This Wicked Kingdom: The Wicked Duology, #1

By Elena Thompson

Violet Beckett, an eighteen-year-old girl from the small village of Athea, is faced with a life-changing decision after her older sister, Rose, is set to be banished from within the walls protecting the Kingdom of Illea. With their father dead and their mother on the run, it is up to Violet to save her sister from what is guaranteed to be a looming death sentence. Violet's life is turned upside down, and when she feels she has lost everyone she's ever loved, an unexpected ally, the secret Prince of Illea, barrels into her life and seems to sweep her off her feet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Thompson
• Release date: Feb 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224165216

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Elena Thomspon

This Wicked Kingdom

First published by Elena Thompson Books 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Elena Thomspon

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Elena Thomspon asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Elena Thomspon has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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To the entire community around me… thank you for always believing in me.

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Thirty-One

Thirty-Two

Thirty-Three

Thirty-Four

Thirty-Five

Thirty-Six

A Sneak Peek into the Final Installment of The Wicked Duology…

About the Author

Also by Elena Thomspon

One

Not even the rustling leaves and the whistling winds could drown out the rambling and complaints from my sister, Rose, as I led her deeper into the forest. I remained silent as she droned on and on, every breath emitting a new complaint.

My feet hurt, she whined.

We haven’t gone far, Rose, I reminded her.

She groaned and followed close behind as I pushed aside the thick, snow-tipped brush. Rose didn’t bring gloves, so it was up to me to clear the path. Although Rose was two years older than me, I had recently found myself having to take the role of the older sibling. I was responsible for hunting, wood chopping, tending to our pigs and horses, and many other duties of the sort.

Rose used to be the one to take care of things around the house, claiming it was her job as the older sibling, but she had tired herself out from months of trying to keep us alive after…

Well, it was no use dwelling on it now.

It was high noon, but the sun was still nowhere to be found. The winters in the kingdom of Illea were brutal. Harsh winds, clouded skies, and cold weather were almost guaranteed with each new day.

We only had a few good months of spring - just long enough for the green grass to poke through the icy ground and bright flowers to pop up around our village. The frozen river would melt, too, making it a perfect place for a swim. This was an activity we used to love to do. We always looked forward to the first warm day.

It’s such a vast distinction from the heavy snow set upon us now.

I could get frostbite, you know? Rose griped. "Missy Thompson told me that her best friend, Maria, got frostbite on her toes last winter and couldn’t walk for months. Months, Violet. Is that the fate you want to fall upon me?"

One can only hope, I muttered under my breath.

Rose swatted me on my shoulder, causing me to chuckle. When my toes and fingers turn purple and we have to visit Dr. Brenner in the infirmary, you will regret taking me out here.

Despite her having a fair point, I kept my composure. Dr. Brenner was a putrid old man with little-to-no medical knowledge, but he was still the closest thing the village had to a real doctor. In our village, we learned to take the help when it was offered. "Relax. It’s just a little further. Plus, if you get frostbite, I’d aid you back to health myself before enduring Dr. Brenner’s dreadful droning and lecturing."

And for that, I am grateful. She giggled and quickened her pace, now falling in step next to me. We tended to do this a lot. The bickering began at birth, but we always tended to play it off with a few jokes. We meant well to each other, that I knew, but after all the years by ourselves, it was natural to grow tired of one another after a while.

We leaped over fallen logs and shimmied between tight corners of the snow-blanketed forest until we finally arrived. My heart skipped a beat when I saw it in between the clearing of leaves.

It was just how I had left it: an old, worn-down shed, crafted from the pine wood that littered the forest. It housed a large, arched door and a whimsical circle window. The trees were cleared around it, letting the sky beam down onto it, the green grass poking out of the thawing snow.

Rose peeked from behind my shoulder and gasped.

It’s beautiful! she exclaimed. It’s even better than you described.

I grinned back at her and motioned to her with my hand. Come on, you haven’t even seen the inside yet.

The door creaked open, and a rush of warmth surrounded us. I shrugged the wool coat off my shoulders and draped it along the arm of the couch. I took Rose’s coat too, setting it on top of mine as her wide, crystal-blue eyes scanned the small room in awe.

