༺ PROLOGUE

The footsteps behind me stopped me from making that jump that would have taken me to my desired freedom. 

“Xena," my mother's voice called out, her tone a mix of concern and authority that only a queen could muster.

I turned slowly, startled that she had found me "Mother," I replied, trying to mask my surprise. "I was just..."

"Running away," she finished for me, “Very interesting, isn't it?”

There was a cold judgement in her voice that had me hanging my voice in shame - but not enough to dim the resolve within me.

“How did you know?”

“I'm the queen, Xena.” She said walking closer with a smile on her face, “nothing happens in the demon realm and escapes my watch.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine, and I said nothing.

“Besides, it's my job to know, especially when my only daughter is on the brink of making a grace mistake.”

A grave mistake.

Of course.

I was expecting those words from her especially since those were the same words she uttered the first to fifth time I tried to reason with her.

How exactly do I make her see? Make her understand how overwhelmed I was- how tired I was of being groomed all my life just to become a queen for the demons.

How do I make her see that I needed more - to see and experience more?

“You have to understand me mother,” I said, grabbing her cold hands, “I need to do this. This is not the place for me. I want more than just the duty of the crown.”

Mother, who had been surprisingly calm during the whole exchange, smiled again and with a flick of her fingers dismissed the guards behind her.

Then she put her arm around my shoulder drawing me close to her.

“We do not get to choose our own fates dear child. We already have our destinies written for us, our duties and responsibilities. You are the only heir to the crown. And it's only a coward that runs away from their responsibilities instead of finding a way to bear them.”

Then let me be a coward.

I didn't say it out but I imagine she heard it through our mind links because she sighed and dropped her arm from my shoulders.

“I will not force you into a life you do not want. But understand this, Xena. You are going to regret this decision.”

“I will regret staying more. I know what I want, mother. And one way or the other I'm leaving this place. You can stop me today, but I won't stop trying.”

She stopped, and my heart almost softened at the hint of sadness in her eyes which was only there for s brief second.

“Fine. Know this, Xena. You have been blessed with so much and you chose to throw it away for a short sighted desire. When the time comes and you see the consequences of your actions - you will remember my words. But you will dare not return after you walk away.”