Begin Again: A Christmas Short Story: The Shattered Crown of Blood and Gold, #1

By Rosie Forest

Six months after her coronation, Kassya Sylthana is struggling with the trials of being Queen.
She's still learning, still trying to become the perfect ruler, wife, and friend.
In this short story, watch as she faces her fears, and celebrates the Winter Solstice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosie Forest
• Release date: Dec 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201148294

Book preview

To the nightmares that linger,

and the sunrise that saves us.

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Also, by the Author:

The Shattered Crown of Blood and Gold

Begin Again

The nightmares still followed me.

They paved their way through my mind, burrowing into deep trenches, trapping me in firm grips lined with claws that felt like razorblades. Every night, the masochistic playwright who sets the stage of my dreams creates a scene, dragging my worst memories to the forefront and pushing me through the pain, so fast and strong to ensure I made it to the other side, my stomach churning and my pillow wet from salty tears that has escaped.

Elres always woke with me, even when I wished she wouldn’t, even if she had a day of training ahead of her that would push her up against her limits. She’d cradle me nonetheless, or fetch maids whenever I learned over the mattress and heaved, trying to force the pain from my body. My hair matted against my skin in sweaty chunks, my bare face red and warm. It was moments like these that I didn’t feel like a Queen, nor did I feel like Royalty. I felt like nothing. I was the mere ghost of a girl who had once existed. The ghost of a girl whose neck snapped as her mother’s had, whose blade ran through her body like it had Cain’s.

No crown, no power; just unyielding pain and guilt that coated each shallow breath.

As the nights waned on, I wondered if I’d ever feel whole again.

AELVALE WAS PARTICULARLY beautiful in the Winter. It was as though every architectural choice had been made for buildings to create the most picturesque scenes possible. To hold the perfect amount of snow, which cascaded down sloped