“The carriage is ready, Your Majesty.” A young servant announced as she stood in the doorway of Sharra’s bedroom.

Sharra waved her off. “I’ll be down.”

The servant bowed and exited the room.

Sharra resumed packing her icicles.

After Sharra announced she was heading to Benna, preparations for her departure from Thalassia immediately began. Liana, a former servant, was called back to the palace and given instructions on how to take care of Princess Clara. Minaa, the youngest servant, was instructed to release Janel and order the bird to fetch Tyran. And Riane, the oldest servant, was ordered to give the Royal Court the news of Sharra’s departure and her instructions on how to proceed while she was away.

The palace was scrambling.

Sharra’s departure for Benna was surprising and unprecedented. For most of her reign, Sharra had been a hermit, locking herself behind her palace’s walls and refusing to leave.

But the line had been crossed.

Immediately after she finished packing her icicles on her bed, another servant appeared in her doorway. “Tyran is here, Your Majesty.”

Sharra immediately turned her attention to the door.

“What is this talk about you leaving for Benna?” Tyran said angrily, as he stormed in and towards her. “Are you out of your mind? Right before the next delegation meeting?”

“I’m glad you are here.” Sharra responded with a smile.

“You are not going there.” Tyran rebuked. “Benna is a war zone. Once they know you are there, they’ll provoke you and you’ll shed blood.”

Sharra rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I have control over my emotions, Tyran.”

Tyran then rolled his eyes. “You’ll give them what they want….all of them.”

“Why don’t you believe in me? The Separationists are no….”

Tyran raised his left hand. “I’m not talking about the Separationists, Sharra. I’m talking about the other crowns. They want you to mess up.”

Sharra let out a deep sigh and made a move past Tyran.

But Tyran grabbed her left hand and pulled her back towards him.

“Do you not understand, Sharra?” He asked angrily. “They’ll never forgive this kingdom for the blood it has spilled and the lives it has claimed…the lives of their people. The lives your grandmother took. They want their payback.”

Sharra forcibly removed her hand from his grasp.

“It’s Kilé.” She spat.

Tyran frowned. “What about the Commander Prince? Is he not still stationed in Benna.”

“He’s dead.” She answered coldly.

Tyran stumbled back.

“They sent a note with his head. That’s why I’m heading for Benna.” Sharra explained. “I have to take care of this myself or Sieno will want war for his brother.”

Tyran ran his hands through his hair then took a seat on the edge of the bed.

For a long moment, silence filled the room.

Sharra’s mouth kept opening and closing but nothing came out.

Tyran just kept staring down at the floor as he tried to keep his emotions in check. Kilé was his best friend.

“I’m coming with you.” He mumbled, breaking the brief silence.

Sharra shook her head. “I’m sorry…..but you can’t.”

Tyran snapped his head up and glared at Sharra.

“I’m sorry, but you cannot come with me.” She reiterated.

Tyran stood from the bed and stomped towards the window, nostrils flaring.

“And why not?”

Sharra lowered her head and released a huge sigh. “Because you are officially the Overseer of the Palace.”

Tyran's face scrunched up. “What? What are you talking about?”

Sharra walked towards Tyran and grabbed his hands.

“I have chosen you to lead in my absence.” She whispered.

“But you declined to name one when you became Queen.”

“I never named an Overseer, because leaving Thalassia and living in the other residences like my predecessors was never in my plans.” She explained. “But now things have changed, Tyran. The line has been crossed. I don’t know what's going to happen in Benna. But I do know, this has been long overdue and you’re the one I trust the most.”

A single tear slipped from Tyran’s right eye.

“I have chosen you to lead...in case something happens. My preferred proceedings have been written and left for you to abide by in the throne room.” She continued.

Another tear slipped from Tyran’s right eye.

“I don’t understand.” He croaked.

“You’re the only one I trust to lead while I’m away. I must finally deal with Benna.”

“Will you avenge Kilé?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Sharra nodded. “I’m going to try.

“And what about Clara? You’re just leaving her?”

“Liana has returned. I named her the Governor of the Heir.” She answered.

“Liana, of course.” He mumbled. “Does Emmar know the truth about Liana?”

Sharra rolled her eyes. “I will be back in time for Clara’s bonding ceremony. Liana will take care of her until then.”

“And what if the serpent beast rises from the sea to bond with her before then?”

“Darling…that's why I have wings.” She giggled.

A glorious pair of glowing blue wings then emerged from behind Sharra.

Tyran grunted. “You have it all figured out then.”

Sharra smiled.

“And what about the pond?” He asked.

“The usual.”

“Bury the bodies?”

Sharra nodded.

Tyran then pulled Sharra into a hug.

“I love you.” He whispered into her hair.

After a long moment, Sharra slowly pulled back and said, “I have something for you.”

She let go of him and walked towards her wardrobe. She opened the top drawer and removed a bangle. A calling relic. One of the many creations by the God Sfin.