I knelt, poking around the fire in the small furnace.

I traveled out here this morning in preparation for your arrival. I know how much you hate the cold, I told her. I fell onto the light green cushions of the couch.

She wrinkled up her nose playfully. "Awe, so my sweet Violet does have a heart. I knew it was there somewhere deep inside your cold, cold chest."

I rolled my eyes. Oh, hush up and sit down.

I leaned over, digging in the small crate just to the side of the couch, and pulled out a leather-bound journal as Rose took the spot next to me. I pulled the band away and opened the pages.

So, this is what you dragged me out here for? Rose grabbed the journal from my hands and began skimming through the pages. What is it?

It’s Dad’s old journal. I tried to play it cool with my bland tone. I knew if I appeared too eager she’d shut this down immediately.

Her curious expression flattened slightly at the mention of our father. Why is it here?

I reached over and flipped to the bookmarked page, tapping my finger on the paper. Read here.

I waited patiently as her eyes scanned each line. I chewed my lips as she read, running over each possibility of how she’d react in my head.

So, dad… built this place? she asked, her eyes gazing around her surroundings almost as if she was seeing it in a brand new light.

Mhm, and guessing from the date here, I tapped the top of the page where the smeared ink was, "he built this place mere months before his death. He built this because he was hiding from someone. From her."

Rose sighed and closed her eyes. Violet.

I grabbed the journal from her, desperately flipping through the pages. No, I know, I know. Just look at this, though.

Rose’s somber eyes didn’t leave mine. Violet, we’ve talked about this. You can’t keep making up all these theories any more. Our father’s gone. He was killed during a raid on our village. There’s nothing more to the story.

"Just read these pages, Rose. Please," I begged her.

She shook her head. No, Violet. You need to drop it.

But mom said-

Rose’s expression turned cold. I thought I made it clear to never mention that woman again. She left us right after Dad died without so much as a warning. She’s not our mom. Not anymore.

You’re not listening to me, Rose! I wailed.

Rose leaned over, grabbing both my hands. "I’m the oldest, remember? I make the rules now. So, as the oldest, I say we’re going home."

* * *

Rose’s complaints halted on the walk back home. The cold wind whistling past our ears filled the silence as we trekked back through the forest. After a while, Rose’s steps fell in unison with mine, and her cold fingers slipped into my grasp.

A silent olive branch.

I’m glad you showed me Dad’s shed, Rose said.

Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter anyway. My tone matched the cold weather.

It does. We can go there during the raids. Hideout until it’s safe.

I sighed, letting the anger seep from my body and puddle onto the floor. Yeah, I guess so.

Raids had been happening at random since I could remember. It happened when the Queen suspected there was contraband in the villages—things that spoke negatively against her or her kingdom. Most were tame, our house only slightly out of place when the guards turned to leave. But the one that took Dad… was much different. Piles of possessions—all non-contraband—were set ablaze. Public demonstrations in the town circle happened day after day. Death had surrounded us… consumed us.

One of those included our father.

It’s good to have another place away from Athea, Rose spoke again. Our village is nice, sure, but sometimes it gets to be too much. The looks we get from people… the whispers… Rose trailed off, her eyes gazing down at the frosted, forest floor. They act as if we’re a walking funeral. I mean our dad died months ago now, at some point they have to move on, right?

Dad was an important part of the village, I explain. He practically carved every wooden piece of furniture in a ten-mile radius. I scoffed, the memories painfully flowing back to the forefront of my mind. His hammer and nails essentially hold the village together.

Rose laughed at this, but her smile quickly faded into a frown. I wish he was here.

I gazed up at the tips of the trees, blinking back any possibilities of tears. Me too.

* * *

The sun had just begun to fall behind the trees when we arrived back at our small cottage nestled in the forest. It was right on the outskirts of the village, only a five-minute walk from the main market square. Our father had built the house just a month after I was born. Rose was only four at the time, but that didn’t stop her from listing her demands about how she wanted the house to look.

