Author's Notes:
Hello! So before you read this I want to make it very clear that while this may be a Cruel Prince fanfic it is based after the third book in the trilogy The Queen of Nothing. If you haven't read The Queen of Nothing and you don't enjoy spoilers then don't read this fanfic! I just finished the trilogy and I wanted more about their life together as King and Queen so therefore I came up with this story. The story was my idea and there are a few original characters, however I do not own The Cruel Prince, or The Queen of Nothing for that matter. If you haven't read The Cruel Prince I highly suggest it, the author is Holly Black and it's an amazing story. Anyway if you have finished the complete trilogy and are looking for some more content then look no further. I don't know how long this story is going to be, probably just a few chapters. I'm not the best at updating in a timely manner but I will try if I get good reviews.
Prologue
The sound of swords clashing together and the coppery scent of blood fills the air. I hear the pained cries of injured and dying soldiers echo around me. It's hard to believe, being here, in the spot I once stood. The spot I cut down the beast that was my husband. It has been five years since that day. Being here again it feels like it was yesterday.
Five glorious years blessed with peace and prosperity. Year after year my family grew in delightful ways. The first being the birth of my niece, Lyra. She is a beautiful yet disturbing combination of her parents. With Locke's bright mischievous eyes and fire colored hair. Her face though was almost identical to Taryn's. With her soft features and rosy cheeks. At four years old now, Lyra is an absolute joy to be around. Everyone who met her instantly became enamored with her. Something I believe she got from both her parents.
A year after Lyra's birth, Vivi announced her engagement to Heather. The wedding they had in Fairie was scheduled a month after that and then they planned to have another wedding in the mortal realm for Heather's family. The wedding was beautiful and had a much shorter guest list than Taryn's. I granted Madoc forty-eight hours to attend the wedding and festivities. I knew he could have just attended their wedding on the mainland but I wanted him to be able to celebrate with his family, instead of strangers.
The third year was a delightful surprise in the form of the Ghost asking me for Taryn's hand in marriage. I wasn't surprised they wanted to get married. I was surprised that he asked me first. They had been sneaking around for quite some time, waiting until an appropriate amount of time had passed after Locke's death. I suspected they'd been seeing each other since before Lyra's birth but I couldn't be sure. After a lengthy conversation that others may call an interrogation I finally gave my blessing. They were married by the next morning.
A few months later Taryn was once again with child. Both Taryn and the Ghost were happier than I'd ever seen them. Jasper, my nephew, was born nine months later, bringing in the fourth year. A beautiful baby boy with a full head of fawn hair and slightly pointed ears. He had Taryn's eyes and the face of a cherub. It was around that time, while my sister sat with Jasper in her arms and Lyra pressed close to her side, I began to wonder about Cardan and our future children. How many would we have? What would they look like? Would I be a good mother? I was nowhere near as nurturing as Taryn. By the time I arrived back at the palace that night I couldn't shut off my brain. All the possible things that could go wrong were racing through my head. What if our child turned out to be like Prince Balekin? Doing whatever he needed to do to get the crown, not caring who he or she had to hurt in the process. What would I, as a mother, do about that?
Cardan knew something was wrong the moment his eyes met mine. Over the past four years we had removed most of the armor surrounding our hearts. We had become each other's most trusted confidant. There were very few things I didn't talk to Cardan about. As soon as we were alone in our chambers that night, I voiced all my concerns and fears. To my surprise, Cardan shared many of the same concerns. It didn't seem like something he would think or stress about. However it did make sense. Carden never had a parent he could look up to. His mother was awful, his father sent him away from court to live with Balekin who abused him both mentally and physically. In my eyes though, Cardan had grown and changed, rising above them all. In a way, seeing how we turned out to be okay, not great, but okay, gave me hope that our children would be more than okay.
That night after we'd made love, we lay in our bed together talking about what the future might hold for us. We went over possible baby names. I wanted only one, maybe two children. Cardan wanted many more. He wanted to strengthen the Greenbriar line. He also wanted to best his father who, for one of the folk, had an impressive line of heirs. Of course with Cardan it had to be a competition. I put my foot down at four. Making him promise he would get me pregnant four times. With his promise I promised that I would stop taking the birth control Vivi had been sending me, starting the next month we would begin to try having a baby.
