The Queen by Suzanna Lynn Read Free Book Online

clear,” Rydel asked. He appeared not surprised by the appearance
of his sister.
    She bowed her head ever so slightly. “Yes.”
She looked up at Luana, then Baylin. “It is good to see you again,
Your Grace. I see you arrived safely. And how is your commander
Ferric?”
    King Rydel hissed under his breath, causing
Faylen to lower her eyes. Her blush was evident even in the pale
light.
    Luana turned to the King. “What is this
place? Why have you brought us here?”
    Before he could answer, Faylen walked up
beside the group. “This is where our dead are brought to join our
ancestors. It’s where we can come to converse with them when
needed.”
    “It’s a grave?” Baylin asked. “Here in
Grasmere? How can we not know this?”
    “With all due respect, the elves have been
around long before the race of Keld was birthed into existence,”
King Rydel. “You cannot be surprised that this place survives even
after your people decided to create the Kingdoms.”
    Baylin’s brow furrowed. “But how—”
    “Our magic protects it,” Faylen cut in.
“That is to say, it is masked from all who are not elves; unless
brought of our own free will. Otherwise, this area appears so dense
with trees that anyone walking through the wood would go around to
avoid it.”
    “So why have you brought us here?” Luana
asked.
    “To see your mother, of course,” Rydel
responded.
    “But you said she was dead,” Luana
retorted.
    “Elves don’t just die, Luana,” Faylen
laughed, not noticing that no one else got the humor of her
statement.
    “What my sister means to say is, our bodies
can cease to draw breath, but our souls can still travel into the
mortal realm from time to time when summoned,” Rydel explained.
“When our people die, they are brought here and laid in the pool.
The pool draws the soul from the body, freeing it for a new
life.”
    “So, her soul is trapped in the pool?” Luana
asked, stepping closer to the water’s edge.
    “Trapped? No, she is not trapped in the
sense that you’re implying,” Rydel answered. “The pool is not a
prison. It is the gateway to the afterlife. The souls of our loved
ones are there because it is a place of celebration and joy. They
are happy and want to be there.”
    Luana walked to the water’s edge, kneeling
down on a large, smooth, round stone. The water was still, with no
breeze to ripple it. However, Baylin was certain the water would
remain still, even if a stone were dropped into it. The entire area
tingled with magic and mystery.
    “How do we talk to her?” whispered Luana,
staring down at her reflection in the water.
    “You need only call to her,” Rydel
murmured.
    “What was her name?” Luana asked, looking
back at the group.
    “Lyra,” Faylen answered softly.
    Luana turned her gaze toward the water and
stared at it as though she could see through to another world. To
Baylin, it appeared to glow silvery white in the darkness, but
otherwise, looked like a large pond.
    “Lyra. Mother,” Luana whispered. “Are you
really there?”
    The water, which was once so very still and
smooth, began to ripple softly. The glow intensified, lighting up
the surrounding trees that had been hidden in the shadows.
    Baylin took a step toward Luana, but King
Rydel placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “No, please. This is
something she must do on her own. She is not in any danger, I
assure you. You must allow her to do this on her own.”
    The pool began to bubble and churn,
splashing up onto the smooth stones surrounding the pool. The
Prince’s heart raced as he watched Luana at the water’s edge. What if this is all a ruse? What if they plan to take her? He had wanted to trust the elves, but the fear that tore through
his chest told him that she was in great danger.
    The water suddenly stilled again, the light
of the water receding to a faint glow. From the center of the pool,
a bright light began to emerge. Tall and slender, the watery light
took form, turning into a