Chapter 2

The gentle, humid breeze was a welcome feeling over my bikini-clad body. I knew it must have come from the south-west because I would recognise that feeling of the Solista Isles, my chosen home, anywhere.

At the same moment, I reminded myself that I needed to stop dwelling on the past. It wasn’t going to appease the constant homesickness I experienced. In fact, it only seemed to make it worse, building my irritation at the situation I was in.

Sighing, I return to reading my book – my happy escape where reality doesn’t matter, and where the political pawns and games aren’t real. Ever since my marriage, these games had become my harsh reality. But, at least I could live vicariously through the political pawns in this book having interesting sex. I would happily have that as my reality over my recent ‘making love’ escapades with the sappiest king to have ever lived.

Before I could further drown in my frustration and self-pity, I sensed the physical presence of a five-foot-five woman approaching me. Luckily for her, I was quite partial to her, otherwise this encounter would not end well. No one is allowed on my slice of ocean paradise unless I say so. A wedding gift from Eliasson, this is my oasis, and I come here for space.

Feet stopping just out of reach on my left, Meredith unceremoniously dropped her slim yet powerful build into the beach chair beside mine.

‘Is it all organised for tonight?’ I asked.

‘Yes, Valare.’

‘Thank the Goddess,’ I said, releasing breath I wasn’t aware I had been holding.

‘It has been some time, Valare. The people are eager for your return.’

‘I know, Mer, I know. I’m eager to return too. You know if I had it my way I would’ve never left.’

‘I know that, Val. The Solistan people know that too. But, this is bigger than all of us.’ Mer’s tone notably softened.

‘Bigger than all of us,’ I muttered. ‘Isn’t that just the story of my fucking life? Ironic really considering I am a queen. How is it still bigger than me? I rule a kingdom, Mer. A quarter of the Fyriane continent. I am by birthright a Salistyan royal. I am tired of being a pawn in all of this mess. I was raised to fight, to use my magic gifted by the Goddess Wystia. Not use my body to ‘make love’ with a king who is too smitten to realise what is going on right under his nose.’

‘You’re not simply collateral damage in all of this, Valare, and you know it. Need I remind you of your tendency for these outbursts? What you are like when the illusion of what you thought your life in the Solista Isles was going to be like enters your mind again? It’s been two years, Val. You’re a queen and have your part to play. Not to mention you’re the most powerful mage alive. Instead of complaining, put your big queen boots on and start playing the game a little better, like we all are. Hell, I’ve had to learn how to be your fucking maid. And Mazyr is a cook for Goddess’ sake.’

Even without looking, I could feel her grimace next to me.

‘You know I love you,’ she continued. ‘But you have no idea the amount of shit I get from the Solistans back home. ‘Meredith, lethally trained Solistan assassin and right-hand to the most powerful Salistyan, now acting as a maid to said powerful Salistyan, more commonly known as the Queen of Arlom.’ We both have our crosses to bear here, girl. I’ve got over mine.’

I shot her a doubtful look, and she screwed up her nose, flicking her straight, shoulder-length brunette hair away from her face. ‘Okay, mostly I’ve got over mine. The sooner you can get over yours, the sooner we can be done with the first move. Here’s to hoping Slaviya will finally tell us what the next steps are. It’s annoying being kept in the dark.’

The first move, how could I forget: kill the King of Arlom. It was the first of a series of predetermined power plays set into motion by my father years ago. At the time it didn’t affect me as I was never supposed to be involved. Hell, I hadn’t even known that there were ulterior motives at play. I was mindlessly living my best life on the Isles, blissfully unaware of the games behind the scenes. That all changed when my parents, the Queen and King of Salistya, and my brother, the heir to the throne, passed away in a shock accident. That was the point my life changed forever.

Their sudden deaths brought utter chaos to Salistya, followed by a swift coronation of my older sister, Slaviya Salistya. Since no crowned king or queen can wed another Dom’s royal in order to keep the equilibrium between the Doms of Fyriane, her then impending nuptials to King Eliasson were brought to a quick end.

