Chapter 3 Only The Good

[Navaeh’s POV]

I have a secret, one that I can never tell anyone and it was because of this secret, I was going against the one thing everyone believed to be true.

It was fact that after my husband’s death, I became close with his brother Caspian. During that time, Caspian openly courted me and he made sure that anyone who dared tried to approach me know that he would be the man that I picked when I picked the next king.

It was a fact that once upon a time, I believed that Caspian cared for me and that he wanted to do right by me and his brother, and it was because of that belief, I chose him originally.

However, what I believed to be true and what others believed to be true became something that would lead to my end. At least, it was supposed to lead to my end, but by some twist of fate, I woke up on the morning of my choosing and now, here I was, standing alive and well in front of my kingdom, my followers, and those who stood by me with my head held high, my mind made up, and my future ahead of me.

“Caspian,” I say now, focusing on the man who isn’t going down without a fight. “Stand down.”

As I speak, my eyes flash a dangerous purple and I can feel my power starting to slowly bubble up within me, but before it can erupt and give way to anyone that I possess it, I quell it.

“Unless you wish to be punished.” I continue. “It is not you or anyone else who gets to choose who my next king will be. It is me and me alone who makes that choice and I am choosing Allaric.”

It is crazy, unfathomable, and probably a bit risky for me to be choosing the man I am, but in the life before this where everyone including my own people turned against me because of Caspian’s schemes, Allaric showed me kindness. He was the only one who showed me kindness and because of that, I would make sure that he was rewarded handsomely.

“Allaric,” I continue, turning my attention to the man in question. “Will you agree to stand by my side and become the next dragon king?”

Or will you reject me and leave me to find another suitable option.

“I…” he begins, looking from me to his father and back. “I accept.”

“Then it is decided!” Alviz announces, lifting his hands. “Our queen has decided that Allaric Shadowborn will be the next king of Hadoom!”

At his words, the crowd erupts, roaring with excitement over what has taken place, but I’m not sure if they are excited about the new choice of king or of the drama that is certainly to ensue because of my choice.

Either way, what was done was done and now that it was, there was another thing that needed to be dealt with.

Evidence.

In the life before this one, I found out that Caspian was behind my husband’s death. Where I thought he died of disease, he was actually slowly poisoned by the man that he called brother.

If only, I think, wondering why I awakened at this time instead of before my husband’s passing. If only I had been given the blessing of keeping my husband alive so that I didn’t have to drag Allaric into this fight with me, but I had to have faith that I was brought back to the time that I was meant to relive.

“My queen,” Alviz announces as the sound of cheers becomes even more deafening. “Are you certain of your choice?”

For a moment, I don’t speak as I take in Alviz. Of course, I’m not surprised that he is asking me such a thing, however, it is not within his power to be asking me either.

“Are you questioning your queen?”

I grow quiet as the old man stares at me, a bit of shock clear in his eyes because if this was before my returning to this time and place, I would certainly be meek and obedient.

What good did doing that get me? I ask myself in disgust. I did everything as I was supposed to and in the end I was betrayed and killed.

Not this time.

This time, I would stand tall. I would fight for what I believed, and I would make sure that everyone who wronged me got what was coming to them, starting with Caspian and even Alviz.

“I’m sorry, my queen,” Alviz mutters, but it is clear that he is unhappy with me. “I just want to make sure that you pick the correct man to stand at your side and Allaric, he…” he trails off shifting his gaze to the man in question. “He’s just…”

“The right choice,” I tell him, moving forward and touching Allaric’s shoulder. “Who will fight for this kingdom and me better than a man who laid down his life and brought our kingdom victory?”

Smiling, I wait until Allaric turns his gaze to mine and when our eyes meet, I feel a bit of warmth seep into my cold heart and body.

“The person you should be asking whether they are truly okay with this is Allaric himself as I’m being quite selfish in my choice.”

I was aware he expected me to pick his father and that I put him in a very precarious position with Caspian, but even then, I hoped that he would go along with my selfish choice.

“You’re still young and probably don’t want to spend the rest of your life beside an old woman like me.” I chuckle. “But even then, I do hope that you will consider.”

“My queen,” Allaric says. “I don’t consider you old at all and I am honored that you have chosen me. However, I must implore you to think properly about your decision for you are correct about one thing. I am young and because of that, I am not as savvy about matters of the kingdom as others may be.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” I smile. “I can handle things myself and I will teach you as we go.”

I move forward, hand outstretched and when I reach Allaric, I place my hand on his cheek.

At my touch, he tenses as if expecting me to do something unpleasant, but when I don’t, he relaxes.

Poor guy. I think, taking him in, noting the scars that mar his face and the parts of his body that are visible. You’ve been through so much in your short twenty-one years on this earth.

You deserve only good things after the kindness you showed me when no one else did and I will make sure that that is what you get.