“We’ll be glad of the opportunity to see more of this beautiful kingdom,” I offer with all the princely charm I can muster. Nemesia turns her attention my way, while Silene keeps her eyes glued on the General, like she can’t look away. But for what reason, I’m not sure.

“You would do well to attempt to see very little,” Nemesia hisses, the threat clear, before turning on her heel and stalking away from us.

Hawthorne

There is no word to describe the Witch Queen other than monster. The Queen of Thayaria feels nothing, too lost in the bloodrage that comes when one starts practicing blood magic. Despite the Golden King’s unending attempts to reason with her or appeal to her emotions, she remains unphased. She lusts for more power and is too far gone to see that she has completely destroyed her kingdom. The once picturesque landscape of Thayaria now decays with rot.

The Witch Queen and Her Treachery

The journey is swift and comfortable, if a bit unnerving. We stay on well-traveled roads lined with trees that feel like they’re watching us, the eyes of the Witch Queen trained on the unwelcome guests. Even Silene is affected by the haunting environment, staying quiet and close to either Fionn or me. Every so often, one of us jumps, sure we’ve seen something move in the forest around us. At one point, Fionn swears the plants are trailing after us. Admon only smiles, neither confirming nor denying Fionn’s allegations. Toward the end of the second day, my horse pants with the strain of traveling uphill. We must be making the ascent to the capital city nestled amongst rolling hills and mountain peaks.

When we crest the final peak, the view takes my breath away. At the highest point of the city stands the palace, much smaller than the Velmaran castle. It’s difficult to tell the material the residence is made from, as almost every inch is covered in creeping vines and dark blooming flowers. Part of the structure appears to be built into the side of the rounded mountain, with windows peeking out from grassy cliff sides. There are several moss-covered towers, and in the right light I imagine the architecture would simply appear to be part of the rolling landscape. The whole effect is frightening.