The shadowed queen, p.1
The Shadowed Queen, page 1
Note to the reader
A light content warning, with as few spoilers as possible, this book does include mentions of death, abuse, trauma, and mental health issues. There are also quite a few more sex scenes than The Shadowed Sorceress had.
Keep this in mind as you read, and most importantly, enjoy!
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE SHADOWED QUEEN
First edition. May 31, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Sabrina Bàs.
ISBN: 979-8224193899
Written by Sabrina Bàs.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
nineteen
Pronunciation Guide
Note to the reader
Acknowledgements
Sign up for Sabrina Bàs's Mailing List
Also By Sabrina Bàs
About the Author
I dedicate this book mostly to myself. This book healed a lot of open wounds in me, and I'm proud to finally see it released into the world.
To those going through some shit, we all process grief and stress differently, and I'm proud of you for making it this far! <3
one
“Is it straight?” I ask, standing on a chair leaning a little too far to the side for Oberon's comfort.
“Yes, finally it’s straight. Did you ask Lord Tyron before you decided to put this here? These halls are supposed to be sacred...” He asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
I stand back and admire my handiwork. I had a frame put around Ophelia’s painting of us and decided to hang it in the gallery, right next to the portrait of Tyron and Leanne.
“No I didn’t ask, but why would I bother? It's of his kids. He should be happy with it.”
I smile looking at the painting. Ophelia spent months perfecting this. She had just finished it the day before she died. In the center, the canvas portrays my sister and me, standing side by side holding hands. At our feet, two rabbits sit serenely, one white and the other black, “they're me and you,” she had said.
The background depicts a lush forest, teeming with vibrant foliage and towering trees. The colors are vivid, reflecting the abundance of nature in the spring. We are standing in a meadow filled with wildflowers. Among the branches of the trees above us perch eight owls, and eight ravens, their watchful eyes observing us.
The painting emanates a sense of tranquility and unity. It serves as a pressing reminder of the beauty of our bond and the profound love we shared.
As I gaze upon the artwork, I'm transported back to that time, watching her paint my features with such vivid detail. She had told me to sit on the log in front of her so she could use my face for reference for both of us, which meant I had been sitting for a very long time. If I had known those would be our final days together, I would've been nicer, sat up taller, and smiled more. I glance at the faces in the painting. Our eyes look like summer night skies, stars shining and showing the way. I fiddle with the earrings she had gotten us for our birthday; the small black rabbit earrings I have had in for the last seven years, and a pang of sadness squeezes my chest. Sensing my unease, Oberon wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on the top of my head.
“I wish I could've met her,” he says softly.
“You would've liked her way more than you like me. You’re a lot alike. Soft teddy bears.” I chuckle.
“I like how different we are though. I've only ever seen your strength, there are no negatives to you my love.” he kisses my ear.
“How long until I get you killed Obe? Everyone I've loved has died because of me.” I feel him stiffen at the words.
“You are stronger than you used to be Anna. When your sister died you were just a kid, and that was never your fault. Aspen knew the risks of running into a battlefield. She was trying to save you, and to a point she was successful,” he squeezes me tighter. His warmth melts away the ice that was settling in my veins.
“I don’t know how I'm going to deal with everything to come. I'm worried I'm not strong enough still.”
It had been a few weeks since we received word from one of my scouts that a plague was ripping through the realm of winter. A nasty winter wind was blowing through the lands, striking at the heart of the people who were unfortunate enough to be caught in it. The entire north side of the realm is frozen solid, I'm unsure if those afflicted are still alive, or if they just sit there, slowly freezing to death.
The entire realm evacuated to the southern part of the realm, trying to figure things out on their own. The other realms don’t know of the prophesy, they know nothing about what we’re going to set out to do. This is only the beginning.
“Ah, here you two are. I've been looking everywhere, I knew if I followed your little friend Ivy I'd eventually run into you.” Tyron says from the doorway. He walks up to us and admires the painting I've put on the wall. “Is that her? Ophelia?” A hint of sadness in his eye at the thought of the daughter he never got to meet.
“Yes, she finished this painting of us just before she died. I thought it fit nicely here.” I say, backing away so he can see the full painting.
“It is absolutely beautiful, she was very talented at only 16.” He touches the frame softly and smiles. “It's perfect here. Thank you for trusting us to hold this and carry her memory like this.” He turns to me and touches my shoulder softly. I feel my eye twitch at the contact but I try to keep my composure. I’ve come to learn Tyron is a very touchy person, and I hurt him every time I recoil from his touch, I've been trying to let him in more but it makes me so instantly anxious I struggle.
Oberon squeezes my hand, trying to calm me. I focus on the touch and take a deep breath. I can see how happy Tyron is that I'm allowing him to get close. This is my family now, I have to make the effort. By now they both know the abuse I've suffered, some things I told them myself, some things Oberon saw through our bond. I told him not to dig around in my head, but I know he can’t help it. Sometimes things just bleed through.
