BRITELAND

Chapter 2

The door to Imogen's bedchamber was a dark oak, like all the doors in the castle, but intricately engraved with some pattern that probably symbolized something about Briteland's lore, but Galavere wasn't sure. History was Lumina's sphere, and to Galavere, the carvings just looked like a mess of leaves, swords, crowns, trins of power, and flames. What meant something to Galavere was the woman on the other side of the door.

Her lean frame resting against the entrance, Galavere raised her hand to knock, but Imogen opened the door before she could.

"Sorry it took me so long to get out of my armour. I missed you too," Galavere said with a roguish grin, offering her hand to the Queen. Imogen took it, but Galavere could feel it was only out of politeness. Something was off.

"It's nice to see you. Come in," Imogen replied, a measured tone in her voice devoid of warmth. It was the voice she used when she addressed the court, the voice of the Queen she was learning to play. Imogen had the wistful look of a girl who'd never wanted to be Queen, and Galavere knew she was a better ruler because of it. She had caramel skin and sparkling yellow eyes. Many said her beauty resembled that of her great grandmother, the Mad Queen. The country hoped Imogen had not also inherited her storied cruelty.

Imogen led Galavere towards two ceremonial-looking chairs, delicately engraved like the door. Galavere had always thought these chairs were mainly for looking at, not sitting in. The wooden nose of some former ancient Oracle poked into Galavere's back. She felt her chest tighten.

They sat in silence, looking out of the castle windows towards the Violet Lake below. Galavere wasn't the talkative type, but faced with a restrained Imogen, she had no choice but to speak up. She knew Imogen was preoccupied with the imminent diplomatic visit from the English princes, but she usually didn't let political struggles intrude upon her life outside of court.

"What are you thinking about?" Galavere asked, urging Imogen's eyes to hers. When she finally turned to face her, Imogen could no longer hold back her tears, pushing Galavere's comforting hand away. Galavere remembered how close they'd been to being caught by one of the Queen's servants only days before. "I know we've been reckless recently, but we'll be more careful from now on. I promise."

"That's not it." The Queen shook her head.

"What then? Are you worried about them forcing you to the Veil somehow? Briteland has managed to stay strong for almost a century. I won't let it happen. I can stop them."

"How, with a sword? I've endangered my family's legacy. The Veil is the only thing standing between Briteland and England's greed for magic."

The Veil, an enchanted barrier surrounding the magic kingdom, had been erected after The Mad Queen's war. The Veil allowed for free passage of magic folk, while those not native to the land could only pass through with permission or an indomitable army.

"This isn't a contest of brute force Galavere, this is politics. They're coming for us, and I don't know I can stop them." The tears had dried and now Imogen's proud, stoic face looked impenetrable.

"That's not true. Tell me what's going on. We can figure this out together."

"I will face this alone."

"What do you mean?" Galavere said quietly.

"If anyone found out I've been consorting with a member of the Guard I would lose everything."

"So what are you proposing? You want to commit yourself to a life of solitude? You need someone by your side."

"I don't need anyone. Besides, you will always be by my side, just not like this. I've risked too much. My people are depending on me. My duties are more important than a crush. And so are yours."

A crush. Imogen's words dug deep into Galavere's heart.

"I will live for Britleland, Gal. For the country we love."

Galavere took a deep breath and summoned her courage. "You'll never marry?"

"Never," replied Imogen. The girl Galavere knew was gone. Her Imogen had turned into a queen of stone.