Emerald Queen Read online

  Emerald Queen

  The Elemental Queen Series

  LC Taylor

  Emerald Queen Copyright © 2020 by LC Taylor

  All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover designed by Sweet 15 Designs

  Edited by Alice I. Lunsford

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  LC Taylor

  Visit my website at www.AuthorLCTaylor.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: May 2020

  LC Taylor Publishings

  More by LC Taylor

  Mystic Valley Shifters

  Woven: Book One

  Wretched: Book Two

  Willing: Book Three

  Whispers: Book Four

  Worthy: Book Five

  Lipstick & Lead

  Callista

  Charlotte

  Military Romance

  The Glass Heart

  Bound

  The Signal Series

  Signal 41: Saving Carson

  Signal 99: Freeing Felicity

  Signal 63: Reviving London

  Signal 69: Holding Jenna

  Signal 33: Finding Zoey

  Stand-Alone Books

  Phoenix Night

  Cracked

  Small Town Romance

  Words from the Heart

  His Imperfect Mistake

  The Elemental Queen Series

  Six Queens.

  Each with a common thread.

  But it’s not what everyone thinks.

  When an evil force threatens to annihilate all they know, they will be faced with a truth – a truth that could change everything.

  And what happens when an even bigger secret is revealed, fracturing all that they believed?

  Find out in the Elemental Queen Series.

  Contents

  More by LC Taylor

  The Elemental Queen Series

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Next Up….

  About LC

  Up and Coming…

  Chapter 1

  Emersyn stared out into the land, her mind racing with a million thoughts. The death of her parents was sudden, leaving her with questions and heartbreak. They’d traveled to the Sapphire Kingdom to discuss something her father had said was vital to the kingdom’s safety...

  No one expected them to be murdered on the way there.

  Yet, that is exactly what happened.

  The reports indicated their vehicle had been attacked on the route to the Sapphire kingdom. The constable told her there was nothing left but the charred remnants of bodies. Bodies he identified as her mother, father, and their personal guard, Frederick.

  Never, in their history had there been such violence. Sure, there was tension between a few of the kingdoms. Onyx to be precise, but they’d never gone as far as attacking or killing anyone.

  And still hadn’t.

  The Onyx Queen immediately came to their aid, offering patrols of the area and support in whatever way needed. Onika Nite swore fidelity to her, promising to bring vengeance to whomever was responsible.

  Emersyn couldn’t understand who’d do something like this to the kingdom. Her mother was a fair and honest ruler. Everyone loved her.

  And her dad… well, he supported her in any endeavor she sought. It was the way of the Elemental rule. A woman was always the one in power in the six kingdoms.

  And now…

  “Your Majesty,” Emersyn hadn’t heard anyone enter her quarters.

  “Oh,” she turned, giving him a half-hearted smile, “Constable Baxter. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Queen Virid, I know you are saddened, you must be crowned immediately to avoid any anarchy in the kingdom.”

  “Anarchy? Don’t be silly, Baxter, the people are in mourning as well. Causing a disturbance is the last thing they want or need.”

  “I beg to differ, Your Majesty.”

  “Ok… let’s get something straight, Baxter. I am not my mother. You will call me Emersyn when we are in closed quarters. You’ve always been someone I looked up to like family. So, none of this Your Majesty bullshit. Are we clear?”

  “Yes, your majes… um, Emersyn.”

  “And do we need to make this whole crowning thing a spectacle? I just buried my parents… I’m not feeling much like a celebration.”

  “I am sorry for that, Emersyn. But it is the way of our people. They need to know you have accepted your role as Queen. We can do a private crowning now, then, in a few days throw a party.”

  Emersyn sat down on her bed, a heavy sigh escaped her throat as a lone tear trickled down her cheek.

  “Fine. Let’s get it over with.”

  “Great. I’ll send in someone to help get you ready. And Emersyn,” Constable Baxter placed his hand on her shoulder, “Your mother would be proud of you.”

  “Thanks.” She wiped the wetness beneath her eyes, “Are we any closer to figuring out who did this? I know Queen Nite assures us it wasn’t her people, but have we confirmed that?”

  “Yes. It wasn’t her kingdom. Besides, there was no reason for them to have attacked your parents. And she is just as enraged as you are. She has doubled her patrols along the border.”

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense, Baxter. The kingdoms are not at war with each other.”

  “I have sent for Commander Meyer. He will fill you in on what he has found so far once the ceremony is done.”

  “Then let’s get to it. I want this over with so we can find my parent’s killers.”

  The constable left Emersyn alone to prepare for the crowning ceremony. Even though she was already ruling, the ceremony would be a formality. Then a party would be for the people. Emersyn wished she could skip it all and mourn her mother and father properly – but that wasn’t the life of a queen.

  Queen.

