I was sitting in the garden. I was trying to get away from the castle air and I wanted to feel the fresh snow near me. I had on my black dress and my dark red cloak was wrapped close around me. It was winter now, and not much has happened. Agus has been silently planning what to do about my family and I. Father was still trapped in the form of a tiger. Kelly and Ky could not figure out what it was needed to free him of the cruse. Sean and the Council have refused to let him out of the dungeon. He is not lonely, though, like some of the other prisoners. Mother and I visit quiet often and bring stories and meat for him. I think he has gotten used to his new form, but the man within, his spirit, will never change to match the beast.

In the fall, the Council gave Curtis my father's place. His training with Fall was beautiful and I think he deserved it. I would also like to say he has fallen deeply in love for me. I have done the same. I might be a brilliant fighter, but love is an area I have no knowledge of at all.

My love started in a day when most of the leaves were a golden color, and the air was nice and cool. We were fighting, but I was well protected. I was not using Nightless, but instead a more stable sword for training. I was a little rusty, but my skills still were better than his. He did not win, but against anyone else, he would have. We were resting, and talking.

"Lacondra," he told me when we were done laughing at the joke made about how much Agus is a coward, "if you do not mind me asking, how is your father? Is he still a tiger, or is he any better? There are rumors that the queen refuses to let him leave her side again for a while, and if Luke is not a beast, I would like to know."

"No," I answered sadly. "Father is still a tiger. Kelly and Ky have not figured out how to reverse the curse that whore put on him."

"I am sorry to hear that. I know it is hard to deal with it. Do you have any idea where Anna is?" 

"No. Ty and I have searched everywhere we thought. She must not be alone or leaves before we get there. Her and Agus are no where to be found. I want to find the two before they hurt Maya or Mother. I won't let those two hurt anyone else in my family has long as I am alive!" 

"Don't say that! You will have to live up to that promise now. I do not think I can bear the thought of you being gone, my queen." 

"Thank you Curtis." Than something strange happened. A leave fell between the two of us. I did not look until Curtis patted my arm and saw what the leave was. It was a rare one that grows on every tree. It only falls when when two lovers and souls are close together. It was a Hearten Gale leave. It is rumored when two people who are always meant to be close are under the tree, it falls and tells the two about the future. I looked up to see if it was a mistake, but the leaves on the tree was a gold, and not one was the deep red like that, and since it was an apple tree, the leaves looked nothing like it. I picked up the leave and held it up to him.

"Well," I sighed, "I guess I must be going. I have a meeting with the Council." 

"About what?" he asked, never taking his eyes off the leave in my hand. 

"About who shall replace Father till he is cured, if that ever happens." 

"I know it will. With a smart and sweet girl like you for a daughter, than he will be cured by the summer at the least. Now I will leave you to go get ready for the Council meeting." 

I watched him get up, pick the sword up, kiss me on the cheek, and leave. I sat for a while thinking about the demons in my life. A Council that hates me and my ruling, this new beast I owned, my sister in danger. Now I can add a knight that has stolen my heart and has taken my father's place. That was the meeting. We discovered that Curtis was to be assigned Father's troops and his crest until he could. All but Sean have not given hope on the Great Knight once again being human. 

It was winter now, and I know all were scared. It was close to that half years time Agus promised he would destroy light. I was also worried, but I was taking the day off. It was January now, and I was glad for I was now thirteen years in age. It was my birthday today, and I thought it would be a good thing to let people's mind be off the up coming attack. Mother was hosting a ball for me and I was glad to have a day to myself. I got up from my bench when a hand was placed on my back. I looked up to see Iver staring at me with a smile. 

"Hello Lacondra," the old general said with a smile. "How are you on this wonderful day?" 

"I am fine Iver," I told him returning the smile. "Good day to you." 

"I hope you are ready for the ball this evening." 

"I am. Why do you ask? Is something the matter?" 

"Not at all, but do you plan to bring Nightless?" 

"I always have my sword with me. Iver, what is wrong?" 

"Nothing now my queen," he told me, leaving me in the garden. I was puzzled, but paid it no heed. I walked into the garden, grabbed a handful of cooked boar, and went to visit Father. 

When I got down there, I saw him. He was asleep and the chains were loosely around his neck. We had to place them on him, but Sean never told us how much, so we placed it has lose has we could without them falling off. I opened the door and closed it lightly. I did not lock it, but I did have the key in hand. Father looked up at me, and a little smile was on his face. I knelled down to pet him, and I also gave him some of the meat in hand. I know Mother would be down here soon after me, but I wanted to give him a little of my own love. I had been so busy that I had to skip many things I wished to do. All part of being the dark queen. 

