The Stand In Queen Novels & Stories

She did not raise her voice. She did not release power. She simply stood. And in standing without fracture, without borrowed strength, without hidden twin currents distorting her core, she became something far more difficult to undermine. The Hollow King had declared himself inevitable. But the Queen had chosen herself. And Europe was beginning to notice the difference.

Introduction Even when Victor Ravelli, the Don, picked out a gift for me, he bought two and let my sister Diana choose first. One was a black diamond signet ring he'd paid a fortune for at an auction in Russia. The other was an obsidian brooch that came free with the diamond. It didn't go with my wedding dress at all. For once, I spoke up, pointing to the black diamond ring before Diana could claim it. "This time, can I choose first?" Victor twisted the family's bone ring around his thumb and ruffled my hair. "Diana's always been competitive. If she can't have her first choice, she doesn't want anything at all. You're just filling in for her. What you wear doesn't matter." I fell silent, sta

I hiss again and go to move into an attack position "SOREN! STAND DOWN! LOOK AND LISTEN TO ME!" I freeze and look up with surprise into the eyes of my Queen. She has never used her Queen's tone on me before. Once I recognize her as my Queen, the loyalty I have in me for her makes me move slightly, so I am now kneeling in front of her, as I say "I am sorry, my Queen! I am at your disposal, your highness!" "We will find and get her back, but we can only do that if we are not fighting you. You need to stay with us and you need to stay in control. Can you do that Soren?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see the queen standing at arms, with her fists clenched and her face red as hell. The queen's eyes glowed red and she looked as though she was about to lose her ever loving mind. "Just stop!" She said. "What exactly is wrong with you people here today?!" She shouted across the battlefield. Caine and Mister instantly transformed back into human form and everyone hit their knees and bowed their heads.

Lorranie and the girls along with Tamara stared at her in concern, eager to run to her rescue. The room was silent, nothing can be heard besides the heavy breathing of Jasmine as she slowly gathered her strength. As slowly as she can, Jasmine eventually stood up on her two feet before turning to face the guests as they all stood up. The elder stood beside her as he finally announced, "I here, present to you our new queen, Jasmine," he said as everyone began to cheer, as Jasmine stared back at them with dark eyes and a sly smirk before a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

Will they even accept me? I voiced my concerns out loud and let my fear and uncertainty colour my tone. I was scared that I was being set up to fail and that no one would take me seriously in that position. I mean if I was in their position I’m not sure I would. Accept a Queen who had no idea she was a part of your people, who never grew up among you nor does she really know anything about your culture and customs? Yeah, I wouldn’t be that confident in her as a Queen.

But the Queen's composure shattered, replaced by a storm of anger visible to all. With eyes ablaze, the Evil Queen seethed, "How dare you speak of betrayal! You dare defy me in my own court?" Tonya met the Queen's gaze, unwavering. "Defy you? No, my dear Queen. I simply speak the truth." But the Queen's rage knew no bounds. In a burst of fury, she unleashed her power, sending shockwaves through the hall. Yet Tonya remained steadfast, her smirk never faltering, as the balance of power between them shifted once more.

"Veronica, you’ve always known the cost of power. But tell me this—have they truly won? Or are you still standing?" Her words cut through the fog of despair clouding my thoughts. I had lost something, yes—my official position, my throne—but I was still here, still breathing, still capable of so much more. "I’m still standing," I replied, my voice quiet but resolute. "But it feels like I’m alone in this, like there’s no one left to fight with me." "Then stand taller," she said, her voice growing fiercer. "A queen doesn’t need a crowd at her back to reclaim what’s hers. She only needs her strength and the will to rise again."

Despite my anger and frustration, I still went to Queenie's company. Upon arrival, I found her standing amidst a circle of onlookers in the open lobby. Even as Daniela and her mother hurled insults, Queenie stood tall, her gaze unwavering and resilient. Her face was pale, and her hands were clenched tightly, showcasing both vulnerability and defiance. As our eyes met, a spark ignited within her. Hurt flooded her features, and she parted her lips as if to speak.

Wine sloshed, goblets clinked, voices rang out. And through it all, Gideon stood like stone in the storm—watching me, not them. His men cheered, the court admired, Maddie glowed with mischief—but his gaze burned hotter than all of it, until I thought I might break under the weight. I turned, desperate to slip from his eyes, desperate for air— And instead walked straight into her. The Queen lingered in the shadows, a glass of dark wine glinting between her fingers, her smile curved as though she’d been waiting just for this moment.