On the surface, the union was a political move to strengthen ties, as the Queendom of Salistya and Kingdom of Arlom had been left vulnerable in the face of the historically strong relationship between the Kingdom of Marlyst and Queendom of Nyarelle. The recent death of the Marlyst King had brought into question whether this relationship would be maintained with Qynthia Nyarelle, Nyarelle’s Queen. The deaths of monarchs were a notoriously unstable time and had even been known to upend traditionally held relationships.

In the mix of changes as well was the attempt to at least share the Solista Isles between Arlom and Salistya despite the Queendom having refused to give up control of them for centuries. It had long been a source of contention, which made it all the more interesting that Slaviya had gone ahead with this. I can’t help but wonder why she would continue with Father’s plans. It was frustrating, though unsurprising, that she refused to reveal her intentions – sharing was not her strong suit. I just hoped that it would have nothing to do with our little sister, Dwyla, who was currently in the middle of her own Solistan training.

‘It’ll be interesting to see how the Arloman trainees are settling in,’ I mused, following that train of thought.

Meredith quirked a brow in question.

‘Think about it,’ I explained. ‘We were raised knowing that when we turned fourteen, we would move to the Isles and undergo the rigorous training of the Solistan forces. In some ways knowing that prepared us for those first two years of combat. But the Arlomans? Sure, they underwent their own, less extensive, training. But magic? It’s been kept from them. No one outside of Salistya and the Solista Isles knows the secrets of the Isles and that they are the real reason Salistyan’s are exceptional warriors.’

Meredith nodded, pondering. ‘It’s pretty wild to think that Salistya has been able to keep this secret under wraps. Goddess knows how they managed to do that. I don’t really see the point of it.’ A born Solistan, Mer, much like the other Solistans, struggled to understand why Salistya functioned the way it did, having never been to Salistya to experience it herself.

‘Neither’ I agreed. ‘Secrets always come out in the end, one way or another. I’d like to think Slaviya’s push for mine and Eliasson’s union was to right the wrongs of our ancestors, to give back the gift of magic that had been taken from Arlom. But that would be giving her too much credit. She doesn’t think of anyone but herself.’

She hummed in agreement. ‘I’ve checked on the training from time to time. There’s a clear divide between the Arloman trainees and the Salistyan trainees. The Solistan-born trainees have been more welcoming towards the Arlomans, which is to be expected. We are a welcoming bunch, after all,’ Meredith teased, knowing I’d always been envious of her Solistan heritage. Where Salistyans tended towards mistrust and secrecy, Solistans were more open and accepting of the other Doms.

‘I hear what you’re saying, though,’ she continued. ‘I remember when I received my magic. The new moon fell two days after my sixteenth birthday and the process was chaos. There were about twenty of us being herded like cattle, Solistan trainers teleporting in and out to take us to the Temple. I was equally scared and excited. Nothing can prepare you for that. But, at least I knew what was going to happen. But you’re right, the Arlomans don’t. The minute they landed on the Isles, their world would’ve turned upside down.’

I can only imagine the shock of the first Arloman trainees when, on the first new moon after their sixteenth birthday, the Goddess Wystia gifted the trainee her magic in the form of enhanced physical capabilities and an affinity to one or two elements. I didn’t even know if they had been told that they would spend the next three years on the Solista Isles honing their magic, getting acquainted with their heightened senses, supernatural strength, ability to physically control another and detect physical presences. Throw in an affinity and ability to work with fire, air, water or earth, and it would have been a shock to the system.

As time went on, the best and brightest who show an affinity for two elements would be swiftly identified and trained elsewhere to become assassins for the royals – known as Sol – much like Meredith and myself. Normally when they graduate, they either decide to enlist in the army back in Savast, Salistya’s capital, or stay on the Solista Isles. All along they know the royals have the right to order their move back to Salistya at any time, and that’s only if their decision to stay is initially respected. More often than not, their decision to stay on the Isles is rejected, especially with women and unlucky men who favour only one of the elements. They were sent straight to the breeding programs, ensuring the continuity of Salistya’s army for the next generations. As a result, a lot of people didn’t actually get a choice.

