Taste of the Fire

Chapter 2: Shea

Oh, I heard him all right. I heard him loud and clear when he growled, and I knew and at that instant, I had to step away from the hallway and stop Felix before he flips completely.

It was a good thing I invited Amaranda over for breakfast. I wanted to punch Felix in the nose for doing something so stupid but was appreciative because it bought me time to study the queen and talk a little to her.

Now here I was, eating away at my breakfast. My body still felt bitter, even after healing myself from the loss of my magical energy. I haven't sat on the throne for three months. He didn't ask me why so I didn't pry on what he was doing in that time, because he might just throw that question back at me, and I, for once, did not want to answer that question.

"Well it is the most isolated kingdom as well," I stirred my wine glass, looking into it. "Traditions and royal festivities don't flourish here as much as they do on the east side of Eldeon."

I sensed a small shift from Felix and turned my head towards him.

"So, how do you want this allegiance?" Amaranda asked as she finished her plate.

I glanced back at the Ceadorans, "Well we could talk about the policies right now because we are a little bit different, as you might have noticed," I smirked, "or we could let you be troubled about that later?"

"I'd preferably talk later when I sign the pledge, but you've fascinated me, Queen Shea," she said with a hint of amusement in her voice, "I must know more about your customs and traditions."

I stood up causing everyone else to stand with me, "My servants will take you to your chambers. Get groomed and let your guardians stand down. I promise no one will harm you." I glimpsed over Felix who started to flush.

"In the meantime," I strolled over to Felix and motioned him to come with me, "I shall be in the library waiting for you."

I didn't wait for Felix to gather himself when I went out of the room and leveled my dress. "Those were some nice skills back there, Felix," My steps reverberated through the hallway. "Though I'd advise you not to do that on a queen, a human one in fact."

He scoffed, "It was hardly my fault."

"Was it?"

He didn't reply as I walked into the library.

The essence of old paper waved through the air as I kept wandering through the wonderland. In front of me was the open balcony whose curtains fluttered in the free-flowing breeze. Globes of universes and places were scattered throughout the floor. Some of them glowed with pride while others seemed to contain auras and magic spells. The floor glistened against the daylight casting wonderful patterns and art on the ceiling everytime the sun moved. And then there were the books. All of these books were carefully transported here since some of them were falling apart; treasures worth more than a thousand kingdoms were being lost when each of those pages fell so I spent moons going through each book and each page, seeing what fit where and warded them against ruin and theft.

This is the only place in the castle where I feel alive. These books have battles upon battles written in them and it makes me... somehow... feel content. The pain, the agony, and the feeling of revenge, it all gives me a minute spark of excitement. It gets my blood rushing through my veins as it did all those years ago.

"Why were you drunk in your room?" Felix bluntly asked.

I turned around and almost startled him, "Why were you in my chamber in the first place? So early in the daylight?" I smiled sweetly, "And if I remember correctly I wasn't even dressed properly."