The Heart of the Queen: Dragon Warriors, #3

By April Swanson

The Darkness has come to Castle Linnivere.

 

As the old enemy gathers strength, the Dragon Warriors desperately seek a way to halt its advance. But the true nature of the Darkness remains a mystery, and without that knowledge, the Warriors are blind. 

 

Perhaps a solution can be found in the Gold Sea--the home of the Darkness itself--but only the strongest can survive the inhospitable desert. Or maybe the Warriors' best hope lies with the strange elven queen who arrives at the castle. She may well hold the answers they're looking for … but can she be trusted? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: April Swanson
• Release date: Oct 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393559665

April Swanson

April Swanson writes fantasy novels with slow-burn romance, mystery and magic. She loves flawed characters, messy relationships, difficult decisions, and things that sparkle. You can sign up for her newsletter at aprilswanson.com

Book preview

—CHAPTER ONE—

The Four Warriors

––––––––

The Gold Warrior stood before the gates of Firefall. This was the third time Skye had flown to the palace since the night at the Hidden Mountain. She wanted to be here as much as she wanted stomach flu, but she had promised Lynette to keep her updated.

I’m here to see Councillor Allard, Skye told the guards at the palace gates. She cut a commanding figure, with her shaved head and impressive biceps, and her glittering gold armour that brought out the warmth in her rich ebony skin. As much as the guards wanted to ignore the Gold Warrior, they couldn’t ignore her big muscles—or her bigger sword.

We’ll need to clear it with Her Majesty, one of them said with his chin lifted high.

Every time Skye had come to the palace, asking for Lynette, she had been made to visit the queen first. Mothers knew why, because Estrella famously hated the Dragon Warriors.

The guard led Skye past innumerable pots of roses to the queen’s sunroom. Inside, Queen Estrella Leviathet was pondering a very important document. Councillor Mei stood by her side.

I don’t want lime pie again, the queen told Councillor Mei. I fancy something with plums in it. The queen took a pen and scored out the bottom item on the menu, and wrote PLUMS in big letters.

I’m afraid I don’t think we have plums, said Councillor Mei.

I’m afraid I don’t care, said the queen.

The guard coughed, drawing her attention. Your Majesty, he said, then made a quick exit before the queen could make a mental note of his face.

Lucky for him, the queen didn't see him at all, for her eyes were drawn immediately to the Gold Warrior.

"What are you doing here!" the queen screeched, scrunching the menu in her fist, getting ready to use it as a missile.

Your Majesty, said Skye, doing something she’d never done before: getting down on one knee. This appeased the queen long enough to stop the paper ball being tossed at Skye’s head. I beg permission to speak with Councillor Allard.

"Again?"

Your Majesty, as you may recall, Councillor Allard’s brother is very ill. I wish to update her of his condition.

The queen relaxed her arm. Her eyes lit up.

Still ill, you say?

I’m afraid so, replied Skye.

Is he—Queen Estrella could barely speak for suppressing her smile—is he near death?

He is, Your Majesty.

A triumphant grin flashed on Estrella’s face before she managed to compose herself.

How terribly sad, the queen said unconvincingly.

Councillor Allard should go to Castle Linnivere, said pug-nosed Councillor Mei. She should be with her brother at this sad time.

"Don’t be stupid, snapped the queen. I want my best councillor here should I need her."

Councillor Mei sagged.

Can I see her, Your Majesty? asked Skye, who felt the need to maintain the queen’s focus.

Fine, fine, said the queen, waving Skye away with an impatient hand. Now, about the plums ...

***

As soon as Lynette opened the door and saw the look on Skye's face, she knew the news wasn’t good. Councillor Allard cut an equally impressive figure as Skye. She was very tall and thin, with pale skin and poker-straight black hair that was always perfectly in place. Whenever you spoke to Councillor Allard, you got the feeling you were falling short of her own high standards.

So, Lynette said briskly, I assume your trip to Estaven was not successful.

Skye shook her head. I’m afraid not.

Did you speak with the king personally?

Of course, said Skye. I told him what had happened, and asked that he help. He said he could not.

Could not or would not?

Both, said Skye. King Cardosa does not know how the elves won the Dark War. But even if he did, he told me that he had enough to worry about at home. He plans to oust the Temple from the royal residence, and the High Priestess is spitting feathers. He fears Estaven is on the brink of religious war.

Well of course it is, said Lynette, if he is planning to downgrade the Temple. Why can’t the old fool leave it alone? Where is the harm in letting people believe in the Mothers?

Skye reached for Lynette’s hands, and pulled her in close. She then smoothed Lynette’s shoulders down, which were up around her ears.