It took longer than I expected. With Taryn she was pregnant in the blink of an eye after her marriage to the Ghost and I'm not sure if they were actually trying. After several months I began to lose faith. Perhaps it wasn't my destiny to become a mother. Then one night I woke from a restless sleep, feeling the urge to vomit. I rushed to my chamberpot just in time to empty my stomach of that night's supper. My first thought was that I'd been poisoned somehow. I knew there were folk out there who despised seeing a mortal on the throne. I had stopped eating my poisons the same time I had stopped the birth control. I knew a baby needed a strong and healthy womb to survive without complications. However this left me weak to assissination attempts. It was something I trusted I could handle. Apparently not. Cardan awoke and took one look at me before sending a guard for the doctor. I felt weak after expelling the contents of my stomach so Cardan carried me back to our bed, looking over me with worry in his eyes. I must have looked like shit. Now that I was back in bed, all I felt was tired. I must have dozed off because when I next opened my eyes Cardan was closing the door behind the doctor. When he turned to look at me he had a look of joy in his eyes, confusing me. Even though I felt better at the moment, this was no time to be celebrating. There was a traitor in our midst. Someone would have to answer for this. Cardan only laughed at my frown, causing my frown to deepen.
"Why the long face my Queen?" He asked walking back to our bed with a spring in his step.
"Someone tried to kill me and you act as though that's the happiest news you've gotten in awhile. Should I be worried?" I ask, my voice raspy from my sick spell. Cardan only laughed again. He climbed into bed and snuggled close. I nestled into his arms and looked up into his face, "So are you going to tell me what has you so happy?" I asked, I was tired and wanted to know what secret he was keeping before I went back to sleep. A wide cheshire grin spread across his face and suddenly I was nervous. He was smiling like he won a game of riddles.
"You're not dying, nor were you poisoned." He said.
"Ok, so then was it the food that made me sick? We will have to talk to the head chef tomorrow in the morning." I say, too tired to think and just relieved that I didn't have to hunt anyone down tomorrow for answers.
"You're pregnant." He whispered. I had just laid my head down, determined to get some rest when he whispered those words in my ear. I jumped up so quickly I nearly headbutted him. I was grateful for his immortal catlike reflexes.
"What?" I ask, not sure I heard him right. Just a few days ago I'd all but given up on the idea of having children.
"You're with child, my child, or should I say children. You're carrying twins." He said with a look of pure joy and love in his eyes.
That night after I'd gotten over my initial shock, Cardan and I laughed together and neither of us would ever admit it but there were a few tears as well.
Now, it has been eight months since that night. The doctor says I could be due any day now since twins don't normally make it to full term. I am determined though to keep them safe inside me as long as I can, to give them their best chance. I am also determined not to be treated as a child myself. As soon as we made the announcement everyone from my personal guard to the council members and everyone in between had been waiting on me hand and foot. Suggesting what I do, what I eat, how many naps I take and how much I work, which is not at all in their eyes. I hardly got a second of peace. Even Taryn who ought to know better had been annoyingly overbearing. She had her own children to care for. Cardan was the only one I could count on to treat me the same, even though I could see his struggle sometimes when he found me in my office going over paperwork late at night. I knew he wanted to persuade me to take a break but he also knew how seriously I took my job and how important it was for this pregnancy to take over my life completely. When the babies came then I would take my leave until they were ready to be left with a nurse. Until then, I needed to make sure everything would be in order for the following months. The more work I did now the less that would fall on Carden alone.
At the moment I was taking a much needed break. For some reason I felt the need to get out of the palace, to the dismay of my guards I insisted on taking a ride. I tried to reassure them that I would take it easy and that I would stay close to the palace, just in case. That was until I felt the pull. The next thing I knew I was swinging down from my steed and standing in the patch of wildflowers that had grown up where I had killed the serpent, where Cardan had been reborn. I don't know what called me here, all of a sudden. I hadn't been back here since that day. It was like being in a dream. My guards stood a good ten paces back, trying to give me space and keep their eyes on me at the same time. I had grown used to their presence, especially since I became pregnant, but standing here in this place I feel extremely vulnerable and I'm hyper aware of their watchful gaze. I can feel the twins moving in their womb. Stretching their tiny limbs and I cover my stomach with both hands, protecting them from the hideous beauty that surrounds me. I turn abruptly from the field of flowers. It was foolish of me to come this far from the palace. As determined as I am to keep my babies safe inside me I know I truly have no say in when they decide to come into this world. All I can do is will them to just wait a few more weeks. 'Soon my loves, we will meet soon.' I direct the thought down to my unborn children. When I am in the privacy of my chambers I speak to them aloud but I never felt comfortable speaking to them in front of others. Sometimes I let Cardan hear me speak to them and on occasion he will join in and speak to them as well, but most times I enjoy knowing that the words I say are for them and for them alone. I allow one of my guards to help me into my saddle. I have to ride side saddle which is annoying and uncomfortable but it is better than riding normally with how big I have become. The doctor also says that it is much safer for the babies, of course he recommended I don't ride at all just as a precaution but I've never been good at listening to orders.
