Chapter Text
Prologue
Maleficent stood on the balcony of her tallest tower, goblet in hand, watching the distant horizon. The smoke in the air was making a beautiful sunset. The attack on the neighboring kingdom had started early in the morning. She’d noticed the smoke rising from the outer edges of the boundaries as soon as she’d risen. Throughout the day, the smoke had grown in width, steadily moving to a center point. Now, as the smoke thickened and darkened in the center, she knew the castle itself had been overrun.
She sipped her wine and examined her sentiments. As a powerful sorceress and shapeshifting dragon, she could have intervened and stopped the assault on her neighbors. However, long ago, their king and queen had made it very clear they wanted nothing to do with her. She was apathetic at best, mildly interested in what kingdom had done the sacking perhaps. If they had truly burned the entire village to the ground and destroyed the castle (as the smoke from a distance would indicate), it was highly unlikely she’d have new neighbors moving in anytime soon. Given the destruction wrought, she thought it more likely that all assets had been stolen and villagers either slain or enslaved if they were of a strength. She supposed some may attempt escape and seek refuge in her lands. They would not find life easy. Magic help them if they attacked any of the wolves that lived in her kingdom.
Even as she thought of the possible scenarios, her gaze picked up movement in the fading light. A single rider was galloping towards her castle. If he was a messenger, sent to seek help, the king’s pride had clearly played a part and waited far too late to expect any real assistance. Perhaps he was a messenger from the aggressor, she mused. An envoy sent to threaten or reassure?
With one last look at the smoke in the distance, Maleficent turned on her heel to head down stairs and accept an audience with the stranger. Her soldiers had been on high alert all day and she could hear them stirring around; the sound of the chains clanking as the gate was raised reached her ears. Clearly, her guard had decided to allow the rider entry. She wondered if he’d arrived under a flag of truce.
One of her favored captains waited for her at the base of the dais upon which her throne sat. He bowed his head in respect and waited for her to settle.
“Well?” she asked.
He raised his head. “The rider is Ser Dothan of the Queen’s Guard. He has requested to meet with you.”
“Do you know him?” she asked.
Her Captain nodded. “I’m aware of him. He’s a knight of many seasons. Most hold him in high regard.”
“That’s something I suppose,” Maleficent said. “Send him in.”
The Captain signaled to his troops waiting by the door. “There’s something else you should know. He’s gravely wounded and has refused assistance.”
Maleficent raised an eyebrow at the information. Then watched as the doors to her hall opened and the knight began the long walk towards her throne. He had a limp and his gait was clearly pained but his back was straight. The scent of blood and smoke filled the hall as he approached. He did not wear armor, only a dark cloak with the hood pushed back to reveal gray hair and a weathered face. Dried blood flaked his neck and sweat streaked through grime and soot on his face.
With a restrained grunt, he lowered himself to one knee in front of her dais. “Apologies, your Majesty, for my unkempt appearance before you. My time grows short and I have been charged with a duty most sacred that even now I fear I will be unable to honor.”
He dropped one bloody hand to the floor to steady himself. Maleficent could hear the unmistakable sound of blood dripping on her marble floors. She stood and walked to him, offering her hand, “Rise, if you are able, ser.”
He looked up at her. “I’m afraid I will not regain my feet again, your Majesty.”
There was something about the knight that pulled at Maleficent. He was one of the good ones, she could tell. “Speak your request and see it considered.”
His shoulders sagged in relief and he dropped back on his heels. With great caution, he peeled back the edge of his cloak and revealed a sling situated across the front of his chest. “The Queen…charged me with her safety…” His fingers trembled as he loosened the carrier strap from his shoulder and carefully lifted a baby from within. “Who better to protect her…than a dragon?”
Maleficent was astounded; she hadn’t even known the neighboring Queen was pregnant. She was shocked and honestly took a step backwards as the knight offered her the baby. The baby’s face scrunched up, and she began to stir as she encountered the cooler air.
“Please,” the knight pleaded, arms shaking with effort, “she deserves to live.”
Maleficent blinked, focus returning to the man. She could see now how his midsection was soaked with blood. With effort, she took a step closer and leaned down to take the baby from his arms. She cradled the dark-haired baby against her body, looking down into soft brown eyes.
“Thank you,” the knight said, breathing heavily and slumping more to the side. “She was born in the winter…full moon before the equinox.”
“Does she have a name?” Maleficent tucked the blanket closer as the baby closed her eyes.
He nodded, barely holding himself up. “She does…but to protect her…ask that you choose another.”
“Hello, Dear One,” Maleficent whispered. She heard the knight collapse and turned the baby away from the sight. The child had already lived through enough even if she didn’t know it yet. Maleficent glanced at her captain. “Make sure he is honored appropriately.” She glanced around the nearly empty hall. “Speak of this to no one. Swear anyone here to silence. Have Widow Lucas sent to my chambers. And wipe that smirk off your face.”
“Of course, your Majesty,” he said, still grinning and bowed his head as she passed. He had a feeling their kingdom was about to change.