by A. M. Miller
There was a knocked at the door and they both turned. Eleaa rushed over to answer. When she returned, Ramor followed behind her. He looked as chaotic as he had the last time they met. Lu noted how his body never seemed to stay still. His hands twitched as he walked, red rabbit eyes shifting around the room. He looked at Lu and stilled.
Ramor bowed. “My Queen.”
“Ramor, what brings you here?” Lu asked.
Ramor rose, hands starting to fidget again. “I’ve come to escort you to your first council meeting. There is much we have to discuss.”
He held his arm out to Lu. She stared at it.
“I know where the council room is, Ramor. I do not need you to escort me,” Lu said.
Lu could make it to the council room blindfolded. Her whole life had been spent inside of the castle. She’d tolerated Domicin’s company these past few days because he served a purpose. Ramor was an unnecessary inconvenience.
“My queen I am the Ace, head adviser to the queen. It is customary for the-“
“You were my mother’s Ace. She gave you that position but she’s dead now.”
Ramor seemed taken aback by Lu’s response. His eyes widened and brows furrowed. “My queen, I was a loyal servant to your mother, as I am to you. Until you name a new Ace it is my duty to aid you as I did your mother.”
“And did you make your way all the way over to my mother’s chamber to walk her to each and every council meeting or is that something special you do for your queen now?”
Ramor did not answer.
Lu took a step closer to him. “I don’t know you and until now, you made very little effort to know me. All I know is that you were the only member of the royal bond lucky enough to survive the attack. Why should I trust you?”
“Because if we start turning on each other now we risk losing everything. Your parents’ death was a shock to us all but we must not let it divide us, my queen. That is exactly what our enemies would want, but you can not protect this queensland without help.”
“No.”
“No?” Ramor arched a brow at her flat response.
“No,” Lu answered again. “That’s not good enough. You don’t bandage a wound before cutting out the rot and I will not give trust before it is earned. If your only argument for why I would trust you is united we stand divided we fall you’re going to have to do better.”
Until her parents’ killer was found nothing was safe.
“What would you have me do, my queen? I have already told you where I was. What more do you want from me?”
“The head of the killer on a silver platter, if you please.”
Lu moved past Ramor, stepping out into the marbled hallway. After the coronation the castle once again buzzed with life. The halls were brightened by the goddess’s glow welcoming a new day. People moved all around, hurrying to get here and there. The general servants dressed in their black robes, a red stripe running down the middle and across the chest. Black scarves covered their noes and mouths making it impossible to tell the difference between men and women.
Lu heard the hurried footsteps of Ramor following behind her.
“My queen I can assure you I’m doing everything I can to find the person responsible,” Ramor said when he caught up.
“Good, then I will be expecting results. Otherwise, your purpose here becomes even more questionable.”
They continued down the hallway. She looked at the people around her. The servants were immersed in their task and the nobility in their luxuries. Occasionally when they made eye contact with Lu they’d stop what they were doing and offer a bow. Once she’d pass by life continued as it pleased.
Lu found it all strangely normal. The purpose of the coronation was to help bring stability back to the queensland. Yet, it still surprised her how quick it happened. Her mother’s body was still being prepared for its trip back to the goddess and a murderer was running free, but the people behaved as if it was just another day in the Heart.
“It’s because they trust you, my queen, that they are able to return to their normal routines without fear,” Ramor said still walking behind her.
Lu glanced back at him. “Don’t do that.”
Aces were said to be able to read the minds of the queens they were linked with. They of course did not possess the same gift as the queen, an Ace relying more on an intuitive understanding than a holy blessing, but still Lu found the whole concept disturbing. Hypocritical, maybe, but she didn’t want anyone poking around inside of her head.
“It is the Ace’s job to understand the thoughts of his queen,” Ramor said.
“You are not my Ace.”
Lu turned away from him and continued walking. She stopped in front of one of the windows. The inner city surrounded the castle. People of all walks of life lived and worked there. The city wasn’t the largest but it was dense with life. During the light hours people flowed through the streets as rapid as the Medes current.
These were the people she’d sworn to protect, but from up high, they all looked like toy figures.
Lu looked towards the south, past the Kia river and farmland. She squinted but the red stonewall that blocked the southern edge of the queensland was barely visible from the castle. It was a thin dark red horizon. Her eyes lingered there for a moment. Though she could not see, Lu knew what waited beyond the wall.
The orcestral forest was a place of eternal night. No matter the time of day, the forest remained shrouded in darkness. Its barren trees twisted in sinister formations and a dense fog covered the ground ebbing like ocean waves. At its farthest reach the fog stopped a few inches from the wall’s barrier.
“My queen? Is everything alright?” Ramor asked.
Lu looked away from the window and back at Ramor. “Have you ever been beyond?”
Ramor stopped fidgeting, hands going still. “Yes,” His expression darkened. “I have.”
“Before or after you became my mother’s Ace?”
“Before.”
Lu looked Ramor up and down. He didn’t seem like the type to survive. A frail man like him lacked the proper grit of the Heart Queensland, or so she’d thought.
