by Jeff Gunzel
Bella slumped, her body leaning heavily against the stone rail. It was hard for her to imagine going through all this a second time. She had been queen once before, then had it all taken away. What was more, she had already come to terms with her loss of power. She was lucky to even be alive. The mere thought of retaking her old position, no matter how noble the cause, made her weak in the knees. How could she possibly go through this a second time?
Bella pushed off the stone and stood up straight. “And if I refuse?” she asked plainly. Bella suddenly turned her head to the sound of flapping wings. Just over the edge of the balcony, a large raven the size of a horse rose into view. Saddled, it bore a female rider, her golden eyes glistening as she watched them curiously. When Rishima dismissed the rider with a wave of her hand, the black raven cawed once before sailing away on the wind. I didn’t dream that after all. I really had been flying!
Rishima stepped in front of the open-mouthed woman’s view to get her attention. It was obvious Bella had never seen such a creature before. “If you reject my offer, then our business is done. You are welcome to stay until your strength has returned, then one of my riders will take you wherever it is you wish to go.” Bella stared, a bit surprised by her answer. “What, you expected there to be some sort of punishment for defying my wishes? Remember, you are no longer in Shadowfen. Here, you are a free woman at the very least. I do not rule you. The queen is not subject to some invisible chain of command.” She turned towards the entrance, waving for Bella to follow. “Here, you are the chain of command.”
Chapter 6
Seeing that Bella was feeling a bit stronger, Rishima decided now was as good a time as any to give her a tour of the tower. Unlike the wide halls and spacious rooms Bella had grown accustomed to back in Shadowfen’s keep, the spiritists’ tower was practically a maze of crisscrossing halls, each barely wide enough for three people to walk side by side. The rooms were small and mostly bare with only the simplest sets of furniture.
The only exception to the vast chain of tiny rooms was the dining hall. Large and decorative, rows of long tables spread out across the white-carpeted floor. Oil paintings hung from all four walls. On display were scenes of nature wild and untamed, everything from furious lightning storms decimating the face of a mountain, to those of woodland creatures being chased down by fanged predators.
Four crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. They weren’t the usual soft white crystals normally seen in such halls. Each was adorned with multicolored jewels, scattering rainbows of light all around the room. Bella couldn’t help but wonder why the dining hall was so fancy compared to the rest of the tower.
“How are you feeling?” Rishima asked, assessing Bella’s look of fatigue.
“Don’t fret over me. I’m feeling fine,” Bella lied, wishing she could sit down somewhere. “Your home is beautiful. The spiritists appear to be well organized. I can see why you have remained in power for so long.”
“Any ruler in the realm can make the same claim until they are tested. Do not mistake a lack of hardships for being organized. Until now the spiritists have been lucky, nothing more.” Bella wobbled, her eyelids fluttering briefly before she slapped her hand to the wall to steady herself. “Come,” said Rishima, taking her by the other arm. “I think a warm bed shall be an appropriate end to our tour.”
Bella made a halfhearted effort to wave her off. Ignoring the woman’s wounded pride, Rishima still assisted her by draping her arm over her own shoulder. Together, they wandered from the dining hall. Bella couldn’t help but notice that every spiritist they passed offered a warm smile at the very least. But more often than not, they reached out to caress Rishima’s shoulder as they passed. Such bold displays of affection would have been considered awkward and inappropriate within any other society. It served as yet another reminder that Bella was no longer among humans.
After rounding another corner, Rishima led Bella down a narrow hall ending in a drawn curtain with no door. Snapping back the blue curtain, they entered a large bedroom with far more furniture than any other room Bella had seen. The extra-large bed in the corner had silk-like curtains hanging down from a square overhead frame. The perfect sheets were stretched tight, making the bed look like something out of a girl’s toy dollhouse. The green carpet was thick, and there were three separate dressers along one wall. The entire north wall was nothing but a large mirror, giving the illusion that the already-large room was even bigger still.
“What are you doing?” Bella asked groggily as she was helped into the bed. “This is your room, isn’t it? Please, I don’t want to inconvenience you more than I already have.”