Even if the king wished to help us, said Skye, he would not know how. If we do not know how the elves defeated the Darkness last time, then we are blind. We don’t fully understand its nature, its source ... All we know is it resides in the Gold Sea and can infect the minds of those who use magic. We don’t even know if it is conscious, if it has a goal ...

Lynette’s shoulders started to creep up again, but Skye pushed them back down.

I admit I feel a little lost, said Lynette.

So did Skye, but she didn’t admit this to Lynette. Not this time.

I have been tending to Christine in your absence, said Lynette. The girl has charm.

After Tristan had fallen, Skye had told Lynette about his secret daughter, Christine. Skye couldn’t have kept something like that from her.

If it is too difficult to see Christine, said Skye, I can send Scarlet—

No, Lynette said firmly. The girl is an Allard. She deserves to know her family. I’m sure she recognises me, as the familial resemblance is strong.

Uncanny, said Skye. As if she were your own.

I have not yet had the courage to tell her the truth. But I will.

Skye kissed Lynette on the cheek. I know you will. I can join you, if you wish?

No. I must do this myself. Though ... I am still holding out hope. I do not want to tell her that her father is dead.

Lynette looked down at the floor, which was a strong emotional response for an Allard. Skye wrapped her arms around her and pulled her closer. She breathed in the flowery scent of Lynette’s black hair. Skye would have given anything to stay here and spend the night with Lynette.

I’m keeping myself busy, you know, Lynette said, her voice muffled against Skye’s neck. Estrella has it in her head to clear out the basements and make them into a second wardrobe or some such nonsense. I’ve been tasked with overseeing it all.

Spring cleaning is hardly a job for someone of your stature. Mei should be doing it.

I’m still being punished, I believe, for daring to defend you and the elves.

I’m sorry, said Skye.

Don’t be. Her Majesty will realise soon enough that her life is easier when I am by her side. Lynette pulled back from the embrace and stood up straight. Her dark eyes no longer betrayed any hint of sadness—not even to Skye. And what will you do now? she asked.

Everything I can.

Such as?

Skye couldn’t answer that question. She had no idea what to do next to find a cure for Tristan. She had been pinning all her hopes on the elves.

Perhaps, Lynette said, looking once more at the floor, we should kill him now, and end his suffering.

Skye had been thinking the very same—from the moment she had cast the spell on Tristan. Had she done anyone a favour, or had she only prolonged the pain? Many times she had stood over Tristan’s frozen form and wondered if she could end his life.

And she knew she couldn’t.

I will find a cure, she said to Lynette. I promise.

***

When Skye returned to Castle Linnivere, she went straight to check on Tristan. Evan Carter was already there, watching over him. Evan spent a lot of time by Tristan’s side, willing the Darkness to fade.

Skye was deeply concerned about the Blue Warrior. Since the battle at the Hidden Mountain and the death of the dragon-children, Evan had barely ate and barely slept. If she wasn’t at Tristan’s side, she could be found outside, kneeling by the grave of the girl, Anne. And sometimes Skye found her in the library, mindlessly staring at maps of the known world, of Durron and Marrica, and the northern land beyond the sea that fell off the edge of the page.

Skye had voiced her concerns to Oliver McGregor, the castle’s butler. He had already noticed Evan’s deep depression (for it was impossible to miss), and he did his best to cheer the Blue Warrior’s mood, but there was only so much baked goods could do.

Evan heard someone enter Tristan’s room. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Skye.

What did Lynette say? Evan asked dully.

She maintains hope that we will find a cure, said Skye.

Evan laughed to herself. Thanks.

For what?

For lying.

The Gold Warrior looked down at Tristan. She imagined reaching for her great Icesword, holding it in both hands, lifting it high, and—

Meet me downstairs, said Skye. We must discuss our next course of action.

***

Skye sat patiently at the dining room table, waiting for the remaining Dragon Warriors to join her. Evan slumped in, her blonde hair as dull and lifeless as her eyes, and Avery bounded past her, dressed head to toe in green, bearing a striking resemblance to a court jester. Scarlet entered last. The Red Warrior always answered the Gold Warrior’s call, but in her own time. While Skye had been away at Firefall, Scarlet Raven had been the unofficial leader, due to the fact she was the only Warrior left who still had her shit together.

As you know, Skye said heavily, the elves are unable to assist us. King Cardosa claims he has no knowledge of how the elves won the Dark War. Besides, he is engaged with his own issues: the divide regarding the Temple is reaching breaking point. Skye let out a long sigh, though she didn’t mean to. The question is: where do we go from here?

Evan said nothing, but continued staring at a ring mark on the table. Avery suggested, On holiday?

Skye kept a hold of her patience and waited for Scarlet to speak up.

