In the Shadow of the Night

The Queen's Story

Queen Ciara

One Month before the war

My steps echoed through the long hallway as I made my way outside the castle. I opened the port and the fresh spring air greeted me. I inhaled the sweet scent of the night and continued to the hidden garden. There I would find my love. I opened the garden gate open trying to avoid the squeak that it would make. There in the middle of the garden he stood moonlight bouncing of his armour. I ran to him and he caught he in his arms and spinned me around. "My love, I've missed you" He said and he kissed me on the lips. "I've missed you too!" I whispered and he hugged me tight. We sat down on the bench and I laid my head on his shoulder.

"Do you love me?" I asked and he looked at me with surprise. "Of course I love you, why do you ask" He said as he wiped my hair out of my face. "My sister is expecting, I think she already loves the baby more than me" I admitted. He looked at me with pity. "Oh my love, that's horrible, who wouldn't love you" he comforted. "This baby will get the country, it's me who should be next in line" I said my hands in strong fists. "It isn't fair, life never is. The firstborns take everything away from us" Niall exclaimed. He too was the younger one and his brother was loveless and cruel. "You know, the kingdoms would be better off if we ruled them." I said shaking with anger and excitement. "I would kill my brother in a whim, but could you kill your sister and her child?" Niall replied. I looked into his eyes "for you, I'd do anything" I said solemnly.

The baby's due date grew ever closer. Niall and I continued to make our plans in the hidden garden. Niall would kill his brother after the baby was born. After the 3 days morning he would blame Solin and attack. The feasting would be in full commence then and the kingdom of Solin would stand defenceless. We wouldn't hurt my sister he promised me, my sister and the baby would be banished.

The baby finally arrived and I was pacing the hallway until the nurse asked for me to come in. My sister was in her bed a tiny mess of blankets in her arms. "Ciara, come meet your niece" she said as she beamed. I stepped closer and looked into the eyes of the child. It filled me with hate as I felt my sisters love towards it. "What's wrong Ciara, is there something you're not telling me?" She asked her eyes filled with worry. I couldn't hold back my anger anymore, my nails dug into my hands and I stood there shaking and trying to control my anger. Finally my decision was made, I stormed out of the room. I spoke to my personal guard and he left to take the message to Niall, the operation would start today.

A few days later the whole kingdom was at war as Dorchadas invaded. I smiled as I looked upon the blazing fires. My guard stormed into the room "The king is captured, Niall asked if you wanted to take the honours" I nodded and went with him. I arrived at the camp of my love and went to him. "Where is he, where is the man who ruined my life" I shouted and Niall emerged from his tent. "Right here my love" He grinned. He led me towards a tent where the king was held in chains. "Ciara?" He stuttered "What are you doing here? Get out while you can!" He said in a weak voice. "Oh Stephan, don't you get it, I'm here to kill you!" I told him as I retrieved my sword. "Ciara, please think about your sister, think about our child!" he begged. "Your 'child' has stolen my sisters love away from me!" I shouted as my heart filled with pain. I felt a fire burn inside as my hatred took over. With one bright flash the king disintegrated leaving nothing but his crown and necklace. I smiled and put my hair back as I went outside the tent. There Niall met me, "It's done" I said and I got on my horse.

I brought the crown and necklace to my sister. "Ciara, what's happened, why do you have this" She wept. I looked into her eyes and she knew what I did. She cried out and fell to the floor. Her heart broken. "Lea?" I asked but she did not get up. Within days she passed away and I was left alone with the brat of a baby. I send her to a nurse who took care of her until the kingdom finally fell. Niall came into the castle "Now Dorchadas will finally rule" He said as he took up the crown. "What about me?" I asked and he looked at me with a look I hadn't seen before.

"Did you really think I loved you" His cruel laughter filled the room. "Oh honey, you were just necessary to finally gain my kingdom. How could someone love you?" His laughter continued until it suddenly changed into a choking sound. I didn't even realise what I was doing until I saw the black mist coming from my hands. "Now you won't have anything" I cried until he stopped choking and fell to the floor dead. I ran straight to the nursery where the little baby slept in her cradle. My hate flared up again. "Why didn't you save your mom" I screamed at her, claiming her for my sisters death. I lifted her up and my hand emitted the same black mist, she began to cry. My magic faltered and I couldn't continue. In the depth of the night I disguised myself and visited a little farmers village. I put the little baby on the doorstep and ran away.

That day I promised myself that I would never love again. People would fear me and if they didn't I would just take their life. As I stood looking over my kingdom a single tear fell on the windowsill, it was the last tear I would cry.

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Hi again my faithful reader :)

How did you like this chapter? and how do you feel about Queen Ciara now?

Do you think her hate towards Aislin is justified?

How else could she have handled it?

Let me know in the comments what you think and if you want to know more about Ciara.

Love sharon

Ps. fun fact-did you know Ciara is an irish name which means dark one or she with dark hair