Dark Throne, The by Raven Willow-Wood Page A

because to my people, they are
repulsive. If I were to flaunt them in anyway, it would induce a
riot.”
    Heather's brow puckered . "You can't be serious?"
    "Oh, I am . Deadly.
Your mother is correct. My father is evil and he hates me, because
of my wings. Because I'm not the perfect boy child, not the perfect
heir to the Dark Throne, countless royal princesses have lost their
lives.”
    "What do you mean?"
    "He marries a princess, attempts to beget an heir that can take my stead and when
she fails to produce, he beheads her. He is nearing the dozenth
time and each and every time, our kingdom goes to war. The
princess' family declare blood debt on our land and thousands of
men have lost their lives fighting a pointless battle. As such, the
population is embittered against the family. My wings are the
personification of why so many have needlessly died. To fly would
merely incite the public.”
    Heather absorbed each and every one of his words and then
slowly shook her head . "Oh my
God, you can't be serious? He's killed a dozen women? Simply
because you're not his idea of a perfect heir.”
    Fade nodded slowly .
There was a tightness about his eyes that Heather knew stemmed from
upset.
    "I'm so sorry, Fade .”
    "It is I, who is the sorry one . You should not be tied to me.”
    "Don't be ridiculous .
It isn't your fault your father's a maniac.”
    He lifted his head and focused those peculiarly shaded eyes
upon her . "Why are you being
kind to me? You find yourself tied to a stranger for life, have
learned that you are an Elf. . . . why aren't you screaming and
shouting?"
    Heather's smile was wry . "This is the calm before the storm. I'd take advantage of
the peace before I fall into hysteria.”
    He eyed her carefully .
"You will wreak havoc?"
    She shrugged . "I don't
know. I don't feel very disturbed, but at the same time, you're
right. I've just learned that black is white and that two plus two
equals five. I'm a very calm person, actually. I guess if we're
going to spend a lot of time together, then you'll get to know me
better and will see that. I try to never get stressed or even angry
and just roll with the punches. Life's a lot nicer that
way.”
    "Yes, you do seem to be coping with all of these
revelations rather well . I
commend you,” he congratulated, a slight smile twitching about his
lips.
    She grinned in return and using the strength in her thighs,
powered upright and on to her feet . Almost as soon as her head acclimatized to the new
position, her grin faded and urgency flooded her veins. For a
moment, Heather stood in a stasis and then, she literally vibrated
with action as she rushed from Fade's side, headed to the sink and
managed to clear the dirty bowl and spoon she'd used for her
breakfast that morning from the bowl, before promptly
vomiting.
    So much for dealing with revelations calmly and
rationally .
    The thought accompanied her next bout of
retches .

Chapter Four
    Council Chambers, Haden,
Mearth
    "The only way we'll allow you to take the Dark Throne is on a temporary basis.
Until a more deserving heir can be found to take your
stead.”
    Calder scowled at the head councilor. He hoped that his hatred wasn't entirely
visible, but truthfully, Merrick always had been and always would
be a supercilious bastard. Because of this and Merrick's royal
zealotry, Calder knew he had to tread carefully. For two
reasons.
    One, Merrick couldn't suspect that he was the next man on
Calder's eventual hit list .
And two, the King's death was fresh in most of the councilor’s
minds, suspicion was bound to be directed his way as the next
person to take the throne- be it on a temporary or a permanent
basis.
    That being said, there was no way on Mearth that he was
relinquishing his rightful place on the Dark Throne.
    The last great King of Haden had been his
father . While his mother's
blood might hold the taint of a commoner, his
    father more than made up for that . Why should a minor royal perch his arse upon the
Dark