Roses and Bones

Introduction~

Azra kingdom-

The rain was relentless, pounding down against the queen's carriage. Earlier that day she went to visit her best friend in the village of Hearth. It was a monthly routine that she cherished more than anything, other than her family. Since her husband, the king, was more suited for ruling the kingdom she had more freedom than some queens may have. But she still ruled nonetheless and it filled her mind with worry.

The recent tension between Azra and Bone Isle was enough to make the oceans rise and mountains crack. The queen didn't know how to prevent it from growing worse, but she knew that her kingdom was innocent, it always has been. And even if they weren't they couldn't fail their kingdom, she wouldn't allow it.

"Is the storm clearing soon Carlo?" Starla asked her chauffeur. They had grown up together, and her life was entrusted to him in moments like this. He had been driving her carriage since they were 18, and he knew of all of the anxieties her Highness hosted in her head.

"Yes ma'am, I see clear skies ahead." She blew out a sigh of relief. Her head finally cleared, until she heard that soft cry, a child's. Starla knew she shouldn't leave her cozy shelter but what kind of queen would she be then?

"Pull over please Carlo, I'll just be quick." And when he obliged she carefully stepped down, holding up her pearl dress. The cries came from the left, and that was where she went. They were on the final stretch back to the palace, it was the Pristine Forest, one she used to run through as a child. She followed the cries until she found a small baby.

"Now what would you be doing out here?" She cooed, picking the infant up, looking around for anyone she may belong to. When nobody was near she took off back to Charlie, climbing into her seat with the baby in her arms. "She was all alone out there, I'm bringing her home." Charlie didn't respond before speaking to the horses to keep them moving. Starla knew in her heart that this baby had to be special.

When the queen arrived home she noticed a limp body in the arms of one of the royal advisors, Paz. She didn't dare to ask, the answer as to why was sure to upset her. And she would never know who that woman was. All she took in was the smooth chocolate brown hair swinging in the breeze, her tan skin soaking in the sun that just appeared. The woman was dead but still seemed so alive.

"Your Highness, we should head in," Carlo said, slightly putting his hand on her shoulder, and she listened. Starla had to tell her husband who she found.

Azra Kingdom, Pristine forest-

"You can't do this!" The woman screamed out, trying not to look behind the tree, where her newborn lay. "My husband will find you! You will never be free!" She continued to yell, she knew it was over for her. Queen Liza, wife to King Xerxes of Bone Isle, was not a fool. She knew that traveling to Azra was an insane risk, but she had to. Her sister was here, and she had to bring her home to Bone Isle, with the tensions between kingdoms rising it was no longer safe.

"We were supposed to take the child, where is she?" The man asked, inching closer to the queen. His eyes were sunken and his hair starting to thin, but he had to finish this job, the king demanded it. "Tell me, or I'll take you to the king instead."

She backed up, her back was against another tree. Liza's chocolate hair was drenched, the down-pouring rain was the only thing stopping her from drawing her sword. It was tightly layered between her shoulder blades. With how heavy her serpent green dress was she wouldn't get to it in time.

At that moment Liza knew what had to be done, the Azra could not have her daughter. She knew it had to be her that would be taken, Xerxes would never forgive her but her daughter would have a chance. Freya should have never been brought with her, but Xerxes was off on a venture, she couldn't leave the baby at the palace. This was her fault, she had to make it right.

"Take me."

She knew her fate was sealed when they arrived at the castle. It was regal in every way, pearly white with light pink accents. It was the complete opposite of the one she would never again see. The sun was slowly coming out and she tried to soak it all in, as much as you could when someone had your arms locked together.

"Do not say a word in the king's presence, understand rot?" He spat at her. The nickname rot was used for "her kind", the kingdom of Azra saw it fitting. Her isle was seen as dark and cryptic, like death. Azra thought that Bone Isle was death taking form, and everything there rots eventually.

"I understand," Liza said voice hushed. She knew this was the last time she would ever see the outside. After she said the words he hauled her into the castle, and to the throne where King Dracon sat. He wasn't born into royalty, he married that poor excuse for a queen. It was a smart move but he would never be as good as Liza's husband.

"I brought you the queen Your Highness," The servant grinned, almost a terrifying grin. His teeth were dirty and his lips thin. "This should send just as much of a message as the daughter would have."

"Good, now dispose of her." The king didn't spare her another glance, and she didn't care. He wanted her "disposed" of, she knew it was bound to happen. The thing that surprised her was that the king wasn't going to be the one to do it.

Before she could put in one last snarky reply, she felt something hard against the back of her skull. Then the world went black.

A/N~ 1013 words

I hope you enjoyed and this takes place 17 years before the story! keep that in mind!