“Nonsense,” said Rishima, pulling the blankets up around Bella’s neck. “We need you to recover fully, and I see no better place to do that.” Snuggled into the warm blankets, Bella was once again reminded of how cold the tower actually was. Sinking down into the soft mattress, she promptly stopped her protesting. With sleepiness taking hold, it was clear to her she probably couldn’t leave the bed now even if she wanted to.
“Comfortable?” Rishima asked. Bella nodded, her heavy eyelids sinking. “Good.” But instead of leaving right away, Rishima stayed put. She seemed distracted somehow. “Uh, Bella, I have not yet told you everything you need to know. There is more.” Sleepy eyes rolled her way. Blinking, Bella sat up, propping herself on her elbows. Shaking her head, Rishima waved dismissively. “But you need your rest. I’m sorry for the additional distraction. Now is not the time.”
“Now is precisely the time,” Bella protested, sitting up all the way. Alert now with the spark of suspicion in her eyes, she gazed at Rishima.
“Please don’t misunderstand. Everything I’ve told you is true. I am not trying to deceive you in any way. It’s just that...there are other factors involved. Had I told you everything before, I’m just not certain you would have believed me. It’s a lot to take in at once.”
“Is this story of yours as far-fetched as a queen being exiled from her own city, sent into the wilderness to die, then rescued by beings no one has ever seen or heard of, all within a few days?” Bella asked. Rishima snickered at the obvious sarcasm. “As far as I can tell, the world around me is nothing like I was led to believe. I’m not sure I am in a place to be questioning anything anymore.”
“I see your point,” Rishima replied, trying to force down her grin. This really was no laughing matter. “There has been a recent capture in your city, one that has created quite a stir, I understand.”
“I know nothing of this.”
“I don’t imagine you would,” Rishima confirmed. “It happened at the exchange the day you were released. They are calling her ‘the dead girl,’ but I assure you she is much more than that. I’m not entirely sure how, but she is somehow connected to these ash men.”
“I don’t understand.” Bella remembered now. There was indeed a girl there when she was released. “You say she was captured on the day of my exile? Even now all I can remember was being released from that sack. I crawled blindly towards the only person I still trusted in this world. I crawled on my hands and knees towards—” The betrayal still so fresh in her memory, she couldn’t find the strength to say his name. “Are you saying this girl is working with them, or one of them somehow?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know,” Rishima fumbled, trying her best to explain something she really didn’t understand herself. “I told you before that the spirits see all, and in turn we are blessed with their knowledge. But even the spirits do not know the answer this time. There is a blind spot in the pattern.”
“So the spirits can’t even tell you what she is?”
“No,” Rishima admitted. “Not unlike the being who betrayed your trust, her origin is a complete mystery even to the sprits. But perhaps more importantly, they can tell us what she is not. She is no friend of the ghatins! Of this we are certain. In fact, they seem to fear her nearly as much as we fear them. There has been a pattern forming for some time now. Yes, they have been
attacking villages, killing off entire squads of fighting men in order to send a message. But these attacks are not as random as we once thought. They have been searching for her, but you and I already know where she is. That is our advantage.”
“And what will they do to her once they find her?” Bella asked, intrigued by all this.
“We don’t know. But what does it matter anyway? So far, all attempts made by the humans to defend their borders have failed spectacularly. The only thing that has saved the human cities so far is the limiting factor of this ash itself. If they did not need it for mobility, they could surely crush the humans with ease. We fear that the girl might be somehow tied into all that. Needless to say, if they want her that badly, then we must do everything in our power to stop that from happening.”
Bella took a moment to let it all sink in. It was all happening so fast. She could now see why Rishima had been reluctant to tell her everything at first. For years she had known that Jarlen was a unique species. There were no others like him to anyone’s knowledge. Now this female version had been discovered. This...Viola. Blinded by his charm, his confidence, and power, Bella had never stopped to wonder why no other such species had ever been discovered. Could it be true? Could this strange female somehow be connected to the ghatins?
