Page 40 of Winter Goddess
Queen. Monarch. Ruler.
I'm the Queen of an entire Realm. How did it come to this?
There's applause and shouts, but something is happening. A blackness is covering my vision and I let myself fall back into my chair as I'm ripped from my body and into nothingness.
"Wyn?"
A familiar voice is calling to me, but it takes me a moment to place it.
"Flora?"
I open my eyes but there is nothing but darkness around.
"Where are you?" I ask, stretching out my arms in case she's somewhere in the room with me.
"I'm not sure. Everything's dark."
"Hello?" A new voice. It seems Autumn has joined us.
"Dewi?" I call back. "Is that you?"
"Yes. Does anyone want to explain what's going on? I was watching your coronation and suddenly, I'm here."
"I have no idea. Flora?"
"Not a clue either," the Spring Goddess replies. "But I'd rather be here than in the cell they're keeping me in."
"Have they hurt you?" I ask, a little embarrassed that I didn't think to do so right away. "Is it the Morrigan who took you?"
"I'm fine. Nothing that can't be fixed." She sounds resigned. "And yes, it's her. She tricked me. I should have known better, I knew about the Crispin doppelgangers, but I was foolish and well... now she's got me. I've not actually seen her though, and to be honest, I’m glad about that."
"We're going to get you out of there," I promise. "She'll regret this."
"We'll make her regret a lot of things," Dewi adds grimly. "She'll pay for what she's done to our Realms."
"Are my people safe?" Flora asks.
"Yes, nobody has tried to invade," I reassure her. "I've sent some extra troops there just in case."
"Thank you," she whispers and I feel terrible that she's thanking me. I should have protected her better.
Suddenly, someone clears his throat. A man. "As touching as all of this is, could someone please explain what's going on?"
"Angus!" Flora shrieks, confirming my suspicions. "How are you here?"
"Same way you're here. I have no idea what's happened. Good to finally meet you, Winter Princess."
I sneer. "I can't say it's mutual. And that's Queen for you, I just got crowned."
"Ah, yes." He chuckles. "I was going to send flowers, but then decided not to. I'll send some for your funeral instead."
Now that's just rude.
"And who is the other woman?" he asks, but I cut him off.
"None of your business."
"Then I better go, if you're not going to answer my questions."
