Free Queen of Hearts (The Risen King) by Samantha Warren Page A

has left to aide General Zela at Castle Daor.” A blond-haired faery dressed in livery the color of the fading sun stood in the garden in front of Queen Titania and gave a half bow.
    “ Do we have any reports on how many attackers they are facing?” The queen held her head high and brushed a finger over a dead leaf on a bush. Its dull brown color transformed into a bright, shining green and its crinkled, brittle form softened into the supple tenderness of a new leaf.
    “ Reports vary, ranging from hundreds to thousands. Needless to say, the castle is surrounded. They will need all the help they can get.”
    Titania pressed her lips together. Leanansidhe was injured; of that she was certain. Why would the woman risk her army and herself to attack a castle that could not be destroyed? She may gain access to the knights, she may kill a few, but the rest would be safe inside the impenetrable walls. Unless somehow she had found a way inside the nearly impenetrable walls.
    “Send everyone we can spare. We cannot lose this fight.”
    The faery bowed. “Yes, your majesty.” He spun on a booted heel and marched out of the garden as Titania walked along the packed dirt path she had tread so often, trailing her fingers over the leaves on either side.
    “What are you up to, Lealea,” she mumbled as she brought a wilting white rose back to life. “What game are you playing?” Her fingers danced over the flowers in front of her until they hovered over a crumbling yellow lily. “Oh, my darling, I am so sorry. How did I miss you before?” She reached down to touch it, to breathe life back into its decaying form, when a crash echoed behind her. She spun, her eyes searching for the cause of the offensive sound, but they found nothing. The noise had come from outside the garden, in the castle proper near the gate. Even as she watched, wisps of red smoke trailed up into the sky. Shouts could be heard from all around her, mingling with the clash of metal on metal, accompanied by the occasional pained scream.
    Booted feet thudded on the dirt path behind her and she brought her hands up as she spun. Fireballs sat in both palms, ready to be used if necessary.
    “M'lady,” gasped the servant who she had just sent away. He doubled over and placed his hands on his knees as he struggled for breath. Blood spilled down the left side of his tunic. “My queen, we are under attack.”
    Titania glanced back toward the smoke. From inside the garden, she could hear the battles outside as they progressed through the castle. She gritted her teeth together and forced her heart to stop racing in her chest. “Who? And how?” she demanded of the man in front of her.
    He coughed and specks of blood spattered the bottom of her dress. “It's her,” he managed to say before another coughing fit took him. He sank to the ground before her, unable to stand on his own anymore.
    She knelt beside him. “Who?” she asked, but she was only half listening as she prodded the wound in his side. It was deep and pierced vital organs, but if she tended it immediately, she would be able to save him.
    “Why, me, of course.”
    Titania flew to her feet and spun around. Her blood-covered hands dripped at her sides. A tall, tanned woman dressed in a tight black, sleeveless shirt and black pants stood before her. The woman's blood-red lips were pulled into a vile smirk and her brown eyes danced with mirth.
    “Hello, Tati.” She said the last word like it burned her tongue. “Did you miss me?”
    “ Leanansidhe.” Titania's mind raced as she stared at the woman before her, her childhood friend and confidant. Centuries of pain and heartache came flooding back even as she examined the woman and tried to find a weakness she could exploit.
    “ You seem at a loss for words, my dear queen. Didn't expect to see me?” She turned and took a few steps away toward the smoke. “You thought I would be at that battle, am I correct? You thought all of my resources would be