by Janeal Falor
“Is she going to be all right?” Julina asks, peering at me with a worried expression.
“Only if we can find the papers,” Jaku says.
“How is that going to help her?”
“It’s a long story. And the less you know of it, the better.”
“That doesn’t sound promising.”
Afet says, “I protect the queen, and I gave my word to keep this a secret, but it had better be fixed soon.”
“It makes sense, though,” Julina says. “She’s done things that don’t mesh with how she works and thinks. Throwing Jaku and Nash in prison is one example of how she’s lost it. The Ryn I know would never do such a thing.”
“The Ryn you know is gone.” Androlla spits the words out.
Panic overwhelms me. Is she right? Am I gone for good? Has the time come that she’s taken control of me and there’s no way for me to get it back?
Nash whips around, staring in my eyes. “Fight, Ryn. Fight this off.”
I want to scream that I’m trying. That I can’t find purchase on myself. There’s nothing to grab onto. Nothing to attack Androlla with. I have no idea how to get myself back.
He turns back around and works on the drawer again, the scritch scratch the only sound filling the room until Androlla’s laugh comes out, tinkling and evil.
I want to slam against her, let her feel my rage, but it only makes her laugh harder.
Suddenly, I snap back to myself, the laughter cutting off mid-laugh. I clamp my mouth closed and try to think of what to say that will make Afet, Eldim, and Julina think I’m less crazy.
There’s nothing but the truth.
Do I dare?
I open my mouth to tell them.
There’s a snap, and Nash says, “Got it.”
The others' attention is diverted to him, and I’m free for the moment.
Papers flutter toward the ground, but Nash catches them before they fall all the way. He scans them over before holding them up before me.
“Maybe we should do this back at the palace, where it’s more secure,” Jaku says.
I want to growl in frustration, but he’s right. “Let’s go.”
It takes longer than I want to get back to the palace and get in a secure room—another inside suite that’s become mine. This one has a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathing chamber. I’ve barely used the premises. The sitting room is dark, and Nash and Afet hurry to light the candles and liven it up. Even with lots of candles, it’s dark. The deep-brown floor and dark furniture don’t help. I want to have it changed, but it doesn’t matter since I’ll never use any of it.
I’m parked next to a table with a lit candelabra and a vase of flowers—Inkga’s attempt at making the place cheerier. Or maybe she’s trying to distract herself from the awful happenings. I haven’t been able to speak with her about it.
Afet, Eldim, and Julina are excused from the room. Nash doesn’t waste any time holding up the first paper for me to read. The big, looping handwriting is fading but readable.
I scan it, at first looking for something useful, but it’s talking about different spells. Nothing I ascertain would help with Androlla.
“Let’s look at the next one,” I tell Nash. “And you both can read what papers you want. I trust you.”
Nash moves next to me so he can read over my shoulder, and Jaku picks up the paper I finished.
The next several pages, while interesting and filled with little bits of history, don’t have anything to do with how I could defeat her. I groan. At least it’s not in Daros’s handwriting, so he didn’t write the pages. “What was Daros doing, hiding these pages, if they don’t have any useful information? Just that a search said they were written by some woman named, Tula.”
“Maybe there’s still something here. There are several more papers to get through,” Nash says.
I hope he’s right, but the next one isn’t useful either, though it does have the luck charm and healing spell that Daros had me doing. “Why would he have had me doing those spells if they weren’t relevant to Androlla?”
“He said they were to practice, right?” But Nash sounds as skeptical as I feel.
“Let’s see the next page,” I say.
He pulls out the next one, and I begin scanning it. I have a feeling he and Jaku read much faster than I do, but they’re patient. It’s frustrating, being a slow reader, but more frustrating to not find anything.
“Wait. Did you see this?” Nash points to a part a couple paragraphs below where I’m at.
I glance where he’s pointing.
* * *
Some of my research leads me to believe things aren’t what they seem in this country. Something is strange about the queens throughout my lifetime. Perhaps I’m getting senile in my old age. My children and great grandchildren say so. Because of that, I don’t dare tell others of my suspicion.
* * *
What is her suspicion?
The next paragraph talks about her family, and how sweet they are with her though they believe she’s not all there. Nash points at the next paragraph. “Here it is,” he says in an excited voice.
* * *
I’ve determined that the queens are really one person. Though they may start out as different women, they all end up looking the same and bringing about the same laws. I don’t know what to do with this information. I’d like to confront the current queen about it, but I’m old and can’t withstand much. Besides, part of me does wonder if I’m crazy. Why would these girls all look and act the same after some time?
The more I think about it, though, the more sense it does make. As the queens age and change, they become private, hiding themselves away from the public eye, where they would be scrutinized. Because of my position in the palace, I’ve happened to see more queens than most, and with my age, see them through much.
All I can think is that the Mortum Tura does something to these women. Something that changes them after a period of time. The death drink is the thing they share, except for the fact that they all live in the palace. I’ve lived in the palace almost my entire life, and I haven’t changed, except perhaps being more stubborn. I can admit that.
