Free The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV] by Robbie Collins

long-unused powers, San'lr'in’ had isolated herself even further from The Realm. Even now, her forces were stunned speechless in her great presence, afraid to approach her. Only in stories had they ever imagined that such could occur. Halting the legions of the long-prior dead had been an astonishing feat, but none had ever thought that anyone would have the powers to call the long-prior, long-dead High Queens to her—The Watchers of The Realm.
    And then, as if all that wasn't enough, she had been given the First High Queen's legendary sword.
    Ann'wn approached The Healer, “Healer. What do you think of this prior turn?"
    Shr'dler'in's heart jumped at the sound of the voice, “Force Leader. You surprised me."
    The events from the prior turn had proven so intense for The High Queen, as well as for all the travelers that Ann'wn was compelled to stand guard outside her tent during the eve. She hadn't been able to return to her discussions with The Healer, so now attempted to do so. She hoped with quiet desperation that The Healer would yet be open to her advances and desires.
    Ann'wn sat down next to her, touching her cheek lightly as she did so, holding tight control on her growing desires, “I know not what to think of our High Queen. Her powers are beyond amazing."
    Shr'dler'in nodded in agreement, “There were overly many enemy forces. This is truth."
    Ann'wn shook her head, “I speak of the other. We guessed that The High Queen had such powers against an enemy as this, but to be able to summon the long-prior, long-dead High Queens to her is to control the long unknown powers. This has never prior occurred. There is no such story of it. I asked Caitha, and even she knows of none. All are shocked."
    "The High Queen would tell you that she is as any other."
    "And she would be wrong, then."
    Shr'dler'in looked at Ann'wn, “If we treat her as such, Ann'wn', she becomes even more burdened and separate. We would make her stand alone as no other must endure. This must not occur."
    "How can we treat her as every other, when she is not?"
    "By knowing that you cause her more isolation in the doing of it."
    "But she is the strongest that has ever prior been."
    "And she will yet die upon one turn, Force Leader, as you and I. And she yet seeks solace and love, as any other. You cannot isolate her further in your adoration. You would make her reality overly harsh. You should treat her not as special, even if she is. To stand back and adore her is to make her stand alone. We do her greater honor and respect by treating her as High Queen, only. It is enough. She wishes no more than this. Treat her as every other turn, Force Leader."
    They sat for a few moments in silence, tired, as was everyone, from the recent events, “You are correct, Healer. She is lucky to have such as you."
    "As we are lucky to have her."
    Even in her desire and need to return to their prior eve topic, Ann'wn didn't know how to approach it. She felt awkward in saying it, but did so anyway, “I would consider myself as lucky to have you."
    "Have me, Force Leader? What does such mean? I am your Healer."
    "I mean that—"
    Sele’ toddled over to The Healer, “Healer. I sense that our Greatest of All High Queens is approaching the moment for our usefulness."
    The Healer nodded, rising, forgetting that Ann'wn was there. Ann'wn saw that when it concerned The High Queen, nothing else mattered to The Healer. She was both pleased and saddened by this. The Healer looked at Sele’ and asked, “How can such a young one speak so? What meditation is she in?"
    "She now returns to the third from her fourth."
    They began walking toward The High Queen, “Do you wish to help?"
    She nodded, “Yes, Healer. Thank you."
    "She will appreciate this assistance, but take it overly slow, Young One. Her prior turn has been most difficult. We will need to keep her in her second meditation until the arrival of the Great Third Master. It will allow her to rest if we hold her