The Royals of Silvercrest

39

Chapter Forty:

One and ½ Years Later:

Queen Celeste's POV:

Sitting in the nursery, I cradle my baby boy.

Prince Adam.

I know that just as with my daughter, he too will soon be whisked away to his own estate, away from me. I had fought with Shane over this matter but he insisted it was tradition. He will raise his children the same as he was. Away from the dangers and scheming of the court. This was a good point but did nothing to ease my pain and the crushing feeling of emptiness. I saw my children often, a few times a week at least. The rest of the time I spent with my ladies or alongside King Shane as we attended to our duties.

There were moments I craved the man I missed.

Other times I wanted to be as far from him as possible.

Now that I had given him a son, he seemed joyous, like the man I had married had come back to me.

Staring down at my boy, memories flash in my mind.

Lying beside King Shane, we lie upon a rug in front of the hot fireplace. His fingers entwine with mine and I listen intently as he tells one of the many stories he knew of the history of dragons. Taking a sip of wine, he pauses.

"Long ago, a large dragon, red like the color of blood with eyes as black as night made its way from the Wild Lands into our kingdom. It was stronger, larger and more destructive than any damage we'd ever seen caused by these creatures. It was not often that they crossed our lands but on the rare occurrence through the centuries, the damage they brought was devastating." King Shane began

I squeeze his hand a bit tighter, the anticipation building.

From the instant I'd brought up the Wild Lands, I'd been forbidden from the dragon stalls, riding and all books mentioning the place were quickly removed from the castle and all were forbidden from answering any questions I had upon the topic. King Shane seemed to believe I'd hop aboard a dragon and ride out if given the chance... I can't say for certain that'd he'd be wrong.

"My great grandsire sent out a fleet of dragons to aid in dealing with the matter. None returned. The red beast sent about burning an entire town to the ground, feeding upon livestock and slaying any who got in its way. It wasn't until Inferno, the black dragon, largest of all its time here, was sent out days later that the dreadful wild one was put down."

Flash:

King Shane and I watch from where we stand alongside Princess Ruby, watching together as her dragon, the size of a large dog, circles about in he sky. A purple dragon she'd named Eridia, flaps her wings happily, letting out a rumbled cry of happiness, making small loops in the air. Princess Ruby laughs, her eyes squinting as she stares up at her dragon.

"Soon enough you shall begin training, and when your ready and she is old enough, you shall ride through the skies. Just as your mother did and as I do." King Shane tells her, wrapping her in his arms.

Princess Ruby smiles up at her father.

"What is it like? Riding on dragon back?"

"It is unlike anything else in the world."

There is a knock at my chambers, interrupting my thoughts.

The door to my chambers opens.

"King Shane has requested you, Your Majesty." A servant girl says

I withhold a groan as Adam who had been on the cusp of sleep, stirs at the interruption and begins to let out a shrill cry. I turn to face her, she quickly avoids eye contact, the annoyance written clear on my face.

"Apologise, Your Majesty."

"Please inform him I am tending to our son." I reply

"I am afraid he has insisted, Your Majesty."

I sigh, knowing well what this means.

I stand.

"Very well. Send for the nanny."

She nods, curtsies and flees, happy to be gone.

The nanny enters a few minutes later.

I pace back and forth, gently bouncing the babe up and down trying and failing to soothe the upset infant.

"Allow me, Your Majesty." The older woman says extending her hands

I place the babe in her arms.

Then I make my way to the King's chambers.

Moments after entering, I am lying upon my back with King Shane atop me.

I listen to the creaking of the mattress, wishing to be anywhere else.