I'm going to kill Tamara.

Or the seamstress.

Or both of them.

Now I know why Tamara was sure to ask when exactly I was planning to leave for the Dragon Realm. Not that she would know when to be ready. No, so she could tell the head seamstress to prick and torture me beforehand.

I'm standing on a pedestal in just my underwear and the seamstress is taking great joy in prodding me in all sorts of uncomfortable places. I have no idea why she even needs to measure me. She has magic, for goodness sake. She probably takes great pleasure in pricking the future Queen with fixing pins. I have to keep a close grip on my magic, otherwise the seamstress might have already been set alight.

My first law as Queen will be something about the dress code. Specifically, the Queen can wear whatever she wants, including jeans, t-shirts and baggy hoodies. And if it's a dress, it doesn't need to have frills, a gigantic neckline or holes that show too much skin. All things that I'm dreading my coronation dress to have.

I asked my guys if there are any guidelines for coronations, but it's not something that's ever happened here in this Realm before. Beira was the first and only Queen, there's been no need for a coronation. That's probably why Tamara is so excited. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, even for immortal Guardians.

There have been coronations in other Realms, however, and Tamara is using those for inspiration. She's even muttered things about William and Kate, but I hope I misheard that. Surely they don't know about Earth monarchies here in the Realms?

"What's the dress going to look like?" I ask the seamstress out of boredom, but she just continues to prick me with needles. That woman has no respect. I have no idea if it's just me she treats in this way, or if she's generally a cold-hearted bitch happy to make other people suffer by making them wear horrible dresses.

To pass the time, I extend my magic and concentrate on the people in the rooms and corridors nearby. Everyone seems to be busy with either war or coronation preparations. I'm beginning to think that they're both just as terrible. There are two people far beneath my room who are talking about the crown. I think the plan is to use my current, smallish Princess crown and turn it into something that resembles that of my mother but isn't quite the same. I refused to wear my mother's crown; I'm keeping that one safe for her until she's better.

I skip a few conversations about the upcoming feast - that only makes me hungry - and stop when I find a group of male Guardians gossiping over what female Goddesses will be attending the coronation. I smile. Life goes on, even in the middle of a war. I listen to them for a bit, but hurriedly continue on when they start talking about me. No thanks, I have no intention of finding out what the male Palace population thinks about me. It will either make me vain or crush my self-confidence.

A sharp pain on my belly makes me snap back into the room.

"That hurt," I complain, but the seamstress has already turned around and is packing up her things. Good riddance. Maybe I should find out if I can design my own clothes with my new powers. That would be a nice revenge against that mad woman.

I wait until she's left, then I put on some loose linen clothes that aren't suited to the Winter Realm weather in the slightest, but will be perfect for visiting the dragons. I quickly teleport into the kitchen and grab some cinnamon rolls, before heading into my office.

Ada is already waiting there, looking a lot better than when I last saw her.

"How are you?" I greet her warmly while giving her a quick inconspicuous body scan. She's healthy, if still a little underweight. That will hopefully be fixed soon. Her aura is a lot more vibrant as well, swirling with excitement.

"I'm well, thank you. Tamara has told me about Dewi and her mother. Are you sure she's Bridget's daughter?"

"Not one hundred per cent," I admit, "but close. Did she ever mention her parents?"

Ada laughs. "We didn't exactly have time for small talk. I rescued her, she imprisoned me as a thank you, that's the extent of our relationship. But I heard a lot of gossip while I was in my cell. Dewi was a demigoddess before the Morrigan took over, but after I rescued her, something happened and she turned into... more."

I wonder if her transformation happened at the same time as my own. That would be rather interesting. Two demigoddesses, both becoming Gods on the same day. Maybe there's a connection? So far, neither Algonquin nor anybody else has been able to find a record of this happening before. I thought I was unique, but as it turns out, there are at least two of us anomalies.

"Agierth is quite nice though," Ada continues. "She's sensible if a little rash sometimes. She also knows how to handle Dewi's mood swings. The guards said that those were bad before the imprisonment, but have become worse since I freed her. She's not an easy woman to be around." She shrugs. "No idea how Agierth does it."

