Shadowborn Queen - G. Bailey Page 0,15

all existence, I step out into the chamber. My eyes are immediately drawn to the gorgeous silk gown draped over a manikin. I tighten the towel on my head and hurry over, brushing my fingers over the royal blue material. Silver embroidery adorns the halter-neck bodice and trickles all the way down into the a-line skirt. The sun and moon embroidery is such a small detail, and yet the fact that the designer included Zorya and Helios brings tears to my eyes.

My kingdom isn't alone anymore; this gift is a testament of that.

And it gives me hope that tonight's feast will be a success. I don’t just have Danica on my side, but also Selena.

Gently, I pull the dress off the mannequin and slip it onto my body. I can only fasten the back so much, especially with my wings, so when my arms can't reach any higher, I let Ximena in. She fusses over my dress and hair, then my make-up, and then turns me to the oval mirror for approval. I hardly recognise myself. My hair has been curled and braided to form beautiful ringlets over my left shoulder. I pull out a strand from above my other ear and let it curl down. Complete with the diamond earrings and dragon necklace, I look every bit the Princess of Helios now.

"Well, I think that's all we can do here," I say, turning for the door.

Ximena beams, clearly pleased by her work. "You look ever so beautiful, Your Highness."

"Thanks to you."

She giggles. "No, it was all natural. Fae have always been the most beautiful of the Forest."

I bite my tongue. It's not like I was born a full-blooded fae; I was tortured into one.

"Time to go," Ximena says, gesturing to the door. "The king and queen are ready for you."

With that, I follow her out of the chamber and down a maze of hallways. Armoured guards flank the entrance to the throne room. The doors trickle like a waterfall, but when the guards open them, they peel aside like a veil.

I step through them and scan the grand hall, surprised to find only one table laden with delicious-looking food. Queen Valessia sits at one end with King Cyrus at the other, his hands draped over the armrests. Beside him are three handsome triplets who are clearly the young Dragon Princes; they couldn't look more disinterested in me if they tried. A little girl with long white hair sits across from them, and beside her is the cloaked man from before. My stomach churns when he trains his cold gaze on me. Each of the men push their chairs back and stand when I approach the table. I bow to the royals before claiming the seat Gold has pulled out for me.

"You look beautiful, Izora. Danica herself would be envious."

I blush at the compliment and sit down, skimming my eyes over his three piece suit. The dark grey material with the gold cravat really brings out his eyes. "You don't look too bad yourself, Governor."

He chuckles quietly and settles back in his chair; there’s a vacant seat beside him. Turning to the guests at the table, he says, "Allow me to introduce Izora Dawn, the first of her name and the rightful Queen of Helios."

It's the king who responds to this. "Welcome. It is an honor to have you with us this blessed evening.”

I incline my head respectfully. "Thank you. And thank you for welcoming us so warmly into your kingdom."

"Zavier will always be welcome here," Valessia says, lifting a glass of red wine to her pursed lips. "And we are the ones who owe you thanks for bringing him home."

Gold shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "I have already told you that I’m not staying for long. Izora and I will be leaving in the morning."

I glance at him, wondering why he's frowning when he should be happy. "You found the key?" I ask quietly, but before he can answer me, the little girl taps the man beside her on the shoulder.

"Who is this girl again?" Her question was intended to be a whisper, but everyone hears it and I can't help but smile.

The man clears his throat. "I am Sir Julius Griscor, the king's royal advisor. I have been informed that you wish to collect the Titan keys. Is that so?"

I nod, looking him dead in the eye. "It's the only way we can stop the Titans from destroying the Forest."

He smacks his lips together and narrows his gaze