She wanted a light green cottage with light blue shutters. The door had to be rounded and match the shutters. Her biggest demand, though, was one my father couldn’t accomplish: her own room. This, of course, made little Rose very upset when she discovered my sleeping infant body in the crib against the wall of her space.

Rose kicked the post of the stairs to knock the snow from her boots. Just before I could join her, my eye caught a glimpse of something on the door.

A small, emerald envelope was nailed to it. Ignoring the snow on my boots, I climbed the steps and pulled it free. Chips of the blue paint flaked away and floated into the snow. I didn’t even have to read whom it had come from. Only one person in the kingdom sent letters in their signature green envelope and gold wax seal.

The Queen.

My heart jumped in anticipation and confusion. What could the Queen possibly want from us? We had never gotten a letter, not since our father had passed. Those letters we were never even allowed to read. Our father would whisk them away and hide in his room as he read them. When any of us questioned it, even our mother, he’d brush it off and carefully steer the conversation away from it.

What is it? Rose called from behind me.

I held the envelope out to her, her eyes going as wide as my own.

It’s from the Queen, I told her breathlessly.

Rose plucked the envelope from my hands and tore it open. Unfolding the letter, our anxious eyes began scanning the large cursive.

My heart sank as I looked up at Rose.

Rose placed a hand over her mouth. I’m to be summoned in front of the Queen. For a… sentencing?

What did you do, Rose? I demanded.

She peered down at me with a concerned, frightened expression.

"What did you do?" I repeated.

I was met with a haunting silence.

Two

Rose was always the more outgoing one out of the two of us. Her witty comments and vibrant smiles were what held the family together. No matter what was going on in her life, she was always there to break the awkward silence and warm the room with her jokes.

Because of this, though, Rose was known to hide a lot of things. It started when she was little, but got worse as she grew older. She was an expert at hiding her feelings; if she was sad about something, she’d make sure no one ever knew. Our mother had always tried to get her to speak her mind more, but our father always praised her for putting on a brave face. Maybe seeing that was a part of the reason why I act the way I do. Putting up walls and pretending everything was okay seemed easier than admitting the actual problem.

That’s why, as we stood before the Queen, I had no idea just how much trouble she had gotten herself into.

The Queen sat on her gold-plated throne several feet away from Rose and me. We stood shoulder to shoulder, both of us shifting uncomfortably in the foreign gowns that are required to wear in the Queen’s presence. It was much different from anything we wore back home. The environment was much too cold to ever dress in such garments. But, the attire was a must, and we’d do anything to lighten the blow that Rose was certainly about the endure.

Rose’s gown was green, while mine was light pink. The fabric went down far below our knees, stopping right above our tattered flats. We had dug these outfits from the back of our closets. Our mother had bought them for us when I was sixteen and Rose eighteen, for a small wedding that took place in our village. They were much too small now, and the fabric pinched, but I clenched my teeth in an attempt to hide the discomfort. I hoped Rose was doing the same.

The Queen scanned us up and down with her eyes, her face still, with no emotions to be detected, just as she always appeared.

Miss. Rose Beckett, please step forward, she commanded.

Rose shot me a weary look before doing so.

You have been called to stand before me today. Do you understand why?

Rose clasped her hands together, her gaze falling to the floor. Yes, Your Majesty.

Just one week prior, you were caught by one of my guards in an adulterous affair with one of Athea’s married men.

My eyes widen as I hear this for the first time. It all clicked now—why she wouldn’t tell me. Adultery is one of the worst sins you can commit in the kingdom. She knew that she was in major trouble. Fellow villagers have been banished for way worse.

My heart dropped at the thought of Rose being banished from the kingdom. The rules were that you were never to return, forced to live out your days beyond the walls of Illea and the safety of the guards. A world of ruin and danger.

A death sentence.

"Adultery, Miss. Beckett, is a sin we have zero tolerance for here in The Kingdom of Illea. You know this, don’t you?"

Y-Yes, Your Majesty, but I didn’t know he was a married man! Her voice quivered.

The Queen raised her hand, silencing her. I’ve heard it all a million times. Enough blabbering. I’ve come to my decision of your punishment. The room fell silent as she paused, her eyes narrowing at Rose. You are to be banished from Illea as soon as we can arrange a carriage to the south wall.

