The Chronicles of Warshard (book 1): HAVEN

Chapter One

"You will be perfect. You will be great. You will be a just Queen." Haven paced the length of the hall, trying to calm her rattled nerves. "You will lead them fairly. You will save them. By the grace of the gods, you will."

The distant boom of drums startled her. She stopped abruptly, her gaze lingering on the large oak doors leading to the throne room.

"All rise," a muffled voice said behind closed doors.

The time had come.

Clearing her throat, Haven smoothed her regal skirts and stepped up to the ornately carved entry. Warm afternoon light spilled across the floor, bathing her dark red dress in fire. Sparkles from her jewel-covered throat cast a dazzling pattern across her olive skin.

Haven never thought she'd live long enough to take the throne. In a family of two older brothers, and a healthy father, it would never be expected that the eldest daughter would ascend. But it was her misfortune to be blessed with longevity. Haven had outlived much of her family, and as the idea of becoming Queen grew nearer, that blessing had only become a curse.

She had thought of perhaps ending her life just to spare her people her inadequacy. She could try hanging herself, but the moment she was released from the noose, even if her neck broke, air would return to her lungs, and her neck would mend itself. She could slit her wrists, or even her throat, but the wounds would heal in minutes, the scars in hours. There were many ways she had contemplated death, until Haven realized something. The only thing worse than living forever without her family would be to leave her people without a Queen, especially in times like these.

With war at their doorstep, Rythern needed a Queen, one that would not die like the rest of her family. They needed Queen Haven Fyre, one of the last remaining members of her royal lineage. Only she could lead the kingdom past this time of turmoil, or so she hoped.

"You can do this." She told herself, amber eyes drawn forward as two Queen's Guard opened the doors.

Her coronation was held in the main throne room, as per the custom. With high vaulted ceilings, large stained glass windows, and a red carpet leading up the center aisle, it was just how she'd imagined. The colors of her family hung on large banners from the walls to her left and right. Red and gold shone back at her. Candles dappled the walls and the ends of the aisles, dusting the room in a golden glow.

For a moment Haven felt a flash of concern for the guards lining these aisles. What if one of them were to get too close to the open flame? Upon inspecting one more closely she realized there wasn't a piece of fabric in sight. She sighed in relief. They were dressed in full Queen's Guard armor.

Turning her gaze from the décor, Haven found herself basking in the warm glow of candles, tears sprung to her eyes. This was a glorious room, filled nearly to the brim with people. Her people – the ones she would lay down her life for. Even if, for Haven, there could be no such reality. She wished her mother were here, standing beside her most trusted advisor. She'd known Toma since birth. She couldn't remember a time when the aged advisor hadn't been at her father's side. But Toma wasn't her mother.

Standing just in front of the throne at the end of this never-ending aisle, Toma smiled. In one hand he held a golden scepter, and in the other, a great silver sword with a beautiful handle made of gold and adorned with rubies. These things would dub her Queen of Rythern, along with the crown she assumed was hidden until the right moment.

Blinking away the tears that threatened to fall, Haven steeled herself. She had to look strong before her people, whose eyes all rested on her.

The perfect picture of a young but able Queen finally stopped at the end of the red carpet. Haven held Toma's eyes for just a moment, then kneeled, her long brown hair tipping from her chest, its red ends blending with the fire of her dress.