Shirisha Natnomoner, Queen of Althaedor, looked down at the graves of her husband and daughters with a hollow expression. There were no more tears left for her to cry. It had been several weeks since the sudden murder of the royal family, and the criminal had yet to be caught. She could not help but wonder if things might have been different if she had not been on a diplomatic mission to Ariz, the land of the dragons.

“Your Majesty,” a man called in a soft voice.

“What is it, Densooth?” she asked without turning to face him. He was the only one left she could count on. Her trustworthy advisor.

There was a pause. “I do not wish to interrupt your grieving but the country needs you,” he began, “This is the first time in the history of Althaedor that the Queen has no heirs. If worst comes to worst and you should disappear then the Alodan family would take over but…”

“Velcorna Alodan is a corrupt woman with a daughter too young to be considered an heir with her mother alive and well,” Shirisha finished, “I know, but there isn’t much I can do in this situation. You know as well as I that I cannot adopt a child. The magic every Queen must inherit is only passed down the Natnomoner and Alodan lines.”

“That woman is also not an Alodan by blood,” Densooth reminded, “Without the magic of the Queen, Althaedor would be in chaos. I have been researching for the past weeks and I believe I have discovered a solution.”

“What kind of solution?” Shirisha demanded.

“There is a powerful spell which can save a dying life by giving up a part of yourself,” Densooth explained, “However, it works best on newborns. It would be a great sacrifice on your part, but you could save a life and continue the line of the Queens.”

“Are you insane?!” Shirisha scolded, “you of all people should know how dangerous those spells are! What if it fails and I extinguish all the magic of the Queen in myself in the process?!”

Densooth stepped back and handed her the book containing the spell. “It is just something to use as a last resort, Your Majesty. I will continue to look into other options.”

Shirisha took the offered book. “Very well. I will keep it as an emergency measure, but only as an emergency measure.”

After carefully positioning the book she began to walk back into the palace. Densooth followed her.

“Was there something else you needed to report?” Shirisha asked him.

“There was a message from your friend, Sorceress Crystal,” Densooth informed her, “It was urgent so I received it in your place. Her baby is coming.”

It took Shirisha a few moments to realize what he meant. “She is giving birth?! Now?” she asked in shock, “It is far too early. I need to go visit her.”

Without sparing a moment to set the book aside she rushed to her friend’s home. By the time she arrived the baby had been born. An incredibly tiny baby girl. Crystal was holding the baby close as it struggled to cry.

“How are you feeling?” Shirisha asked.

Crystal gave her a heartbroken smile. “I feel a bit tired but… The healer said that even with magical support she isn’t going to live longer than a few weeks, and you know the views on technological advancement. Especially in the Capital.”

“There isn’t time to find proper treatment,” Shirisha agreed, reaching out to hold her friend’s hand. “I wish there was something I could do.”

“Don’t worry about me, Shiri,” Crystal comforted, “It hasn’t even been half a year since your own loss.”

Her own loss… Shirisha smiled bitterly. Densooth always saw far ahead of her. He knew exactly what choice she would make in this situation.

“There might be one way,” Shirisha began hesitantly, “but it would be difficult for both of us.”

“Shiri?” Crystal asked.

Shirisha took out the book that Densooth had given her and opened up to the spell. “I have no heir at the moment, and your daughter needs a miracle. Would you be willing to share a daughter?”

Crystal froze. “Shiri, even if you save my daughter, won’t you lose too much?”

“I can’t watch you go through what I just did,” Shirisha whispered, “Please, Crystal. Let me do this for you. For both of us.”

“But… I need to talk to Silvax about this,” Crystal gave in, “but don’t expect too much. Silvax has always wanted our children to live simple, happy lives.”

“If you agree I will not, no, I cannot raise her in the palace. I will keep her existence as my heir a secret to keep her safe,” Shirisha promised, “I would help you move somewhere safe and far away and I would find a way to prevent that tragedy from happening again.”

“I will talk to Silvax,” Crystal repeated, “Go to the library and think this over calmly. I love my baby and I want to save her, but I don’t want to lose my friend.”

“It won’t kill me,” Shirisha pointed out.

“Perhaps not, but we don’t know what it will do.”

Shirisha obediently left for her friend’s library and sat in an armchair. Was this really what she wanted, or was it what Densooth wanted? Even if it was what Densooth wanted, could she really turn back now? A part of her was already at peace with the decision.

Luckily the baby was already half fairy so Shirisha’s dragon blood was unlikely to negatively affect her since fairies and dragons were surprisingly similar in nature. On top of that, her mother was a powerful human sorceress. She would be similar to the first Queen who united humans and dragons under the name of Althaedor. There could be no baby more perfect from her standpoint as the Queen.

As a friend, she would be able to prevent a tragedy. As a mother, she could leave her child in the hands of her most trustworthy friend without having to worry about her spending her childhood having to fight through political wars.

The more she thought the more reasons Shirisha came up with that this was indeed the correct choice. She returned to Crystal’s room. “My mind hasn’t changed.”

Silvax scowled. “You realize this would make me the princess’s father,” he pointed out, “You have always made your opinion of me very clear.”

“Better you than a man I must marry for politics,” Shirisha replied. She was calm and collected, despite the situation.

“If you are that certain then I can’t say no,” Silvax decided, “Please, save my daughter, Your Majesty.”

Shirsha took out the book and studied the magic formula one more time. “If things go wrong, contact Densooth,” she informed them.

After taking the infant into her arms, Shirisha activated the magic. It was a horrible feeling, as if her entire being was being torn into pieces and reassembled all the wrong way. Once it was finally over she felt as if she lost something incredibly important.

“What is her name?” Shirisha managed to ask.

“Tianna.”

Shirisha smiled and barely managed to return the baby before she collapsed. Later it was discovered that she had completely lost access to her dragon form. Trapped in human form, her power was cut down immensely. Once Crystal and Silvax had safely taken Tianna out of the Capitol she hid inside the palace.

The once-respected monarch of Althaedor never showed her face in public, and rumors spread like wildfire about how she had lost her mind when her family was murdered. Most of the rumors were full of pity, but there were those with malice.

In the midst of all this, Shirisha awaited the day when Tianna would return as a strong adult ready to face the trials of the palace. She never considered that there was someone behind the scenes more eager for Tianna’s return than herself.