"Hello Father," I told him. "I hope you are doing well. I'm sorry I have not been able to come here lately. It's just that it's getting close to the time Agus said he was going to take Maya and kill Mother. It's also my birthday today, so I wanted to see you. You always came home for my birthday, or at least close to it. I know you would want me to be here for at least a few minutes. I wish you could come to the ball Mother is planning, but sadly you cannot. I will have to bring you details about it. I have to go. Good bye Father."

He licked my hand, Father's new form of kissing, and watched me leave him alone. It made me sad, but I had to get ready for the ball. I smiled and I went to my room to get dressed in a new gown. It was a dark green with lacy sleeves and silk slippers to match. Mother and I both agreed it look wonderful on me, and we bought it. I loved the fact that I got to wear my crown. I rarely put it on, and I liked the few moments that I did. It matched my red curls perfectly. Once in the dress, I twriled my body to see the silky material brush against my skin. I walked down to the ball to join the others. 

Once there I felt the eyes follow me to my little sister. She was playing with many of the other children her age, and she looked up and smiled at me. She hugged my leg and wished me a happy birthday. That is how I spent most of the ball; talking to others who wanted to wish their queen a happy birthday. I knew their names, for part of being the Shadow Queen is that I know all. I know who they are, where they come from, and mush more. I can know where they are if I really want to, for all pass darkness in their journeys. If only Agus was not a good hider. 

I opened presents from Mother, Maya, Kelly, the maids, Ty and Tason, the Council, and many more. I did not need any of the things, well besides the shield from the knights, I did need a new one. I still took it so I did not hurt others feelings. It was close to midnight when I wish that I could turn back time and change everything. 

I was speaking with Mother about the local crops and what we will do. The summer was supposed to bring little rain, and we need the crops. Other towns only had enough fields to feed their own people, and we worried about them too. We would most likely get Wen to come and sprinkle the crops with her water. We were also speaking about her upcoming birthday in the spring when a gasp was heard from the center of the room. I placed my goblet down and walked to the noise. Standing there was a man and a woman. The man was wearing a fine suit of black. His hair was spiked when I had only seen it flat. The female with him was wearing a red dress with her hair falling straight instead in waves. She was holding his arm, and I pulled out my sword. Agus smiled at me has I stepped forward. The coward stepped away. Even Ty and Tason seemed shocked and did not move. 

"Well," he boomed to all, pulling Anna closer to him, "I'm glad I could be here for Queen Lacondra's birthday. I even have a present for the young girl." 

"What do you want Agus?" I hissed. I did not even care about what he just said. I was pointing Nightless at him, and he laughed at me. 

"Oh, my dear, put that awful blade away. I'm just here to give you a great present." 

"I do not trust what you give me. Now what is it you really want?" 

"Fine. You caught me. I'm here for the princess. Give her to me and no one will get hurt, Your Highness." 

"I will not let my sister be given to you! Now get out of my home! You have caused enough pain on Mother's and mine heart. Get out!" 

"Oh Father! I think she is still upset about her aunt and father! How is the Great Knight anyway?" Anna asked making me want to kill her right there. 

"I will take the girl one way or the other, my love," Agus said to me. He was now holding a black orb in his hand, and Anna was holding a red one. I was watching their hands waiting for them to make their moves. The witch threw the orb at me, and I cut it with my blade. That was a mistake, for it exploded and red powder covered the room. I brushed it aside, and charged at them. Agus, though, broke his ball and black smoke filled the air. I coughed and still tried to reach them. I saw the maids fall to the floor, than the townsfolk, the knights, Kelly and Ky, Tason and Ty, than I saw Mother and Maya fall. I was the only one left. I looked to see that everyone but us three were out cold. Agus and Anna smiled at me. I felt my knees wiggle, and I soon fell like the rest. Unlike them, I stayed awake. 

I watched Agus walk over to my unconscious sister and over to me. He gave Maya to Anna, and knelled beside me. I glared at him, and Agus stroked my cheek. 

"Sleep Lacondra," he purred, "I will take good care of her. When she and Elizabeth are dead, than I shall make you my bride. I did not wish Gween to die, but things happen. Once you are by my side, than Anna will be more than glad to turn your father back to a human. I will have to keep him in chains, but he will be with you when ever you wish. Sleep my sweet. Sleep." 

He got up, and in a flash, him, the whore of his daughter, and my beloved sister were gone. I could no longer keep my eyes open. I fell asleep with much grief and misery that I had failed at my only job. 

Ky on the side.