The Illyrian Series: The Oracle Of Rosedale

It's over. We won. I watch happily as father sticks his sword in King Evander's chest. My mother squeals in delight and begins jumping up and down excitedly.

"You see Addy, there was absolutely nothing to worry about. We came out victorious and the threat is over."

The Caledonian army drop their weapons in surrender and ours cheer. Father looks up at us and smiles. "Easy."

He takes King Evander's blade and stores it in his belt. Mother grabs my hand and we run downstairs to meet him. When we're at his front, he presents the knife to me with a flourish.

I gasp. "You're giving it to me?"

He nods. "I am. It is yours, the blade of the fallen King of Caledonia."

I move the blade around. "It's gorgeous, I love it."

"I'm glad you like it. As a queen, you'll lead many armies into battle, consider this your first war prize."

Mother hugs him. "Today is the best day of my life. I always knew we were going to win. Now, what are we going to do about Caledonia?"

"I have plans for it." Father assures her. "For now, let's alert our other squadrons. Let's celebrate."

I smile. "Malin will come back."

Father nods. "Yes. It will be like you two never separated. Everything will go back to the way it was."

***

"Malin." I attack him with my hug. "I'm so happy you're safe. How was the west border?"

"I barely fought. I'm just glad I'm back."

I pull away and nod. "Come see the sword father gave me."

***

Reagan is struggling with archery and keeps missing the target.

Her and Spencer have been living with us for the past four years. The years have been so peaceful. Caledonians were happy to be rid of their oppressive king and warmly embraced father. Spencer accepted a liege title and gave up all claims to the throne. He's getting married soon to one of my distant cousins.

Reagan found it hardest to adjust. She was still struggling with the death of her mother when news of her father's came. It broke her and she was withdrawn for the first few months. But now she's embraced my parents as her own and we're practically sisters.

"Here, let me help you." I adjust the bow and position the arrow properly. "And fire."

She releases the bow and it hits the bullseye. "Thank you Adria. You're such a good friend."

I smile. "Not friend, sister." She hugs me and we laugh. She pulls away and has a mischievous smile on her face.

"Someone has a visitor." She sings. I turn back and see Malin coming up to us.

"Hi," I say to him. "I didn't know you were coming today."

"Practice finished early, I thought I'll come see you. I missed you." He wraps his arms around my waist and draws me closer.

"I think I heard someone call my name. I better go see what that's about." Reagan rushes away trying to suppress her smile.

"Where were we?" Malin leans in to kiss me.

I smile. I don't care if anyone sees us, I'm just so happy.

***

I see my father. He's pacing around the council meeting room with a strange look on his face.

"Adria, how old are you?"

I find that question strange, he knows how old I am. I answer anyway. "I'm 21, father."

He nods. "And how long have you been attending meetings in this office?"

"Three years."

"Yes. I called you here because I think it's time for you to take on more responsibilities." He sits on the table and focuses his eyes on me. "One day you will be queen and you have to learn how to rule like one."

"I thought you said that you'll find a good husband to help me with the more difficult decisions."

He shakes his head. "I was wrong, very wrong. You don't need anyone to rule your country, you can do that by yourself."

I smile. "You think so?"

"Sweetheart, when your mother and I had you, we were ecstatic. We thought a boy and heir will follow, but none did. Watching you grow up, show leadership skills and such high intelligence, well I know now that my prayers for an heir were answered."

My smile grows wider. He's said it, everything I've always wanted him to say. "Thank you father. I will be a good queen."

"I know you will."

"And I don't have to get married before I take the crown?"

"Only if you want to, why are you asking? Do you have anybody in mind?" He smiles.

"I do actually."

***

I'm kneeling in front of Father. Today is my coronation day. He decided to step down and move to a countryside manor with mother. He said he didn't have to die before I became queen.

"Am I ready?" I asked him months prior.

"I've never been more sure of anything." Was his reply.

He places the gold crown on my head and hands me the sceptre. I stand up and turn back to face my people. In the front row are mother and Malin with our children.

There's our eldest Luke, the second born Felicity, and our little troublemaker, Arnold. They all wave at me and my heart bursts with joy.

"All hail Queen Adria Edrei Kadden." Father announces and everybody bows in respect.

I drop my smile and take on a regal look as I behold them. In the corner of the room, I spot a figure, it disappears in an instant. Strange.

***

I take in a beautiful scenic garden. Luke is sitting by the cascading fountain, he's deep in thought, Felicity is walking around picking flowers and Arnold is trying to catch a butterfly.

"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" I ask Luke.

He sighs. "My birthday, I turn 16 tomorrow. A lot of people will be there. They expect so much from me, how am I going to live up to their expectations? How am I going to live up to you, the greatest ruler this kingdom has ever seen."

Felicity drops her pretty bouquet on my lap and positions herself next to me. "He's sad, I don't like seeing him sad."

"I know you don't sweetie." I stroke her dark, curly hair. Felicity is fourteen and my favorite. She's so nice and caring, she never has a bad thought in her mind and is always looking after others.

Arnold claps at a butterfly but misses. "I missed it."

I laugh. "Oh, Arnold." Felicity and Luke laugh as well.

