Chapter One

Cassandra POV

Gabriel and I grew up together. We make a formidable couple striking fear in the Fae around us. We have been lovers for 20 years and are not exclusive. I climb from his bed walking to the window. I smile, knowing he can't take his eyes off me. I flick my long white hair over my shoulder and turn toward him.

“I will do it, Gabriel. I deserve to be Queen."

He rubs his eyes tiredly as he asks,

“Have you thought this through, Cassandra?”

I shrug before answering him,

“She is weak. You know she should have handed the throne to me years ago.”

Gabriel irritates me as he says,

“The Queen will be dead soon, Cassandra. Why can't we enjoy our life together until then?” 

I narrow my eyes at him and hiss,

“I will not wait any longer, Gabriel. I want the throne now.” 

Gabriel's smile is smug as he says,

“Saying you want something doesn't make it happen, Cassandra.”

I snap as my anger rises,

“I am not a fool, Gabriel. You, of all people, should know that”

He chuckles, and I ask,

“Why are you laughing at me?”

“I am not laughing at you, Cassandra. Come back to bed,” 

”I mean it, Gabriel; I will not wait any longer.” 

I have no intention of crawling back into his bed unless he agrees to help me. I smirk; I will get what I want from him; his erection is visible under the sheets.

He sighs in defeat before asking,

“What is your plan for disposing of our current Queen?” 

“Poison, Gabriel, it is a ladies' weapon.”

I laugh as Gabriel sits up, choking for words as he stammers,

“Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you, Cassandra,” 

I huff,

“I have been serving Queen Lillianna her food to her for as long as I have been here; she trusts me.”

Gabriel's smile is sly as he says,

“I will help you take the throne; however, when the time comes, I expect to be repaid for my loyalty.”

I choose to ignore his statement and walk to the bathroom, asking,

“Are you joining me?”

He follows me to the bathroom eagerly. I chuckle to myself; It has always been so easy for me to manipulate Gabriel. 

Allana POV

The meeting with Andras and Damian went as I expected; neither of them cared whether Cassandra became Queen of the Seelie realm, it's tiresome, but to keep up the pretense of the devoted protector of our kingdom, I have to keep up appearances. Now it's time for Zane and me to return to Mathew and tell him what happened.  The only reason I haven't killed Mathew is because of his son. Tyler's foolish actions when he gets older will ensure that I eventually get everything I have ever wanted.

Mathew and his eight-year-old son Tyler are waiting for us when we arrive at the werewolf village. He is a beautiful boy; his big brown eyes widen in shock as he jumps away from us. Mathew laughs, picking his son up, and whispers,

“It's Allana and Zane. You know they won't hurt you.”

A pretty female wolf walks over to us and says,

"I can take Tyler while you speak to Allana and Zane, Mathew.”

Mathew passes Tyler to her and smiles,

“Thank you, Alissa.”

He turns to Zane and me, motioning us to follow him,

“I think it would be best if we talked in my cabin. I don't want my pack overhearing any of this”. 

We sit in Mathew's kitchen while he makes us a cup of coffee. Once he joins us, I tell him what occurred earlier this evening.

“The kings won't help us, Mathew.”

He shakes his head sadly and asks,

“What do we do now, Allana?” 

“Zane and I will go to the Seelie realm when Cassandra summons us. We have no choice.” 

If I had a heart, it would have broken when he whispered.

“I have already lost my mate. I can not lose Tyler as well.”

Zane looks at me sharply and hisses,

“You need to tell Mathew everything you know, Allana.”

Mathew frowned at Zane's words, then he looked at me and snarled, 

“What the fuck is Zane talking about?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration and say,

“The Seelie princess wants the throne. She will succeed, and we will fight with everything we have to protect our homes and the people we love.” 

Mathew growls; his eyes glow briefly as his wolf comes to the surface. 

“There is more your not saying, Allana. I need to know if Tyler will be safe.” 

I look at Mathew before replying,

“Tyler and my granddaughter play important roles in my future, Mathew.” 

Mathew snarls,

“I am not concerned about your granddaughter. Will my son be safe?.” 