She opened the bangle and stabbed herself with one of the claws inside it.

Once blood was drawn, she walked back towards Tyran, stopping just an inch in front of him.

“This is a calling relic. These relics have been in my family for centuries to ensure we never lose contact with each other.” She explained before placing it around Tyran’s left arm.

Once it was there, it closed on its own, snapping its claws deep into Tyran’s skin, drawing blood.

“Ouch.” He yelped.

“Now we are linked by blood.” Sharra said. “Just say my name and the relic will call for me.”

Tyran nodded. “Who else has one of these?”

“Clara, Ravyna, Liana, S—”

“Not Emmar?” He interrupted.

Sharra shook her head. “Maybe one day.”

Tyran inspected the relic, rubbing his fingertips against the gold bangle.

Once he was done admiring the brass, he returned his gaze to Sharra.

“Emmar is going with you, isn’t she?”

Sharra nodded.

Tyran rolled his eyes. “Take me with you, please.”

Sharra suddenly stepped away and went to gather her belongings from the bed.

Once she had her two bags in hand, she turned back to face Tyran.

“I trust you, Tyran.” She said. “Do you not understand that I’m leaving Thalassia…this palace… in your hands?”

“What…if I…fail? I’m…..just…. a ....Guardian.” He stuttered.

Sharra barked out a laugh. “No, my darling. You’re now the most powerful man in the Isle….Act. Like. It.”

Tyran immediately straightened his posture and wiped his tears. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“That’s more like it.”

Sharra then turned on her heels and made her way towards the door.

Before she exited, she turned back and told Tyran,

“If that Rosar comes to bother you, tell her to fuck off.”

Tyran laughed.

“I have had enough of her prophecies.” Sharra shouted as she walked out the room.

***

When Sharra finally made it outside, three carriages were waiting. A carriage for her and Emmar. And two carriages for her personal guard.

Standing next to her carriage was Liana. She was wearing a teal, satin dress that was adorned with pearls at the neckline. And in her arms was Princess Clara.

Sharra beamed at her little girl before removing her from Liana’s arms.

She pulled Clara tightly into her chest and gave her a small kiss on her head.

“I’ll be back, my Princess.” She whispered.

She then gave Clara back to Liana and told her, “Janel is watching. I am watching. Don’t—”

But before she could finish, someone behind her coughed. Sharra turned around and saw it was Emmar…who was glaring at her.

“Don’t scare the poor woman.” She groaned.

Sharra waved her off and turned back towards Liana. “Are you scared, Liana?”

Liana shook her head.

Sharra smirked at her. “That’s what I thought.”

The two stared each other for a long moment before Emmar suddenly shouted, “Are you ready?”

Sharra started laughing.

“Enough, Emmar!” Sharra liked when Emmar was jealous.

Sharra waved at Liana and Clara then entered the carriage, sitting directly across Emmar.

“Are you ready, Your Majesty?” The driver asked.

“Yes. Proceed.”

When they started to finally move, Sharra took off her gloves.

“Liana still likes you.” Emmar whispered.

“I’m aware, Emmar.”

Emmar folded her hands over her chest. “Why did you bring her back to the palace?”

“She’s the only one I trust with Clara.” Sharra answered immediately.

Emmar sucked her teeth and turned her head towards the window. “Is that all?”

“I grew up with Clara, Emmar.” Sharra groaned.

“Do you still desire her?”

“Are you mad?” Sharra shouted.

The energy in the carriage was suddenly intense as the two women stared at each other.

“Your Majesty, we are here.” The driver said, interrupting the moment between the two.

But Sharra didn’t move right away.

“Go.” Emmar said through gritted teeth.

Sharra let out a deep sigh and exited the carriage.

They were now at Queen Dara’s Port, which was located on the right side of Thalassia. Directly across it, but separated by deep blue waters, the Isle Province of Araqu on Arla’s mainland stood directly across.

Sharra extended her hand and released a wave of frost, creating an ice bridge to connect Araqu and Thalassia. The ancient bridges were destroyed in the war.

Once it was done, she put her gloves back on and returned to the carriage. This time, she sat right next to Emmar.

“You may proceed.” She told the driver.

The driver nodded and the carriage began moving once more.

And as they traveled across the bridge, Emmar and Sharra sat in silence.

But once they finally made it fully across it, Sharra took Emmar’s right hand and whispered close to her ear, “It’s only you….and you know it’s true.”

Sharra could see the small smile formed on Emmar’s face.

Sharra smiled back. “Now, let’s go find my cousin’s murderer.”

* Overseers: Powerful people in the Isle Kingdom who manage different sectors; They are also members of the Royal Court. These people include:

Polem: Overseer of the Thalassian Coast (Borders)

Dyrka: Overseer of Arms (Defense)

Gine: Overseer of Trade (Economy)

Ravyné: Overseer of Gates (Portals)

Tyran: Overseer of the Palace (Central Command)