Shadows Over the Crowned Mystic

1. Elena

“That's very good, Kendra,” I say as she proudly holds up her art project, a carefully painted picture of the palace, complete with its golden spires and fluttering flags.

Today’s activity was organized by none other than my best friend, Hannah, who is now the manager of all the orphanages within Zurdonia.

She has been doing really well here ever since she realized that owning a business wasn’t her true passion, but helping children like us who never had a family to call their own.

She’s already completed her first year after switching her degree to education and can barely contain her excitement about finishing.

As for me, well, I’ve made less progress.

With all my other responsibilities, I’ve been able to take only one course per semester, meaning I’ll be graduating in six years rather than four.

But with Alexei finally settling into his royal duties, and encouraging me to take on another class while he picks up more responsibilities, I find myself loving him even more.

“What about mine?” Jackson asks, holding up his portrait.

A smile spreads across my lips. “Children, I think we have a winner,” I exclaim, clapping my hands. Jackson’s face glows as he turns to the others. “Jackson, you have a real talent. You should consider more art classes.”

His chin dips as his eyes lower to his feet while a blush heats his cheeks.

“Okay, kids, it’s time for Queen Elena to go,” Hannah calls out. “Say your goodbyes.”

One by one, all five of them run to give me hugs. The thought fills me with joy, especially because we have one fewer child here this year.

“I have a surprise for you,” Hannah says in a whisper once Kendra releases me and runs toward the entrance of the gathering room.

Tears spring to my eyes when I see the children squealing and running toward their special guest, their little arms wrapping around him as they jump and shout his name. I glance at Hannah, whose smile only grows.

“He didn’t want to miss this for the world,” she says softly.

Joseph hugs each of the children before lifting his gaze to meet mine. The others part for him as he steps forward and performs a slight bow. “Queen Elena.”

I give him a reciprocal bow of the head. “Joseph, it’s good to see you.”

He scratches the back of his neck, his lips curving into a bashful smile as his cheeks flush.

Joseph had been one of the eldest children here, given up for adoption as a baby. At eight years old, he was the saddest and most skeptical of them all when I first visited. He was the only one brave enough to say out loud that he didn’t believe he had worth, simply because he was a kid.

When Hannah called to tell me he’d been adopted, I cried like a baby. Alexei had panicked, thinking something terrible had happened, until I finally stopped sobbing long enough to tell him the news.

“Joseph comes here a few times a week,” says Hannah.

“You do?” I ask.

Joseph tilts his head with a slight shrug. “They’re my family too,” he remarks shyly.

“They’re glad to see you,” I reply.

“I also promised King Alexei I’d protect Kendra, Your Majesty. I don’t break promises.”

A satisfied smile touches my lips. “King Alexei would be very proud of you.”

His face lights up. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Go on, Joseph. Go hang out with your friends before your mom picks you up,” Hannah tells him.

Before I can react, Joseph steps forward and wraps his arms around my waist in a gentle hug. My heart stills, then I return the embrace, holding him close before he skips back to his friends.

Hannah crosses her arms, watching him with a fond smile. “The kids still tell me sometimes they can’t believe you keep visiting.”

My gaze lingers on the children. “I made a promise.”

“One thing they’re not used to is people keeping their word,” she says quietly. I frown, both of us knowing exactly how that feels. Then her lips curve. “Not every day both royals come here. Sorry, El, but I think they favor Alexei when he visits.”

I laugh. “I can’t blame them. I favor him, too.” As we walk from the gathering room toward her office, I say, “I feel like now that you spend so much time here, I barely see you anymore,” I say, slumping into the chair across from her desk.

“We’ve both been a little busy, haven’t we?” she admits.

“Another movie night?”

She grins. “That would be nice. Maybe a double date, me and Braydon, you and Alexei?”

I sit up and smile. “That would be amazing.”

It is still a process to get Alexei to let go and not try to control every security-related aspect himself, but he is learning. Heat rises up the back of my neck as I replay our reunion last night, after two days apart while he attended a summit so that I could study for my final and be here today.

“I’ll text Braydon to coordinate with Abby for your schedule,” says Hannah.

There is a knock at the door.

“Your Majesty, we really must get going,” Lance says, peering in.