  She was a queen now. Emersyn had known all her life that one day she’d take her mother’s place on the throne, but she never expected it to be so soon. She was only twenty, soon to be twenty-one – and now she’d be the youngest queen in all of the kingdoms.

  Cassie arrived to help her dress for her coronation. As queen of the Emerald Kingdom, it was tradition for her to dress in a full gown made of green silks. Emersyn refused to wear the ancient garb, instead selecting a flowing green dress split up the side. Her black hair hung loosely against her shoulders as she stepped into the hallway.

  Taking a deep breath, she slowly made her way to the ballroom, where Constable Baker and the Queen’s guards would be waiting.

  Emersyn was stunned to see the number of people waiting on her in the ballroom. Every single guard was kneeling as she step
ped into the center of the floor.

  Constable Baxter met her in the middle, “Queen Virid,” he knelt in front of her, “It is my honor to serve you now and forever as the Emerald Queen.”

  Emersyn curtsied, nodding to him as he stood. She stepped forward, dipping her knee again, as she bowed her head in front of the Constable.

  “People of Emerald Kingdom… We come together to crown Emersyn Virid as Queen. Emersyn Virid – do you promise to put the people of Emerald Kingdom first. To uphold our laws, enforce your rule with honesty and integrity?”

  “Yes. I promise.”

  Emersyn forced the tears back. Her heart breaking that her parents weren’t here to witness her coronation.

  “People of Emerald Kingdom – it is my honor to announce her majesty, Queen Emersyn Virid.”

  Constable Baxter placed the crown on her head. Her pitch-black hair offset the green sparkle of the emeralds set in platinum.

  Emersyn straightened, smiling at the people around her. She nodded, giving a final courtesy, and turned to leave. As she headed towards the exit, she stopped as her eyes met the gaze of the most stunning man staring back at her. His crystal blue eyes bore into her soul, causing her to shiver.

  “Your majesty?” Baxter questioned her as he placed his hand on her to steady her.

  “Baxter, who is that man?” She tipped her chin towards the mysterious guest casually leaning against the wall .

  “Drake Mercer. He is the new Commander over the guard – my second.”

  “New Commander?” She furrowed her brow, cutting her eyes away from Drake’s, “Have him meet me in the library, there is much to discuss.”

  “Ma’am, wouldn’t you rather wait until tomorrow? You should rest.”

  “No. Baxter, I shouldn’t. The sooner we get to work, the faster my parents murderer will be found and brought to justice.”

  “Fine. I’ll see that he meets you there.”

  Baxter excused himself as Emersyn headed out of the ballroom.

  Emersyn pushed open the door to the library, sucking in a breath as she recalled the last time she was in the room. She’d sat with her father as he read from one of his favorite books. Emersyn could sit for hours just listening to the timbre sound of his voice as he recited the words. A tear trailed its way down her cheek, dripping onto the green silk.

  Walking to the window, she pushed open the heavy drapes and peered out into the yard. Emerald kingdom was known for its lush plant life. Part of that was due to her mother, she had a way with plants.

  Placing a hand to the window, she rested her head against the cool glass and closed her eyes. Her heart ached – a pain she wasn’t sure she’d ever overcome.

  “I must say… King and Queen Virid told me their daughter was beautiful,” the deep voice resonated through the vast space, “but they didn’t say she was a vision to behold.”

  Emersyn spun on her heel, coming face to face with the man who’d spoke.

  “Drake Mercer,” Emersyn walked toward him, stopping inches in front of him. Her body flushed with awareness of his closeness, “I can’t say my parent’s spoke of you at all.”

  Drake moved, eliminated the remaining distance between them, “That’s a shame. They intended for us to meet under much different circumstances.”

  Chapter 2

  Drake couldn’t help but look the new queen over. She was even more beautiful than King Virid had prepared him for. His body reacted in ways it shouldn’t… she was his queen, not someone he should be lusting after. Plus, there was a decade between them in age.

  Emersyn stepped around him, “It doesn’t matter now. What I want to know is how do you plan to find my parents killer?”

  Drake shook himself, clearing his head, “I have several investigators working the case, Your Majesty.”

  “Please, call me Emersyn. Save the majesty shit for when we are in public.”

  Drake was taken back by her bluntness. He smiled, cocking his head as he looked her over. “As you wish, ma’am.”

  “Oh no you don’t. I am almost twenty-one years old, save the ma’am for your mother.”

  She waggled her finger at him as she plopped down on a chair. Her deep sigh reminded him she was fighting exhaustion. It’d only been a week since her parents death and she’d had no time to truly say goodbye to them.

  Drake couldn’t stop the laugh from escaping his lips, “Forgive me, Emersyn.” Drake shook his head, “You’re not what I expected.”