I had planned to stay back, marry the love of my life, embark on confidential missions, and live my life on the Solista Isles. I was one week from finishing my training when my parents and brother died. A year later, I was married to Eliasson in place of Slaviya.

And now here I am, the day after our first wedding anniversary. Looking back now, I can see how na?ve I was to think being third in line meant I could essentially avoid any form of royal duties. But at least today had been turned into a holiday for Arlom, which meant I could spend the whole day by the ocean whilst Eliasson was away for the night on a hunting trip. Translation: I’m able to leave for the Isles as soon as the sun sets. Home sweet home.

‘Copper for your thoughts?’ Mer asked, interrupting my reverie. But then she hesitated, looking at me. ‘Actually no, don’t tell me if it’s a continuation of your wallowing. I should be the one wallowing having to listen to your late-night antics last night after not getting laid in forever’.

Rolling my eyes, I retorted, ‘Forever? Please. I know you and Eliasson’s second-in-command got it on not four nights ago. From the way Mazyr was talking, your satisfaction level screamed a five-star rating.’

‘That little gossipy shit,’ Mer muttered, throwing her water bottle in the sand. ‘I’m just doing my duty in creating strong connections with our allies.’ She threw me a wink. ‘And four days is forever, Val,’ she added as an afterthought.

I burst out laughing. Trust a mage to say that. We were sensual by nature and had specific needs that required regular fulfillment. Because of these needs, it wasn’t abnormal for a mage to have multiple partners.

‘Now, now, Mer, don’t be too upset with him. He was trying to make me feel better that one of our own was having a raunchy time. It may have just come at the cost of your privacy. But let’s not forget the barracks on the Isles. There was no privacy there, nor any shame.’

‘We were fourteen and had just found independence out of home, Val. Totally different,’ Meredith shot back.

‘Hmmm, perspective is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?’ I teased, before soberly continuing, ‘Sex is sex, Mer. Whether you’re male or female, whether you like doing it with a male or female. Hell, why not both? Either way, there’s no need to be embarrassed or ashamed. It’s a normal part of life, so good on you for having a good time and going after what you want. I shall live vicariously through you having settled down into my wise, married age.’ I may or may not have attempted and failed to sound serious at the ‘wise, married age’ part.

Mer rolled her eyes. ‘You’re almost twenty-one, Val. Not sixty. Plus, we all know you have the capacity to get a little side bang occasionally.’ Raising her voice before I could interrupt, Mer continued, ‘And don’t you even try lying to me. I know that half the reason you’re going to the Isles tonight is to have a little rendezvous with lover boy, away from watchful eyes.’

Releasing a breath, I remained quiet. Not because I wanted silence to convey that she was right, but rather the current state of my sexual deprivation was so dire that the word rendezvous was enough to stir some serious emotions inside of me. In a certain region. Down below. Eliasson and his want to make love alone was just not cutting it for me.

‘Speaking of rendezvous, though, I need to take my contraceptive remedy. Goddess forbid I’m with an Arlom heir.’ I pulled a face.

Watching the sun slowly sink towards the horizon, I realised it was time to go. I had a home to visit. I stood up and reached my hand down to help Mer up. Our hands stayed intertwined as we walked up the beach back to the royal apartments.

Before we were in earshot of Arlomans inside, Meredith halted my movements. I raised an eyebrow in question.

‘I know this time of year is difficult for you, Val. I want you to enjoy yourself on the Isles tonight, forget all your worries,’ Meredith stated, a sincere look on her face for a split second before the face of a trained Solistan assassin took over.

‘But when you come back, our Sol needs to plan how we will execute the first step,’ she continued. ‘It has been a year already and some Arlomans have been gifted their magic on the Isles. We can only hold off correspondence with their parents for so long. The secrets of the Isles can’t be released, not until he’s taken care of and the Kingdom of Arlom is under your reign. Your sister is becoming restless, and we all know that avoiding the Queen of Salistya’s outbursts, for lack of a better description, is in everyone’s best interests. Including yours. Push comes to shove, despite their loyalty with Salistya and Slaviya as their official ruler, the Solistans have always seen you as their rightful heir. You have trained with us, laughed with us, and fought with us. It’s time to play the game and avoid a conflict that would put the Isles in the middle. You owe them that and you know the time is upon us.’

