The Dragon Queen

Chapter 20

Baroness Makena Rikon of Rivergarde, Morith

Rivergarde, Morith

The sunlight trickles across the water, with a storm brewing in the distance, making the water black and restless. It collides with the cliff below Makena as she sits in her usual spot on her balcony. Her mind is no longer lost to the sea. She no longer dreams of the adventure beyond, but rather finds her mind at war over her future. Her former self never would have dreamed of a future beyond the walls of Rivergarde and her current self can only glimpse it. Sure, she could see herself standing and playing the part, but could she perform the duties needed. Could she see to the needs of an entire kingdom, and not just one stronghold and the little townships around it?

Makena closes her eyes and is once again back in the simple life of her time with the Anarchy. She is back sparring with Anna and sitting down by the lake. In another glimpse, she is watching Lucius across the vast cave. She used to say she was studying him for weakness, observing his temperament and skills, but she realizes now she was just watching him because she wanted to. When they started talking and getting to know one another, she enjoyed their sparring and walks. She misses it. Of course, both Anna and Lucius made sure to keep up her sparring lessons while on the road back to Rivergarde, but it isn't the same, even though now she can hold her own with both of them at once. Even Raleigh and Elleana got in on the action, though they held back some of their mastered skills, not wanting to hurt her by accident. However, they were pleasantly surprised at her skill.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to sit there?" Anna's voice creeps into her mind, barely heard over the roaring sea below. Makena smiles for a second but doesn't look back at Anna, who comes to stand at the pillar at her feet. "You are torn."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I have made my choice. I am the Baroness of Rivergarde now." Makena's tone is emotionless and flat, almost hollow.

"No matter how many times you say that I still don't believe it," Anna admits with a suspicious gaze at Makena.

"What is not to be believed?" She inquires with the same hollow tone. "I am home, my family is here."

"Part of your family is here." Her guard is observant, as always. "The rest is in Creedian, as is your heart."

"What do you know of my heart, Anna?" The edge in Makena's defensive reply surprises even her. Perhaps she has been arguing all of this in her mind for long enough that hearing it again with Anna just seems pointless.

Her guard rumbles a low laugh. "I know that it doesn't belong to you anymore."

Makena has to fight hard not to look at Anna. "What makes you think that?"

"Because you are clinging to that necklace he gave you like it is a lifeline," Anna remarks, causing Makena to glance down at her necklace. She is right. Makena has a firm grip on the pendant, and she didn't even notice. "You love him." Makena takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, hoping the ache in her heart will exit with the air. It doesn't. "And he loves you."

"I know he does," Makena admits while her whole body feels defeated. "But I can't take him away from his sister. She is all that he has, and Wesley is like a father to him."

"But if you were in Creedian, he could be with you and still see his family." The elder of the two deduces as though it were the answer to all the problems.

"And what of my family? If I am in Creedian, then I am not here." Obviously. "I can't put them through losing me again. It was unfair."

"They would not be losing you." Anna walks closer to her and touches her shoulder in a comforting way. "All children leave their parents eventually, some just don't go far. You are lucky to have a family that will love you wherever you are." She sighs when Makena looks back at the sea. "You think you will never see them again? Is that it? Because that is dumb and you know it. Knowing Derrick and Serena they will be constantly visiting you will probably get sick of it." This causes a small laugh to escape Makena, knowing she is right. "If you think you can't be queen, then you need to pay attention to who you are biologically related to now." Makena glances back at her with questions in her gaze. "Jaymie and Jemma. Jemma grew up on the streets, worse than you and for far longer with a worse fate she endured, and yet she has risen to become the fiercest queen Hosephia has ever had. And you believe so much in Jaymie, even before you knew she was your sister. Forget for a second who your biological parents are and remember who your sisters are. When they find out who you are to them, you can be sure they will support you like they do each other. You will never be alone. You have so many people standing behind you, to help you, and you have me at your side to protect you."