My magic alerts me that Tamara is approaching the office. I let the door swing open to welcome her in. Much quicker than telling the guards to do it.

"How was your dress fitting?" she asks with a smile in her voice.

"Don't or I can't be held accountable for my actions," I reply tonelessly. "That woman is the devil."

"Oh yes, she likes it when you struggle." She chuckles. "Are we ready for a trip into dragonland? I have to say, I'm rather excited. Their Realm is one of the few places I've never been."

"It's beautiful," Ada says dreamily. "The sunsets are the best, when their dark red earth is bathed in orange light... They have some very strange plants, like small trees with spikes."

"Cacti?" I ask, but she shrugs.

"No idea. We don't have them here, and I've not been bestowed with that knowledge when I was created."

I summon a little fog and form it into the shape of a cactus in front of me.

"Oh yes, that's it!" Ada squeals in delight. "So that's a cacti?"

"Cactus," I correct. "Cacti is plural. But we better get going, I don't want to miss all my coronation preparations."

I'm sure they can hear the sarcasm in my voice. If I could, I'd hide in the Dragon Realm until just before they put a crown on my head. And then go there again to skip the afterparty.

I stretch out an arm and both women put their hands on it.

"Off we go," I warn them and teleport straight into the Dragon Palace.

A roar comes from behind of us and I just about manage to put a barrier into place before a stream of ice crashes into it. What a welcome. Maybe I shouldn't have transported us into the throne room, but I'm short on time.

"Stop, that's the Winter Queen," a shout comes from somewhere in front of us, but with the ice surrounding my barrier, I can't see anything.

The dragon stops trying to turn us into living icicles and I defrost my barrier with a bit of hot air. I check whether the dragon really is halting his attack before slowly lowering it.

"Welcome back," Agierth greets us cheerily. She claps her hands and the room empties as everyone leaves, including the bright green dragon who surprised us.

"Maybe knock the next time you come for a visit," the dragon shifter suggests with a chuckle. "Us dragons don't like being surprised."

Ada steps forward and gives the woman a short bow. "It's good to see you again, Agierth."

"Likewise. I'm glad I no longer have to treat you as a prisoner. So, why have you come?"

“Tamara and Ada will have to talk to you about something important,” I tell her. “By the way, may I introduce you to Tamara, my Mistress of the Household.”

“A pleasure,” Agierth says. If she’s surprised that I brought the woman supposedly organising my Palace household, she doesn’t show it, not even in her aura.

“I will have to speak to Dewi. Can you point me to her?”

“Not necessary, she’s already on her way.” Agierth points at her temples. “We’re bonded. Does it work the same for non-dragons?”

“It does for me,” Ada replies before I have the chance to. “I can talk to my men in my mind when I need to.”

I wish I could do the same. Before I became a Goddess, I’d been able to occasionally see their thoughts, but that skill has vanished completely. I can see their auras and I can feel their presence from afar, but I can’t do mental communication with them.

“What are you doing here?” Dewi’s booming voice makes us all turn around. She’s sitting on her throne, even though I’m sure it was empty a second ago.

“I need to talk to you. In private.” I’m not sure how pleasant to be to her, not after she imprisoned Ada and her husbands, so I keep my tone neutral.

She looks at me curiously and once again I’m surprised that I can see her face. At least now I know why she’s different from other Gods. She wasn’t born a Goddess, she turned into one, just like me. Maybe we should be friends or at least swap notes. Well, I’ve got something like that planned.

“Let’s go to my private quarters,” she says and walks away without waiting for me to follow. Tamara gives me an encouraging nod, not that I needed it. I’m already hurrying after Dewi.

She leads us through a small door behind the throne and into a cosy sitting room. Thick tapestries cover the wall, all of them depicting dragons. Some of them look ancient and frayed. I wonder how long dragons have been around. Were they created by Gods? Did they spring into existence in another way?

It’s a pity I don’t have more time. I’d love to spend a few quiet hours in this palace’s library and find out more.

