Destiny: Book 1 of the Draki Series (COMPLETED)

Chapter 9: Draki Queen Part 1

Eva was still contemplating the surprising news of her one and only best friend being a spy for Daeron. Eva was shocked to the core.

She thought back to when Eloise visited the palace at the age of twelve for the first time. She was a traveling jewel merchant's daughter and Isadora had wished for a necklace to be made for Eva's birthday.

Eloise's' father seemed normal enough and when he had passed from the fever the following winter, Eloise was an orphan with nowhere to go. Eva demanded Eloise stay on as her lady in waiting. Eva had thought this to be an easy solution to have her best friend around at all times. Eloise had been approving of the position and the fact that she wouldn't have to go and live in an orphanage.

The two girls had become inseparable during the summer they had met. Eva smiled at the memory of her mother complaining to Nanny how it seemed she had another daughter, since Eloise getting into as much trouble, if not more trouble as Eva.

After Eva turned fifteen years of age, Nanny retired to the country and Isadora took charge of her daughter's tutelage on becoming a proper lady. She began learning about running a castle, listening to petitions from the people and managing the financial side of the estate. Eva no longer had time for getting into mischief with Eloise though Eloise didn't seem to mind and encouraged Eva to learn as much as she could.

When Isadora ordered Eva to stop engaging in hunting with Sir Plum because it was considered a sport for the men, Eloise promised to let Sir Plum out for regular flights and hunts. Eva never considered the real reason was to train Sir Plum to deliver messages to Daeron.

In fact, Thomas had bought Sir Plum for her from a traveling mage. Perhaps the mage was also a spy for Daeron. At the thought of Daeron's intrusion upon her life Eva almost crumpled up the note. Wishing to preserve it for evidence, Eva looked around the room before deciding to hide it underneath the beds mattress. Silently praying to the gods a servant wouldn't find it.

Hearing a knock at the door, Eva picked up a sleeping Sir Plum from her perch on the bedside table. Eva startled the tired bird as he began to flap his wings Eva set him on the ledge outside her window and closed the door and curtains. She groaned as she heard Sir Plum pecking at the window glass.

The knocks sounded again. Eva smoothed down her hair and checked her nightgown to make sure it was appropriate, "Come in."

Margo's little head popped around the corner of the doorway and she smiled a big smile at Eva, "I am so glad you are up. I was wondering if you were going to sleep the day away." Margo entered the room with a vase of freshly picked flowers and it was then that Eva blushed at the memory of throwing the vase and log of wood at Daeron.

"Margo, you must accept my apology for my behaviour last night. I was not - I just..." Eva was at a loss of words as she watched the maid tidy up the leftover food on the table humming as she went along.

When Eva trailed off Margo came forward to stand in front of her and held Eva's pale hands in her own tan ones, "You are the Queen of the Draki my lady, there is nothing to apologize for."

"But that is just it. I am no Queen." Eva grabbed her hands back and rubbed her arms before beginning to pace near the now burning fire that Margo had brought to life.

"My lady, even if you and Daeron do not mate or marry it makes no difference. The gods chose you to be his dragon's mate and to be our Queen. Our people will follow their direction. I believe you think he will only control you but you are so wrong." Margo's face scrunched up sadly, "You are Daeron's equal in all things as much as he is yours."

"Not in all things. I cannot sprout wings nor thrust fire from my lungs at will. Nor do I possess any magic." Eva huffed at the thought.

"There are many different types of strengths my lady. Lady Mara teaches many of our female warriors to fight with swords and other weapons be they dragon shifters or not. Perhaps she can teach you as well if you are worried for your physical strength." Margo took Eva's hand again, "Would you like to come tour our mountain home?"