Cherish

Our footsteps echo down the castle stairway as we make our way to the dungeon where we’re keeping Forrest.

Are you sure about this, mia,” Kade asks softly from beside me.

I take a steadying breath and nod. “Yeah, I’m sure. We need to know what he told the Ikishri King.”

“There’s a chance that he won’t tell you,” Kade points out, unnecessarily.

“I still have to try,” I whisper as we get to the doors. The guards standing at the doors bow to me before opening them.

The bowing thing is still hard to get used to. Honestly, I highly doubt that I will ever get used to it.

I mutter a quick thanks as we walk past. My brother looks up at me, meeting my eyes as I approach the first cell. His cell.

“Well, well, well,” Forrest drawls. “If it isn’t Queen Cherish,” he sneers the title, distaste plastered on his face. “To what do I owe the pleasure of gaining an audience with the Queen herself?”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Someone’s snippy.” Forrest opens his mouth, but stops talking when I raise a hand, cutting him off. “I’m sure you can guess why I’m here.”

Forrest grins wickedly. “Well, I didn’t think it was to wish your big brother goodbye and let him go on his way.”

“You would be correct,” I say simply. “You’re a traitor. A murderer. You need to be punished.”

“Punishment?” he spits. “You set my execution date for the day after tomorrow, you fucking bitch. The day after your coronation. I guess it’s fitting. After all, I did kill our father and take the crown from him. So, the hero of the hour takes the crown from me then decides to kill me. Shouldn’t you have done it the other way around?”

“I’m not here to talk about your execution,” I admit, adopting a bored tone. “I need to know what you told the Ikishri while you were working with him.”

Forrest snarls at me. “I’m not telling you a damn thing. I’m going to take the time I have left to relish in the fact that, even though you got the crown, the Ikishri will destroy you. And there is nothing you can do to stop it, little girl.” He moves to the bars gripping them so tightly his knuckles turn white.

“You weren’t born or raised here. You know nothing of how things truly work. And that will be your downfall.” He pauses. “Well, that and your compassionate nature. You’re definitely not the one fit to wear that crown.”

I purse my lips. “I’m a better fit than you could ever be. I think we’re done here,” I tell Kade.

Kade nods and places his hand on the small of my back as he leads me to the entrance.

“You’re just leaving?” Forrest asks, sounding baffled.

A small smile pulls at my lips. “You won’t tell me anything. And I’m really not interested in torturing the information out of you.” I pause, turning slightly to meet my brother’s eyes as we walk away. “Although, I can’t say the same for your guards.”

I ignore my brother’s shouts as we leave the dungeon. The doors close behind us and I huff out a breath. That probably wasn’t the best idea I’ve ever had. Guilt churns in my stomach as I think about the fact that he’ll be executed at my order. I know that I can’t take it easy on him, especially since his crimes are so severe, but that doesn’t stop the guilt or the unease from forming.

Kade wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close to his side as he kisses my temple. “Let’s get out of here, ma hai.”

“Alright,” I whisper quietly, not at all opposed to the idea of getting away from my brother. I just wish I didn’t have to actually watch his execution.

Kade leads me back through the castle halls and to my bedroom where Xander and Andrei are waiting for us. As soon as the door opens, both of my guys’ attention shoots straight to me. I give them a small smile.

“I’m fine,” I assure them.

Andrei raises an eyebrow at me, not looking like he believes me one bit. Well, he’s right to be doubtful. I’m not really all that okay. I have my coronation tomorrow, where I have to say some vows in a damn language I don’t really know yet. Well, besides the swear words and a few words here and there that the guys throw out.

Then after that we have Forrest’s execution the next day and I have to be there for that because of his acts of treason. I never imagined that I’d have to sentence anyone to death. Especially in the first few weeks. Even when I was fighting for the crown, I didn’t really stop and think about the fact that once I got it, Forrest would have to die.

“I don’t believe you,” Xander says simply, “but I won’t pry. You’ll tell us when you’re ready.”

I give him a soft smile as I walk to him and press a gentle kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

He grins at me as he runs a hand down my back, warming my blood with his touch. “Anything for you, Princess.”

“Can we go do something? Something that isn’t preparing for the coronation, or Forrest’s execution. Or anything that entails me being the Queen for just a little while?” I ask my guys sweetly.

They each chuckle before Andrei answers. “That should be fine. I figured you’d want to see something that the guards found a few hours ago, anyways.”

“Oh? What did they find?” I ask curiously.

Xander chuckles as Andrei smiles. “Why don’t you come with us and find out?”

“Alright,” I agree instantly. I’m curious and they know that if I want something bad enough I’ll go after it.

Kade laughs from beside me. I turn and look up at him. “You know what it is, don’t you?” I accuse.

He nods. “Yes. We just weren’t sure when to bring it up to you.”

“So, this is actually perfect timing,” Andrei adds, holding his hand out to me. I instantly entwine our fingers together.

“Let’s go,” I say impatiently, making them all laugh as we leave the room.

