1 Chapter 1

Nails impatiently drummed on the balconies brick and mortar wall as bright blue eyes watched the actions of below. Annoyance was clearly written on the features of the golden brown skin, wrinkles bunching between dark eyebrows and a grimace on the full lips. Queen Regina Reylene Wainwright, first of her name, was not use to waiting. She had been born first in line, though she did have three bastard brothers before her, and had never been forced to wait or want for anything. Her father had made sure of that.

Movement towards the South Gate caught her attention and she smiled ever so slightly as her face smoothed to normal. Astrid was back. Regina was very fond of Astrid. Not fond enough to make her next in line for the throne, but fond enough that the sight of her third child would work the annoyance away. Astrid took after her father in looks, maybe one of the reasons Regina was taken by the girl, she had brown hair and grey eyes - just as he had, had. Astrid was just in her fourteenth year of life and had so much potential. Regina was excited to see where her daughter would go in life. She had many options being from a high class family.

"Your majesty." A small voice called from behind Regina. She nodded her head slightly and the voice continued. "We have been informed that the Prince Gavel of Holmfirth, will be arriving by sundown this evening."

"Prepare the castle for the Prince's arrival. I want my children to be gathered and ready to greet their soon to be father." Regina added the last word with an icy smile. She would marry the man, but he would meet the same fate as all her other husbands. Her future was already tied and those who got in the way would meet their end in grisly ways.

Regina lifted her skirts and turned away, walking into her chambers to start preparing for the princes arrival herself. Her maids hurried to remove her day dress and let loose her dark chocolate waving hair that shined against the candle light.

The younger maids carried buckets of warm milk to the large tub in Regina's room. The older maids laced the milk with oils and honey and stirred the bath till it was ready for the Queen. They made sure to keep her hair out of the mixture as they let the Queen soak.

Prince Gavel had no interest in marrying a Queen. Let alone this Queen. He rather liked living. In fact he would be dead just held in a castle. He was only ever alive when in the wild. His opinion didn't matter much though. His father had ordered him to marry. Gavel has suggested he marry Lannie, a friend of the family that would be a companion on his adventures. His father denied the request.

Gavel understood why. Lannie was lovely, and her family loyal to a fault, but Queen Regina ruled 3/4th the continent. The other fourth split between 7 kings. All at war with each other. It was simple to understand the logic of marrying a son off for the hope of a powerful ally.

Unfortunately every kingdom had done the same.

Every prince turned king regint turned up dead within a year.

Regina was wed at 15 to prince Harvey , the kingdom of Southwold's 2nd prince, they were wed in the summer and had a set of twin boys. Davian was first to breath then Hagger followed soon after. King Harvey died when the boys were not more than two months old. His death was public. He was caught stealing from the kingdom, well the queendom, as he stole jewelry from Regina and gave the goods to whores. Regina's father had taken his head himself.

Astrid was born next. Her father was the fourth son from Northwick. His name was Maddin. He was a generous sort and cared deeply for his kingdom and that of Lanercost. He would offer assistance to those in need no matter their social status and offensive would plead for mercy on criminals behalf. He wanted to even out the wealth in some parts of the kingdom and that earned him a target from the aristocrats. He was married to Regina in the winter and died in the spring. He never got the chance to see his beautiful daughter. His death is still a mystery. Though his death was the only one Regina showed any sort of emotion at. She simply stated he was a good soul and that when his killers were found she would serve their punishment herself.

Prince Rodery was the next husband. He married Regina when she was 20. Her father had just passed a year ago and she was ruling the queendom with just as much success. The kingdom of Hythe thought they could send someone to take over for Regina. To do so they sent the first prince. He was large and controlling. Prone to violence and had anger issues. Rodery fathered twins with Regina, and lived to see their faces before she killed him. It was self defense. The girl had been born first. Rodery was smothering the child so his son would have a better claim. Regina wrapped a cloth around his neck and strangled him. She named the daughter Cora and the son Remus.

Twins Amabel, born first, and Ambrosia were fathered by the third prince of Myrefall. His name was Ashton and he barely lived long enough to sire the twins. Not that he had much desire to do so. He fell off his horse and broke his neck. He had been drinking heavily before the fall. His lover had just broken it off with him.

The kingdom of Harthpool sent a sickly prince to marry Regina when she was 26 years old. Samson suffered from a delicate heart and was only 17 when he married Regina. Her oldest sons were almost the same age as him at this point. He fathered a son with Regina, but died shortly after the birth of Sebastian. Sebastian suffers from a weak heart as well.

Arctic was the last to marry off a prince to the widow. Nearly six years past. They had sent Prince Jasson, a man of honor and dignity that wished for nothing. He didn't want to be a king, he was happy to be a scholar and spend his days in the library reading the many scrolls and books. He sired Orion, Reginas youngest son, and was found dead one day hunched over the arm of a chair. It was ruled natural causes.

Now Prince Gavel from Holmfirth was traveling to meet his fate at the hands of Queen Regina. A Queen with nine children.