Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 3

"For you, my queen," spoke a male voice, waking Hilvasha from her slumber.

The queen opened her eyes and focused on a spoon of pudding just inches from her lips. She looked up into the familiar brown eyes of her knight, Sir Drale. He had a grin on his face. His blonde hair was wet and dripping onto his shirt and her bed covers.

The queen pushed herself up and leaned away from the proffered food.

"What's this?" she asked in a scratchy voice. She cleared her throat. Was it time for a new voice already? she wondered to herself.

"It's pudding. I had Vivia make it for breakfast," the young knight announced.

"You took the liberty to ask my cook to make breakfast for me?" the queen questioned, eyeing him with suspicion.

"Of course. I was hungry. I knew you liked pudding. I have tea, a bit of cheese, and bread here as well," Drale replaced the spoon and held up a plate to present the food assortment to the queen.

"You never feed me breakfast, Drale. What is it you want?"

"I have only the desire to please you, my queen," he answered.

"What are you playing at, Drale? I don't have time for your games."

"Why won't you reconsider my offer?" he asked her with a frown. He reeked of desperation.

For the last eight months, Drale was the queen's chosen suitor. She selected a new one every few years. If they did not give her a son, they were replaced. However, due to a recent discovery, the queen decided she had no further use of Loborian suitors.

Over a month ago, Creselda, with the help of an oracle from another faction from the south, had finally discovered a way to assist the queen in bearing a son. The oracle revealed the heritage of the foretold king of Loboria. The Sulbarolia heir, who would free their people from the curse, would be both a Loborian and a Draconian.

With this knowledge, Hilvasha planned to use her great niece, Otswana, and a title for Duke of Loboria as a means to lure in suitors from all across the land. However, the queen had no intention to make any such allowances in her kingdom. For little Otti was simply a means to an end; once the queen had no further use of the girl.

When the invitations to the Otswana festival were sent to the kingdoms, the Draconians received theirs in haste. All eligible bachelors of the dragon kingdom were invited to stay several weeks in the Loborian castle. They would be housed, fed, and entertained during their stay before and after the Otswana festival.

Glaring at the soldier who had disturbed her sleep, Hilvasha lost her patience. "You are pathetic, Drale. I am done with you. Take your breakfast and get off my bed! Get out of my room and return to your duties. You are no longer welcome to come and go as you please! You will remain in the soldiers keep near the stables!" the queen commanded.

Drale's frown deepened as he reluctantly took his leave.

Hilvasha let out an exasperated sigh. She threw off her covers and walked over to the large bird cage in her room. Yanking off their covering cloths, like she did every morning, the queen peered down at them. "A lively harmony today, my thrushes. I'm in an ill-tempered mood this morning," she told the four song birds.

Obediently, the birds began to sing a happy tune, as the queen stepped over to her wash basin. Once the queen washed, she tugged on the bell pull near her bed just as the song birds finished their harmonizing music. Within seconds, three women entered. The lady's maid and two chambermaids, all dressed in white and brown printed frocks with white aprons and matching caps, whisked to the queen's side.