Commander Kael staggered to his feet. He brushed dirt from his heavy armor and looked around wildly. The other soldiers were waking up groaning and holding their heads. The strange magical sleep left them dizzy and deeply confused.
Kael saw King Draven walking down the grassy hill and let out a loud shout of pure relief.
"My King" Kael called out running forward. He stopped short when he saw the woman walking right beside Draven.
Draven stood tall and authoritative in his silver armor. "At ease Commander. The strange storm passed over us. We are safe."
Kael looked closely at the woman. Her chestnut hair blew softly in the normal morning wind. Her hazel eyes looked calm and very gentle. "Who is this sire? We searched the woods before the storm hit us. The area was empty."
"This is Lady Elara" Draven lied smoothly without breaking eye contact with his commander. "She is a traveling healer from a distant southern village. She found me wandering in the terrible storm and offered me shelter. She will be joining us in Valerius as an honored guest."
Kael bowed respectfully to her.
Ravenna offered a small graceful nod in return playing her new part perfectly. The royal guards gathered their scattered war horses. Draven helped Ravenna mount a gentle gray mare before climbing onto his own massive black stallion. The royal procession began the long ride back to the capital city.
The journey took two full days.
Ravenna used the quiet time on the road to watch the mortal world she had never been allowed to see. She saw wide green farm fields and small villages filled with busy working people. She saw children laughing and chasing wooden carts through the mud. It was so different from the wild dangerous beauty of the Obsidian Court. The mortals lacked magic but they possessed a strange and simple warmth that fascinated her.
On the afternoon of the second day the massive stone walls of Valerius finally appeared on the horizon. The capital city was a sprawling fortress of gray stone and heavy iron gates. High towers reached up into the bright blue sky. Red banners bearing the roaring lion crest flapped proudly in the wind.
Ravenna felt a heavy tight knot form in her stomach. This was the seat of mortal power. This was the exact place where her pregnant mother was sentenced to die.
Draven rode close to her side as they passed through the thick iron gates. The city streets were crowded with cheering citizens throwing sweet flower petals to celebrate the safe return of their fierce king. Draven looked over at Ravenna. He saw the hidden tension pulling at her small shoulders.
"Stay close to me" Draven whispered so only she could hear over the loud cheering crowd. "I will not let any harm come to you in my city."
Ravenna met his stormy gray eyes and nodded once. She drew upon her hidden magic to keep her pulse steady and calm.
The royal guards escorted them up the steep winding path to the main castle courtyard. Servants rushed forward to take the horses as Draven and Ravenna dismounted.
The huge wooden doors of the Great Hall swung open wide. Draven walked inside with heavy confident steps. Ravenna walked right beside him keeping her head held high.
The Great Hall was magnificent. Giant stone fireplaces roared with bright orange flames. Beautiful woven tapestries of old battles hung on the stone walls. The royal court was already gathered to welcome the king home. Lords and ladies wore expensive bright silks and shiny jewels. They parted like a sea of colors to let Draven pass through the center of the room.
At the far end of the room stood the high iron throne. Three women waited gracefully at the foot of the steps. Beside them stood five young girls wearing pretty silk dresses. They were the five princesses of Valerius.
Draven softened his stern face the moment he saw his daughters. They were the only pure things living in this dark toxic castle. The youngest girl with bright eager eyes broke away from the queens. She ran forward and threw her small arms around the armored legs of the king. Draven smiled warmly. He knelt down and hugged her tightly pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. He pulled the small wooden horse toy from his pocket and handed it back to her. She beamed with joy.
Then Draven stood up to face his three wives.
Ravenna felt the toxic energy in the room immediately. It was thick and suffocating. She looked closely at the three queens.
Queen Isolde stood in the center. She was the oldest and the most beautiful with bright blonde hair and very cold blue eyes. She wore a heavy red gown covered in thick gold embroidery.
Queen Lysandra stood to the left side. She had sharp features dark hair and a permanent sneer resting on her lips.
Queen Genevieve stood to the right looking the youngest and the softest but her nervous fragile smile never reached her eyes.
"My beloved King" Queen Isolde said stepping forward. Her voice was smooth as silk but it carried no real warmth at all. "We feared the worst when the messengers said a terrible storm delayed your return. The gods have favored us by bringing you home safely."
Draven stopped walking. He did not smile at his wives. "I survived the storm Isolde. And I brought a new guest to the castle."
Isolde shifted her cold blue eyes directly to Ravenna. The other two queens also stared hard at the strange beautiful woman standing so close to their husband. Ravenna felt their deep bitter jealousy radiating through the air like a physical heat.
"This is Lady Elara" Draven announced loudly to the quiet hall. "She is a skilled healer who provided me with shelter during the worst of the storm. She will be given comfortable rooms in the east wing. She is under my personal royal protection."
Loud whispers instantly broke out among the gathered lords and ladies. The fierce king never brought strange women back to the castle. Queen Lysandra narrowed her sharp eyes studying Ravenna from head to toe. Queen Genevieve nervously twisted her diamond rings around her fingers.
Queen Isolde forced a very tight polite smile. "A healer. How wonderful. Valerius always welcomes those who serve the crown. We are deeply in your debt Lady Elara."
"The honor is mine Your Grace"
Ravenna replied softly keeping her voice calm and perfectly even.
Draven turned to Commander Kael. "Escort Lady Elara to her new chambers. See that she has everything she needs to rest."
Kael bowed low and motioned for Ravenna to follow him. She walked away from the high throne but she could feel the burning stares of the three jealous wives drilling into her back. The magic disguise hid her wild witch nature but it could not hide the dangerous new game she was about to play. She had just crossed into the mortal snake pit and the royal vipers were already baring their fangs.