Chapter 2
Lady Tatia
Kendal woke up feeling a harsh chill against her cheeks. She pulled out a silk robe from beside her bed and wrapped it around her as she peered out through the window into the kingdom of Bellaire. Grey clouds coated the sky while trees swung their branches back and forth by the fierce wind. The weather struck Kendal as odd since it was supposed to be spring yet it felt like winter but she didn't think on it much. After all, she was still new to the ways of this world.
After she dressed herself, Kendal walked down the hall thinking of the life she left behind. She did miss her family and friends but she could not think of what else to do in her situation. After all, most of the school and possibly even her own friends thought her to be a murderer. Kendal was not sure of who really committed to deed against Becket but she suspected the Evil Queen. After all, Sahrissa likely thought she was hurting Kendal by destroying her life in Nebraska. However, a small part of Kendal actually appreciated the excuse to stay in this world. It gave her more time to plan and prepare her next move against Sahrissa.
As she neared the princess's room, the sound of wailing filled the atmosphere. Every morning this occurred and every morning Kendal's heart sank with the infant's cries. She knew little Annabelle was crying because of her father and it was her fault. Kendal had tried to go in and comfort the child but it never did any good. This time when she cracked the door open and glanced at little red-faced Annabelle she shook her head and looked down. She had to do something.
Kendal marched up to the king's chambers and asked to guards to let her visit her supposed fiancé alone. When she entered, she found King Victor lying in bed, appeared to be fast asleep. Everyone believed he had fallen into a coma but Kendal knew the truth. She did this.
Kneeling down beside him, Kendal lifted up her hands forming a golden glow in between them. She held her hands over King Victor's chest but the light merely hovered over him.
"Come on," Kendal grunted, hoping to see his eyes open.
She continued to try different forms of magic for what felt like thirty minutes but nothing worked. Kendal finally huffed and stood to her feet overwhelmed by frustration. If she was the one to place him in this curse, why could she not pull him out?
As she felt another cold wind from the open window, Kendal touched the king's blanket and noticed it was rather thin. She grabbed a wool blanket from the wooden cupboard and covered it over him. Kendal then heard the door slowly open.
"Queen Kendal," the king's advisor, who's name she's forgotten, said. "You have a visitor."
Kendal nodded and followed him out of the room.
"Who is it?" Kendal asked as they walked to the main throne room.
"Lady Tatia," he answered swiftly. "She is the sister of the late Queen Jillian."
"Oh," Kendal answered simply. She imagined this girl was here to offer her condolences to the king or visit the princess. Kendal hoped a visit from her aunt would help bring cheer to little Annabelle.
When Kendal entered the throne room, Lady Tatia was shown in. Her guards held each of her arms to guide her down through the entrance. Tatia's faded blue eyes were wide open but they did not move. Kendal did not even see her blink.
"Is she blind?" Kendal asked her advisor in a whisper.
He nodded.
"Lady Tatia," Kendal rose from the throne and slowly approached her. "I welcome you here. I trust you are here for your brother-in-law or niece. I am sorry…"
"I have no interest in either of them," Tatia interrupted. Her voice was short and shrill.
Kendal stepped closer to her and looked into her eyes. It was strange how motionless they appeared. They were so clear and reflective it almost seemed as though a layer of water or ice covered her eyes.
"Why have you come then?" Kendal asked her.
"May we speak privately?"
Kendal nodded. "Of course."
Tatia's guards led her behind Kendal into a private room with a long table. Her men assisted her in sitting down in a chair and one handed her a walking stick before they both bowed and took their leave.
Kendal started to ask again, "So why…"
"You are in a war against Queen Sahrissa," Tatia said before she could ask again.
"Yes," Kendal agreed. "What is it to you?"
"I have known Sahrissa for quite some time now," Tatia explained, clutching her black cane. "She is quite the cunning one. It will not be easy to fight her."
Kendal slowly strolled around the table trying to conceal her impatience. "I figured that much. Is there anything else you know about Sahrissa that might help me against her."
"No," Tatia answered simply and took in a long breath, "but I do know someone who can help you defeat her. With her on your side, you cannot lose."
"Her," Kendal repeated, quite intrigued. She stopped walking and looked straight at Tatia. "How do I find this woman?"
Tatia giggled with an eerie way about it. "Can't you feel the coldness drawing near, Queen Kendal? She's already coming."
