Saphora vol.1 Retention
Page 33
Flames engulfed the surroundings of the library in her vision. Her eyes stung in attempt to stay open to see what was being presented to her. From the cracking window of the library she could see the blazing sun. Large wings of fire spread out over the majority of the library, burning everything they came into contact with. She heard the screeching of a beast, making her ears ring before the edges of her vision seemed to burn away, narrowing until all that was left was darkness.
Inhaling sharply, Artemis brought her hand to her chest to grip at her clothing, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. Her lashes fluttered as she worked to regain her breath, her frame trembling. Her eyes, full of remorse, gazed out of the window of the watchtower as her hand shook around the fabric of her silk ivory blouse.
“Oh god …” she breathed with a slight shake of her head. “Enya.”
“Artemis?” Vida called out. She could be heard climbing the stairs of the watchtower. “Artemis, are you up here? Answer me,” Vida demanded, coming closer to the doorway of the room. Finally hearing her call, Artemis turned around in somewhat of an alarm.
“Y-Yes, Vida! I am here!” she called back, getting quieter as she saw Vida come around the corner of the hallway. Vida sighed in slight exhaustion as she walked into the room, finally able to drop the front of her gown.
“Goodness, Artemis. Why didn’t you answer me when I first called?” she huffed, flattening her hand against the top of her head to ensure that nothing was out of place. Artemis bowed in apology, her hands folded at her thighs.
“Forgive me. I didn’t hear you,” she said, as Vida moved to sit in one of the seats in the room.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop bowing to me? It’s bothersome.”
“As many times as I tell you that it’s disrespectful not to,” Artemis said with a smile, as she stood back up.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve known each other since birth.”
“With all due respect, so has the rest of the kingdom,” she pointed out, making her way to the set beside Vida. Vida rolled her eyes.
“Does the kingdom know my favorite colour?”
“That’s not the point.”
“You’re right,” Vida said, clearing her throat. “The point is, I’m here, and I need to talk to you.” A knot formed in the pit of Artemis’ stomach. Could she somehow know what she had just seen?
“About?” Artemis almost choked.
“About Saphora.”
Artemis sighed in relief, her body relaxing.
“Oh, yes. She’s fine. Hydra was able to get there in time. I had told Mishka to – “
“Yes, she gave me your message. But she couldn’t answer the questions I had.” Artemis shook her head slightly.
“About?”
“About this boy that she was supposedly with.” Artemis’ face flattened out, and she leaned back a bit as her expression slowly morphed into that of disbelief.
“You … You came to find me to stalk your daughter’s love life?” Vida scoffed.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Artemis.”
“I’m being ridiculous,” she mocked.
“I’m merely here for information.”
“And what kind of information would that be? If they’ve embraced each other yet?” Vida’s face paled.
“Yet?” she uttered just above a whisper. Artemis hesitated to answer and Vida turned her body towards her. “Artemis!”
“What are you so worried about, Vida? From what I’ve been able to see, he is a kind boy. He wants nothing but to keep Saphora safe. Even after the event with Tebias he encountered. Isn’t that something a mother should smile upon?”
“That isn’t the point, Artemis,” she said, standing up with a shake of her head. She paced the floor worriedly.
“What is the point?”
“She cannot bare the child of a human.” Artemis tiled her head back at the assumption.
“And why not? How could you possibly know that?” Vida sighed a grimace.
“I’m not certain, but I cannot just let her –“
“Let her what? Choose her partner? Is it because you would not want a human ruling beside her?” Vida stopped pacing, her gaze set towards the wall before her.
“Where would that leave this kingdom, Artemis? With a human as king?”
“You seemed to rule perfectly fine with a guardian as ours.”
“A guardian is not the same as a human. How would he possibly contribute to defending this kingdom? Its people?”
“That is something they could work out together.”
“Would you feel safe under the protection of a human?”
“It is not the king alone that defends the kingdom, Vida,” Artemis argued. Vida sighed, shaking her head and continuing to pace.
“What of the offspring? What would become of them? If any were to survive? What of Saphora? Would she survive the pregnancy? We have no idea what that could do to her!”
Artemis stood, catching Vida’s attention and getting her to stop pacing once again.
“With all due respect, Vida, we asked the same of you when you chose Dolphus.” Vida raised her chin in silence as her life choices were brought to her attention, along with the late king. “And yet your parents allowed you your love.” Vida’s eyes lowered, slowly meeting the critical gaze of Artemis. Artemis shook her head, reproach in her eyes. “Who are you to deny your daughter hers?”