I wish there was a way to get out of this mission. To reverse time and stay far away from it all. But there was no going back. Once a mission was assigned, no other Salistyan could touch the target. Once a mission was underway, there was no backing out of it. The price of interference or aborting a mission was death.

Turning to face her fully, knowing my own face was that of a trained assassin, I said, ‘I know, Mer. It will be done.’

She gazed intently at me, trying to see Goddess knows what. After a moment, apparently happy with what she saw, she nodded, kissed her three middle fingers, placed them on her chest and bowed as a sign of respect in the presence of royalty. But we both knew she wouldn’t have bothered with that had there not been guards watching our every move. ‘For the Goddess Wystia, and the Queendom of Salistya.’

Kissing my three middle fingers and placing them to the middle of my brow, the third eye of Wystia, ‘Protect our family,’ I finished.

Meredith straightened her back. ‘I’ll see you in an hour, Val.’

Nodding, I resumed my path to the royal apartments as she went the other way, ignoring the guards surrounding the outskirts. I headed straight past the living area, up the stairs and into my sanctuary.

I loved my quarters. They were a place that I can call my own in this foreign kingdom. I had gone for a minimalist coastal aesthetic when decorating my space. A bed, a separate day bed, and bedside tables with ocean blue cushions and decorations, which make the light weathered-wood furnishings pop, filled the room. Of course, I had also insisted on some tropical indoor plants, to acknowledge my ties to the Isles. They help to keep me grounded and connected to home. I loved laying in my bed, looking out the glass doors that led to my personal balcony. The natural light of the sun when it was setting landed perfectly in my room. It was one of the small yet magical moments in life that I soaked up as much as I could.

The only thing that rivals my love for that sight is the closet next to the balcony. My wardrobe was filled to the brim with everything a girl could ever want. Sometimes it wasn’t all bad being a royal. Granted, those times were highly infrequent, but they were there.

Walking past my bed, I stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the sunset and the last of the south-westerly breeze. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach as I allowed in the excitement for my upcoming trip to the Isles. I would’ve loved to have gone first thing this morning once Eliasson had disentangled himself from his bed, but I had to restrain myself. Our marriage may have solidified a political union, but Eliasson didn’t confuse lusting after me with trusting me completely. I always had guards on me, and knowing what I know, I guess I can’t blame him, though it is highly inconvenient, frustrating, and annoying – the list goes on.

It leaves me in a less than ideal situation; forcing myself to be out and about in Arlom’s capital city, Amarald, so as not to raise any suspicions by disappearing from sight whenever I wanted. However, when night came, no suspicions were ever raised as I mostly had them to myself. From the minute I had stepped foot in the kingdom, Eliasson knew where I stood regarding night-time events, such as dinners and balls, namely that they are to be limited unless critical. The definition of critical had to be heavily negotiated, but I managed to get it to unavoidable Dom events, including visits and Forums with the royals of the other Doms.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy being out and about at night – in the Solista Isles this was a very common way of living – but I needed to provide myself an opportunity to explore Arlom and return home frequently undetected. Also, sometimes a girl just needs some time to herself. For me, this time is needed every day. Some may say I was anti-social, but I call it self-care. And maybe I am a tad selective as to who I spend my time with outside of royal obligations, but people are exhausting.

With a final, longing glance as the sun disappeared for the day. I left the balcony and headed towards my bed. Mer had laid out a pair of casual high-waisted moss green culottes and a cropped t-shirt that fell just below my chest, revealing a sliver of my stomach. It was a strategic pairing by Mer. The Queendom of Salistya’s royal colour is moss green, so it was always wise that, as the Queen of Arlom, I show up to the Isles in an outfit reflecting my origins. Even knowing where the Solistan loyalties lie, it’s wise to never assume I have unequivocal support as the most powerful mage in Fyriane. I may despise my father and his hideous lessons growing up, but if there was one thing I took away from them, it was to not trust anyone. ‘Everyone has their own motives,’ he would say, ‘spies are around every corner you turn, and when you think you can trust someone? That’s when you can’t.’

