Page 142 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

“That simple. My hands have claws. Everything I hold onto will bleed if I do. I have no desire or hunger for blood.” I lifted the talisman up and nodded. “Thank you for the makaôl.”

The students flocked around me again as the woman left, passing the talisman from hand to hand. I suppose it had turned into a history lesson after all. History might have just changed after dozens of centuries. Isliners were living in Isjordian land, accepting rule under an Isjordian queen.

“Do we trust them?” one asked.

“We do.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re just…people.”

“They’re Isliners.”

I raised a brow and rubbed his head. “I wasn’t sure that made them an entirely different species.”

“But—”

“You were very little back then, but after the Guardians War, the rest of the realm distrusted every Isjordian the same as you are distrustful of them. We are still shunned by some. Are they right to do so?”

He rubbed his neck. “Maybe.”

“Even you?”

“Not me. I didn’t fight in the war.”

“Not every Isjordian did, and many that did fight didn’t wish to fight. However, they were all seen as the same.” I pointed at the Isliners. “They didn’t fight us, nor did they attack us, wish us harm or grief.”

Their elderly professor waddled to us and sighed, cocking both of his shaking hands on his hips. “If only they would so intently listen to me as they listen to you. You should consider teaching a class or two, Your Majesty.”

“I’m afraid mathematics makes me violently ill.”

The students chuckled, agreeing with me.

“Off you go now,” he ordered, and they all bowed to me before very grumpily heading back to the academy. The professor bowed, too. “You should consider what I said. They all look up to you. One day they will be your soldiers, your captains and generals, advisors or lords.”

“If I am to rule for that long.”

“I fear you are,” he said, chuckling and waving as he followed after the kids.

My skin burned—it burned like it had burned that day twenty-three years ago. Someone had gripped my hair so tightly my scalp screamed as I was dragged through the black burning flames.

I screamed, hard until my voice was hoarse. Tears soaking my skin. But I didn't beg. Not this time. I remembered his words. And I called for him. I called for him over and over instead of begging.

Over and over.

Until everything blackened out.

My body sagged, relishing in relief.

It had been a long while since the last nightmare I’d had.

So long that panic had overthrown me more than the actual dream.

Panting, I cracked my eyes open to find him standing over me, his face twisted with worry and something else. He was breathing hard, chest almost bursting with each breath.

With a shaking hand, he pulled and hugged me to his chest.

“What is happening to me?” I panted, wiping a hand over my sweat-soaked neck.