When I arrive back at the palace stables I am surprised to see Taryn standing there, arms crossed and a scowl fixed on her face. I grimace, I am the High Queen of Fairieland but somehow under her stare I feel like I am sixteen again.
"Taryn, what a surprise." I say with an impish grin. She does not return the grin, if anything her scowl only gets more severe and I suddenly feel bad for Lyra and Jasper, I hope they never have to be on the other side of that look.
"Jude, what do you think you're doing? I have been waiting here for almost an hour. When the guards said that you had gone for a ride I almost didn't believe them. Because what woman in your condition would go off into the wood on horseback. What would have happened if you'd gone into labor while in the middle of the wood, I'm guessing you were at least a couple miles from the palace." Taryn's voice is harsh and she reminds me of Oreana. I am instantly ashamed and frustrated at once.
"Remember who you are speaking to Taryn. You may be my sister but that does not give you the right to scold me as though I am a child." I say if only to put her in her place until we can find a more private setting. When behind closed doors she may speak her mind as she wishes, however speaking out against me in the presence of my guards and subjects is unacceptable, something she knows and only forgets when she is seriously upset.
"My apologies, my Queen. May we have a word in private at your soonest convenience?" She asks with a stiff and short curtsy. I nod in response and allow the guard closest to me to help me down from my mount. I begin the walk to Cardan and I's royal chambers, I don't make it ten steps before I feel a strange and slightly painful twinge in my stomach. I stop, putting my hand to my belly. I shake it off before anyone can question it. I don't need them fawning over me due to what must have been a kick or maybe a gas bubble. Once inside I take a seat and give Taryn the signal to do her worst.
"How could you be so foolish? Jude you are about to have those babies any day now, the future heirs to the throne, your children. What would you have done if you'd gone into labor out there? Give birth on the dirt floor of the wood with one of your guards as your midwife? Leaving yourself and your unborn children vulnerable to an attack? You know all your enemies believe you to be at your most vulnerable in this state. They are right to believe that. What are you going to do in this state? Fight back? Run? We both know you haven't picked up a sword in months and you can barely walk in your state. You need to take it easy. Confine yourself to the palace. Stay in bed as much as you can. You need rest. When those babies come you are going to regret the sleep and relaxation you missed out on while you could. Please tell me you understand and that you won't do anymore of this foolishness." Taryn finished, her speech had gradually gone from angry to pleading. I knew her anger was coming from a place of caring and worrying for me. It frustrated me nonetheless. I was the High Queen and I shouldn't have to do what anyone tells me to do. The only person who should be allowed to give me this kind of treatment should be Cardan. As if summoned by my thoughts alone, Cardan blew through the door immediately finding me sitting on the couch in our parlor.
"Care to explain yourself Jude?" He asked, voice laced with irritation and concern. I guess I should have expected him to be upset. However his tone took me by surprise. Throughout my entire pregnancy he had pretty much left me to my own devices, he knew I couldn't stand all the overbearing guards and my sister. I knew at times he wanted to say more, but he refrained and instead gave me the support I truly needed. "I've just heard of your little escapade." He said looking to me for answers I wasn't sure I could give.
"I've already been scolded by Taryn, I don't need to be scolded by you as well. I am the Queen and I will do what I want. I wanted to get away from the palace for a little while so I did." I said, quickly going on the defensive. I couldn't wait for things to go back to normal. There was a time when my subjects feared me, now it seems all they can do is fear for me. As if I was some weak and fragile doll. I did not enjoy the feeling whatsoever. Another twinge interrupted my thoughts, this one slightly stronger and almost painful. I winced mostly from the surprise, placing a hand against my belly and gently rubbing.
"Jude? Are you ok?" Taryn asked, her scolding voice instantly morphing into one concern. I looked up from my belly and found them both looking at me with looks of deep concern.
"I'm sure I am fine, it's nothing really." I say, barely getting the words before it happens again. This one was actually painful and I hissed.
