From Ashes To Queen: Now I Call The Shots Novels & Stories

I am utterly in awe of the beautiful creature in front of me. “Our mate.” Rohan mutters dreamily. “Our queen.” I agree.

she said, “we don’t retreat. Her voice was steady. Certain. “We don’t negotiate. She glanced over her shoulder. “We don’t hesitate. The last word lingered heavy. “Anything that stands in our way. She looked back at the burning void. “we erase. No one argued and No one objected. Because they knew. This wasn’t a suggestion. This was law. As the wind picked up, the ash began to swirl more violently around them, rising into the air like a storm being born. Isabella closed her eyes briefly, inhaling the scent of smoke and destruction. There was no disgust. No regret. Only clarity. When she opened them again. They were empty, Cold. Certain. Behind her, the wolves slowly dropped to one knee. Not ou

He shouted back. “You earned nothing,” the Queen said, her voice hard. “You’re nothing but a reckless child, Asher.” She whispered coldly. “Her wolf is mine, to make the rogues unstoppable.” She said. “No,” Asher said, shaking his head. “I’ll find another way, a witch, a sorceress. You don’t get to claim it.” He said. “You’ll find death,” the Queen said. “You’re sentenced to liquid silver, Asher. You’re nothing.” She added.

I feel my eyes close and darkness takes me. "Queen Ashley, WAKE UP!”

They are cold, blank and black holes. “So, why are we being summoned?” She asks, her voice quiet and dangerous. I know she can’t sense me, as Raven keeps reminding me, but this just sends shivers down my invisible ghostlike spine. Then something happens; a warmth runs through me. Love, protection and trust courses through me, as if Isaiah knows I am somewhere unsafe and he is telling me to relax and he trusts me. I listen carefully again. “... we need to move faster.” “It can be done faster than we are already doing it. I poisoned the little irky Queen during our fight. She will die soon, and then you have your opening.” Ashari says, tapping her fingers on the table.

Predictable. Now we introduce the alternative. Not a lie. A competitor. In the outer districts, where the wards are weaker and desperation is stronger, we have allowed a figure to rise. A woman with a voice like a hymn and power enough to make small miracles. She does not claim to be the Axis. She claims to be an answer. “She calls herself the Ash Queen,” one of our watchers reports, eyes bright with curiosity. I smile slightly. “Let them name her what they wish,” I say. “Names are hooks.”

“Stop worrying. They’re not going to find you.” “Oh really? It seems you don’t know how dangerous Lucas and Simon are, despite living with them. Just get to the point.” “Fine. The elders' council just passed a verdict that’s very difficult for me.” “What is it?” “They stripped me of my title as Queen, all because of that wretched Ashley.” “Who’s Ashley?” “Have you forgotten? The slave that Simon and Lucas brought into the house back then.” “Oh, the beautiful slave who threatened to take the kings away from you back then.”

"I think I’m going to watch her change everything." Daniel raised his glass. "To the queen’s return." Adrian remained silent. He simply stood there and observed as Natalie Evans turned, smiled at her people, and stepped further into the light—ready to carve a new path through the same world that had previously consumed her.

I whispered. Leo cracked his knuckles. “Then let’s make sure she regrets it.” Dante’s hand found mine again, a silent vow between us. “This war isn’t just mine to fight. It’s ours.” I squeezed his fingers, drawing strength from the promise. As the city stirred behind the walls of power, I felt the first true fire of my reign ignite — not the fire of destruction, but the fire of fierce, unyielding resolve. I was queen of ashes, yes.

Because I'd already learned how to rise from ash. Final line: They didn't come looking for a queen. They came for the fire. And I... I was already burning.