The True Queen- Book Two

Excerpt from Chapter Two, New Version

Chapter Two is now free to read over on Patreon, so here is a small excerpt/ teaser for you to enjoy!

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Shae, Adriana, and Fox walked over. Moments later, Harlen and Tommen joined.

"Right, that's all but one," Wyatt said, looking around. A few moments later, he spotted his target. "Em!" he shouted, not caring about the looks he received.

Illyana smiled wider as Emlyn approached.

"You know, it's one thing not to address me by my title in private; it's quite another shouting my nickname across a hall filled with all of Vivelle's nobility," Emlyn said.

"Everyone knows you're not a real Duke," Wyatt shrugged.

"Do they?" Harlen asked.

"Of course they do, he's friends with us. Fancy dukes aren't friends with misfits adopted off the streets, even if we have been raised in the castle," Adriana replied and shoved a whole jam tart into her mouth.

"What, you were adopted off the street? No one would have been able to tell," Cordelia said dryly.

Adriana laughed, spitting out crumbs. Cordelia pulled her 'try not to laugh' face and turned away quickly.

"So, Em isn't a proper duke because he's friends with former street rats, what about princesses?" Rayana asked and put her hands on her hips.

"Yes, by that logic, we're not proper princesses," Shae continued.

Wouldn't that be the dream, Illyana thought. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and her smile faltered.

Emlyn gave her a reassuring shove, and she looked up at him. His smile was soft and gentle. Illyana calmed a little, and Emlyn leaned down.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

"As okay as I can be, all things considered," she replied with a tired sigh. Emlyn smiled sadly. Illyana looked at his handsome face. He had beautiful, smooth, dark skin. His eyes were such a dark brown that they were almost black. He looked dashing in his dark blue and gold velvet tunic, with his brown dreadlocks pulled neatly from his face.

Please, Illyana begged to whatever god could be listening. Please, can Father choose him?

"What?" he asked, smiling playfully as Illyana stared at him.

"You're a good man, Em," Illyana said and reached out, touching his upper arm. He stepped closer to her. "I know you'll look after us."

The smile fell from his face, and his throat bobbed.

"I will," he said seriously, and their eyes met. Illyana's chest ached.

Emlyn was the perfect choice. A highly competent fighter who actually earned his high rank in the King's Army, Em was also fair, kind, handsome, highly intelligent and a very strong leader who commanded respect. He worked in the medical corps and was in charge of all military doctors and surgeons.

"You'd make a good king," Illyana said.

"I'm not so sure about that," he replied, and laughed awkwardly. "My passions lie in medicine and healing. Not politics."

"Vivelle needs someone who can heal wounds rather than inflict them," Illyana argued and looked over at Kristoff. Emlyn's lips pulled into a tight line.

"The needs of Vivelle are never as important as the wants of its leaders, Illyana," he said. "Don't get your hopes up that this time will be different."

Illyana's lips trembled, but she had nothing to say.

"Enough of that," Wyatt said, and barged between the pair of them. He hung his arms over their shoulders. "This is the last time we're going to get to party together. Let's make the most of it and get some alcohol in our systems."

Illyana forced herself to laugh. "Good idea," she agreed.