Chapter 58: The Old lies

This morning, the sun hauled itself above the horizon with a languor and cast the palace in a thin veil of gold. The day didn't warm. Reika sat in the royal council chamber running her fingers over the black feather from the omen box. She hadn't told a soul its contents-not even Lyra. They spoke of frivolous things, but Reika's mind was elsewhere. Her mind darted between Daisy's impending death to the warnings of the Moon Goddess and finally to that note-words which would ring in her head: "The blood on your hands will stain your throne." Then, out of them, a tall man with sharp features-Lord Darius-cleared his throat. "My queen," he said, his tone purposefully emotionless. "There have been disturbing rumors milling about in the capital." Reika's attention snapped to him. "What sort of rumors?" Darius hesitated; he cast a sideward glance at the others that sat in council before responding, "Whispers of Riftan's death. That it was no accident. That perhaps… someone here in the palace saw to it." The room was silent. Reika's knuckles were whitening where she clutched the feather. Who dares spread such lies?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp as steel. "We know not who is the source," Darius replied. "But the people are restless. Riftan had… connections. Powerful ones." Reika's chest tightened. She fought herself to wear an impassive face. "Find out who is circulating these rumors and silence them. I will not have baseless accusations tarnish this throne." Darius nodded, but couldn't shake the unease in his eyes. It wasn't until well into that afternoon that Reika retired to her chambers alone. The feather and the note were still clutched in her hand, heavier than she had anticipated. She put them in the drawer of her desk and locked it-as if some simple action like that was enough to lock the truth from the world. A knock at the door startled her. "Enter," she called, assuming it to be Lyra or one of the guards. And to her surprise, it was Ileus. "You've been avoiding me," he said, stepping inside without waiting for permission. Reika sighed. "I've been busy." Ileus watched her intently, furrowing his brow. "No, you've been distracted. Ever since Riftan's death, you've been… distant." Reika turned away, feigning interest in adjusting the drapes. "It has been a difficult time. Daisy is still ill, and so are the troubles in the kingdom. I can ill afford distractions." Ileus stepped closer, his voice low. "Reika, I know you. Something is wrong, and you shut me out." She faced him then, forcing a smile. "I appreciate your concern, Ileus. But I promise you, everything's all right." His eyes probed hers, as if to ferret out the truth, and held longer before he nodded, his expression unconvinced. "Very well," he said. "Remember, I'm here." --- At night, in her study by the fire, Rieka with a glass of wine sips it calmly. The black feather lay on the desk in front of her, an opened note beside it, such that the flames danced capriciously over them. Her mind had just run a marathon-who was it that could send this note, a warning or threat? And there were the woods, with their curse and the prophetic words of the Moon Goddess: "Your enemies are closer than you think." A sudden sound invaded her reverie-a light rustling, like fabric against stone. Reika stiffened. Her heart was racing in her chest. "Who is there?" she called firmly, though her voice brought fear up her spine. No answer. Slowly she arose, hand reaching for the dagger beneath her desk. Fire was low, casting large, flickering shadows through the darkened room. There, then, was that-a figure, a black shape standing in the corner of the room. "Present yourself," she called strongly and clearly. The figure stepped forward, and Reika's breath caught. It was the old woman from the garden-the one that had appeared after Riftan's death. "You," Reika spat, her hand clenching tight on the dagger. "Why are you here?" "I warned you, child. The blood you spilled would not go unnoticed." The old woman said with glowing eyes. Reika's chest was tight. "What do you want?" "To remind you of the choices you have made," she returned in a low melodious voice. "And what consequences they bring." Reika's eyes narrowed. "If you're here to threaten me, you'll find I'm not so easily intimidated." The woman smiled faintly. "Threats are unnecessary. The wheels of fate are already in motion." Before Reika could reply, the woman had disappeared as if she had never been. --- The next morning, Reika woke to chaos. Lyra burst into her chambers, pale and frantic. "My queen, you must come at once!" Reika sat up, alarmed. "What's happened?" "It is the prison," Lyra said, shaking. "The guards found something… horrifying." Reika hastily dressed and followed Lyra down into the dungeons of the palace. The air grew colder with each downward step; flickering light from torches danced eerily upon cold stone walls. Down to the lower levels now, Reika came to a sudden stop. One of the cells that had held a Riftan was slick with blood-the walls, the floor, every inch smeared in crimson streaks. There was a heart in the middle of the cell, glistening and fresh, resting atop a folded piece of parchment. Reika's stomach roiled, but she made herself step closer. Lyra and the guards stayed back, their faces pale with fear. Reika reached out a shaking hand to take the parchment. It was another note, in that same jagged handwriting: "A life for a life. The debt remains unpaid." She went cold right through to the bone. "Who could have done this?" Lyra breathed, scarce loud enough to hear. Reika's mind reeled. Riftan was dead-she'd made certain of it. But this… this was a message, a warning her actions had not gone without a witness. Seal the dungeons," she ordered, voice even, though her stomach quivered with fear. "And burn this cell. Leave no trace." The guards bowed their heads and scrambled to her will. As Reika turned to leave, Lyra caught her arm. "My queen," she whispered, "what does it mean? Who sent this?" Reika met her eyes, her face impassive. "I don't know," she lied. Yet deep inside, she knew the truth. The shadows closed in. And her secrets weren't safe anymore.