Chapter 52: Rieka’s ill nature

Early morning sun spilled through the windows, streaking gold within the chamber. Reika stirred under the soft covers, heavy with unaccountable fatigue. 'God, I feel sick". She exclaimed. She sat up slowly, and the world spun faintly as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. It felt chillier than normal, and some niggling sense of odd set her senses on high. A knock broke through her thoughts. It was a familiar voice. It was Daisy's stand-in, Lyra: "Your Majesty, the Alpha requests your presence in the council room." Reika swallowed hard, fighting off her hazy vision of the spinning room. "Tell him I'll be there shortly," she returned, so much weaker than she wanted to sound. Lyra hovered, seeming to falter in indecision. "Are you quite well, Your Majesty? You sound-" "I'm fine," Reika hastened to interject, abruptly-then softer. "Just give me a moment." At the sound of Lyra's retreating footsteps, Reika found herself standing upon shaking legs, hugging the bedpost for support. Something was wrong. Alien was her body to her as if she fought a sickness not of her own. Memories of her conversation with the Moon Goddess flooded her mind. "A life for a life." The thought twisted her stomach further. By the time Reika made her way to the council room, her dizziness had subsided slightly, though she still felt an underlying weakness. Alpha Lleus stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as usual. The room was filled with advisors, generals, and a few servants. "Reika," Lleus greeted her, his sharp eyes softening momentarily. "You're late." She sat down beside him with a wan smile. "Sorry, I wasn't feeling quite so good this morning." His brow furrowed, but before he could ask her more questions, General Kael launched into updating them about the defenses of the kingdom. Reika only half listened to what was being said, as a part of her mind had already drifted away. Again and again, the words of the Moon Goddess seemed to ring in her ears, and a shiver ran down her spine. Her eyes snapped back to the present when Lleus spoke to her. "Reika, what of the growing patrols near the eastern border? The reports say there are murmurs of unrest that way." She blinked, thrown off her guard. "Yes, of course. A sensible precaution," she said, even as chaos churned in her mind. Lleus nodded curtly and turned back to the council. The meeting finally dismissed, and after that, Reika excused herself, not bearing her exhaustion anymore. As she walked down the corridor, Lyra approached her once more-her face a mask of concern. "Your Majesty, you look pale. Are you certain you're all right?" "I'll be fine," Reika replied, though her voice shook. "I just need some rest." But as she turned to continue down the hall, she suddenly felt the world tilt. Darkness crept into the edges of her vision and she swayed. Lyra cried out, catching her arm just as Reika collapsed to her knees. "Reika! When Reika came in, she lay in her chamber in the orange light of afternoon sun seeping through the curtains. Daisy's bed was empty, looming into her vision as a pain which time continued to stamp upon her. Lyra sat beside her, sponging a cool, damp cloth onto her forehead. "You fainted," Lyra said softly. "I called the healer, but he said you need rest and proper nourishment." Reika sighed, shutting her eyes briefly. "Thanks, Lyra. I'm fine." But Lyra faltered, nibbling at her lip. "Your Majesty.it's not my place, but.could this be stress? You've been carrying so much lately, with Daisy and everything else. Perhaps it's weighing on you." Reika opened her eyes, staring up at the ceiling. "Perhaps," she whispered, even as she knew the truth went a great deal deeper than that. Later that night, Reika sat by the window of her room, staring at the darkening sky. Images of the day replayed in her head, mingled with images from her past life. She just couldn't let Daisy die again like she had previously. Yet, saving her felt impossibly expensive to her. A soft knock came from the door. "Come in," she called, her voice worn. Alpha Lleus came in impassive, cluthching in his hand a tray, having soup and a piece of bread inside. "You missed dinner," he grunted down with what sounded a little stern voice as he set it in the middle of the table. Reika said the first to raise the bar at one brow, "Serving food for me now, all-new. She couldn't help the slight upward curve of her lips at the attempt on humor, though it never reached her eyes. Lleus regarded her a moment before he sat down across from her. "You're not yourself, Reika. And don't you dare tell me it's nothing." She gave a low sigh, passing a hand through her hair. "Lleus, some things are best not spoken. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Not when it's affecting you like this. Talk to me, Reika. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together." She met his gaze, torn between the urge to confide in him and her fear of what he might think. After a long moment, she shook her head. "I can't, Lleus. Not yet." He tightened his jaw and nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But whatever it is, don't let it destroy you." ~ That night, Reika had lain in bed, too restless to sleep. Eventually, she rose and found her way to the garden, where the night air was cool against her sweltering thoughts. She was standing among the flowers when she faced up to the moon above and suddenly felt something strange wash over her. The air vibrated with an electric humming sound, while shadows around her fluttered unnaturally. "Reika," a voice whispered, firm yet soft. She spun around. Standing before her was the Moon Goddess, bathed in a soft glow of light shining down into the garden. "You're here," Reika said, shaking with her words. The face of the Moon Goddess was inscrutable. "Your time is running out, child. Daisy's fate is sealed unless you act."