  “And what did you expect? A stuffy princess? That’s not me. I like to get my hands dirty and I HATE heels.” She kicked off her shoes, tucking her feet beneath her on the seat. Her dress slipped to the side, giving Drake a peek of her luscious thighs. He traced the line of her leg with his eyes, stopping at the point where her legs met. He continued his appraisal of her, roaming upward, until his gaze settled on her face.

  Emersyn was looking down, as she fidgeted with her fingers in her lap. Drake was thankful she hadn’t seen him ogling her.

  “Emersyn?” He called out to her, snapping her from her trance, “are you alright?”

  “No… not really. I’m sorry, Drake. I called you here to discuss my parents murder and I can’t even focus. Perhaps we should reconvene tomorrow.”

  Drake stepped in front of her and knelt, tugging her hands into his, “It’s alright,” He squeezed her hands, “I am here for you - whenever you are ready, we will discuss my findings. Shall I escort you back to your room?”

  “No… I think I’d like to get some air.” She stood, her hand slipping from his, “How about we meet tomorrow around nine?”

  Drake stood abruptly, “Perfect.”

  Emersyn watched as the new guard commander exited the library. He was gorgeous and kind – two traits that were dangerous for her now that she was the queen. Slipping her feet back into her heels, she pushed open the patio door and stepped into the sunshine.

  Emersyn closed her eyes and tilted her chin to the sky. The warmth of the sun heated her skin, causing her to relax a little. Shielding her eyes, she scanned the yard.

  This had been one of her dad’s favorite places to come when he needed to think. Emersyn understood why now, it was like the earth was calling to her, whispering it would be alright.

  Emersyn kicked off her shoes once more, digging her feet into the green, lush grass. She wiggled her toes, feeling the blades tickle her skin. She inhaled, the scent of flowers and the tantalizing aroma filled her lungs.

  Drawing up her dress, Emersyn headed towards the garden maze. She wound through the twists and turns, stopping once she reached the center. Her mother had insisted on making the center of the maze a tranquil place to become one with nature. Running her fingers over the granite bench, Emersyn smiled as she took a seat.

  She sat, watching the fountain spill water into the pool, losing herself to her thoughts. Her eyes grew heavy, reminding her how poorly she’d slept over the last couple of nights. Laying on her side, she drew her knees to her chest and let out a mournful sob.

  Her parents were gone.

  She was alone now, with no siblings or family to help her recover from this pain.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  “Commander Mercer?” Baxter’s voice spoke on the other end of Drake’s phone.

  “Constable Baxter… can I help you with something?”

  “Have you seen the Queen?”

  “Not since her coronation… but that was,” Drake glanced outside, the sun was beginning to set, “hours ago.”

  “I know. She isn’t in her quarters and Ms. Rolfe hasn’t been able to locate her.”

  “Shit.” Drake was on his feet in an instant. “I’ll call some men to search the grounds. The last place I saw her was in the library when she mentioned getting some air.”

  “I’ll search the castle again. Perhaps we just crossed paths.”

  “Ok, call me if you locate her. I’ll go look as well.”

  Drake ran his hand over his face and dialed one of the officers.

&n
bsp; “Michael. Get a group of men and search the grounds. We do not know where the queen is…” Drake sighed, “And Michael… Keep this information between you and your men, we don’t need to start a panic.”

  He disconnected the call and ran towards the library. Pushing through the mammoth doors, Drake stood in the massive room. He rushed toward the patio door and pushed it open.

  “Your Majesty?” he stepped outside, “Emersyn?”

  The sky had taken on an ombre tint filled with pinks and blues as the sun began its descent. Drake made his way through the garden maze, checking every corner for Emersyn. When he stepped into the center of the maze, he breathed a sigh of relief. Emersyn was curled up on the granite bench sound asleep.

  He squatted beside her, “Emersyn…” he placed his hand on her arm, “Your majesty, wake up.”

  Emersyn moaned, stretching her body as she came to. She seemed disoriented and confused as she acclimated to her surroundings.

  “Drake?” She blinked. Her expression filled with confusion.

  Drake helped her to a sitting position. His hands tentatively grazed her body, looking her over for injuries.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No. I…” she shook her head, “I must have fallen asleep.”

  Drake noted her eyes were red and swollen, a clear sign she’d been crying. He brushed the loose hair from her face, “You’ve been crying.”

  Emersyn nodded, fresh tears pooling in her eyes.

  “Come on, let’s get you back to the castle.” Drake scooped her up, cradling her against his chest.

  “I can walk.”

  “No. It’s my duty to ensure your safety, so I will be carrying you, Emersyn.”

  Emersyn nodded, unable to speak as Drake started towards the castle. She closed her eyes, burrowing deeper in his arms. The tears spilling onto his uniform, wetting the fabric against her cheek.

  Her heart was beating erratically, making her feel disconcerted in his hold. She buried her nose against the crook of his shoulder and inhaled. His scent was as a mix of sweat and sandalwood.

  “We’re here, Emersyn.”