44. Chapter 44

Chapter forty-four

I t had been three whole weeks since someone broke into Havens room, covered her in blood and destroyed most of her stuff. Everything had been eerily silent since. The staff didn't gossip in the hallways, whenever Rea, Roman and Haven had lunch they didn't talk much. Haven hadn't even seen Nik. Usually she at least passed him in the halls, or even his friend Delroy. Not a peep from anyone. At one point, Haven had even gone to Niks room intending to talk with him but he hadn't been there.

The crown regent had also quit taking meetings. He holed himself up in his office most of the time, only ever coming out when appearances demanded it, not that that was very often.

Haven knew he was planning something, she just didn't know what. The thought frightened her, especially after she officially decided it was him behind the murder of the guard and the destruction of her room.

It was as if the castle could tell something was coming. The closer Haven got to her coronation, the more nervous people became. It had taken all of one hour after she woke up screaming for the entire castle to know what the letter on the wall said. The only person that hadn't changed at all was Tasha. Even Elanor walked on eggshells around her. It was like people expected her to simply keel over and die, like the letter on the wall had been some kind of prophecy instead of a threat.

Haven was determined not to let the fright take hold of her. It had taken all of two days of Haven feeling nervous and jumpy before she decided that if something was coming for her, there was no stopping it. Instead, she needed to be prepared for it. She still went to training everyday with Tasha and her lessons in the afternoons with Elanor. She still searched the library, combing its stacks for answers.

Haven didn't know what else to do so she had decided to do nothing. Whatever was going to happen was just going to have to happen. In her head it made sense, when she tried to explain it to Rea, her friend looked at her like she was crazy.

Thankfully, Haven learned a lot these last few weeks. Her and Elanor were currently in preparation for her coronation taking place in a little over a week. Her control over her magic was incredibly strong, most days she let a few shadows or tendrils of fire flit around her wherever she went. It helped take the edge off and helped the fae milling about the castle to stop looking at her like she was helpless .

For the most part, besides the eerie feeling that constantly hung in the air, everything was going exceptionally well. The more spells she cast, the more she exercised her magic, the stronger Haven became. Except for one bad day when she'd almost burned her eyebrows off, everything had been going the best she could have hoped for. Tasha even recently told her that they'd start incorporating her magic into their weapons and battle training. Even Elanor was impressed.

Haven had learned so much about her kingdom and those surrounding it that oftentimes it felt like her brain was about to explode. She welcomed the feeling, it meant she was one step closer to becoming queen, making her parents proud and serving her people like they deserved.

Excitement wracked through Haven for today's lesson. Recently, Tasha had been teaching her to ride horseback. Today was the day she got to pick out her own horse.

After her coronation there would be a multi day parade Haven would be riding in that went from the castle through the four largest cities in Dralia and then all the way to the capital of Shaston where she'd be staying for at least a week.

Yesterday, the lords of the four major cities had each sent a steed from their stable for Haven to pick from. Whichever she picked would officially belong to her. Anytime she needed to leave the castle, or simply ride through the woods she would take the horse she picked today.

When Haven was being told about all of this, she'd asked about Shaston and why she wasn't already preparing to take over there. At the time, Elanor explained that fifty odd years ago, Niks father forcefully convinced Shastons crown regent to hand over control to Drailia. Since then, while they have remained their own kingdom in name, all the power rested here in Drailia.

After she traveled to Shaston and spent some time there, Haven would return and rule from the castle here in Drailia. Haven didn't like how the crown regent all but turned the people of Shaston into Drailians. He'd erased most of their customs and policies, adapting those from Drailia. Now they celebrated Drailian holidays and events and while the fae did a lot of things in common, it still wasn't fair that the Shastons didn't celebrate all the things they used to simply because the Drailian crown regent took over.

Maybe she could change that when she became queen, Haven thought. If she survived her coronation then one of the first things she'd be doing would be to learn as much about Shaston as she could. Haven hoped she'd be able to return the kingdom to some of its former glory. She didn't know exactly how yet but she knew it was important enough to figure out.

Shaking the thoughts from her head, Haven jogged the last few steps to where Tasha was waiting.

"I can feel the excitement radiating off of you" Tasha told her as they walked towards the stables on the far edge of the castle grounds. It was a large wood building nestled right at the edge of the forest.

"I am," Haven responded, "I've always loved animals"

"Have you given any thought to what your animal form might be when you get to that point in your magic lessons?"

The question stopped Haven in her tracks.

"I can turn into an animal?" She nearly screeched.

Tasha took in the shock on Havens face and laughed, a full bellied, incredibly loud laugh .

"Yes," She told her, "Almost all fae can. Eventually I will teach you how to unlock that part of yourself. Most fae have it happen by accident about the time they turn sixteen but seeing as you were in the human world at that point, there was no one around to teach you. It might be a little harder because of that but I have no doubt you will succeed"

"So I can just turn into any animal?" Haven asked

Another smile played across Tashas face, she was clearly enjoying Havens shock and excitement.

"Not exactly," Tasha began, "By the time we are born and come into our magic it is already decided what our other form will be. You could turn into a bird or a snake, even a dog. The only way you will find out is to do it"

"Can we go ahead and start that lesson?" Haven was pretty sure she knew what Tashas answer would be but couldn't resist asking anyway.

"Be patient, let's take things one step at a time. After you become queen I will start your more advanced magic lessons, form shifting included."

Haven took a deep breath. After the shock of being told she could turn into an animal wore off, she remembered where they were going. Haven tried to let form shifting ease from her mind. She needed to be patient as Tasha had said. Unfortunately, Haven could only be so relaxed about it. She was pretty sure shifting into an animal would be on her mind until she did it.

The sight of the stable up ahead helped put form shifting out of Havens head. The day she changed forms would be a very big day but so was this. Today she would be picking a best friend and partner to carry her wherever she needed to go. She just hoped she picked right.