by Ali Winters
A tall guard stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his narrowed eyes trained on her, following her every movement. The woman’s long blonde and crimson braid draped over her shoulder, looking at it Oriana noticed a shining metal spaulder covered her left shoulder and attached to the bronzed metal chest plate of her uniform. Was she guarding her to protect her, or for some other reason?
Oriana, turned away, trying to remember what happened.
Lucian’s face, then darkness…
Hazy memories refused to come into focus. The gleaming metal of the walls was dulled with a rough brushed finish, diminishing the reflection of light. A young woman lazily wandered between occupied beds, checking on other patients.
“Take me to Queen Kastria,” Oriana demanded. Her hoarse voice carried across the room. The young healer startled and rushed to her side.
“Please, Princess, you need your rest. You hit your head quite hard.”
“I said, take me to the Queen.” She swung her legs off the edge of the bed and stood.
With a stiff nod, the girl shuffled off.
The healer, obviously exasperated with the way she’d demanded to see the Queen walked faster than a speed Oriana would have liked. Her escort rushed toward the center of the palace, fists clenched at her sides.
Let her try to prove her point.
She wasn’t about to let this healer get the best of her. Steady footsteps marched behind her, echoing off the metal walls.
Minutes later, Oriana stood at the entrance of the throne room. The girl bowed quickly, then rushed off back in the direction they’d come. Resting her hand against the door frame, she took in several deep breaths. Not wanting to admit it, the fast paced walk had taken more out of her than she’d expected.
Queen Kastria spoke in hushed tones with several guards. Dressed from head to toe in the official battle garb of Venus, her hair piled high on her head in flaxen and burgundy swirls. The gold lace trim on her black and crimson uniform glittered in the warm light.
Approaching carefully, she lifted her chin and cleared her throat. A deafening silence filled the room as all eyes focused in on her.
“Where is he?” she tried to hide the tremble in her voice.
Queen Kastria handed the scroll she’d been reading to the man standing at her side and walked calmly to her, a pleasant smile gracing her features.
“I am so glad you are awake now. How are you feeling, Princess?” she asked.
“I’m fine. Where is Lucian?” Oriana insisted.
“Don’t worry about him.” She waved a hand, linking her arm through Oriana’s, and began to lead her to the group. “You are safe now. He has been taken care of.”
The air in the room seemed to dissipate, leaving her breathless. “T—taken care of? What did you do to him?”
“He is being detained and questioned—by what’s left of our Citinal. Do not trouble yourself over him any longer.”
“Your Majesty, you don’t understand. I need to see him now.” She slipped her arm from the Queen’s. “There’s been a mistake.”
“What is it that I don’t understand?” Queen Kastria snapped. “His Citinal have taken my daughter and killed my husband.” She raised her hand and signaled someone behind Oriana, before meeting her eyes once more. This time all the sympathy had vanished. “I would be careful about what you say next, Princess. The safety of my people is my only priority. I will do what is necessary to protect them.”
Oriana didn’t care that she might have offended the monarch, Lucian wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for her. She felt for the Queen, but she couldn’t let Lucian suffer for crimes he didn’t commit.
“He didn’t do what you think. He is innocent.”
“We found evidence of the Earthen’s involvement. So whatever he has convinced you of, is a lie.”
Clenching her fists, she fought to maintain her control. “The button is not proof—Earth was set up. The same button was found on every other planet. They are trying to make them look guilty—but they didn’t do it.”
“You know of the button?” Kastria’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yes,” Oriana said slowly. “Everyone found a button. No Citinal—even a bad one—would leave such obvious evidence.”
“Then, you know who is responsible for this?”
“No… but that’s what Lucian and I are trying to find out,” Oriana replied after brief hesitation.
“How do I know you’re speaking the truth? He could be using you for all I know. Is he blackmailing you into helping him?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Please, I need to see him.”
Kastria narrowed her eyes, in suspicion. “Very well, you may visit him. Marinette will take you to him.” She waved her hand to a guard.
A Citali jogged over, her blonde and crimson braid trailing behind her. Taking her place next to the Queen, she stood tall and rigid, waiting for orders. “Take Princess Oriana to see the prisoner. But make sure they don’t try anything.”
“Thank you,” Oriana said, breathing a sigh of relief. She would make sure to prove his innocence, and then, somehow, convince the Queen that his world had nothing to do with it.
“This way, Princess,” Marinette said, motioning for her to go first.
“I will be here when you are finished. There is much to discuss.” Kastria turned and walked off.
Oriana followed the guard down a steep stairwell into the very depths of the palace. Black metallic stones made up the walls and the steps they descended were made of the same material, creating a dizzying effect. She was sure she would have fallen if it weren’t the bright silver stripes that followed along the edge of the walls, showing the way.
At the bottom of the stairs they continued past dozens of empty cells, coming to a stop in front of a door almost completely hidden behind the form of a large burly man.
“Princess Oriana is here to see the prisoner,” Marinette announced to him.
The man stood in a wide stance, arms folded across his chest. She held his gaze as he glared menacingly down at her. After a moment, he grunted in irritation at her refusal to back down and moved to open the door. Holding her head high as she passed, she ignored the insolence rolling off him in waves.