Dewi points to one of the sofas for me to take a seat. It’s soft and I sink deep into it. Not quite the best way to look royal.

“So, tell me, why are you here?” She’s sat down on a chair that looks a little like a throne. It’s higher than the sofa, which means that she’s looking down at me. Clever. It immediately makes me feel inferior, but I know that isn’t true. I’m the future Winter Queen, the daughter of the Mother of Gods.

“There have been some new developments that might change our fortunes in the fight against the Morrigan,” I begin, and her gaze turns more focused. She’s listening. Good.

“Excuse the personal question, but do you know who your parents are?”

She frowns. “I knew my father, but what business of yours is that?”

“I’ll explain in a moment. Did he ever tell you who your mother is?”

“No.” A look of pain draws over her face. It seems to be a sore point. “I was raised by my father in a dragon commune on Earth. When I was in my mid-twenties, he brought me here. Until then, I didn’t even know I was royalty. My father’s brother had been the King, and as he’d died, my father took over. I was suddenly a Princess…”

Her voice trails off and I grimace. “I know the feeling.”

She looks at me as if she sees me for the first time. “Yes, I suppose you do. We have a lot in common.” She pauses, then asks quietly, “So, who’s my mother? Even on his deathbed, my father refused to tell me.”

His deathbed? Does that mean dragons aren’t immortal? A question for another day.

“I believe it was a Goddess. She married later, but back then, she was with your father…”

“Who?” Dewi asks sharply.

“Bridget. The Summer King’s wife.”

She gasps. “That cannot be. That simply can’t be true.”

I don’t say anything, giving her time for the news to sink in.

“How can you even know that?”

“I found several books mentioning a union between a dragon shifter and a Goddess. One of them mentions Bridget by name. And you being a demigoddess, it makes sense. You’re like me, you suddenly became a Goddess.”

Dewi smiles. “Yes, it was a bit of a shock. I didn’t even know I was a demigoddess before. I always knew I was different from everybody else, that I was a lot more powerful and had skills they didn’t possess, but nobody ever told me that I was a demigoddess. I just assumed that it was because I was royalty.”

She frowns. “Bridget? Seriously? Angus’s wife? Haven’t they been together for ages?”

“Strangely enough, no. It’s only been a few centuries since they met. How old are you now?”

“Five-hundred-and-twenty-two.”

Wow. I still haven’t got my head around how old everyone in the Realms is. Centuries, millennia, it’s nothing special here. For them, I must seem like a mayfly.

I try not to show my surprise. “That corresponds with what it said in the books. I believe that Bridget has no idea of your existence. She’s been trying to have a child, but it’s not been successful so far. If she finds out that you exist, she might be tempted to take your side. Our side.”

“But she’s Angus’s wife! She’s the enemy!”

“For now.” I smile. “I’m hoping we can change that. We’re going to leak the news to her, hoping that she’ll bite. She’ll probably send some spies into your Realm, or even try and come herself. It goes without saying that you should let her. She might even try to keep this a secret from her husband for now, in case he thinks she cheated on him.”

“You want me to let our enemy into my Realm?” Dewi asks incredulously.

“I do. And hopefully, by the time she leaves it again, she won’t be our enemy any longer.”

“Do you really think she can sway Angus to switch sides?”

That’s the critical point that I don’t have an answer to. Tamara believes so, but I don’t know Angus and Bridget. I have no idea what their relationship is like.

“It’s worth a try,” I hedge. “And wouldn’t you like to meet your mother?”

It’s a cheap shot, but I don’t have time for her to think about it for days. This is war.

Her aura brightens a little. “Of course. Alright, I’ll tell my border guards to let in any spies that might come.”

“Good.” I give her a grateful smile. “Keep me informed if that happens, or if Bridget herself turns up. That would be the best-case scenario, of course. But there’s something else. Something about your magic.”

“Another surprise?” She smiles weakly. “Was my father not actually my father?”

She’s dropped her rough exterior and I can finally see the real Dewi underneath. I think it makes her more human… dragon… Goddess… well, you know what I mean. More approachable, that’s it.

“Have you ever wondered why there’s no God of Autumn, even though all the other season are represented?”