“Was the priesthood not to your liking?” Lu asked.
“I never joined.”
Even more peculiar. One of the most important steps in becoming apart of the church was the passage beyond the wall. Outside of priesthood, there were very few reasons to make the journey.
Ramor looked down at his watch. “We should go my queen. We’ll be late.”
“Yes,” Lu turned back around. She thought of the people of the council who awaited her. Not a single friend among them, but a plethora of enemies. “I wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”
12
Working at a movie theater seemed cool until Raven actually started working at a movie theater. For her, that lesson had been hard learned. The people were annoying, kids threw up, projectors malfunctioned and the bathrooms were unthinkable, but after two years of working at the theater Raven finally moved up to a level three manager. The pay increase was much needed but it also meant more responsibility.
After school on Fridays Raven traded her blue polo for a red button down. She stood behind the black counter clicking several buttons on the screen trying to get it to work. The computer wasn’t printing tickets again. A line of angry people eyed her. The smell of sugar and buttery popcorn wafted out from the concession stands making her stomach grumble.
“I can’t get it. Just use the other computer and we’ll call the tech guy out tomorrow,” Raven said to the blonde-haired girl standing next to her.
Raven moved from behind the counter. Cathy, Raven’s manager, wouldn’t be happy to hear the computer was out again, but there was nothing Raven could do. Computers weren’t her forte and she wasn’t going to be the one they blamed if it broke.
The crowd was starting to pick up. Friday night was rush hour. Kids from the city bussed out to see the latest blockbusters. Raven weaved her way through the
clusters of bodies. She was halfway to the back office when someone called out for her. Raven looked back over her shoulder.
Tiffany stood behind her, with her arm wrapped around some boy. She’d also changed out of her school uniform; now dressed in a purple t-shirt and skintight jeans that looked brand new.
“Hey, Tif. What are you doing here?” Raven asked.
Tiffany pulled her arm away and shrugged. “Just hanging. How’s work?”
“Good. Who’s he?”
Raven looked over at the boy. His lip was snakebite pierced and his hair dyed blue. Shaded glasses hid his eyes as he searched the crowd. Just looking at him annoyed Raven.
What asshole wears glasses indoors?
Tiffany glanced at the boy. “Him? He’s no one. Just a bit of fun.”
“You know, if you want a free movie ticket, I can get you in at any time.”
“Where’s the fun in that?" Tiffany tilted her head to the side and smirked.
Raven smiled and shook her head. “I can’t with you.”
“Our movie should be over around ten but we can hang out for a bit if you need a ride back home.”
“I’m good. Enjoy your boy toy.”
“Alright then, if you're sure.”
Raven nodded, sure that she didn’t want to be the third wheel when things started to get hot and heavy. The night bus system was insane but she’d grown accustomed.
“I’ll see yo…fuck me.” Raven’s eyes were on the door.
“What?”
Tiffany turned around and followed Raven’s eyes to the front entrance. Olivia, Drake, and Rashawn were making their way through the front door. A crowd of other students accompanied them. Drake’s arm draped over Olivia and he leaned down to kiss her cheek. When he pulled back he was smiling.
Looks like someone made up.
“God, I hate working here,” Raven said.
Tiffany turned back toward Raven. “Just ignore them. If they don’t see you they won’t say anything.”
“Pray they don’t see me then.”
Raven waved to Tiffany as she and the blue-haired boy headed towards the concessions. Raven glanced over at the group before shaking her head and continuing on her way.
As Raven expected Cathy was less than pleased with the broken computer. She sat in Cathy’s cramped office listening to the older woman complain for a half an hour about kids and technology. The smell of dust and old perfume choked her senses. Raven rested her head on her hand massaging her temples as the headache settled in. When Cathy finished ranting she informed Raven that she’d put a work order in and dismissed her. Raven thanked her manager and left Cathy’s office.
Outside her office, Raven pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut. The ringing noise inside her ears reached its crescendo. Raven sagged back against the batman poster. Sweat beaded against her forehead. She’d had sinus headaches before, but never this bad. Her stomach clenched and she could taste the ranch chicken wings she had for lunch, acidy at the back of her throat.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Raven answered before looking up.
Drake was standing to her right, looking at her with worried eyes. Raven saw him and another wave of nausea twisted at her stomach. Her body lurched forward. She covered her mouth with her hand.
Drake placed his hand on her shoulder to steady her. “Are you sure? You don’t look fine.”
Raven nodded and removed her hand from her mouth. “I’m good.” She shrugged Drake’s hand off of her shoulder. He let it fall to his side.
“Maybe you should sit down for a minute,” Drake said.
“I’m fine. Don’t you have a movie to watch?”
Drake nodded towards the restrooms across the hall. “Bathroom break.”
“Well don’t let me stop you. I’m sure Olivia’s waiting.”
“How did you- wait, I know you, don’t I.” Drake’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face.
Raven’s head snapped towards Drake, bows furrowed and lips frowning. He didn’t remember her. Drake’s blank stare made her feel small.