Arnold is ten years old and has a rebellious streak. He's Malin's favorite, they get into all kinds of trouble together.

I look ahead and see a flash of red behind a tree. I frown. "Did you see that?"

"See what, mother?" Felicity asks.

I shake my head. "Nothing, it's alright. Why don't we go in? There are still a lot of things to do before Luke's birthday tomorrow."

***

I'm at Luke's birthday party. Guests are walking around, enjoying themselves and the presents table is piled high.

"Are you enjoying yourself, sweetheart?" I say, taking Luke's arm in mine.

He sighs. "I'm alright."

I frown. "That's too bad, I was really hoping you'd enjoy the party."

He instantly perks up. "I love it, thank you so much for it mother."

My smile returns. "Wonderful, oh look It's Liege Harning's daughter. Why don't you go talk to her?" He looks a little embarrassed. "You thought I wouldn't notice. Go enjoy yourself." I laugh as he walks over to her.

She smiles when she sees him, I've always liked Talia. Such a nice girl.

"Your majesty." A voice says from behind me. "This is a lovely party."

"Thank you, I'm happy to hear you're..." I stop when I see her. "It's you."

She smiles and asks coyly. "Me?"

"Yes, you keep following me. Making me think I'm running mad, what do you want?"

She shrugs. "Just here to enjoy the party."

"Talk or I'll get the guards for you. I don't want you bothering my guests, if you do, there will be grave consequences."

"You're almost worse than your friend." She looks around the party, eyeing everything up. "Forgive me, your majesty. It isn't time yet." She snaps her fingers.

***

I'm at my daughter's wedding. She's marrying Kinsley, Crown Prince of Valania. The match started off political but it's clear to everyone here that they're in love. I'm so happy for her.

At the banquet hall, Kinsley stands up to give a toast and I grin at Malin. "You did that."

He laughs. "I did, that's how you know when a marriage will be successful."

I laugh as well. Beside me are Luke and his fiancee, Talia. They're yet to fix a wedding date, they both have so much work already. I've handed off more responsibility to Luke, and Talia is taking care of her many charities.

"To my beautiful wife. And my future queen." We raise our glasses and drink.

"I hate weddings." Arnold groans from his father's side. Everybody laughs.

***

I see the red-haired girl I saw years ago. "You," I say.

"Yes me, I've let this go on for long enough. This is getting ridiculous." She claps her hands.

"Guards," I yell.

She sighs and runs her hands through her loose curls. "Adria, listen to me. This isn't real, you have to go back."

"Guards." They appear. "Arrest her." They move closer, she waves her hand and they freeze. I take a deep breath. "How did you do that, are you a mage?"

She walks up to me and grips my hand. I suck in a deep breath. "What was that?"

"The truth, time to go back."

I shake my head. "You're crazy, even if that was real. Why would I ever go back?"

"Because here doesn't exist."

I don't stop shaking my head. "That place is...it's bad. We lost the war all those years ago and our kingdom. That is not a world I want to live in, not a world I want to believe exists." I say forcefully. "Now if you'll excuse me, my granddaughter will be waking up soon."

"Granddaughter?" The red-haired girl exclaims. "How did I mess this up so badly? Adria, you are seventeen years old, you don't have grandchildren."

"Leave me alone, I don't want to see you again. Get out." She grabs my hand and memories come rushing back.

"Your friends are waiting for you, your real people are waiting for you. You can't stay here."

My throat clogs up and I do something I haven't done in a while, I cry. "Please don't make me go back, I don't like that place. I don't like that life."

"Staying here won't make anything better. You have to change your fate." I try to rein in my tears. "Adria, you are a lot of things, but you are not a quitter, you can't give up."

"But...but we lost. And he's dead and it's so hard. Please."

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry but this...this isn't living."

I fall back on my seat and cry, he's really gone. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

"I'll go." I tell her. "But first, there's something I need to do.

She nods in understanding and snaps her fingers. I reappear at my parent's manor and open the door, I see him sitting by the fireplace.

"Father," I call. He turns to me, he doesn't look old anymore. He looks the same age he did when I was a child. I pass a mirror and stare at my reflection, I'm 14 again.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing there?" He sits up. "Come in."

I sit on the left side of the armchair. "What are you doing?" Tears threaten to spill again.

"I'm going over the plans for the war. I won't lie, it's not looking good, but we'll be fine."

"We won't, you're not going to make it." I expect him to object but he just sighs. He doesn't say anything. "I miss you, so much. I wish you didn't leave."

He kisses my forehead. "I love you so much, Adria. I always have, I always will."

"I know." I exhale. "I'm so confused. I can't do this without you." I cry.

He adjusts on his chair. "You're going to be fine. You're tough and stubborn. You'll make a fantastic queen." He uses his index finger to wipe away my tears. "Please don't go."

His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "I'm already gone."

I hug him as tight as I can. "Goodbye." I whisper.

"Goodbye." He whispers back.

I reappear in the garden, aching for his embrace. I'm still not ready, I don't think I'll ever be. "Thank you." I tell the redhead.

"You're welcome." She produces a dagger and stabs my stomach.

And then the world goes black.