The Lost Queen

Prologue:

Prologue:

Pain ripped through my body. Each slash of the blade went straight to the core. Tears flooded down my eyes. I fought against my restraints. Loud screams filled the room, blocking out the sounds made by the blade.

I awoke to tears streaming down my face. Gently, I touched the scars on my shoulder blade. A shudder went through my body.

It has been centuries since that day. I should be over it by now. Instead I am plagued with nightmares. Every time my eyes close I am haunted with that memory.

That day I had lost a part of myself. A part that I will never be able to get back. There was no path of redemption for the sins of my past. I was bloodstained and beyond salvation.

A scent caused me to bolt out of bed. I reached underneath my bed. Pulling the dagger out, I quickly unsheathed the weapon. There was a loud knock on the door. Carefully I padded across the floor, dagger in position. I flung the door open, ready to attack.

I froze upon seeing the man in front of me. His hair was the same golden shade of his eyes. Even in the dark of the night he had a glow about him. My eyes begged to be shielded from the man, instead I held his gaze.

“What do you want, Lucian?” I snarled at him. “Come to take my life?”

“Is the dagger necessary, Seraphina?” he questions, an eyebrow raised as if he was mocking me.

I put my weapon down on the table. “Do not think that because you are a prince that you would receive special treatment here.”

“King, actually,” he says, taking a seat down on my sofa.

“King? Did you father finally die off? Please tell me, did someone kill the bastard or was it natural causes? I'd always thought that I would be the one to slit his throat, but the whole banishment thing kinda put a dent in my plans.”

“I see that time away has not made you any less bitter.” After what they had done to me did he really think that I would not be bitter? “He has been dead for several decades now. Natural causes.”

“I'm guessing that you didn't come here to celebrate his death with me.”

His shook his head, golden locks swaying. “My queen was kidnapped.”

I ignored the twinge of hurt that went through my body. “Your queen? And you came here because you think that I had something to do with her disappearance, because of our...history together. I'm not stupid. If I wanted her gone she would've been dead, not missing.”

“I figured as much,” he sighed heavily. “I want your help in rescuing her.”

“What's in it for me?” I question. “I'm not doing it because you asked politely. I expect payment.”