Page 18 of Her Royal Blood

“It’s good to see you, Your Majesty, just wish it were under better circumstances.” His face fell with the weight of what we were all faceing.

Polonius had brought so much unhappiness to so many. He had a dark history, but he did nothing but become exactly like the monsters who made him. He didn’t deserve love if he couldn’t be loving, or even fair and just.

“We’re going to see this tyrant ended, Jarvis, I give you my word.” I swore a silent oath that no matter how much empathy and compassion I possessed, Polonius deserved death for all that he’d done to others.

“And I’ll take it, Your Highness. I’ll hold you to your word.” With that he gave me a curt bow and left.

“Aria, it is you,” Janaya came rushing out of one of the many corridors. “One of the servants told me you were here.” She threw her arms around me and brought me into her embrace. “I have been so worried about you.”

“Oh I’ve been worried just as much about you,” I told her and I sank into her embrace.

Despite the horrors of what we faced it was nice to be home. Ironically, I was back in Navarrah City and was a royal in my own right. I had the power I’d always craved, but I realized it was the people who I loved the most.

“You must be exhausted and hungry, and girl…” she playfully waved her hand in front of her face as a way of telling me I was smelly.

“I ran here from Onyx Rah, you’d smell bad too,” I teased, feeling so good to be able to laugh, even if it was only for a minute.

“I’m teasing, it isn’t that bad, but you look a fright, legitimately.” Janaya took a seat at the table.

“As I should,” I said and sat across from her.

“Can we have a bowl of stew, please and two servings of bread,” Janaya called out to the cook. “You’re too thin.”

“It’s a lot of work running a new kingdom with a tyrant on your tail. Sometimes I skip meals.” A woman came out with a large bowl of stew and two thick chunks of fresh made bread. I was never so glad to see food in my life. “How is everything here? Is the queen okay? And Nan? Is Nan here?” Oh gods to see Nan again.

“Everyone is fine. Word of your arrival is spreading. I expect them shortly, but I ran here. I had to get to you first. We were preparing for Poloinus’ attack. We even have warships that are almost airworthy, but he betrayed all of Tobran.” Janaya choked up a little mentioning it. “None of us were that ready.”

Just as I was about to explain it all to Janaya, Queen Delia and Nan walked into the room. I stood the moment I saw them and curtseyed to the queen, though I didn’t know as a queen what the protocol was, but when she offered a small curtsey in return it seemed right.

“Nan!” I didn’t care about protocol with Nan, she was my grandmother….my grandmother. I had a grandmother. “Oh Nan, it’s so good to see you.”

Nan didn’t say anything in response, but held me tighter and by the small sniffle I heard escaping her, I realized she couldn’t speak over her tears.

“May we join you for dinner?” Queen Delia asked.

“Yes of course,” I wiped my eyes, realizing I was also crying. I held Nan’s hand as we walked to the table. “Sorry I’m a bit of a mess,” I apologized, not expecting to dine with the queen.

Though I was now also a queen, I had grown up idolizing Queen Delia. She was always so regal and fair. She was a queen, stern at times, soft at others, but to me she was the epitome of a monarch.

“We all are,” Queen Delia said and I noticed after her saying it, that her hair wasn’t perfectly in place and there was dust and debris on her dress. “But we’re safe. That’s the most important thing.”

Without having to ask, two servants brought meals to Nan, the queen and Janaya.

“I’ve already eaten,” Janaya said under her breath to me as I sat down. “But everything is so rationed I’m not going to scoff at seconds.” She flashed me a big smile and dug in.

“So,” Nan had finally found her wits as she sat next to the Queen. “How did you escape Polonius?” Of course Nan wouldn’t wait to ask the most pressing and dangerous question.

“When I went into the Genesis pit in Onyx Rah and unlocked my mage, I inherited magical abilities. They are very powerful, though I’m just learning how to use them. My powers are erratic and easily exhausted but I’ve gained some mastery over the art of disguise. I was able to glamor my lady in waiting to stand in for me. Gabrielle, Nan, you know her.” I forgot that Gabrielle was well known in the Bevata house and the Redveign estate.

“Yes of course,” Nan said, dipping into her meal.

She’d become so old and frail I worried about her so. As soon as Polonius was defeated I’d bring her to Onyx Rah and treat her to every single luxury.

“She’s been invaluable to me and when this is all over she’ll hold a position of power in my court. She’s sacrificing a lot standing in while I try to rescue Lex.”

At the mention of this Queen Delia, who had taken delicate sips of her stew eyed me.

“Do you think you can? This has all been so distressing,” I could see the worry etched her beautiful face that was now marred with fine lines.

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