“If she is so important, then what have you done so far to ensure her safety?” Bella asked.
“The spiritists have eyes and ears all over Shadowfen, as well as other large cities. Although I continue to receive steady reports, our hands are tied. For now, they are keeping her under close watch. I suppose that makes her safe enough for the time being.” Rishima cupped the back of Bella’s head, then gently lowered her back down against the pillow. “I think I’ve given you plenty to think about. Too much, in fact. Try to put it from your mind and get some rest. I promise we shall talk later.” Even with her thoughts heavy from all she had learned, Bella knew that sleep would come easy. She was exhausted. Rishima brushed the hair away from Bella’s forehead, then got up and left her guest to sleep.
*
Bella woke to the sound of footsteps out in the hall. Whoever was out there wasn’t being particularly loud, but the sound still seemed to funnel its way right into the room. The steps grew lighter, fading until it was silent once more. How long had she been asleep? Through the dark-green stained glass window high on the wall, she could see it was plenty dark out. She must have slept the day away. Feeling much better, she sat up in the bed wondering what time it was. A gurgle from her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten in some time.
Leaning back against the headboard, she mulled over the day’s events. And what a day it had been. Ghatrie had been right about one thing at least: She was indeed lucky to be alive. Until now, it hadn’t really sunk in. Kicking back the blanket, she looked down at the ink on her ankle and wondered what might have been, what could still be.
She thought about the Moon Mistress’s offer. What if she did decide to stay here and help lead the spiritists? In a sense, she would regain her power and status, if only in a different region. But did she really want that? She had climbed that ladder to prominence once before because she was hungry, determined, and would not stop until she had achieved greatness. Young and vigorous she was, but those days seemed so long ago. She no longer felt that hunger, that drive to push herself back into a role of leadership. That left an even bigger question looming over her head. If she wasn’t to stay here with the spiritists, then where would she go?
The curtain drew back with a slow hiss and Rishima peeked her head in. “Are you awake?”
“Do you sleep sitting up with your eyes open?” Bella replied with a grin.
“I see your sense of humor has returned,” Rishima said, returning her smile as she stepped inside. “I take it you’re feeling better, then?”
“Indeed. Look, I know what you’ve come to ask me. I regret that I must—”
“I came to see if you need anything,” said Rishima, raising a hand to silence her guest. “If you are hungry, I can have something sent in. If your desires are of a more...physical…nature, I can also have someone sent in to entertain your needs.”
“Oh no, that is quite all right,” Bella answered quickly, hoping she hadn’t sounded as uncomfortable as she felt. “Perhaps a bite to eat, nothing else.”
“Very well, then. Lie back down and I shall bring you something myself.” Rishima turned and left the room. When the curtain zipped shut, Bella blew out a breath and sank back into the pillow. As queen, she had learned long ago how to be tolerant when it came to foreign customs. All societies were different, and showing acceptance was part of her job. But to speak of such things so casually had caught her off guard. Pleasures of the flesh were not a thing to be discussed so freely, and certainly not a thing to be offered like a service.
Rishima returned a short time later pushing a wheeled cart with a covered tray. Sitting on the bed beside Bella with her back against the headboard, she slid the tray from the cart across her lap and set it down between them. “I think I have just the thing for you here,” she said, lifting away the lid. Bella’s mouth watered at the spiced aroma wafting up from the tray. Stewed apple slices smothered in a thick cinnamon sauce lay in carefully positioned rows. As a sort of colorful garnish, half the tray was covered with green grapes, the other half with black grapes. “I hope you don’t mind sharing,” she said, handing Bella a spoon while keeping one for herself. “I have not eaten yet this evening, either. I was too worried about you to be bothered.”
Accepting the spoon, Bella sunk its edge down into a soft apple slice. With the first bite, warm cinnamon burst in her mouth. The dish was more suited as a dessert to be sure, but she wasn’t about to complain. She jerked back with a start as something cold pressed the side of her lips. Pinching a black grape between two fingers, Rishima touched her with it a second time, hinting that she should open up. Both laughing, she opened her mouth to accept the offering. It was good, just like the warm apples. Everything was good. For the first time in a long time Bella felt happy and safe.