Murmurs between the guards rang out. The wind left my body in one swoop as my legs gave out beneath me. I reached out for Rose, who looked back at me with terrified eyes. We held onto each other, our heavy breaths drowning out the noise around us.

The Queen must have shouted an order at her guards because they quickly sprang into action, pulling Rose from me and out of the wide doors.

Rose was only able to shout a hectic I love you before the doors swung shut.

I stood, my arms wrapped around myself, alone now. My eyes stung with tears, but I blinked them away quickly.

Miss. Violet Beckett, is it? She turned to me.

I nodded slightly, my mind wandering far from this room—out the doors and down the hallway where Rose was certainly being dragged to a cell.

I take it you’re on your own now?

I gave another absent nod.

Athea is a good village. Lots of help. I’m sure you’ll be fine. She waved a hand at the remaining guards. You get one visit with Rose before she is to be banished. That will be tomorrow. A carriage will be there to pick you up just like today. Guards, take her away.

The floor seemed to open and swallow me whole as they dragged me back into the carriage and whisked me away.

The seat next to me, where Rose once sat, was now glaringly empty.

Three

The cells in which they held the criminals of the kingdom were tucked deep within the castle’s basement. Two guards stood on both sides of me, guiding me down the nauseating twists and turns of the hallways.

When they unlocked the metal door and pulled it open, the rumbles of the prisoners grew at the sound of visitors. I watched anxiously as all the prisoners emerged from their cells, gripping the bars and peering toward me.

My face twisted in disgust as whistles rang out through the dinghy halls. Finally, in the last cell, Rose’s face emerged. She sat against the wall; her legs pulled up to her chest.

Her eyes lit up as she noticed me, pushing herself up and rushing towards the bars. We grabbed each other’s hands and squeezed tightly.

I can’t believe you’re here! I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.

I tried to force a smile through my sad expression. I was granted one visit before…

Rose’s face fell. Oh, right. At least you’re here now. She gave me a small smile.

I rested my forehead against the bars, looking up at her from beneath my eyelashes. It was the first time in a long time I really looked at her. Her hair was tied up behind her now, but it still glowed golden in the lantern’s light like it always had. Her eyes… so damn blue… were sad, but still sparkled like normal.

I used to be jealous of her. She looked exactly like our mother, which granted her the most attention from her. She’d teach her how to bake and frolic with her through the fields, while I was stuck learning how to shoot a bow, hunt, and throw knives with my father. It wasn’t all bad, though. My father and I enjoyed each other’s company. And the skills he had taught me were now vital to our survival.

But now, it was hard to be jealous of someone who has ultimately been handed a death sentence.

Rose sighed and whispered under her breath, What am I going to do?

You’re going to live, I asserted. You’re going to find shelter and live. I hushed my voice even lower. And you’re going to wait for me.

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. Wait for you?

I nodded. I’m going to fix this, okay? I can fix this.

How? she asked, her curious expression perking slightly.

I shook my head, scoffing. I… I don’t know yet. I need time to figure something out.

Rose looked at me with pain in her eyes. "You can’t do this alone, Violet. You can’t take on the world alone. You’re… distant. You’ve never been keen to anyone. But, Violet, you need to let others in. It’s the only way you’re going to make it without me. If you keep this wall up between you and others, you’ll never truly live."

I brushed her off. I’ll be fine. You know me, Rose. I’ve gone this far alone. Let me help you, and then we can fix everything.

The guard’s voice boomed, making Rose and I jump. Times up.

We shot each other worried looks. Reaching out to each other between the bars, we embraced in any way we could.

The guard grasped my arm and began tugging me away.

I’ll fix this! I called after her. Rose reached out for me, but her fingertips could only graze mine.

I love you! she wailed.

I love you, I called out to her just before the door slammed shut behind me, completely locking me out of her life.

I jerked as hard as I could, desperate to free myself from his grip.

He didn’t budge.

Just like the day before, I was thrown back into the carriage. Only this time, a rising ounce of hope bubbled up within me. I was