Disclaimer: Anne Bishop owns the Black Jewels Trilogy.

Oh my gosh! I got my own copy of Heir to the Shadows! It's the only one of the three books but at least I can check on it for stuff! I also have two of the Tir Alain trilogy - the second and the third books.

Moving on...

Lady Raylen: First of all, thank you for reviewing! Yes, your review did help. I did not realize that I was rushing the character personalities in that last chapter. I'm also sorry about the Eyrien bit. I should have mentioned that the next generation are not kids. I was supposed to mention that they are all long-lived races - including those who aren't supposed to be (yes, even Jaenelle) - for the sake of the plot therefore they age slower. They are young for long-lived races but they are not kids. Unfortunately, I have more work to do since there will be more characters coming... Again, thank you for the helpful review.

On with the story.

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The Mistake

The Mysterious Queen

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"Never ever dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

A young woman - barely more than a girl - looked up at the sky through her tall, wide window. Her golden eyes shone as moonlight reflected upon them. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair seemed darker as her white nightdress flowed around her.

"Never ever dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

Tonight had been like any other night - a misery. But a certain request had turned that misery into despair. A certain request that will not bring harm to her but to someone else - a someone she does not know.

And yet...

"Never ever dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

She would rather suffer herself than fulfill that request. But just like everyone else, she has no choice. She was not given a choice. She lived the life of an inanimate puppet. Her actions are not her own. Her decisions are not her own. They are of the puppeteer, the one who pulls the strings in her life. She was only a figurehead with no will of her own.

"Never dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

But... She did have a will. What she lacked is the capability to act on that will. Nevertheless, there was still hope.

"Never dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

A Black Widow. A Black Widow believed to be incapable of reading her tangled webs. A Black Widow who was merely a slave and a pet. A Black Widow no one believed in. A Black Widow who carried Jewels so light that no one thought it was worth spending time teaching her her Craft.

But in the end a Black Widow is still a Black Widow and the golden-eyed girl put all faith in the Black Widow everyone else dismissed as useless.

A smile touched the young woman's lips. A beautiful smile full of contrast that did not match her age. A smile full of faith, trust - and malevolence.

"Never dismiss the dreams of a Dreamer."

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Saetan re-read the letter over and over again before wondering if he should dismiss this letter or bring it to Jaenelle. This was the very last thing he thought he could receive from the new Queen of Hayll.

After the purging of the Blood, Jaenelle and her First Circle have decided to let go of Terreille and their past with it and let its citizens rise on their own. Of course, they kept close watch and received news - but within the safety of Kaeleer. It is because of this that they have never met any of the new Queens that not rule the Territories of Terreille.

Hayll. Hayll contained too much bad memories. Jaenelle may never have been in Hayll - physically - but their butchering whores of enemies had that Territory as their base. Lucivar and Daemon, most especially, would hate that place and Saetan doubted that those two would let Jaenelle go without them.

The Warlord Prince sighed and rubbed his Temples, trying to repress a coming headache. He was getting too old for this. They should have nothing to fear. Most of the Terreilleans wore the lighter Jewels. Saetan was also sure that they have learned their lesson and have chosen proper Queens. There should be no reason for them to fear going there.

Yet, he was scared. Not worried. Scared.

But... Surely, if there was any danger, Jaenelle would sense it?

Sighing deeply again, Saetan pushed himself up and took the letter. He headed towards the dining area where he was sure Jaenelle would be - with Daemon. The two had woken up late. Saetan did not try guessing the reason for their lateness.

Jaenelle looked up at him as he entered. Daemon followed her gaze and gave a small smile at his father. Saetan smiled in return and approached them, taking a seat from across the two.

Besides Jaenelle and Daemon, there was no one else in the dining room. They may have thought that the two still weren't finished with their "cuddling time".

"Do you need anything Papa?" she asked, curiosity in her eyes. Saetan wordlessly handed her the letter, giving a silent signal that this was a matter between a Steward and his Queen.

Jaenelle remains the Queen of Ebon Askavi since all had wanted her to remain the Queen of Ebon Askavi even if she had already been stripped off that title. As long as the people wanted her to remain as their Queen, she was their Queen.

Jaenelle read the letter once and then read it again. Daemon waited patiently to see if she would let him read it without his coaxing. Wordlessly, Jaenelle handed him the letter.

Daemon, however, did not re-read the letter. He hadn't even finished the first paragraph when he jumped from his seat and shouted, "You can't!"

"And why not?" Jaenelle asked coolly. Daemon was silent for a moment, his eyes pleading before he answered.

"T-This is Hayll we're talking about. Have you forgotten who lives there?"

"Who lived there," Jaenelle corrected. She gently laid a hand on his. "Daemon, Dorothea and Hekatah are gone. This is the Queen of Hayll inviting me, not the High Priestess of Hayll."

Daemon took a deep breath, his fists clenched, before sitting down. This time, he spoke more calmly, "But Jaenelle... Are twelve centuries enough to remove all her influence?"

Of course it wasn't enough. Millennia of suffering do not go away in just fifteen centuries.

"I'm sure there are big changes," Jaenelle said calmly, surely. "The purging was both a lesson and a new beginning. People would have learned by now." She shrugged. "Besides, it's a harmless invitation. She only wants to meet us and ask our opinion on the changes she has made. She wants to return the ways of the Blood in Terreille, starting with her Territory, and she wants to know if she is doing it right."

"Why not come here?" Daemon asked, leaving the rest of the sentence out. -under our watchful eye.

This time, it was Saetan who answered. "We cannot really see the changes if we do not go," he replied, face devoid of any sign of what he felt about the matter. He turned to Jaenelle. "Will you choose who comes with you or shall I inform Chaosti?" Chaosti was the one who replaced Andulvar as her current "Master of the Guard".

Jaenelle fluffed her hair. "I'll have to tell Lucivar first. He'll be pissed if I tell Chaosti before him."

"Good luck," Daemon muttered. He paused when he saw the devious smile on Jaenelle's lips.

"Whatever are you talking about?" she asked, eyes dancing wickedly. "You're coming with me."

Saetan watched with amusement as Daemon almost paled. It was understandable. Lucivar hated taking Jaenelle outside of the Territories under Ebon Askavi - let alone take her to the Realm of Terreille.

Daemon was mumbling as he got up with Jaenelle. "I'd better get something in return for going through with this..." His eyes then lit up and a slow seductive smile blossomed on his lips. "Speaking of which..."

Jaenelle laughed but her eyes held interest. "Let's go, Daemon."

With that, Saetan watched as the couple went off to tell Lucivar.

Saetan sighed as soon as they left. Maybe his senses were wrong.

Maybe Jaenelle would be safe.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

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Sorry if that was short! I won't update unless I get at least one review!

Thanks!

Xynthe Saizer