(Completed) Seraphina [The Lost Queen Series: Book #1]

Chapter 31

"The History of Jack, What shall I do now?"
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Thunder grumbling overhead caused me to stir slightly but a sudden falling movement woke me up. Frantically I looked around to see a somewhat familiar forest around me. A loud snort from Shade reminded me to stay focused.

We had entered Theron from a very dangerous path...Mist Valley... Yes it is an unusual name but its name shouldn't be taken lightly. During the day and night a large mist will engulf this path which hides bandits and other terrors within... It doesn't help that the only way to get through the valley is to travel on this path... If you veer off for any reason then you won't be able to find it again... These woodland creatures know this so they seek to scare everyone into the mist.

What I don't understand is why the mist isn't covering the path... Looking up I noticed large dark clouds looming over us as lightning crackled through the sky. Shade began to shake as he neighed frantically.

"Whoa boy!" I tried to calm him down but he wasn't listening. Suddenly he reared up, I went tumbling off his back. Pain filled my head and I hit the ground. "Shade, what the he-" I felt cold metal on my neck as I looked above me. A hooded man held the sword close against my neck as I slowly tried to sit up. He allowed me to, though I couldn't see his face at all. "Who are you?"

For a moment he didn't speak as the thunder continued to rumble. "You mean who are we... You will know soon enough. For now just know this. We are watching you..." It didn't appear to be a threat nor did this man have any hostility. Yes he does have a sword to my throat but it holds no ill intentions behind it.

"...Why must men be so odd...? You startled my horse just to say things that make no sense and put a sword on my neck! If you wish to speak with me then do so properly! I do not know you nor do I care to as of now. Now if you will excuse me..." I moved his sword away from my neck and dusted my dress off. It was still very filthy but this would have to make do... "I have important manners to attend to."

Glancing around for Shade and quickly spotted him near an apple tree. Wait, an apple tree??? In spring??? That's impossible!!! Rushing over I noticed that I had been mistaken. It was apricots that Shade had found. These looked bigger than the ones grown in the orchards and the color was a bit darker...

"That's not an apricot nor is it an apple. It is both. I created this tree for I am a herbal alchemist. I would appreciate it if you would get your horse to stop eating my rare fruits..." An alchemist? How strange... Either way I wouldn't trust this man's fruit if he did create them... Shade doesn't seem bothered by this at all...

Begrudgingly I managed to pull Shade away from the odd man's tree. The man appeared to be more relaxed now though his face remained hidden. "Sorry for intruding but we must be leaving now."

"Of course princess. Oh and once you are crowned as the new queen I will be paying you a visit... For the damages your horse caused me and for trespassing on my land."

"You realize that this path cannot be owned... If this path leads to your house then it would be acceptable but I know that this path doesn't."

"It does. The path you were meant to take was back near the small creek that feeds into the lake. I allowed you to come this far but this is as far as I'm willing you to travel. Now I do have my own path that will take you around Mist Valley. It will be far quicker as well. You should arrive on the Western side of Theron before the storm begins. Just follow this path." The man pointed towards a dark forest to my dismay.

I could feel my skin crawl with sweat as a looming darkness leaked from within its branches. No, that path doesn't look safe by any means... I would prefer to travel through the mist than this scary forest... Something was awaiting me and I don't want to see it... Yet my feet carried me towards it as if a chain was pulling me along. I could break away from it yet my heart- Wait my heart... It's not pounding in my chest... It sounds calm and faint. Is he-