I have had enough; I stand to leave and hiss, 

“We are finished discussing this today. I have to go. Olivia needs me.”

Zane rises from his chair and chuckles, breaking the tension that has been building in the room as he says,

“You are not getting away that easily, Allana; Mathew and I are coming with you.”

We teleport to my son's home. When I heard a baby cry, I ran upstairs and opened the door to my daughter-in-law's bedroom. I plaster a fake smile on my face and ask,

“Why didn't you send for me sooner, Olivia?” 

Tears glisten in Olivia's eyes as she murmurs, 

“You forget, Allana, I knew what to expect this time.” 

The midwife wrapped the baby in a blanket handing her to Olivia; she looked at me, saying,

“Come meet your granddaughter Allana.” 

Tears fill my eyes as I look at the tiny baby in Oliva’s arms; she reminds me of my son.

“What are you going to name her, Olivia?”

Olivia smiles softly as she looks at her baby and whispers,

“Lisha, it is the closest name I could think of that reminded me of her father.” 

My sons' name was Lysander. A sliver of guilt runs through me, and I cannot stop the tears from running down my face.

I sit beside Olivia, smiling as Lisha opens her eyes. Olivia chuckles,

“Lisha has your eyes. I will have my hands full with this one. She is going to be exactly like you.”

Olivia drifts off to sleep holding Lisha, and I leave quietly. Zane is waiting downstairs; he smiles as he says,

“Your granddaughter is beautiful, just like you.”

I take his hand and lead him to the porch before kissing him goodnight. Once Zane is out of sight, I walk into the forest; I need to speak to my sister and make her aware of everything that has happened tonight.

Gabriel pov

Within a week, Cassandra accomplishes what she sets out to do. She is now our Queen.

Entering the throne room, I notice she is in a foul temper,

“What is the matter, Cassandra?”

She snarls.

“The Vampire King won't confirm if he is coming”’.

“What about the Werewolf king and the Unseelie representative?” 

“I have had word from them. They will be here by the end of the day.”

Cassandra doesn't know I've seen Andras leaving her chambers. Andras has a taste for Fae's blood, and my queen is always happy to have him feed on her; what I love most about Cassandra is she will use whatever charms she has to achieve what she wants.

The werewolf king and his warriors arrive first. They are known amongst the realms as a formidable pack. The representatives for the Uneeslie kingdom enter next. The confidence they exude shows their power. The woman Allana is beautiful. Her black hair falls to her waist, and purple strands twist through it. Her eyes are exquisite deep purple with black irises. My interest sparks; I smile, watching her; I will speak to Cassandra after they leave; Allana will be my payment once Cassandra destroys her home. 

The vampire king Andras strolls into the throne room. He addresses Cassandra before greeting Damian, totally ignoring the Dark Fae. It is evident to everyone in the room that the vampire and Fae dislike each other; I know Cassandra will use this knowledge to destroy the woman if she doesn't get what she wants. 

Cassandra's lips curl in disgust before she looks at the Dark Fae and says,

“It's time the Seelie and Unseelie Realms united. Queen Belladonna and Lillianna have been dead for years. I plan on being Queen of both Realms”.

Laughter erupts from the Vampire king before he states,

“Do what you wish. I care little for the Unseelie.” 

Cassandra turns to the Werewolf king. He shrugs his shoulders,

“I am neutral in this decision, as it does not affect my wolves or my domain.”

The woman Allana takes a step closer to Cassandra and hisses,

“You have no claim on us. We wish to live in peace with all the realms.”

Even though she is furious, her voice is soft, with a musical quality to it. The vampire king’s laughter echoes through the palace. My queen laughs with him as she says,

“You don't have a choice in this, Allana. I will do as I wish.”

Allana doesn't try to hide her fury as she snarls,

“We will fight you with everything at our disposal, Cassandra. I am not old and feeble like your previous queen.”

Allana and Zane spin on their heels and walk out of the throne room.

I laugh at the expression on my queen's face. If looks could kill, both Dark Fae would have died today.

Cassandra's beautiful face turned red with fury as she hissed,

“That bitch will pay for her insolence if it takes me an eternity.”