“We’re not so different, you and I,” said Rishima, popping a grape into her own mouth. “Physically, I mean.”
Scooping up another apple slice, Bella raised a curious eyebrow.
“Our anatomy is quite similar to a human’s. You declined my earlier offer to have a man sent in. I can’t help but wonder why. Do you not find our race attractive?” Holding Bella’s gaze, she traced a finger down between her breasts. “It’s not unusual for the humans to court our kind. Are you certain you don’t want me to send—”
“No!” Bella replied, again taken aback by how freely Rishima spoke of such things. With a hurt look, Rishima drew in on herself, her hand fumbling with the top of her dress to cover her cleavage. With a sigh, Bella slid closer to her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” She touched the golden scales on Rishima’s neck. Surprisingly, they were soft to the touch, much as if they were just ink painted over skin.
“I think the spiritists are beautiful,” said Bella. She touched Rishima’s cheek with the back of her fingers. “I think you are beautiful. But there is something you have to understand. I have just been betrayed by the man I loved. I lost everything because I was blind to his deceit. The last thing I want, or need, is another man sharing my bed. At least for a time, anyway. I hope you understand.”
“I see,” said Rishima, just the hint of a sheepish grin turning up the corner of her mouth. Slowly raising a finger, she swiped a bit of apple from the corner of Bella’s lips. “I too understand having no need of a man to please me.” Sucking the apple off the tip of her finger, she leaned in closer. “But my offer was not as specific as you seem to think,” she whispered in Bella’s ear. “Until you say otherwise, the queen’s influence remains intact. You can have whatever you desire with no fear of guilt, blame, or accountability.” Bella stiffened as Rishima’s lips brushed lightly against her ear. “No one here, or anyplace else, can ever judge you or tell you wh
at you should want.”
Feeling those lips brush her ear once more, Bella closed her eyes. “Until now I have had no equal among my ranks,” Rishima said softly. Bella felt a hand smooth up her front. When it stopped, lightly cupping her breast, a tiny gasp escaped her lips, but she did nothing to resist. She shivered at the moist warmth of Rishima’s tongue lightly probing the inside of her ear. “Your authority is absolute and without question. If you want me to stop, then I shall.”
“No.” The word came out like a puff of air, barely audible but with the full weight of a queen’s command. “No, I do not wish you to stop.”
Bella fell back against the mattress, Rishima collapsing on top of her. As early as this morning, Bella had believed she never wanted to be touched by anyone ever again. Truthfully, the thought of a man’s touch sickened her. But this was different somehow. It didn’t seem real, yet she couldn’t help but give in completely. Before, she had been eager to please, would tolerate the unbridled aggression of a man in bed because it was her job to do so. But Rishima was Jarlen’s opposite in every way. Opposite to any man, really. So gentle, so precise, her soft fingers moved like feathers around Bella’s body. Subtle, tender, her movements were living poetry, too seamless to be real.
With no memory of ever removing her clothes, Bella found herself completely naked. Like a dream, everything was happening so naturally, effortlessly. Lost in a blaze of passion, their bodies merged as one. Her hands clutched the back of Rishima’s neck, their eyes remained locked on one another. Those perfect dark eyes sprinkled with flecks of gold, they held her soul as strong as any spell. In an instant, she had gone from never wanting to be held, to never wanting to let go. If I am dreaming, may I never wake.
*
Sitting up with his back pressed against a thick oak, Jarlen waited in the forest just off the main path. Alone with his thoughts, he listened to the birds chirping in the treetops. A nearby squirrel chittered angrily, possibly suspicious that the stranger was here to steal his stores of food. All around him, the forest teemed with life, yet he had never felt so alone. He couldn’t help but snicker at the irony. This “freedom” was what he had craved more than anything, even leading him to betray his own flesh and blood to attain it. And now that he was a free man in this wide-open world, the loneliness of it was becoming crushing reality. With no goals, no purpose, or reason to push towards, what would he do now?