
‘I know this because I am Alpha King Damon’s mate and Luna. I am the Queen of Moon Crest Valley,’
I summon fire in my hands and throw the flames toward the soldiers coming toward me. The villagers gasp, and they begin to bow to me again. After bowing, the villagers turn and push the soldiers away from me, but the soldiers strike them with their swords. A circle of around twenty soldiers suddenly surrounds me. King Fenris keeps his eyes on me with a glare. Summoning the wind, I push the soldiers back. I then summon the fire again and throw spheres of flame toward them. My knees buckle, and I fall to the ground. I try to stand up, but I feel too weak and unsteady. Clink, clink. King Fenris snaps the iron cuffs on my wrists. Dizzy and with no strength left, I fall to the ground into darkness.
I wake to see it’s now twilight. I’m in a tent.
‘Well, my love, you have decided to finally wake up.’ King Fenris says as he approaches me.
I turn my head to see King Fenris with fury on his face.
He is carrying a candle allowing some light. I’m chained in a chair, and my wrists are cuffed with iron.
Feeling a swift sting on my right cheek, I cry out in pain. King Fenris has slapped me across the face.
He grabs my hair and yanks my head up, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
‘You think you can turn my people against me?’ He snarls.
‘Your little stunt earlier cost a lot of villagers to be killed while others were whipped back into their places.’
I weep, knowing villagers were killed or whipped for attempting to defend me.
‘When did you accept to be Alpha King Damon’s mate and Luna?’ He asks.
I look away. I refuse to answer him.
‘Tell me now,’ he yells in anger as spit splashes from his mouth.
‘Last night at the ball,’ I sob.
‘You said you needed air that you had gone to the balcony?’ He says.
‘Well, clearly, that was a lie. I was with Damon,’
King Fenris begins laughing and not in a pleasant way.
He grabs my face.
‘You are mine Maia, and you will be my queen and not his. And you will have my heirs and not his, even if it means having you wear iron cuffs for the rest of your miserable life,’ he sneers, then forcefully kisses my mouth, still holding my face.
I bite his lip as hard as I can. He cries out and slaps me across the face again, and storms off.
The next morning, the army finished packing their tents and replenishing themselves. My face is throbbing. I know my cheek is red, and I still feel weak and now hungry. I haven’t seen King Fenris since he slapped me last night. He walks in, not saying a word, and begins to unchain me from the chair but leaves the iron cuffs on. His bottom lip is swollen, with a chunk of his lip missing. I am trying not to smirk at my work of art. He lifts me over his shoulder and towards his horse. He sits me at the front and hops on sitting behind me. Soldiers pack his tent up while he gallops his horse over to the well and fills his water pouch. He has a drink and then attempts to put the water pouch in my mouth. I turn my head, refusing the drink. He grabs my face and forces the opening of the pouch into my mouth,
‘Drink.’ He commands.
I choke on the water as he pours too much at once into my mouth. Then we gallop back to the army, ready to leave. Villagers are shocked at my red cheek, knowing King Fenris is the cause and to see I am now in cuffs. Even some of the soldiers in the army stare angrily at King Fenris. Sir Hugo in the army of soldiers gives me a look of pity. I take notice of him discreetly slipping away back towards the village.
King Fenris shouts at the villagers and warns them not to approach me nor try to attack his soldiers, or else no one will be spared, and they will all be killed this time. They all stand back and look down in guilt for not being able to help me.
We leave Garnet Falls and gallop towards the next village, which makes me realise we are now closer to my forest.
I miss my home, I miss Damon, and I miss Ember greatly. I cry, wondering if I will ever get to see them again. Finally, we arrive at Shadowguard village late in the afternoon.
As soon as King Fenris’ tent is set up, he chains me back onto that uncomfortable chair and has the gall to kiss me on the forehead.
‘My love.’ He says and exits the tent.