An interesting thing -this soul bond; it's very similar to the connection my sister and I once shared. We can hear each other's thoughts and talk to each other internally, something I've had to deal with. I have the ability to block the connection, reinforcing my internal walls so I can’t hear his thoughts and he can’t hear mine. He thinks so loudly it drives me up a wall sometimes. He has no magic ability as a fae male, so I'm stuck doing all the heavy lifting. We can also sense each other's pain and feelings about things. The first couple of days were hard for him, as I had just gone through so much loss, he was stuck going through it as well... as if it were his own twin and best friend dying in his arms.
“I came looking for you and your friends because the training field is vacant now if you would like to resume your training with them,” Tyron says, holding the door open for me. I smile and follow him. We had been training Ivy and Moss to be able to use swords. If Oberon and I could help it they would never need to use this training, but I refuse to let them come with me until they can protect themselves. My powers are unreliable and I can’t afford another loss.
As the sun casts its golden glow upon the training grounds, I stand alongside my friends, ready to train them. Until now it’s just been running and weight training, today is the first time they’re training with weapons. They hold their wooden practice swords with uncertain grips, their eyes reflecting a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” Moss asks for the hundredth time, “Can’t you just turn me into a bird in a fight and let me fly away?”
“We’ve talked about this, what if something happens and I'm not near you to protect you or turn you into a bird?” I snap back, rolling my eyes. She winces at the thought but doesn’t reply. Thank the goddess.
With the confidence stemming from years of training, I begin the session, guiding them through the fundamental stances and footwork. I observe their initial attempts, offering gentle corrections and encouragement. Their swings are hesitant, their steps unsteady. I start to get frustrated with going over things over and over. The heat from the sun beating down on us begins to get to me, and I snap at Moss for losing her grip on the sword and dropping it.
“Annabelle, let me try. Maybe a different approach would be better.” Oberon says with a hand on my shoulder, His smile calms me. “Remember, you were a novice once as well.”
He steps in with the training while I sit on the side and practice by myself. I had been working on my shadow abilities. I can now create any weapon I need out of shadow. My personal favorite as of late has been a bow and arrows. Something feels so right about sticking to the shadows and shooting an arrow at someone across great distances. Archery was always my favorite thing to practice at the Academy, I had settled on twin swords as my main weapon, as I preferred to be in the middle of the action, but always wished there was room in our group for an archer. And now that I'm forming my own group, not just following Dot around, we can be whatever we want. The thought makes me smile, these are my friends. Friends
I look over to Ivy and Moss. As their training session continues, their movements gradually become more fluid and confident. I don’t know what it is that Oberon is teaching them or how he's going about it, but he's clearly a better teacher than I am. The thought of that bugs me, but I shrug the feeling off. I have my own powers to work on. I've been so unstable the last few months, it's been nice to be able to sit and enjoy my time, even with the prophesy looming over me. I visited Eleni a few times to chat with her and learn more about the path ahead of us. She had told me there was nothing we could do for the current plague in the Winter Realm, to focus on our training, and then seek out the Goddess of Water, she was who could heal the Winter Realm.
“Lady Annabelle, dinner is almost ready!” one of the servants calls to me over the fence. I glance over to her and offer a smile and a wave. I dust off the dried mud that had settled on my knees and walked over to the others. Oberon is fighting off Moss and Ivy. Watching him swing the wooden sword with ease makes me smile, knowing he has pains in his shoulder from a long since healed injury. He must feel worlds better swinging a glorified twig than swinging a heavy sword. He's been in Tyron's army for a long time and is a very good swordsman. He and I had sparred a few times, I won of course, but it was fun to see what he was capable of. The only fight I had seen him in I had to save him, as his ass got handed to him. He looks at me and glares as he sees the memory through our bond. I snicker to myself and grab a wooden sword to help him fend off his attackers yet again.
“Three against one doesn’t seem fair angel,” he smirks.
“Well I was going to help you out but...” I trail off spinning and throwing the sword in the air, catching it in my other hand.
“What if we just gang up on her instead?” Moss says with a chuckle and all three of them turn to me.
“Oh now, see this still doesn’t seem fair,” I say with a pout. “How ever will I win this one?”
Ivy laughs and grips his wooden sword a little tighter. “Don’t go easy on us.”
“I never do, little one,” I reply with a smile and ready my stance. “Show me what you've learned.”
Without hesitation, Moss and Ivy exchange knowing glances and simultaneously lunge forward. Their strikes are filled with excitement and playful competitiveness, but I sense that underlying trust in me, knowing I wouldn't truly let harm befall them. Oberon stays back to let Ivy and Moss show me what they learned.
With graceful ease, I deflect their attacks, smoothly parrying their strikes with a flick of my wrist. The hollow thud of swords echoes through the grounds. I allow their assault to continue, aware that this is not a fight for victory. but a display of their progress.
Their strikes grow more fervent, their movements fueled by determination. I dance nimbly around their attacks, showcasing the honed skill that years of training had given me. Moss tried to sweep my feet from under me, I jump and do a flip, landing behind her with my sword to her back.