It didn’t seem possible that the cells on this side of the door could have been worse. The grimy interiors they’d passed on the way looked like a nice place to stay in comparison. Here, the walls were splattered dark with substances she couldn’t identify—and didn’t want to. The floors were strewn with dirty straw and the smell of rust was thick in the hot, stale, air.
A groan from one of the cells near the end pulled her attention away from the empty containment rooms. Oriana’s heart beat quickened its pace as she pushed past Marinette, rushing toward the sound she knew was Lucian.
She gripped the bars and slid down to her knees. His body lay on the filthy ground curled up in the center. “Lucian?” she whispered.
He rolled over, his brows pinching together as if he were trying to remember who she was. Bruises and cuts covered his face from whatever they had done to him. This was far more than just being “detained and questioned.” Her jaw clenched.
“Oriana? What are you doing here?” He sat up and looked around, his hand pressed against his head as he tried to focus.
Reaching through the bars, she stretched her fingers out, beckoning him to grab onto her hand.
“Keep your hands on this side,” Marinette’s harsh voice commanded.
Lucian flinched at the loudness and drew away. Oriana glared up at the woman, but pulled her arm from between the bars, then turned her attention back to him.
“Are you okay Lucian?” She bit down hard on the inside of her lip, the tangy taste of blood hitting her tongue.
He shook his head and moved closer cautiously. Something was wrong. But was it fear... or something else?
“What have you done to him?” Oriana demanded, glaring up at the woman standing next to her. Marinette’s smug face grated agai
nst her nerves. How could anyone be proud to do this to another person? It was disgusting.
“We had to give him a compliance potion to ensure we got the truth. It will wear off soon enough.”
Lucian reached the bars and gripped them tightly. “You have to run, Oriana,” he whispered.
Panic froze her blood. “But they were attacked, weren’t they?” she spoke softly and leaned in near his ear.
They can’t be the ones responsible… what would they have to gain?
“They don’t believe me,” he dropped his eyes. “They’ll torture you too if you don’t get away.”
“I’ll make them believe us. Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here.” She reached in and brushed a lock of his hair from his eyes.
“All right, you’re finished here.” Marinette interrupted and pulled Oriana to her feet, jerking her away from him.
Enraged, Oriana turned on the woman. “I don’t care what you think your job is. You will not touch me again. You would do well to remember who you are.”
Marinette blanched, and swallowed hard. “Your time is up.”
Oriana gave one last glance over her shoulder at the man in the dank cell looking up at her, then turned on her heel and marched her way out of the terrible underground layer.
She hadn’t waited on the guard to follow her and really didn’t care if the woman was right behind her or still in that smelly, horrid excuse for a prison.
Entering the throne room once again, she marched up to the Queen who was still talking with the same guards and pouring over the scrolls.
“Let him out, now,” Oriana demanded.
“Now, Oriana, why would I do that?” The Queen tilted her head to the side as though she were trying to figure out the angry Princess in front of her. “He is our prisoner and the one responsible for leading the Citinal in their invasion. This has nothing to do with you, or Soleis.”
“I was attacked too. The royal court, the King, and
were murdered. This has just as much to do with me and every other world that’s been attacked.”
Kastria stared wide-eyed at her, before once again schooling her features. “Then you should be glad to be free of him and his hold on you. Now he can be properly punished for his crimes against the Inner Ring Alliance.”
“He is innocent,” she seethed. “Whoever is at the heart of these attacks meant for me to be dead. He’s had more than a few chances to kill me if that was his goal, but he’s actually saved my life. You can send someone to Neptune if you don’t believe me. Sirena and Teresina watched him as he nearly died trying to save me. While you’re at it, why don’t you send someone to Soleis—have them check my bedchambers? You will find the remains of what would have been my body.” She dropped her eyes, “Earth had no idea what happened.”
A crater in the corner of the room bubbled and popped with lava as if it would erupt at any moment and take the entire room with it. The heat that radiated from it mirrored the anger Oriana felt deep within her gut.
Queen Kastria contemplated her for a moment then nodded. “We will settle this once and for all. Marinette, go to Soleis—Palas, you will go to Neptune and speak with both of the Princesses.” The women nodded and jogged off toward the room that held the Gateway. “We will check your story, and if they have determined you are telling the truth, he will be set free.”
Oriana’s heartbeat jumped to her throat. The nails of her clenched fists dug into her skin. The thought of leaving Lucian in that underground hole for much longer made her sick. He didn’t deserve to be in there.
What if they don’t return in time… or at all? What if they can’t find what they need to save him?
Kastria turned to Oriana. “Once they have returned and confirmed your story, we will release him. However, if they do not return within a day’s time, or cannot confirm what you’ve said, then he will be put to death, immediately. You will also join him as his co-conspirator, so I hope for your sake you are right.”
Oriana straightened her back and jutted her chin out. She had to believe they would find the evidence. “That works for me. But we will be expecting an apology when they get back, and confirm what I said.”