We’re quiet for a while, just enjoying the walk and each other’s company before my curiosity gets the better of me once we hit the garden.

“What you’re showing me is in the garden?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yeah. Well, not in the garden but in one of the small shacks in the garden,” Andrei explains.

“And what are we going to see when we get there?” I ask, hoping they will just tell me.

No such luck.

“Nope. Just walk with us and find out for yourself, Princess. You won’t be disappointed. I promise,” Xander says quietly from the other side of me.

I purse my lips but otherwise let it go. I’m just glad they’re getting me out of the castle walls for a short while. Even if it is a surprise.

We walk for a little while longer when the guys lead me to one of the huts about halfway through the garden. Andrei opens the door and gestures for us to enter before him. When we get in there I frown when I see a puff of smoke and some weird croaking sound.

The elf giggles. “That wasn’t very nice,” she coos softly, her arm extended to something in front of her.

Xander clears his throat, gaining the elf’s attention. She jumps and turns, her attention immediately coming to me.

Her eyes widen and she bows immediately, her silver hair falling forward like a curtain. “Your Majesty, I wasn’t expecting you. I didn’t hear you come in. I apologize.”

I frown at the panic in her tone. “You’re fine. Stop bowing, please.” The elf stands up straight, her cheeks red as she averts her eyes.

“We thought we’d bring the Queen to see what the guards found,” Xander explains to the girl.

She nods and gives a strained smile. “Of course. Although, it’s no longer an egg,” she warns, warmth filling her tone. “She hatched not long after they brought her to me.”

My brows furrow. “Sorry? Egg? Hatched?” I look at Kade who’s grinning at me mischievously. “What did they find?”

“Oh, they didn’t tell you?” the elf asks, shocked.

I shake my head. “No. They wanted to keep it a surprise.” The elf’s face lights up and she gives a real smile.

“I think you’ll appreciate this surprise, Majesty.”

I shake my head. “Please, just call me Cherish. I’m still getting used to the whole titles thing,” I admit when she looks at me with shock.

“She’ll get used to it eventually,” Andrei says as he steps close behind me, laughter in his voice as his hands go to my shoulders.

I roll my eyes. Doubtful.

Rubbing my hands together, I glance between my guys who are standing on either side. “So, what’d you want to show me?”

Xander chuckles and takes my hand, leading me to the table the elf girl is standing in front of. I stop before we get there and tilt my head as I look at the girl. “What’s your name?”

She smiles. “Aila, your- uh, Cherish?” She asks my name hesitantly making me laugh.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aila,” I say with a grin, hoping to put her at ease. Thankfully, it works. Her shoulders lose some of the tension as she moves aside for Xander and I to get past.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she assures me, a soft smile on her face.

A chirping croak draws my attention back to the table and my mouth drops.

There on the table is a small dragon, bigger than my hands, but not by much. Its scales change with the light from a dark purple to a dark blue as it makes little noises at us.

“Oh my god,” I mutter, not sure if I should squeal like a typical teenage girl or run away. “Dragons are real?”

My guys chuckle and Aila tilts her head to the side as she studies me.

“You didn’t know?” Aila asks curiously.

I flinch. “I didn’t even know elves existed until these three found me,” I admit, gesturing to my guys.

“I knew you were raised in the human world, but I didn’t know you haven’t known of us for very long,” Aila admits.

I laugh. “That’s one of the reasons so many are against me being on the throne,” I point out gently, not taking my eyes from the baby dragon in front of me. “You said it’s a girl?” I ask, peeking at her long enough to see her nod. “Does she have a name?”

“We don’t usually name them, Princess,” Xander explains softly. “Her mother was found dead a few hundred feet away from where the egg was hidden. We took her to ensure her survival and when she’s old enough and ready in a few months, before she gets too big, she’ll be released.”

I meet his eyes. “But why not name them if they’ll be here for a while?” I ask, curious.

“They don’t usually answer to them, anyway,” Andrei points out, leaning against the wall beside us.

“Neither do cats, and we name those little shits.”

Kade snorts. “Did you seriously just compare a dragon to a common housecat?”

I glare at him and stick my tongue out at him. He raises an eyebrow at me as he smirks. “Not really. Just about the names.”

Xander laughs softly beside me. “What do you think, Princess?” he asks, his voice quiet.

“She’s beautiful,” I whisper. I want to touch her, but I’ll admit to being too scared to do it just yet.

A knock on the door pulls my attention away from the beautiful baby dragon and I frown when I see one of the maids at the entrance.

“Yes?” Andrei asks.

The maid bows deeply. “My apologies for interrupting, but the Queen is needed for her fitting.”

I bite back a groan. “Back to work, I guess,” I mutter sadly, taking one last peek at the dragon before leading the guys out of the hut and back toward the castle with the maid keeping pace with us.

“We’ll come back, mia,” Kade says reassuringly, rubbing his hand across my back soothingly.

I grin up at him. “Good. I’m holding you to that.”