Even the softest of queens turn hard, their rules ones of tyranny.
Further spying has shown me that there's evil at play. A woman named Androlla taking over all the queens for generations. There has to be a way to stop this woman. For too long has she reigned over this people with terror and cruelty. I can’t handle my great grandchildren growing up in this climate. It’s unpardonable. But what do I do?
Not much, without getting close to her. I’m not sure even that would help. It’s not like I can kill her. There needs to be a way to kill not only the body she’s inhabiting, but also the soul of the creature that’s usurped the power for years.
* * *
The page ends.
“Can she have found out about the First Queen?” Nash asks.
“I don’t know. It makes sense, if she lived in the palace and was close enough to the queen to see her go through those changes over the years.”
“Who was she?”
I want to know that too. It would be nice if there was a way to talk to her. Get her firsthand experience instead of reading about it. But the ink is faded with age, and she’s long gone.
Nash hands the page to Jaku and grabs another.
After much research, I have an idea of how to get rid of the queen, but I worry she’s going to find out my plans. She’s been very suspicious of me as of late, not letting me attend her as much, and when I am there, she keeps a close eye on me. What will happen if she finds out what I have planned?
Doesn’t matter. I’m going forward with it, anyway. The magic I must use isn’t one I’ve studied before. It’s new to me, but it could work. I have to make a golem and send her soul into it. Then I can destroy that golem, and she will be vanquished with it.
* * *
“Would that work?” I ask.
“Would what work?” J
aku leans over to see what’s on the paper.
Nash hands it to him, though I didn’t finish. When Jaku is done, I ask him, “Do you think that would work?”
“I don’t know,” Jaku says. “It sounds plausible.”
“It’s the best thing we’ve got. We’ll have to give it a try.” Nash scans the last paper. “There’s nothing about it on this one. We’re going to have to figure out two different things—how to create a golem and how to send Androlla’s soul into it.”
“And then we have to determine how to destroy it.” Because I won’t have her around any longer, even as a golem.
How am I going to create a golem and put the First Queen’s soul into it?
Chapter 33
Jaku sent a servant to get Venda. While we wait, we reread the pages, searching for more clues, but finding none.
“What I don’t understand,” I say, “is why Daros had me doing luck and healing spells. How does that help make a golem and put Androlla into it?”
“I don’t know,” Nash replies. “Maybe he’s using the other spells in here to make you strong enough at magic to do the transferring spell.”
“I guess we’ll never know.” And I don’t feel bad about it anymore. Mostly, I feel terrible for Inkga. I have hardly seen her since she found out Daros was her father, and when I do, she doesn’t want to talk about anything. Not even mundane things. It must have been shocking for her.
There’s a knock, and Jaku lets in Venda.
“You sent for me,” she says.
“Yes, we’re wondering how to do a spell.” For some reason, I hesitate to tell her. “We found some papers at Daros’s. They are enlightening.”
“What do they say?”
I rush to get it all out. “That we need to make a golem and send the First Queen’s soul into it.”
Venda scowls. “This is dark, black magic. I am uncertain how to accomplish it, though I have a few ideas.”
“I was afraid of that,” Nash mumbles. “What are your ideas?”
“Black magic always requires blood sacrifice. Human blood.”
“I’ll volunteer for that disgusting job,” Nash says.
“I can do it.” The words tumble from my lips.
“We don’t need to waste your precious blood,” he says.
“I’m afraid, in this case, we do,” she says. “Her tie with the First Queen will require her to be the one to sacrifice her blood to the golem.”
Nash fists up his hand. “I don’t like it.”
“It’s called dark, black magic for a reason.”
“Are there any consequences to doing black magic?” If I’m going to use my blood for something, I want to make sure it’s not going to have repercussions for my country and those I care about.
“I do not know all about it.”
“I’m sensing a but in there,” Jaku says.
Her lips thin. “Very well. I have heard rumors. People talk in Faner, in hushed tones. It is forbidden to practice, but that doesn’t mean no one does. They’re careful about how they do it, so they don’t get caught. They say those who practice the dark magic will have someone close to them perish. The more horrific the magic, the more people die.”
My throat tightens to the point I can’t talk. I clear it. “If I do this, people I care about will die?”
“It is the rumor. But I would take it seriously, yes.”
I glance at Nash. He’s the closest person to me. Would that make him the most likely candidate for death? “I can’t do this,” I say.
“It’s fine, Ryn. I’m willing to die for this cause, as I know others are. It’s more important than a few people. You have to make this happen if it’s the only way to stop Androlla. If she survives, we’re all as good as dead, anyway.”
My constant headache increases to the point where I close my eyes in pain, unsure if it’s from the headache itself or from his words. No matter what happens, I fear he is right.
People I love are going to die.
“How do we do it?” I ask.