"Jude I don't think you're fine. We should call for the doctor." Taryn said, not waiting for confirmation from me or Cardan. She swung the door open and sent the closest guard for the doctor.
"Really I don't think that's necessary." I say before I let out a groan of pain. I nod my head, "Get the doctor please, something is not right." I say. In an instant Cardan is in front of me. His face gave nothing away to fear in his eyes.
"Jude, I think you're going into labor. We should try to get you to the bed." Taryn said coming to my side. She motioned for Cardan to help her get me off the couch. With their help I was able to get to my feet. Before I could take a step I felt pain ripping through my lower body. I cried out and barely managed to stay on my feet. I felt liquid running down my legs as Taryn cooed at me and told me everything was going to be ok. For the first time since I learned I was pregnant I became scared. What if something went wrong? What if I wasn't strong enough to birth not one but two babies. I looked to Cardan who still hadn't said a word. Was he thinking the same thing? Did he think me fragile as well?
We finally made it to the bed and not soon after I layed down the pain became more frequent and harder to bear. Was it supposed to hurt this much? This was worse than being stabbed through by Madoc's blade. Taryn took hold of my hand and wiped my forehead with a cool cloth trying to sooth me. Her face was full of sympathy and understanding. I hadn't been present during the birth of Lyra or Jasper, I was busy carrying out my duties here at the palace while she was on bedrest at her estate. She didn't mention to me how painful this would be. Perhaps she didn't want to scare me, however I wish I could have prepared for it better.
"This is awful! Why did I think this would be a good idea?" I said panting and trying not to completely crush Taryn's hand. Taryn only laughed and breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor swept into the room. He instructed Cardan to leave the room. I wanted to argue, I wanted him to stay. It was custom, however, for men to leave the room.
"You'll be ok Jude. I'll be right outside. I can't wait to meet our children." Cardan said planting a kiss on my forehead, "I love you." With that he left the room.
Hours later after lots of pain and lots of screaming I heard the first of my babies cry. Only a few minutes later there was another long wail and the pain slowly started to recede. I was so tired and all I wanted was to close my eyes when Taryn shook my shoulder gently. I looked over to her and got my first look at my first born.
"It's a girl Jude." Taryn said, a bright smile on her face. "Do you want to hold her?" I couldn't speak, my voice caught in my throat. I nodded and held my arms out eagerly. Taryn gently placed her into my arms and I began to cry again. She was perfect and the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on. That was until Taryn came back to my side with her twin. "A boy." Taryn said. My heart swelled at the sight of him, just as perfect as his sister. Taryn helped me to settle both of them into my arms and they immediately began suckling at my breasts. The ordeal of coming into this world must have been just as hard on them as it was on me for soon after their meal they had drifted off into sleep, curled up in my arms. I could feel the exhaustion creeping up on me but I didn't want to miss a second with them. I couldn't take my eyes off them.
After the doctor had assured that my bleeding had stopped and I would make a full recovery he left the room. On his way out he sent for someone to come get the chamber cleaned up before Cardan came back. While the bed was being cleaned I sat on the couch with my babies and Taryn. We spoke softly for a while but as soon as the bed was ready I crawled back in and got comfy under the covers. Once I was settled Taryn handed the twins back to me one at a time.
"I'll send for Cardan if you are ready for him." Taryn said gently. I almost said no, only because I hadn't had a chance to bathe yet. I was sure I looked like a complete goblin. Instead I nodded, perhaps Cardan could watch over them long enough for me to bathe. We had decided early on that we wouldn't get a nurse until they were a little older. I would spend the first few months after their birth taking care of them myself, establishing a bond with them before I went back to work. Taryn gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, "I'll see you soon. And I'll send word to Vivi." She said with a smile.
I didn't take my eyes away from the twins, nestled and sleeping in my arms, until I heard Cardan step into the room. He stood a few feet away looking at all three of us with a look of awe. I gave him a bright smile and he made his way over, kneeling beside the bed. His face was pure wonder and adoration and just like me it seemed he could barely take his eyes off our tiny babies.
"They're so small." Were the first words to come out of Cardan's mouth and I couldn't help but giggle. Something I very rarely did. I couldn't help the joy that was bubbling inside me though. Cardan's face broke into a wide grin and he looked back up at me. "It's hard to believe they're finally here. I am so happy they are." Cardan said. With that he crawled into the bed beside me and bath forgotten we spent the night quietly whispering sweet nothings at our two sleeping fairie children.
