×| H i s  Q u e e n |×

   → For one to become something, they must first be nothing.

Carriages scuttled down the cobblestone streets, shaking the king and his beautiful soon-to-be-bride. Her fingers fumbled with the rhinestone ring around her finger. As the the sounds of horses hooves and whips echoed in her ears, the king grasped his brides hand.

“You mustn't worry,” he assured in his soft tones.

“My father is the ruler of Dravonis,” she countered bitterly. “You have started something that my people will finish. We are all doomed.”

The king dropped her hand and sat back in his seat. With the corners of his mouth down turned, he felt an on coming scowl. His head faced the windows.

“I am king Farren of Gerovicus. And I did not simply steal you, my dear princess. I was given permission to collect you.”

The beautiful princess snorted unpleasantly. It wasn't true. It would never be.

“You are a fool, king Farren.”

• • •

   Sprawled out out on a bed softer than anything she had ever felt, princess Ula gazed at the ceiling. Her lips pursed, leaving a small opening. Again and again she breathed like this, one hand draped across her trunk and forehead. Her head turned to the side — facing the barred windows.

It felt as if her head weighted a ton.

“He does not care for you,” she spat bitterly.

“Father has let you down. You are stuck with king Farren now.”

A knock sounded at the door. The princess merely uttered a stiff welcome, and lay still on her comforter. She didn't even glance at the visitor in her room, her heavy eyes gazing into the walls — seeing her old kingdom, family, and friends. To think her father had let king Farren take her was frightening.

She wondered what the dowry he paid was. What could her father possible get that would equal her value?

The guest cleared their throat.

“Princess Ula. The king has requested you to his royal quarters.”

Ula sat up, nearly dizzying herself. She made an ugly face at the messenger, before gliding to the doorway without an answer. She knew if she spoke only hiss-like words would leave her lips. Words that on she and her other people would understand.

Ula followed the servant through the maze like halls. Her fingers rubbed the familiar fabric against her fore finger and thumb. A memory drifted past her eyelids, stinging her with grief and sadness. She could hear the hum of the summer insects, chirping in sync. Wind seemed caress her cheeks. And then her legs dipped into the private pond, little toes wiggling. Her father gazed back at her with smiling eyes.

Tap!

The princess was ripped from her day dream, her heart and body jolting. Her fingers clutched at her breast — feeling the pulse frantically push and pull.

The servant eyed her suspiciously. “I must leave you here, my lady.”

With a bow he disappeared behind a corner.

Ula bit the inside of her cheek. Despite being the daughter of the fierce and mighty ruler of Dravonis — king Aquilius Dravine — she was weak. Unlike her brothers, she was soft and round and fragile. Her face, no matter the expression, could never terrify an army of men. Ula knew this, and yet something inside of her made her stone. She smoothed out her expression, leaving it a blank canvas. She held herself proudly, her chest puffed out like her father had taught her elder brothers.

She was Ula Dravine. Daughter of the blood soaked Aquilius Dravine.

She was no coward.

After being called into the room, Ula approached king Farren.

“Your highness.” She bowed.

King Farren merely waved her off. In his hand he clutched an envelope. He handed it to her with a quick nod, and then he sat in his chair.

“Your father has given me the task of educating you in the arts and sciences of Gerovicus. But first, he wrote a letter.”

Ula tore open the thick paper and stared in wonder at the beautiful script sent from her father.

My dearest daughter,

     I did not wish to throw you away. As you have noticed for the past couple decades our kingdom is turning into something far more sinister than anything I had ever planned. To fix this, I have sent you away, dearest. Lord Farren will make you into a lady fit to rule. Soon Dravonis will no longer be a land of peace between dragons, but a forgotten wasteland.

     As soon as you are wed to Farren, Dravonis and Gerovicus will be officially united as one. You must be the one to pull our worlds together, my dear. You are not like your brothers; fierce and mighty. You are a rose, Ula. You must use the soft and gentle touch you have to spread peace. By the time you receive this letter, I will have already began my change.

     I never told you Ula — but I am a monster. And the only way to keep you from becoming one is to marry you away.

     This is the only way. Please. Someday find it in your heart to forgive me.

             — Aquilius Dravine

Little wet droplets soaked the paper clutched in her fingers. Ula felt a dark black inside of her heart.

“You are the only one,” Farren murmured.

Ula snarled. “If that if what he wished. So be it.”

• • •

FUCK MAN!

This was intense. Thoughts and ideas? 11/13/16