Princess Sienna sat with her knees and ankles tightly together and slanting her legs to the side her posture modest and regal, as she observed Prince Elington from the corner of her eye.
Disgust washed over her, misting her gaze with an icy glare. How dare he ask for her hand in marriage? He was not worthy of her, of her kingdom, or even a passing thought. He was but an entitled brat born into royalty, someone unworthy of being in her presence.
But her thoughts were soon consumed by another figure entirely. At the mere mention of King Liam's name, it sent both chills and thrills down her spine despite the tales of his brutality and tyranny.
She knew she should despise him, fear him, yet her heart raced when she recalled him standing at the dais in the grand hall.
For the past few days she had been in denial but soon she admitted his effect on her. Every fibre of Sienna's being longed to see King Liam again. An undeniable magnetism tugged at her thoughts, entwining her desires with forbidden fantasies. She envisioned him, clad in dark armour, striding toward the kingdom with an air of authority that could bend the world to his will. The image both thrilled and terrified her.
The more she entertained the notion of taking her rightful place as King Liam's bride, the faster her heart thumped within her chest. What madness had taken hold of her? Sienna scolded herself, knowing she couldn't let these treacherous thoughts cloud her judgment. King Liam may possess power, but he was a heartless tyrant. He was a threat to her kingdom, seeking to claim dominion over lands that weren't rightfully his.
And yet, a small voice whispered in her ear, luring her towards the edge of temptation. What if, by assuming her rightful place at King Liam's side, she could temper his harshness? What if her influence could guide him towards benevolence, closing the chasms of despair and cruelty?
Princess Sienna's glare softened, her eyes clouded with conflicting emotions. To follow her heart's desires would be to betray everything she stood for.
***
Queen Mother Ava dismounted from her horse, her heart pounding with a mix of apprehension and determination. The mythical forest, usually vibrant and alive, now exuded an eerie and unsettling aura. The piercing rays of the midday sun struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows that danced around her.
With each step she took, the forest seemed to whisper secrets and cautionary tales, urging her to turn back. But Ava pressed on, her regal presence unwavering. She approached the same desolate hut nestled amidst the ancient trees, its weathered timbers creaking in harmony with the mysterious whispers of the forest.
As Ava pushed open the creaking door, a gust of wind swept through the room, extinguishing the flickering candles that lined the walls. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glow of a single, ethereal flame that flickered atop an intricately carved wooden pedestal. The light cast a haunting glow on the face of the high priestess, who stood motionless, engrossed in a ritual.
The old woman turned to face Ava, her eyes clouded with age and wisdom. Without looking directly at her she spoke in a voice that echoed with the weight of centuries. "I was expecting you," she said, her words carrying an air of inevitability.
Ava's anger churned inside her, directed at the Lord of Rosemane, who had betrayed her trust and swapped her son's bride for her lesser than twin sister. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms, but she held back her fury. Through gritted teeth, she responded, "He betrayed me and swapped the bride with her twin sister."
The priestess rose from her kneeling position, her presence towering over the room. She fixed her gaze upon Ava, her eyes seemingly searching the depths of her soul. "You messed with destiny once," she declared, her voice resonating with a mix of admonishment and sorrow. "And now the universe is correcting itself. You should let it be."
Ava's resolve wavered for a moment, her mind grappling with the consequences of her actions. But a fire ignited within her, fueled by a fierce determination not to be dictated by fate. She shook her head, her voice laced with defiance. "No," she stated firmly, refusing to accept the priestess's answer. "I am not here for your lectures... I will not sit idly by while my son suffers. I have to fix it before I lose him."
The high priestess observed Ava for a moment, her gaze filled with complicated emotions. With a sigh, she finally spoke, her voice carrying a hint of resignation. "Fine, I will help you. But tread carefully, for the forces that govern our existence are not easily swayed. The choices you make will have ramifications far bigger than you."
Ava nodded, her determination unshaken. She was prepared to face the consequences, to challenge destiny itself if need be. "There is another way. Among the nobles of Lowoak, there is a young woman from the house of crows whose great grandmother took the Cayaline flower from the last century."
The queen's eyes widened at this revelation. "Then why didn't you mention it to me before? I wouldn't have wasted my time with Rosemane," her voice tremulous.
"Because the chances of success aren't as good," the priestess replied. "If the young woman takes this potion it will help reactivate the remnants of the flower passed on through generations but... she has to consummate with your son as his wife. Perhaps it will be enough to turn the tide for him and help him resist the darkness spreading in his heart."
Ava nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed upon the priestess. "How to convince him to divorce his new bride," she said and the high priestess reached out in the lapel of her clothes taking out a valuable pendant.
She yanked the pendant off her neck while saying, "That's not my problem." She stared at the sparkling tear-dropped pendant dangling in her hand with a satisfied smile. She was very much pleased with the reward this time.
Ava didn't care that she had lost another heirloom. To her, her son was worth more than these trickets. She knew what the high priestess meant by the house of crows. There was only one family with a family crest with crows. It was the family surnamed Northwich and the patriarch of their family was her late husband's closest advisor.
They had a daughter by the name Eleanor and she was one of the many potential suitors for her son if it weren't for this dark seed business. Ava would have preferred someone like her because she knew their loyalties were with Lowoak and Eleanor would never betray her son. The issue now was to convince her father to agree to this as well as get rid of Selena. That way she could right her wrong and save her son.