Chapter 32

Jess bolted awake to the sounds of screaming. She rubbed her eyes. She had been in the queen’s memories again, but this time she had seen her father. Jess lay back down and closed her eyes she wanted to know more. The screams outside stopped and Jess waited for sleep to take her back to the past.
***
Cora was finding married life difficult. Drake was becoming more controlling as each day passed. Even the wind had died, like it needed his permission to blow. He was taking over the kingdom. Giving the army orders and making public speeches. Cora stood back and let him. She knew that she should step up and be the future queen her people needed her to be. Her heart just wasn’t in it. So, she stood beside Drake and let him take control. Smiling and nodding, she engaged in small talk and acted the perfect lady. But she knew that she couldn’t sit back much longer. Drake was becoming mean and hatful. He was using his power in ways that made Cora sick to her stomach. She had to put a stop to it. He had refused the union of Jeannette and Cameron. He had made the people work harder to give life to their world which had started to wither. Crops were dying and the animals were becoming sick. When Drake sacrificed three young girls and asked the gods for help Cora knew things would become worse. He had used dark magic. Dark magic would bring trouble. She wasn’t sure if her people were ready to face the consequence.
“Your father wishes to speak with you,” Cameron interrupted her reading. She was sat in the library on a window seat. Stealing glances at the moon. It was yet to be full. She knew that it wouldn’t be long, and her heart and soul yearned to see Reece. She had never felt as lonely as she did the first weeks of her marriage.
“I hear things are going well, Jeannette is a beautiful young woman. I hope you will treat her as she should be treated,” Cora smiled at Cameron. She would make sure that they married. Drake would not strip them of their love.
“Of course, princess,” Cora smiled to herself as she made her way to her father’s quarters. Jeannette deserved to be loved and happy. If she couldn’t have the man, she wanted then she could watch the love of others and let their warmth fill her heart.
As she looked at her father, she gasped. He was so thin, and his skin looked ashen. His frail body was propped up on pillows.
“Come,” his hand barley moved as he patted the bed beside him. She sat down and took his cold hand in hers. Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She needed to be strong, not only for her, but her father and sisters.
“I was wrong,” his voice was croaky she could hardly make out his words.
“Do not let Drake take over. You my daughter are the rightful leader. You must take your place. You have to do what is right. One day you will understand. Only a De’Mar can keep this world from dyeing,” Her father’s words gently spoke in her mind.
“I am sorry father. I don’t know the first thing about leading. I am scared,” She whispered back. She was glad that her father was bed ridden. If he had seen with his own eyes that the land was turning to sand, then it would break her. She would not be able to take the disappointment that would be evident in his eyes.
“You have nothing to fear. The gods are on your side.”
She nodded. Afraid to speak, she could see the light leaving his eyes. “Do not trust Drake,” Her father whispered as he took his last breath. Cora was stunned, but most of all she was more afraid than ever. She was alone, without the guidance of her father to face the world she called home.

***
Reece heard screaming and ran in the direction. Fear he could smell it strong in the air tinged with blood. As he got closer to the sound the stronger the smell of blood became.
He skidded to a halt. Shifters stalked and chased their prey. No fear of being exposed. They were too many of them for him to fight alone. He racked is brain. Why would they do this? He came up with no possible answer but one. Jess had let Cora rise and they were carrying out her orders. Furious he stayed in the shadows as he made his way to the motel in which he knew Jess was staying.
The young man he had been following was long forgotten as he made his way to number forty-seven
***
Death wasn't kind. Cora knew that. It snatched where it could, taking people who were far too young, far too good. It didn't pretend to care; it didn't pretend to distinguish. It had taken her mother and now her father. She was to become the queen; she had been dreading the moment of her father’s death since she was a child. Fist she had to deal with her bond. “Darcy meets me in the tower, she projected the thought.
Darcy closed the door behind her. “I need your help,” Cora couldn’t speak out loud. If she did, she risked being overheard. Darcy smiled and nodded. “I need to die,” The smile on Darcy’s face faded and paled.
“It is the only way to kill the bond,” Darcy shook her head. “I have just lost father. I will not lose you too,”
“That is why your here Darcy. I have seen you give life back to the birds. So many animals you have saved from death. You can do this,” Cora held Darcy’s shoulders and looked into her eyes.
“I fear you have gone crazy. I am not strong enough to bring you back,”
“Yes, you are. You just have to believe,” Cora pleaded.
“There is another way. We kill Drake,” Cora laughed. It was a small laugh.
“That would not work. The kingdom would fall. They would never accept me as a lone woman,”
“I trust you Darcy,” Cora drank a potion she had made to stop her heart. “You must bring me back before the last grain of sand hits the bottom. Or I will be lost forever,” Cora felt her heartbeat slowing and tipped the glass timer before she collapsed in her sisters’ arms.
She opened her eyes. The room had a blue tint to it and when she looked down, she saw Darcy cradling her body. A scream caught in her throat as a figure appeared before her.
“Cora?” Her mother was here. Tears ran down Cora’s face and she ran into her mother’s arms.
“Cora, I don’t have much time. You must listen. The road ahead of you is dark. You must fight that darkness. If you don’t then our people will all die. You Cora are the only one that can save them. But you must never give the god’s what they seek,”
“I don’t understand,”
“Oh, you will my girl. In time. You must be strong. Fate is relying on you and only you,” Her mother began to fade.
“Don’t give them what they seek Cora,”