Now, I wouldn’t say I didn’t trust anyone, but I damn well made it difficult for others to earn it. If my own sister, my own blood, can fuck me over by taking me away from the love of my life and completely changing my life course, why wouldn’t someone else try? So, my outfit was just another way of reaffirming my loyalties.

A voice interrupted my thoughts, becoming increasingly louder the closer it got to my door.

‘Now, I don’t want anyone disturbing us tonight. It will be a tradition for the Queen and I to have a girl’s night on this holiday. Anyone who does disturb us is subject to the Queen’s wrath. Do you hear me?’ Silence reined before a confident, ‘Good’, ended what appeared to be a one-sided conversation held by Meredith.

A single knock was the only warning I had before Meredith hurried into the room holding two bottles of champagne and glasses. Clearly, she was ready for her party for one – I don’t envy future Meredith and her hangover. It’s lucky that problem is strongly sitting in the ‘her issue’ category.

Shutting the door before any guards could see my clothing, Meredith not-so-gracefully plopped herself onto the daybed.

‘So,’ Meredith started, blinking innocently at me, ‘Since you’re getting your rocks off tonight, I’m hoping you left one of your fabulous books for me? You know, of the erotic kind. Guy chases girl, girl denies him, he fights harder to win her over, she eventually gives in, sexy times occur and all that good stuff.’

Huffing out a laugh, I finished putting on my sandals and straightened up. ‘Left bedside table, bottom draw.’

‘Oh, you’re a doll.’ Eyes lighting up like they had the one time she had won a card game against our friend, and fellow Sol member, Rynelle, Meredith raced over to the bedside table.

‘And you’re a deviant. You know the rules: bath water flowing so no one can hear that it’s just you having a drunken erotic party for one; stay away from the balcony; and you’re restricted to the daybed for your evening activities,’ I state on autopilot as I give myself a quick once over in the mirror. I have, in fact, gone through the rules routine too many times to count. We had established early on that the best way to ensure my visits home weren’t discovered was to pretend that Mer and I were having a night in together. Sure it looked odd being she was meant to be my maid, but so far the Arlomans had chalked it up to being a weird Salistyan thing.

Meredith rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, Mum. Gosh you used to be fun. This is how I know you need alone time with him. How long has it been anyway? Two months?’

‘I stopped counting when it became depressing,’ I muttered.

Lying back on the daybed with the fabulous book in hand, Meredith opened a champagne bottle. Deciding to completely forego the glass, she took a massive swig straight from the bottle. It reminded me of the fourteen-year-old girl I met all those years ago, a complete juxtaposition from the lethal assassin she has become.

After chugging what looked like a good quarter of the bottle, Meredith looked up. ‘Alright, get your sexy ass out of here. Everything is under control, and I’m two seconds away from finding the best parts of this book and having a good old time. I know it hasn’t been that long since we were in the barracks, but I’d like to think we’ve moved past sharing common spaces for moments such as these. But if you want to take a trip down memory lane, be my guest and take a seat.’ With a wink, Meredith proceeded to open the book.

‘Thanks, Mer, I’ll see you in the morning just before the sun rises.’

Before turning to leave, I couldn’t help but add some snide to my goodbye. ‘Oh, and Mer?’ I said innocently.

‘Mmm?’ She didn’t even look up, too engrossed in finding all the good stuff.

‘Remember; you’re my maid and must clean all the sheets tomorrow. If there’s shit out of place, you can count on all your gold that I will spontaneously decide all areas of my royal quarters need a deep clean.’ I smirked.

Looking up with an expression on her face that promised revenge, Mer grabbed the champagne bottle and was about to throw it directly at me. ‘You little …’ but I was faster. Saying a quick, ‘Love you,’ I was still laughing as I swiftly teleported out of the room and straight to my real home.