Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) by Jen Wylie Page B

escaping while she
could.

 
     
    Chapter 7:
    The Story of
the Queens
     
    Due to Damon’s unexpected and unwanted arrival, dinner
was delayed. At least the meat hadn't been set to cook before he came, likely
it would have been charred and ruined.
    While she prepared the meal she mulled over what Damon
had said at the end. The human army could be a problem, but wasn’t an immediate
threat. The Were, however, most certainly could be. The forest was their
territory and humans knew well to enter it meant death.
    "Garen," she said suddenly. "How likely
is it the Were will find us?"
    He took a moment before answering. It is possible.
Few other than patrols travel this close to the border. I think one of us would
sense their approach. Contrary to what the Dragos said, many will give a
warning first. You being with me, and a Fey and Elf, would cause them to
hesitate as well. Only humans are banned.
    "If they come, just cross the border as quickly
as you can," Prince said quietly.
    Looking over at Bo, she nodded when he did. "We’ll
stay close then? Not go too far in?"
    "You and Bo won’t, no."
    She didn’t like that, but certainly didn’t have any
reason to fight it.
    Eventually they all sat down to eat and rest. She
worried everyone remained so quiet. Perhaps she'd said something wrong, but she'd
meant every word. They were her family. They did mean everything to her.
    She looked over at Garen, worried Damon had hurt him.
He'd gone to do a quick scout of the area while dinner cooked and just
returned. Did he hurt you?
    Garen raised his head off his paws. I'm fine now.
    She frowned. I know what it's like. He's been in my
head before. He's hurt me, torn down my defenses.
    A growl rumbled from the wolf.
    There isn't anything we can do. We can't fight him.
We've tried. He's a Dragos, the most powerful of creatures there is.
    He would be wise not to return.
    She smiled a little. We're never so lucky. We just
have to be careful. He gets angry easily.
    He seems most interested in you.
    She nodded, and then told Garen of their previous
meetings. How Damon thought she and Kei were someone special.
    What are these prophecies?
    She answered out loud, as the others had started to
look at her curiously. "Mine is: find the broken arrow carved of stone,
stolen from across the sea. It will heal the Fey and they will rise again."
    That doesn't make much sense, Garen said.
    "I know." She shook her head in frustration.
    Kei shared his, "Your
son will make the Queen and he will remain by her side bound to her by
three."
    Your son?
    "His grandmother was the Fey Seer."
    "There are more, a whole book of them. But he's
never told us more than that. He just keeps calling me a queen. Of the Fey,"
she added, just to be clear.
    "I think he's just insane," Bo surprisingly
cut in with a half-smile.
    She snorted her agreement. She looked back at Garen. "Across
the sea, we have countries ruled by kings and queens, and nobles under them.
How do the Were work?"
    The forests from the Elven lands of Rivenward north to
Franua are split into pack territories. Each pack is led by its Alpha pair. We
have a king who governs us all. His queen died long ago, before my time. He has
never taken another.
    Good information to know, considering they currently
traveled through the Were's forests. She glanced over at Prince, who was actually
awake and paying attention. "The Elves have kings and queens right?"
    He nodded. "Yes, my parents."
    Her mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. Why did
she often forget he was truly a prince sometimes? Flustered she scrambled for
something else to say. "Well I hope the Fey queen doesn't hear about Damon’s
rambling."
    The Fey don't have a queen. Not anymore.
    She stared at Garen in shock and then turned to Kei in
surprise. How had she never heard this?
    "Her death caused most of us to go wild,"
Kei said, looking away from her. The pain on his face broke her heart.
    "I don't understand," she admitted. "How?"
    Kei simply shook his