“We will need something to make the golem out of. A structure that can stick together, though if you want to kill her after she’s in it, you’ll also want it out of something that can break easily. It’s mostly a guess, but I think you will need to mix your blood with the object you’re going to enchant as her golem. I would recommend clay, since that is what golems are typically made of.”
“Clay would be a good choice,” Jaku says. “A sword can slice through it easily enough, but it would have enough consistency to stay together.”
“Agreed,” Nash says.
I don’t know what to say. “Can we do this soon and get it over with?”
“We’ll need to find a space where we can make the golem. It will have to be big enough to fit a person inside.”
“So we can’t make her tiny and then step on her?” I ask.
“No.”
It was worth a try. “Why not? Does the soul take up space?”
She nods. “At least as much space as they took up in life, though they can grow bigger.”
“Then how does my body contain both my soul and Androlla's?” I ask.
She crinkles her eyebrows. “I'm not certain. It can't be good, whatever the reason. We have to assume that she'll need at least enough space for her soul moving forward, though. Our plans will all be for naught if it isn't big enough and the First Queen takes over before we can fix our mistake.”
Good point. Doesn't matter, though. No matter her size, we'll be able to defeat her. The swords will do damage to her, though. I’m certain of it. We have a way to kill the First Queen, and judging by my headache, she knows it, and she’s furious. Now we need to make it happen.
“You think you’ve won, but you haven’t,” Androlla says through my mouth.
Curse her, for taking over me again. It’s getting old and frustrating. I’ve got to do something about it, but what?
Nash gets in my face and snarls. “Get out of her.”
She smirks. “Don’t like that very much, do you, lover boy?”
He jumps back, glaring.
“That’s right,” she says. “Ryn and Nash have been touching, and even kissing. Guess that’s lover boy’s death.” She giggles.
“I know, and we’re not going to do anything about it,” Jaku says.
What?
“What?” Androlla screams.
How did he know?
Jaku comes closer and gets down on my level. “Ryn, I know you’re in there, and you’re probably upset. You don’t need to be. I figured that you and Nash were close, and Julina saw you kissing through the window one night. Came to me, not knowing what to do. We talked about it and decided we wouldn’t turn you in as long as you didn’t get pregnant. We care about both you and Nash too much to do that to you.”
I can’t believe he did that for us. He’s a better man than I knew.
“I wouldn’t get her pregnant,” Nash says. “But that doesn’t matter. I should never have kissed her.”
Jaku puts a hand on Nash’s shoulder. “You clearly love her. Things happen. But I promise I’ll do all in my power to keep you both safe.”
“Well, isn’t that cute?” Androlla says. “Risking your career and life for something as stupid as love? It won’t last. It never does. Look at Monkia and Daros. Or Wilric and Jem. Love never wins. I win.”
As much as I worry she’s right, I’m done dealing with her bad attitude coming out of my lips. I mentally shake her from my mind, whipping her around until we’re both rattled. I control myself again, whether it’s because I tried to knock her loose or because she was done with me. I’m glad to be back.
“First,” I say, “you and Julina didn’t have to risk yourselves like that.” Jaku goes to speak, but I raise a hand to stop him. “But I’m glad you did. Thank you. I will never be able to repay you.”
“It is an honor to protect not only my queen, but also true love,” he says.
“And I will keep your secret as well,�
�� Venda says. “It is not right to dictate love, and I want you both to know Androlla is wrong. No matter what she says, love can last. I’ve seen it among my own people.”
Inside, the First Queen scoffs, but I ignore her and the ache in my head. “Thank you. I’m honored that you value love so highly.” I smile at Nash.
He smiles back but looks a little pale. Must have been a shock to him; it was for me.
“Second,” I say, because as much as I want to linger over this, we need to deal with some things, “I want a law enacted that says nothing can change within the next thirty days. That way, if Androlla gets out in public again, she won’t be able to do any damage.” I keep my worries about Nash to myself.
“Good idea,” he says. “I’ll get on that with the council as soon as we’re done here.”
Jaku says, “What do you plan on doing after those thirty days, if Androlla is still with you, though?”
“If she’s still with me, I’m afraid it will be too late.” Because I'm already under so much pressure, I can’t imagine lasting much longer.
Chapter 34
I’m up for the day after a night of running from the First Queen. I’ve long gotten over the fact that she’s always there, hounding me, and enjoy the feel of my legs stretching. As much as I wish I was still there, there are too many things to be done today.
Inkga is helping me with my hair. The blonde is coming out in it much too strongly. Even in my gaze, I see Androlla peeking out. I want to stab her in the face. Of course, that’s impossible.
Instead, I focus on something I can do. Something I’ve tried to do, but never had any results. It’s time to change that. “Inkga, how are you?”
“Fine.” She doesn’t look me in the eye.
“I really want to know. You’ve listened to me through so much. I’m happy to do the same for you.”
She pauses mid-brushstroke and sets the brush on the table before wheeling me around so she can sit across from me. She’s silent, though. I keep waiting for her to say something, anything, but she sits there, looking at her hands.