“A queen’s schedule must be adhered to,” Hannah teases.

I sigh. “That it does.”

I stand, allowing Hannah to come around her desk and pull me into a hug. We head toward the entrance where Lance awaits.

Lance opens the car door, and a cool breeze brushes my cheeks. A few of the kids press their faces to the glass through the window, tiny hands waving like they’re trying to keep me from leaving.

“Looks like you’ve got some serious fans,” Hannah says, bumping my shoulder lightly.

I laugh. “Please, they’re just making sure I don’t forget the next art day.”

“Maybe they just like you better than me,” she teases, faking a pout.

“Oh, definitely not. You’re the fun one; I’m just the lady who brings snacks and lectures them about dreams and hard work.”

“Uh-huh. And somehow, they still adore you.” Her voice softens. “You’ve done good, El. They needed someone who kept showing up.”

That stirs something in me. “We both know what it feels like when no one does.”

Hannah nods, eyes glistening before she quickly blinks them away. “Go on, Queen Duty calls. Don’t keep Blake waiting.”

I grin, stepping toward the car. “Text me about movie night. Nothing will cancel our get-together this time.”

She crosses her heart. “Scout’s honor.”

As Lance helps me into the seat, Hannah calls out, “And tell Alexei he owes me a rematch!”

I lean out the open window. “Only if he lets me have the first one.”

She laughs, her head shaking. “It’s why I love you, El... just as competitive as me.”

“Always,” I answer, smiling as the car pulls away and the orphanage disappears behind us.

“Long day?” Braydon asks as he walks me back to my room.

After leaving the orphanage, I made a few more appearances, visiting local businesses now that the development has officially begun, attending a groundbreaking ceremony, sitting through a budgeting session with Parliament downtown, and finally taking my exam. My head still feels like it’s spinning.

“Yes,” I reply with a weary sigh. “Extremely long. Your evening should be much easier, I don’t plan on going anywhere tonight.”

Braydon laughs. “So, Hannah thinks we should go on a double date.”

I nod, stretching my shoulders. “Long overdue. I need something besides parliament meetings and endless public appearances. Just one night to feel... normal.”

Braydon’s smile softens. “And to celebrate passing another class.”

I grin. “Aren’t you hatching your chickens beforehand?”

He bursts out laughing. “You mean counting your chickens before they hatch.”

I shrug. “Close enough.”

“You’ll pass, Elena. I’m sure of it.”

I smirk. “What, did you threaten the professor if I don’t?”

He snorts as we reach the door, shaking his head. “That’s Alexei’s department.”

I stop outside the door. “Speaking of Alexei, is he back yet?”

He shakes his head. “I haven’t heard anything, but I can check with Lance?—”

“Don’t worry about it,” I interrupt, waving off the offer, a little surprised since Braydon always knows Alexei’s whereabouts. Since Lance finished his shift, the last thing I want is to disturb him when he’s on his way home to his family. “Thanks again, Braydon.”

He gives a slight bow, turning so his back is against the wall, facing away from my door as I enter my room.

I flick on the light and reach to remove my earrings, feeling great relief as my earlobes are released from the weight of royal jewels. I cross to my jewelry chest in the corner and begin to set them back where they belong when a sound… a shuffle, a movement, stops me cold.

I pause, my pulse quickening. I think about calling out for Braydon, but decide against it. My hearing isn’t anywhere near as sharp as Alexei’s. He could probably hear a pin drop from an entire floor away.

Instead, I open the lid of the jewelry box slowly, acting as if I see nothing out of place, but in the reflection of the mirror inside, a shadow moves behind me.

I spin, striking first, my fist connecting with something solid, like stone. The shadow barely stumbles before surging forward again.

We circle, block, and hit, breathing heavily. A grunt escapes as strong arms wrap around my waist and heave me off the ground. My back hits a solid chest as those arms lock, holding tight.

“Give up?” a deep voice murmurs against my ear.

Braydon… that traitor.

“Not on your life,” I growl, bringing my heel down on his foot as hard as possible.

He grunts, loosening his grip enough for me to twist. I plant a foot against his stomach, grab his shoulders, and catapult him backward. He hits the carpet with a thud, and before he can recover, I straddle his waist, breathless.