Crown of Serpents (Book 1 of the Serpent Bloodline Trilogy)

Chapter 3

I didn't plan on telling father about what happened with the prince. If I do, war, or at least a very bloody battle, will happen. And...As future Queen, that's the least of what you want...Right?

I look out the window of my room, spotting Az resting in the grass, bathing in the moonlight. I tug on the invisible string that ties me and Az together. Our bond. He peeks open one eye, spotting me through the window. A wave of emotions pass over me. Gosh, okay he's annoyed.

I laugh a little and let him be, but my smile drops when I hear a small knock on my door. I head over to it, and open it slightly, spotting my mother. Dread forms in my gut, and I open the door wider. "hello, mother." I say, trying to sound cheerful, but I sound tired.

Her smile falters and she says, "hello, Raedyn. Can I—Talk to you?"

"Sure—I mean— Yes, of course." Her smile is warm, but her eyes are cold.

"Please," she gestures to the bed, "sit." I do, a little bit wary. "Now. I—" She takes a breath. "I've heard that you've been skipping your lessons. You need to learn how to control you magic, dear."

"I don't want to control it, I don't even want it."

"But you have it! You have a duty to this Kingdom, and maybe one day, conquer Kharid. You have potential, but your wasting it on everything else! You have the magic passed from two-hundred generations of our family! You are the only child that will have this powerful of magic from the next one—hundred years."

"Can't I be Queen without the magic? Mother, I can fight! I can rule, and I have a dragon."

"But you have more. "

"There's no point in the lessons! The magic is useless!"

"You have no idea how powerful you are my dear, the magic you have is more dangerous than you can even start to imagine. And if you can't control it...And if you can't control it—" she takes a deep breath, "You are going to the lessons. Tomorrow. I'll be escorting you."

I'm silent. She's right. If I can't control it, it can consume me. It's more dangerous than war, and I know it. Oh, I hate it when she does that.

"Of course mother," I grit out. "I'll be ready for tomorrow."

She sighs, looking me in they eyes, "Rae, out there, on the battlefield, training, you are a warrior. But in the castle, you are a princess, about to become Queen. But training your magic, you can be both. Just—Please listen to me."

I smile, but I don't nod. I don't know how to promise her anything. The magic is a burden. Being a warrior, fighting with sword and shield, it just...Comes naturally, but magic? I have to force myself to use it, force the beautiful starry mist to form around my hands. I can feel the power thrumming through my veins, but when I try to use it...It shuts me out. I can hardly form it around my hands—That demonstration at base was tiring itself—

She pats my leg, "I'll be going now, I have to make preparations for tomorrows' games."

I sit up straighter, "that's tomorrow."

She stares at me, "yes. Did your father not tell you?"

"I didn't see him yesterday."

"Well, your competing, you know that right?"

"Yes. I've been preparing for a while—but—""I'll be going now, goodnight, Raedynn." And she walks out, shutting the door behind her. Well. I'm dead.

I lean back, digging the palms of my hands into my eyes, groaning. How the heck can she expect me to compete only a few hours after training with magic? That stuff is draining, and father expects me to win. That's my job. Mother see's me as a princess, father, a warrior. And I don't know who to please.