The Queen nodded. “Princess, I trust you understand why I must take precautions to protect Venus. I won’t apologize for taking the steps needed to ensure that no more harm comes to my people. If the Prince is as I suspect, guilty, I will do what I must to protect the other worlds as well.”
As much as she wanted to deny it, Oriana did understand. Queen Kastria couldn’t be blamed, after all her world had been attacked like all the others. She blew out a soft breath. It was impossible to say what she would do in the woman’s place, and she was only doing what needed to be done to protect her people. Oriana couldn’t imagine what she was going through, she’d lost her husband and possibly her only child.
“I do understand, but I know you are mistaken this time.”
Kastria placed a hand on her shoulder. “I hope they do prove me wrong. Punishing an innocent person for crimes they did not comment goes against what we stand for.”
“When they get back with the proof,” she squared her shoulders, her eyes locked with the Queen’s, refusing to let herself be meek. “And they will find it—will you lend me your Citinal to fight against those who are responsible?”
“Princess, if they prove his innocence, not only will you have my sincerest apologies, but you will have access to anything you wish for within my Kingdom.”
Lucian
Lucian opened his eyes.
Blinding golden light shone through an open window. He blinked several times as his vision came into focus. At his side, Oriana smiled down at him and brushed his hair off of his forehead in steady strokes. Confusion marred his features.
“Wha—where are we?” His hand shot up and clasped her wrist, stilling her motion.
“It’s okay. They know you didn’t do it.” She gently took his hand off her wrist and placed it next to his side. “They believe us now.”
“How?” Lucian pushed himself up to sitting.
She dropped her head and averted her gaze.
“I had them speak with the twins and sent them to Soleis to check the damage. I told them how I was meant to die in the initial attack.” Shyly, she looked through her lashes at his face and as hard as she tried to hide it, her expression was filled with pain.
He reached out and wrapped his hand around hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Thank you. I know thinking about it couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Oriana’s breath caught for a second before she cleared her throat.
“Queen Kastria has agreed to lend us her Citinal. She has sent a messenger to Jupiter to wait for information. Once we are ready, they will move with us.”
“That’s great news,” Lucian gave a crooked smile. Her attempt at changing the subject was obvious, but he didn’t force the issue.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel good. Are you ready to make one last trip?” Lucian pushed himself to his feet. His muscles were stiff, but the pain was gone.
“I am.”
Oriana
Lucian led the way through the Venusian palace, two packages from the Queen as an apology for the misunderstanding, clutched under his arm. Not paying attention to their surroundings, Oriana walked behind him in silence, exhausted and unable to keep her mind from wandering.
All the royals from Mercury to Mars were missing. King Philo’s death was confirmed by Queen Kastria. They had found the same button from Earth’s uniforms in an open place on each world, where someone was guaranteed to see it and draw the same conclusion as everyone else had. Oriana ran her fingers through her hair, relieved that there was only one planet left to visit.
They had been to more places in a few days than she’d been in her whole life and yet she was aloof and wisp like, not really there in fact.
She hardly noticed the vast, endless dunes of Saturn, shifting like waves of an o
cean in the fierce winds. The floor of the giant sand castle shifted with the natural rhythm of the planet underneath their feet and took some definite getting used to. They were greeted by silence, the Kingdom was empty of all life and not a single Citali, servant, or royal could be found. They feared the worst when the Earthen button was left lying in the open on the foyer floor, scattered as though it still waited to be discovered by the Saturnites and cause the wrong impression.
The dizzying depths of Uranus’s canyons and the way countless columns rose from the bottom didn’t reach her. Neither did its glass dome covered platforms resting on the tops of the rising rock spindles, all interconnected with clear glass bridges. In fact, it wasn’t until King Bastian, Queen Sabrina, and their son, Prince Eli, were realized as dead that Oriana felt anything other than emptiness. Princess Tinka, despite her grief, had been accommodating and kind, explaining to them what had happened to her family and yet still Oriana felt nothing but pain at the thought of further universal losses.
Mars, with its red and violet flora that seemed to threaten an invasion of the palace at any moment—also failed to impress itself on her. With the knowledge that Queen Rose and King Caius had died, creating a diversion to give Princess Scarlett time to hide in the thick forests of the red planet, the last ounce of her hope died. They roamed the castle listlessly, venturing to the outer edges of the woods only to be ambushed by the Princess, an arrow pointing at Lucian’s chest. They’d managed to explain his innocence with relative ease.
She could feel herself sinking deeper and deeper into an emotional abyss. The only thing that seemed to keep her from falling completely, was knowing she wasn’t alone in this journey. Knowing that Lucian was by her side had been the only thing that had saved her so far. A friend and companion who had brought her back from the edge of the black hole of despair that pulled relentlessly at her heart.
Her mind flashed back to Neptune, her fingers finding their way to her lips, still burning from the feel of his, even as her consciousness had floated in and out. Logically, Oriana knew he’d done it to save her, and no other reason. But regardless of that fact, the feeling lingered. The kiss he’d placed on her forehead after was just a reflex, wasn’t it? It was an unconscious show of relief. Lucian probably wasn’t even aware that he’d done so. Her feet slowed as her heart started to race.