Raven took a deep breath and buried her wounded ego. “No, you don’t.” She pushed past him, her face warm with the heat of her embarrassment. Of course, he didn’t remember her. His friends had launched a full force attack on her ever since the party but to him, she was just another faceless student in the crowd. A girl to be forgotten.
13
The Heart Queensland
The council room was hidden down a corridor few ventured. Lu and Ramor walked until they reached the secluded area of the hall. Two guards, dressed in full armor, stood in front of the golden double doors. They were like statues. Rumors told they’d had their tongues cut to ensure the secrets whispered inside the room never left the closed doors. Lu was almost sure it wasn’t true.
The two guards stepped aside, allowing Lu and Ramor to pass. She pushed open the doors to a dark lit room. Dark red walls connected to a black ceiling. The room was two thirds the size of her chamber with a long oval table set in the middle.
Domicin rose to greet her. His chair screeched against the wood floor as he stood to bow. Power buzzed beneath Lu’s skin, their bond strengthening with their proximity. The cape that adorned his back was now marked with the Jack’s symbol, two arms crossed behind a “J”. Her coronation had made it official.
Lu looked down the table noting several empty chairs. Her eyes locked on one spot in particular.
“Where is everyone else?” Lu asked.
The door swung open as Domicin prepared to answer. All seven of the missing council members stepped through the golden doors. Lu turned towards them. Their laughter stopped upon meeting with Lu’s cold stare.
Lu’s eyes locked with her brother’s. He stood in front of the group, no doubt its leader. A smile stretched across his face as he placed his fist over his heart and took a bow.
“My apologies, my queen, for taking so long,” Lecive said.
Lu’s hand twitched with the urge to ball into a fist. She would not give him the satisfaction. Lecive had been born a snake. He manipulated those around him like puppets. She’d been expecting something like this, knowing that he would not take her rise to power quietly.
“Well, hopefully it doesn’t happen again. It would be very unfortunate if the people started to think their council members negligent in their duties,” Ramor said.
Lu glanced at Ramor. His eyes were hard set on the prince.
“Prince Lecive was speaking with the gray priest,” Lady Doservisich, a plump horse faced woman, said. She controlled the eastern territories of Munik and stood firmly behind Lecive.
Lu turned her attention back to her brother. “What for?”
Gray priest made sure everything was in order for the dead’s passage back into the goddess’s embrace. The name gray priest came from the ashes they painted over their face and arms. Though members of the holy church, they acted as a completely different sector.
“To oversee the preparations for our dearly departed mother, of course,” Lecive said.
“Of course.” Lu repeated.
The queen had mothered three children and loved none. Lu doubted Lecive had shed a single tear over the queen’s passing. To him, her death was like everything else, an opportunity.
Oldest by nearly four years, Lecive would have been the ideal heir if he’d been born a girl. As a male, his claim to the throne was ruined but not his thirst for power. Growing up Lu had listened to whispers of his rising favor. Women spoke of his bravery and charm while men revered his cunning mentality. Most of nobility seemed to love him. He was a handsome man, wavy red locks and chestnut skin, exuding all the charm their mother had once been known for. People believed he would become the next Ace.
Over my cold dead body.
Lecive may have fooled everyone else but Lu would never trust him. She would never forget what he’d done.
“Perhaps it’s best we get this meeting started now,” Ramor said,
pocket watch in hand.
The tension in the room lessened as council members took their seats. Lu and Lecive moved to opposite ends of the table. She waited until everyone was seated before taking her own.
“It would appear that the people inside the inner city have accepted the transition well,” Lu said. The council members nodded in agreement. “But we have to discuss what happened that night.”
The room went silent. Lu glanced around the table. They all bore an expression of unease, except for her brother. When Lu’s eyes landed on him he held her gaze. What she wouldn’t give to know what he was thinking. She was half tempted to try her powers out on him but knew better. The goddess did not forgive those who miss used her gifts. Her powers were meant to heal the sick; any other uses were unforgiveable.
Lecive’s eyes were a brighter red than hers, flecks of orange gave them a fiery look, but they had the same sharpness. The shape of their father’s eyes.
Lu turned to Domicin. “Have you learned anything new?”
Domicin cleared his throat. “We talked to some of the people in the city. There were a few reports of a man dressed in black running through the streets of Avlion and across one of the bridges late at night. Most say he seemed to be heading south. We tried to talk to some of the southern villages but none of them have seen anything. We are still looking, my queen.”
“It doesn’t make since, my queen, who would attack us here?” One of the council members asked. Lu couldn’t remember his name but she knew he was one of the northern lords. The four tattooed eyes on his knuckles were northern tradition.
“Perhaps, one of the villagers was infected and made it into the castle. I have brought up the problems of not properly training citizens for screening on several occasions.” Lord Amber from the White Queensland said. He wore a green monocle and white ribbons braided through his pepper gray hair.
“Screening isn’t an issue nor is it the problem here, Lord Amber,” Ramor said, “There is no way a person with an infected mind could have got that close without alerting the queen.”
“Then perhaps someone from another queensland sent him,” Lady Doservisich said, turning to the woman sitting on the other side of Prince Lecive.