The Shattered Crown BOOK 1: CROWN OF ASH AND GOLD

Chapter 1: Uneasy feeling

The morning was cold. It crept through my window as if it was urging me to wake up. As though the wind was calling to me, wanting to tell me something.

I tugged onto my blankets trying to keep the chill of the air from creeping in. Not wanting to get up yet. But I couldn't go back to sleep. I was restless.

It was the same dream. The same dream that I
kept having once a year the night before my birthday.

I can never remember it fully but throughout the years sometimes I'll get bits and pieces. I say sometimes very lightly because it happens every once and a blue moon. The last time I remembered seeing a golden crown turn to dust.

But this time someone's blood was being splattered across the snow. The snow turned a crimson red. And I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach.

I sat up trying to brush down my curly auburn hair as it was splayed all over my face.

It was a quiet night in the mountains. And to my surprise it was the first snow of the early season.

Across the way I saw out my window. The snow clung onto the tree branches that were creeping outside my window, and the wind was howling as if it was trying to speak. Something felt wrong.
Uneasy was the feeling that kept tugging at me.

As if there was a black hole in my stomach and it was swallowing me whole, filling my entire body with dread. I had to get rid of this feeling immediately.

Maybe a cup of tea to calm the nerves? I thought before forcefully swinging my covers off my body to get out of bed.

It was freezing in our house and the heater was broken so I put on my robe and headed downstairs towards the kitchen. But, it might as well have been the same temperature outside as it was inside. The robe was useless.

Maybe some lavender can help calm my nerves? I thought to myself before setting some water to boil in a kettle.

Despite my horrifying dream this was my favorite part of the night. It was peaceful, no one was awake but me. And no one was awake to appreciate the night and all that it gave us.

The sound of the tea kettle squeaking scared me out of my thoughts. Signaling that the water was ready.
I poured my hot water and put my lavender bag of tea in for it to steep while I stood in the living room looking out the window. Snow flakes were slowly falling and the forest across the way looking as gloomy as ever. Pulling me into a trance like state.

There were rumors of the forest being evil. And usually anyone who ended up disappearing. No body or anything they just vanished into thin air. The locals say it was cursed by a witch long ago when magic was still around, during the dark ages.

Maybe we deserved it, people don't just do things for no reason especially a curse. I thought as I slowly sipped my tea.

"Ember..." Called a whisper. I looked around the living room trying to see if anyone was around. But no one was around.
Then the deep voice called out again.
"Ember.."

"Aunt Bea?" I asked. But no reply.

It was then I looked back towards the forest catching the smallest glimpse of what looked like a shadow hiding behind the trees. It called my name again.

"Ember..." I rubbed my eyes sleepily thinking my mind was playing tricks on me. And when i opened them again nothing was in the forest but trees, the dark figure disappeared.

"Maybe it was just a crow Lola." I said trying to convince myself.  But still I was freaked out and ran back upstairs locking my room and settling the rest of my tea on the nightstand. Drifting back to sleep.
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The next morning the cabin had smelt of fresh sourdough bread and spices. Aunt Beatrice was already getting the day started humming the same strange tune she always hums. The melody always so enticing. Like a sirens song.