The only thing left I can think of, said the Red Warrior, is to check out the black market in Collossus.

Everyone knew that Scarlet had grown up in the South, in the great city of Collossus, but she rarely spoke of it.

Do you have contacts there? asked Skye.

I remember the access points, replied Scarlet. The magicians there live right on the edge of the Gold Sea. There’s a chance they might know something.

There are elves in Collossus, said Evan. You hate the elves.

Scarlet shrugged. I’m sure I’ll manage.

We all know you don’t like to return to Collossus, said Skye. If Tristan were awake, he would be unable to articulate his gratitude.

Well, what can I say, said Scarlet. I miss the mopey git.

—CHAPTER TWO—

The Black Market

––––––––

The following day Scarlet Raven left the castle on the back of her chestnut stallion, Pyrros. When she told Pyrros where they were going, he swished his tail and eyed her through his long lashes. ‘Are you sure?’

It won’t take long, she promised him—and herself.

Scarlet broke up the long journey to Collossus with two nights in Kerraven. This drab land lay between Jerran and the South. There was no magic in Kerraven, owing to its critical role in the Dark War. It was here that the elves defeated the Darkness, draining the land of magic in the process. Kerraven acted as a handy buffer between northern Jerran and the danger living in the southerly Gold Sea.

The people Scarlet encountered in Kerraven took note of her sword and armour, but said nothing. Kerravens liked their plain, unassuming land, and did not envy the dangerous magic that lay beyond their borders.

As Scarlet soared south, the landscape changed beneath her. The featureless brown of Kerraven gave way to the mountainous wilderness of the Aridian Expanse, which was almost as dangerous as the Gold Sea. There would be no stopping here. No humans made their home in the Expanse. Instead, it was home to a number of wild, dangerous creatures who had long ago adapted to the harsh environment. Kerravens never crossed their border into the Expanse, but traders from the South often braved its dangers to loot the bones, feathers, eggs, venoms and skins of the creatures that lived there, all of which could be used in spells or the brewing of potions.

Eventually the sharp rocks of the Aridian Expanse softened. This was the Meran Belt of the South, where the southern humans and elves lived. Beneath her, Scarlet could make out the dark lines of rivers that ran down from the Aridian Expanse. The two largest rivers, the Mana and Kaia, ran to the east and west coasts respectively. The Kaia river fed the walled, isolated city of Assopolis, while the larger Mana river ran past Collossus, before spilling into the Green Sea. Between the two cities there was a smattering of villages, small towns, and nomadic people. Those living in the Meran Belt had to battle baking days and freezing nights, scrapping to survive.

The sun beat down on Scarlet’s head. She hadn’t felt that heat in years. Had her years in cold, damp Jerran weakened her ability to withstand the blistering sun? Pyrros flew down through a thin wisp of cloud, providing a brief cool splash. He always seemed to know what she needed.

Then, shimmering on the horizon, Scarlet saw the sandstone peaks of Collossus. No matter what she felt about her hometown, her heart always beat a little faster when she clapped eyes on the monumental city.

No one knew how long the ancient city had stood on that spot. It had certainly been there in year 0—the year the Durron Empire had claimed the continent—but for how long before that, no one really knew. Despite a lack of records, everyone accepted that Collossus was very old, and probably the oldest settlement in the land of Durron.

As Scarlet drew closer, she saw more and more colour, from window drapes and the vibrant tents of the numerous markets. She saw the movement of people, the bustle of traders and foreign visitors. The peaceful quiet of the desert was replaced by the rising hubbub of Collossus’s vibrant inhabitants. Scarlet had been born and raised in this oasis of colour and noise, and she had to shove away a pang of homesickness.

She landed on the outskirts of the city, in a rare quiet spot away from the traders and nomadic camps. Unlike Assopolis, there was no wall around Collossus, no real mark to signal the city’s boundaries. The edge sprawled out, the buildings and people becoming sparser and sparser until they disappeared.

Scarlet parted ways with Pyrros on the banks of the Mana river.

Don’t you leave me, okay? she said, giving him a good scratch behind the ears.

After saying goodbye, Scarlet wandered the streets of Collossus. Around her, different accents bartered in the markets; she even heard the foreign language spoken in Marrica. Colourful birds squawked from lantern posts and washing lines that were strung out above the narrow streets. The buildings here were not built from brick or timber, but smooth, glittering sandstone. Most of the windows had no glass, only painted wooden shutters bolted into the stone, or flimsy gauze drapes that fluttered in the breeze, or sometimes nothing at all, simply a gaping black hole where shadows moved.

Scarlet passed one of the temples that had been built by the elves after the Dark War. Officially the temples were there for people