A Flame of Dragons and Gods (The Lost Fae Riders #4)

Chapter 1

“You are now crowned Queen of the Dawn Dynasty.”

As the crown settles on my head, all I can think about is how I don’t want it.

How this life has been chosen for me, and I was told it will protect me in every way possible, that there could be a future for the Dawn Dynasty with me as its new queen.

But all I see is a chain wrapped around my head and tying me to a generation of people I don’t share blood with.

I am a daughter of the Moon Dynasty, the firstborn, and yet everyone decided my fate lies in the Dawn Dynasty.

.. even when there is hardly anyone left in it.

Mazzis smiles at me as he lowers his hand away from the crown he just gave me, one he had made on the day I was born.

It’s a stunning crown, suns and moons woven together in bright oranges and yellows.

The colours of dawn. It’s nestled in my black hair now, the warm colours a contrast to my pale complexion and general darkness.

I prefer the night to the dawn, and no crown is going to change that.

Mazzis is my grandfather, as he married my grandmother, and I smile up at him.

He has always been in my life, gifting me books and sharing knowledge.

He also never fails to bring me sweets on my birthday.

He and my grandmother travel everywhere, and I usually end up with a huge bag of different sweets from new towns.

The room comes back to me as the cheers rocket off the walls of the chapel, the stained glass barely holding in the noise.

This chapel, like everything else, was built by my parents.

Every inch of it is designed to show off the Moon Dynasty, from the crescent moons on the white tiles below my feet, to the walls and ceilings which are covered in painted stories of dragons, stars and the ever-changing night sky.

The Moon Dynasty is ruled by my parents, King Ziven and Queen Story.

A romance of legend, spoken about by everyone.

Both of them stand proudly, clapping and cheering in their fancy clothing.

I don’t see my mother in dresses often; she prefers leggings and one of father’s tops, but now she is in a tight black dress that clings to her.

She proudly stares at me, and I look away, to my little brother.

They say I was born with the darkness of the moon but my little brother?

He was born with the fire of a dragon. He has my father’s face, but my mother’s red hair, and looks far more like them than I do.

I might be their firstborn, but I am not the heir to the Moon Dynasty, or the Sun Dynasty for that matter.

No, that is my amazing cousin, Hettie, who’s off traveling the world to get to know the towns she will rule over.

A letter appeared a week ago, explaining she couldn’t get herself back here in time with the heavy storms to the south.

No ships were sailing, and it wouldn’t be safe.

Without the use of dragons to fly us, it takes weeks, if not months, to travel, and it is always dependent on the weather.

I know she’d be here if she could; her letter said as much.

Hettie might be the only person that understands the pressure I am under — she had the same pressure for her entire life. The child of two dynasties.

My grandmother comes over, touching my hand. “The crown suits you, my darling grandchild. It’s beautiful and we all know you will lead the Dawn Dynasty into a new era. Many will follow you, cherish you and find peace in your new lands.”

“Thank you.” I swallow down the sickness rising up my throat.

No pressure. I wish the crown came with instructions on how exactly to be a good ruler.

How can I tell them that I don’t want it?

They’re gifting me the lands of the Dawn Dynasty, the lands my father, uncle, and many others have spent years building for me.

I’ve never even seen the new Dawn City; only heard it is where all the important books are kept and managed.

There are around a thousand fae and vampyres living there now, all sworn to King Mazzis.

.. and now me. The rest of the lands are still in ruins, a mess from the dynasty war.

I feel ungrateful if I say a word. It’s no secret what my mother went through: born in a slave camp and then a blood slave to a prince who hurt her.

I’m lucky. I just have to tell myself it a million times and maybe it will feel true at some point.

My father catches my eye, and I swear he can see straight through me.

He has always been able to do so since I was a kid.

His shadows were always following me around, catching me when I fell over, bringing me food the minute that I felt even remotely hungry.

He was just there, and he was always such a good father.

My mother — she’s just everything a mother could be.

Loving, kind, even when she wakes up screaming in the night sometimes, even if she will never tell me about the terrors and horrors that are whispered throughout the court.

She saved the fae and vampyres — and they adore her for it.

When my parents look at each other, it’s as if the world disappears and it’s just them.

They sacrificed a lot to be here, and as they look at each other, a slight bit of envy hits me directly in the chest. I mean, it’s my twenty-first birthday today and I’ve only kissed one boy, a friend, and I felt nothing.

There are several okay guys within the Moon Dynasty, but all of them see me as a way to become a king.

In truth, I want what my mother and father have — a mate bond.

They are drawn to each other, and have a bond not even death could take. I want that.

No. It’s better if I stay alone, especially considering my powers, and there is zero chance I’ll find my mate when everyone I meet is controlled by my mother and father.

For my safety, I don’t leave these lands.

.. and it will still be years before they will take me to the Dawn Dynasty.

Years before I will be away from their protection.

The clapping, the cheering are still continuing as I walk down the middle of the path, my parents following behind me.

People bow instantly for them, and it’s not from fear.

It’s from pure respect and love. Everyone’s welcome here in the Moon Dynasty, once sworn to the royal family.

There are now hundreds of thousands of people that live through the lands, and all come willingly.

Most of our population is split directly between the Sun and Moon Dynasties, a mix of vampyres and fae.

My uncle is the King of the Sun Dynasty, and I smile at him as I pass.

He nods once at me, his daughter just in front of him with his hands on her shoulders, her long blonde hair radiating like the sun.

He’s always been a good uncle to me, and he is Dad’s friend.

The minute I get out the door, and no more eyes are on me, I suck in a deep breath of relief, my shoulders dropping.

I’ve always hated being in the limelight.

My eyes drift up and I find my reflection in the mirror.

My black hair falls to my waist in perfect curls, twisting over the dark orange, sunset-colour ball gown that is tight around my chest. Glitter dust sparkles on my skin, and with the crown, I look every inch the queen they want me to be.

“I will go to my room and refresh for a minute before the party.”

“Do you want me to come?” My mother touches my arm, her eyes soft. She is my friend, just as much as my mother she is, but I need to be alone. “I can feel that you’re anxious. It’s a lot, in front of all these people. Being a ruler is a huge responsibility, and if you need—”

“I just want a bit of time to be me.” I cut her off. “I don’t need anyone for that.” The truth is, there isn’t a single person in this castle who knows what I really want. Who knows me, really.

A flash of understanding echoes in her eyes. “All right, if that’s what you want. I’ll come find you in a few hours. We have an amazing firework display set up. You’ll love it.”

My father wraps an arm around her waist, and she gazes up at him. “Let’s distract our guests so the new queen of Dawn can have a moment.”

I flash them both a thankful smile before I leave.

I walk slowly to begin with, but the second I’m out of their view, I run.

I’m not running from them. It’s not that I don’t love my family.

I do. I’m just not like them. They fit into the roles of being royal so easily.

People look up to them; they look to them for advice; they look to them for understanding, and for so many things.

But me? No, I can’t even control my water powers.

Even now I can feel the power humming underneath my skin.

Every drop of water calls to me, and it’s irritating, maddening, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

Everyone says control will come in time and I’m still so young.

.. yet nothing. I reach for the power, and it reacts like a tidal wave.