After a week of bedrest I was finally able to get up and move around with no pain. And with that it was time to announce to the court the birth of our new heirs. Word had already gotten around that I had the twins but now it was time to show them with their own eyes that not only was I strong and healthy, but the children were as well. Strong they were indeed, they each had a healthy appetite which meant I got little to no sleep. I didn't mind though, the horror stories of one or both of a set of twins being malnourished and sickly had played through my mind right up until the moment I had each of them in my arms. Now they each had a tuft of black hair growing on their heads and at the ends of their matching tails. Just like their father. Surprisingly they inherited my eyes, big round chocolate brown orbs that blinked slowly and trailed my every movement.
A knock on the door broke me out of my thoughts, "Enter." I commanded in a clear voice. Tatterfell swept into the room, here to prepare me and the twins for the coming ceremony.
"Your Majesty." She said with a deep curtsy, "Would like to bathe while I dress the children?" She asked. It was still funny to hear her so cordial with me. When I was just a child myself Tatterfell never missed an opportunity to scold me or pull on my hair if I was being a brat. Even when I became Cardan's seneschal she still treated me as the child she helped raise. After a few years of being Queen though, she had begun to treat me as a real lady of the court instead of as the child with a wild streak.
"Yes, thank you Tatterfell. I will be out momentarily." I said with a kind smile. Sometimes I missed the old Tatterfell but I knew she wasn't gone completely, simply hiding her outspoken nature.
After my bath Tatterfell did my hair up into my normal braids shaped as rams horns. She then carefully nestled my crown down between them. She painted my eyes and lips a berry red color and dusted my cheeks with a gold powder to highlight my cheekbones. My face wasn't as thin as it was before the twins and I barely fit into one of the old gowns that Tatterfell pulled from the closet but despite all that I looked more like a queen than I had in weeks.
"You look beautiful, your Majesty." She said after applying the finishing touches, some gaudy jewelry that I didn't love but wore anyway. I nodded at my reflection in the mirror and then turned around and smiled at her. It was always a heartwarming event, getting a compliment from one of the folk. They couldn't lie afterall.
"You did a beautiful job." I said in return, "You may go on about your day now. If you could pass along a message to my guard and have them send for the King please." She nodded and dipped down into another low curtsy. As she turned for the door, I turned toward the two cradles a few feet away. The twins were also dressed for the occasion in spider silk garments that rippled like water with every movement they made. My precious daughter was taking a nap while her more energetic brother was kicking and squirming. I was so caught up watching them and talking to them quietly that I didn't realize Cardan had entered the room until his arms were latched around my face and his chin propped on my shoulder.
"Are you ready my Queen?" He asked in a deep whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.
"As ready as I'll ever be. Shall we go?" I asked, turning and planting a chaste kiss upon his cheek. Cardan nodded and let me go so that I could scoop up our son into my arms, once there his squirming subsided and instead he nestled into my embrace. Cardan picked up our daughter who only continued to sleep.
The brugh is full of the folk from both the upper and lower classes. They all bow when Cardan and I are announced at the entrance. As we make our way to the dias I can feel the peering eyes of the curious and the glares of the disapproving. Cardan and I finally settle into our matching thrones and sit silently. Baphen, the Royal Astrologer and member of the Living Council stepped forward.
"Today we are here to recognize the birth of the prince and princess. Son and daughter of the High King Cardan Greenbriar and his wife the High Queen Jude Duarte of Elfhame. This is a joyous day. Never have we seen anything quite like this. Two heirs, grown together in the same womb and born on the same day, twins. Yes there is no doubt in my mind that this day will live on in history forever. Now if their majestys' would bless our ears with the names of the prince and princess?" Baphen finished his speech with a low bow directed towards Cardan and I.
We stood in unison, stepping up to the edge of the dias so to give everyone a good view of the new heirs.
"May I introduce to the court for the first time, Princess Alaina Greenbriar. Our first born." Cardan announced loud and clear.
"May I introduce to the court for the first time, Prince Asher Greenbriar. Our second born." I projected my voice throughout the brugh.
All at once the everyone in the audience swept into deep bows and curtsies. "Now! Let us celebrate this tremendous occasion!" Cardan yelled joyfully. I rolled my eyes while the crowded room quickly transitioned from a formal gathering to a feral and hungry environment. This debacle was sure to last weeks so with the promise that I wouldn't be missing anything I gathered Asher into my arms along with Alaina and made my way back to our chambers for some much needed rest.