She shrugs. “I can’t say I have. Until recently, we didn’t have any Gods in this Realm.”

“Neither had I, but now that I’m about to be crowned the Winter Queen, I am more aware of the delicate balance connecting the seasons. Angus and Beira were the first and they’ve more or less kept the equilibrium ever since. Of course, the God of Summer has tried to take over several times and destroy the balance, but I believe that’s just because he’s power hungry and not because he actually wants to upset the stability keeping all magic alive.”

“Wait, the balance between Summer and Winter is keeping magic alive?”

“Yes, there’d be no magic without it. Not much life, either, if my mother is correct. It’s imperative to keep the balance at all cost.”

“Then how is there a balance with no Autumn?”

I smile. “I think we already have a Goddess of Autumn, she just doesn’t know it yet.”

I let the penny drop.

“Me?”

“I think so. There’s a way to find out though. Let me connect with your magic. I’m not quite Winter yet, but I will be tomorrow when I’m crowned. I can already feel it though, and I explored the balance yesterday. I learned a lot about it and it gave me some pointers on how we can save it.”

“It? You speak as if it’s alive.”

I shrug. “In a way, that’s what it feels like. It’s hard to explain. It’s like an energy that connects all of us, but it’s channelled through the seasons. Without the four Gods, it can’t reach the Realms. I just call it the balance, but maybe it has a different name.”

“What if I’m not Autumn?”

That question scares me a little. I’m convinced that she is, so if she isn’t, what does that mean for my other theories and plans?

I smile bravely. “Let’s find out.”

She takes a loud breath. “Alright. What do I need to do?”

“Extend your magic until it reaches mine.”

I do the same, pushing my magic outwards like a balloon, saturating the air with it. I’m hoping that once it meets with Dewi’s, there will be some kind of reaction. Fingers crossed. It’s not as if I have any idea of what I’m actually doing. I’m several centuries younger than Dewi, and I’m not sure if my magic is stronger or weaker than hers. It’s a strange situation.

I can feel her magic getting closer and prepare for the contact. When they touch, sparks fly. No, not sparks. Snowflakes. It’s snowing!

Her magic is warm and intense, but not scolding like I’d imagine Summer’s to be. It feels both hot and cold at the same time, like the extremes of an autumn day. The smell of apples and pine needles hits my nose. Yes, she really is Autumn, no doubt about that. She feels like it, like the essence of that season.

“You’re Winter,” she whispers.

“You’re Autumn,” I reply. “Look at us, two of the seasons in one room.”

“I feel stronger suddenly. Like my magic was suppressed before and now it’s finally free.”

“Me too,” I admit.

“Do you think the same would happen with Angus and whoever the Spring God is?”

“I think so. There’s just a tiny problem… the Goddess of Spring, Flora, has been taken by the Morrigan.”

Dewi breaks the connection and stares at me. “We need to get her back.”

Her voice is full of passion and conviction. Whatever just happened with our magic has changed her. I guess I have always known that I belong to the Winter Realm, but for her, it’s all new.

“Trust me, it’s on my list. For now, we can’t without disrupting the balance. You and I are on one side, and Angus and Flora are on the other, even if she isn’t there willingly. What we need to do is get them both onto our side at the same time. If you can convince Bridget to fight with us, and she brings her husband with her, then hopefully together we can free Flora. Imagine, all four of us standing against the Morrigan. We’d be able to stop her, I’m sure of it.”

She frowns. “So you don’t think we can beat her at the moment?”

“I didn’t say that. But it will be more difficult. The losses will be greater. We have no idea how many demons the Morrigan commands. Angus is predictable, she isn’t.”

“No, that she certainly is not,” Dewi mutters. “We had no idea she’d be interested in our Realm. We’ve been reclusive for so long that we didn’t think anyone would ever want to attack us. She managed to take over my Realm without a single drop of blood being spilt.” She shudders. “Of course, she caused a lot of bloodshed soon after. She needs to be stopped.”

“Don’t worry, she will be stopped. She killed my mother, and I’m not letting her get away with that.”