“Dead,” I say poking her.
As the bout continues, I take opportunities to teach them valuable lessons in combat. I point out openings in their defenses, helping them improve their techniques. Their eyes sparkle with appreciation as they absorb each piece of advice.
They are on either side of me now, wildly stabbing and trying to hit me. I smile at the determination my little friends have shown for this. They're dedicated to the cause, to protecting me, even though I'm never the one who needs it. But it makes me happy to know they will be able to handle themselves if anything were to ever happen and I'm nowhere around.
With a final flourish, I disarm both of them, bringing the bout to an end. I look to both of them, they're breathless and exhilarated. I can hardly feel my heartbeat rise, my breathing is regular, and despite the heat, I'm not even sweating. This is something I'm used to by now, and eventually, they'll be able to regulate themselves as well. I can see that their confidence has risen. Even though I was victorious, it was not about the triumph. They knew they had successfully shown me they were able to grow and protect themselves.
We go our separate ways once we’re inside the castle to shower and get dressed before dinner. I open my door and go to close it behind me but Oberon puts his boot in the doorway stopping me.
“Let me get in with you,” he says with an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. I hate that face he makes, he always gets his way.
I cross my arms, “And if I say no?”
He puts his arm on the wall above my head and his other arm against my hip, pinning me in. “With that bratty attitude? Oh my shadow, I'd have to punish you.”
I smirk at this, the idea of being punished sends a tingle to my core, but the defiant side of me wants to make him fight me for it. I've had a long day, I just want dinner and to go to bed. It may just be worth entertaining him for now.
“Fine, come on,” I say, pulling him by his shirt to the bathroom. If he wants to tease me, I can do the same. I pull him into the cold bathroom and turn on the shower. I slowly start to undress, his eyes following my hands as I unbutton my shirt. He leans against the wall and stares with a smirk.
I stop halfway and reach out to him, like I'm going to grab him, but flick the light switch behind him and turn the lights off, shrouding us in darkness.
“Anna-” he starts to warn me, flicking the light back on. I pout and give him my best doe eyes. He steps forward to grab me but I use my shadows to fill the room, making it dark again.
“Damn it, Anna, I just wanted to shower.” he jokes reaching out for me.
One of my favorite things about my little mate is that he can’t see in the dark, and I am made of shadow. We are opposites, but the same. As much as he likes to act dominant in the bedroom, I always get off on the idea that he knows I'm allowing him to take charge. To me, he's just a little pup, waving his arms around wildly in the dark, and I'm the shadow that carries him to his destination. I undress him, grab his hands, and guide him into the steaming shower. He grabs my upper arm and roughly pins me against the wall, the cold tile biting into me.
He says nothing as he grabs a bottle from the shelf behind me and pops it open to smell, I can see him nod in contentment, deciding he chose correctly. He lathers my body with soap, his hands running carefully over me, his thumbs flick at my nipples as he slowly makes his way over them. I shiver as the mist bounces off him and onto me, that, mixed with the cold tile, and I've begun to shiver. He notices and turns me so I'm in the hot water. I let out a moan as I'm warmed back up. He kneels behind me, and I feel my face flush for a moment, my ass is right in front of his face. I know he can’t see me, and I wonder if he knows where he is in the shower compared to me. That thought leaves me as soon as he reaches forward and begins to rub the soap onto my inner thighs. New chills form over my body, this time not from the cold room. I twist to see what he's doing. His eyes are closed, as he's just taking everything in. He runs his hands along my body like he's never seen me before and he needs to memorize every scar and dimple again.
“I'm yours, goddess, and you are forever mine,” he murmurs, kissing my lower back. Heat floods my core and I press my thighs together at that. He has such a way with words, the way he sees me and the world, it's still such a foreign feeling.
“I am forever yours.” I moan, barely a whisper.
With a primal growl, he stands straight before me again and turns me to face him. He grabs me behind my thighs and lifts me up against the shower wall. The force of the impact makes all the air leave my lungs. I wrap my legs around his hips and lock my ankles behind him. Keeping one arm under my ass, he uses the other to grab my hair and push my head back into the wall, and kisses me. He kisses me with so much force I see stars for a moment. I lose my ability to breathe as I feel the head of his cock line up with my entrance. My eyes go wide as I glance up at the man before me. He can’t see anything, but he doesn’t care. He places his free hand back under my thigh and thrusts himself into me, over and over again. When he finds a good rhythm he wraps a hand around my throat, squeezing at the sides and pushing me back into the wall. My eyes roll back and my vision goes blurry, just as I think I may pass out from the lack of air, a world-shattering orgasm rips through me. I grab onto his shoulders harder and drag my nails down his back, drawing blood. My eyes roll back for a second and just as my vision starts to go dark, he releases me. I gasp in air as a new orgasm shockwaves through me. I can feel every inch of him filling me up, over and over again he pounds into me.
