Chapter 100: The Rift Within
The knocking sound jerked her back to reality, and without a word said, the door flew open, and Ariadne walked with her commanding presence. her gold hair glittered in its brightness, and her sharp eyes were filled with nothing order than disdain.
"Here you are… playing Luna when you had no right to," Ariadne said at once, with her words cutting through the air, almost immediately in an accusing tone.
Reika turned slowly, her face composed, even as her heart swelled. "Ariadne, I don't have time for your theatrics this morning."
"Oh, you'll make time," Ariadne spat, further into the room. "I've held my tongue long enough. Ileus is in that state because of you. You and your grand ideas, and reckless decisions. A wolfless Luna, you were never fit for him."
Reika fisted her hands at her sides, but she was still breathing calmly. "Ileus chose me, Ariadne. Not you. If you come here to question his judgment then maybe you didn't understand him after all."
Ariadne laughed harshly. "Oh, I understood him perfectly. He needed a powerful mate, someone who would be able to rival his own power. And he was stuck with you, a human acting as queen."
Reika's eyes flashed, but her voice didn't. "I won't fight you. Ileus is in a battle for his life, and this kingdom requires unity, not petty squabbles."
"Unity?" Ariadne laughed. "What this kingdom does need is a Luna that isn't one big liability. Admit it, Reika, I'm way out of your league. He'd be better off with me.
Reika stepped forward, her voice trembling with the storm of anger tamped down below. "If you had a shred of regard for Ileus, you would bring it to an end. Instead, here you are, trying to rip me apart at the very moment when I try to keep this kingdom in order. Who's the liability, Ariadne?
Ariadne smirked for one moment and then continued storming out.
Reika barely had a moment to collect herself before Kael entered, his face grim.
"Luna," he started off formally, "we made some progress with Addams Wesley, but it's slow."
"What do you mean by progress?" Reika asked wearily.
Kael shifted, stirringly, "He's confessed bits and pieces. Giving hints of his motives, but he's still holding back. My men and I have tried every method we know, but he's stubborn."
Reika rubbed her head, the weight of the kingdom and all its many problems weighing her down .
"What about his people? Has he said anything about where they're hiding?"
Kael shook his head. "No, but it's obvious he's not acting alone. He's got somebody powerful backing him, and we need to know who that someone is."
Reika sighed. "Keep up with that, Kael. We do need answers and fast."
Kael nodded; his face relaxed at her question. "And you? How are you faring?"
Reika was able to give him only a ghostly smile. "I am surviving, Kael. Just keep me informed.
As Kael left, Daisy appeared in the doorway, her face filled with worry. 'My Queen, the council of elders is demanding your presence Again."
Reika's shoulders slumped. 'What now?"
'They want to discuss the future of the kingdom. They're growing restless," Daisy said.
Reika nodded, her face resolute. ' I'll handle it."
She didn't let that stop her, instead strode from her chambers with head high despite rioting of mind. Outside the palace Ariadne still paced, her voice carrying across the courtyard as she ranted to a small group of followers. Reika ignored her, and walked silently by.
It was then that Reika, upon entering the council room, the tension finally boiled over: the elders of House faced her across the length of the table, concerned and skeptical looks etched on their features.
"Your Majesty," Elder Eldric began, "we have been summoned here today to discuss, on the clear understanding that the Alpha is unreachable, the motion forward that needs to be taken in view of his dire condition.".
Reika sat at the head, straight-backed. "I understand your concern, but I can assure you-Ileus will recover. And until then, I am more than capable of leading.".
A murmur swept through the room, and one of the elders, a severe-featured woman by the name of Thalia, rose. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, your capabilities are not in question. It is a matter of your position. A wolfless Luna cannot rule this kingdom."
Reika's jaws clenched. "I was chosen by Ileus. That should be sufficient for every one of you."
Thalia shook her head. "For some, perhaps, not for all of us. We believe that now is the time for another alternative to be considered."
The great wooden doors of the hall burst open and Ariadne strode in, imperious. In an instant half of the council turned to her, their voices rising in her defence.
"Ariadne is a true Luna," said one elder. "She has the strength and the lineage to lead us.
Reika rose, her voice screaming above the chaos. "Be gone, if it is her who would better run things! Gone, and join with Ariadne! And any so with me, who stand by the side of Ileus-remain!
The room was silent now; as clear a split as it would get. Half of the council rose and filed out, peeling out to follow Ariadne-the murmurs of discontent trailing in their wake. Remaining elders stayed seated, a light of loyalty unto the end reflected in their eyes.
The doors closed behind Ariadne and her supporters, and Reika slumped back in her chair. The kingdom was divided, and the weight of such a thought could crush her whole.
Later, Daisy came close to her after the meeting and laid an assuring hand on her shoulder. "We shall get through this, Reika. Ileus will wake up, and he shall put this kingdom together."
Reika nodded, her voice barely a whisper. 'I hope you're right, Daisy. Because right now, it feels like everything is falling apart."
Outside, the divided factions of the kingdom echoed the turmoil within the palace. But within her, Reika clung to one unshakable hope: that Ileus would awaken and restore the unity they so desperately needed.