Chapter 3


    “Remember, be gentle. Skate over the mind but do not penetrate it. We don’t want to mind-lock the poor animal,” King Nikoliad said to his daughter, Melina. She was sitting cross-legged in the grass with her eyes closed.


    “Okay, I’ll be careful Father,” she said.


    your majesty you cannot be here.”


    “The entire royal family, here just to see poor old me. I’ve never felt so special,” a low husky voice said from the dark cell.


    “What does he mean ‘the whole family? Is mother here?” Melina asked but she already knew the answer.


    The Kingdom falling apart, King Nikoliad’s funeral, Melina’s coronation – all this had not been enough to bring Queen Elisandre out of her chambers, but this prisoner had gotten the honor of the queen mother’s presence. It should have come as no surprise to Melina that her mother’s hatred was far more powerful and far greater than her love, but it did. Melina''s capacity for hope in the redemption of her mother’s character never ceased to amaze her, but she felt something shift within her. Where she would have been hurt and broken-hearted in the past she only felt anger, nay not anger, rage, rushing through her veins like hot molten lava.


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    you try to get something out of him then? If you think it is so simple.”


    am the queen. Frankly, I am glad that you have been so uncooperative. I am happy that you just insulted my father to my face.” At this, she smiled.


    “I am not afraid of you and I am prepared to die,” he said with determination.


    “I am surprised that you still feel as though you have the freedom to speak in riddles.” She said her voice dangerously low.


    “I would like to know what you, an elf has to do with a possible Golden Kingdom pixie insurrection,” Melina asked, cocking her head to the side inquisitively.


    Nikoliad, Nikoliad’  she searched and in answer to her calls she saw flashes of images,


    “What did you do to him?” Kelliara whispered, horrified.


    “It gave me great pleasure to watch that elf writhe and scream and it gives me pleasure to know that he will suffer a little while longer. I think I remembered why I love you” Queen Elisandre said holding Melina’s cheek for a moment.