Chapter 1: Natural Causes? Assassination?
The storm raged above the SeaWing kingdom, rain slicing through the air in relentless sheets. Lightning crackled against the darkened sky, momentarily illuminating the vast expanse of ocean below. The SeaWing palace loomed over the churning waves, its spires barely visible through the downpour.
Auklet's wings ached from flying, but she pressed on. She had no choice. The weight of the crown her mother had once worn now rested on her head, both figuratively and literally.
That morning, the world had shifted beneath her feet. She had woken to the news that Queen Coral—her mother—was dead.
Anemone had been the one to tell her, voice even, expression unreadable. "She passed in the night," the guards had said, though their voices wavered with uncertainty. Anemone had offered to enchant something to find out what had truly happened, but both Auklet and Tsunami had refused. Animus magic was too unpredictable, too dangerous. The last thing they needed was another tragedy.
The kingdom needed a queen. Too bad it had to be her.
Auklet was young—too young, in her opinion. Her siblings had never expected her to rule. She hadn't expected it herself. Tsunami had been the obvious choice, strong and commanding, but she had refused. "I belong in the Talons of Peace, not on a throne," she had said, determination blazing in her eyes.
And so, the burden fell to Auklet.
She landed on the balcony outside the throne room, her talons clinking against the wet stone. Guards straightened at her arrival, their gazes unreadable beneath their helmets. She knew what they were thinking. She is not ready.
She wasn't sure she disagreed.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy double doors. The throne room was eerily silent, the once-lively chamber now suffocating under the weight of mourning. Anemone stood near the throne, her usual playful smirk absent. Tsunami paced along the edge of the room, her tail lashing with restless energy. Several advisors had gathered, their eyes flicking to Auklet the moment she entered.
"Auklet," Anemone greeted, inclining her head slightly. "You should have slept longer. You'll need your strength."
"There's no time for that," Auklet replied, straightening her spine. "What's the situation?"
Tsunami stopped pacing, her sharp blue eyes meeting Auklet's. "The council is restless. They want a smooth transition of power, but some are questioning how Queen Coral really died. And there are whispers—"
"Assassination," Anemone supplied, her voice quiet but firm.
Auklet's stomach twisted. She had feared as much. Her mother had been strong, fierce—she wouldn't have simply... died in her sleep.
She stepped toward the throne, the enormous seat of power that had once belonged to Coral. Her talons hesitated just short of its base.
Was she ready for this?
No. But that had never mattered.
She turned back to the gathered dragons. "Then we find out the truth. We keep the kingdom stable. And we make sure whoever did this—if anyone did—is brought to justice."
Silence followed her words. Then Tsunami grinned, a hint of pride in her expression. "Good answer."
Auklet exhaled slowly. She didn't know if she could be the queen her mother was. She didn't know if she could be a queen at all.
But she would have to try.
Auklet stood before the gathered nobles. The weight of the crown settled on her head, heavier than it had ever felt before.
"I may not be ready to rule," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "But I will do whatever it takes to protect my kingdom. That is my duty. That is my promise."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, slowly, the nobles bowed.
Auklet released a quiet breath.
She would not fail.