Flower Queen

by Lilliana Rose

  Focus, thought Rangit.

  Triena tried to push him out of her thoughts. But she felt him there on the edge of the image, watching her as she tried to solve this puzzle. Being reminded that it was simple, an easy use of the Energy, didn’t help. For her this was difficult.

  She attempted to open the box, but the lid wouldn’t budge. She stepped back, surveying the box closely. It had a gold lock on the front. She steadied herself to keep the fear twisting in her stomach under control. It was obvious what she had to do, pick the lock, open the lid. But the reminder of what had happened in those readings stopped her. I’m a murderer.

  I didn’t die. Neither did Braklen. Open it.

  Rangit’s thoughts were commanding and helped anchor Triena as she extended herself towards the lock. She had opened locks before using the Energy, but as she tried now her stomach contracted painfully, breaking her concentration.

  Her mind recoiled back from the discomfort. I have to do this. She pulled in her essence tight around her into a ball shape. I can do this. She didn’t want to face whatever was in the box. Triena didn’t want to acknowledge what was inside.

  Rangit and the rabbit’s energy vibrated on the edges of the image, urging her to try again. Despite the agony in her stomach which now extended up in her heart, she made another attempt. Her mind threatened to tumble towards blackness and forget the flower readings as she wove part of herself inside of the lock.

  I have to face what I’ve done. I’m a killer. Even though what happened saved her, and enabled her to leave alive and not be captured by the Queens or the Priests, she hated the idea that she’d killed.

  The space inside the lock was tiny and cold and her energy vibrated slowly. It was dark, and for a moment she thought that her mind had blanked out. But then the Energy flowed around her, morphing into a puzzle.

  It was like she looked down a labyrinth. Instantly she could see the path to take to reach the center. She moved quickly, not wanting to feel the pain any more, hoping to get this over with. Her movement worked to open the lock, and as she entered the center, the lock clicked open. Her breath was sucked out of her body. In an instant she understood. It was more than a lock, not just a maze. This was a safe haven, somewhere to hide.

  Now, she had to open the box.

  Triena moved out of the lock, and stood facing the lid. She slipped her fingers in the small gap, and pulled upwards, opening the box. Nothing happened. She hesitantly leaned forward and looked inside. It was empty.

  What?

  I’m not going to show you what I store in my sanctuary. But look closely and see how I built it, thought Rangit.

  Triena could read the patterns in the Energy clearer now. Her heart beat in excitement as she saw the fragmented pieces of her memory come together. Rangit had hidden, but he also fought back.

  Just like Braklen did.

  So, you weren’t afraid of dying because you knew . . . you knew . . . Triena felt the familiar pull on her essence. She couldn’t maintain the balance here much longer. You knew how to fight in the Energy Field.

  Then her essence was swept up in a forceful vortex as she tumbled back into her body. She took a moment to re-orient herself. Triena looked at Rangit. “You knew the path to take so that if you were ever faced with drinking Energy that would lead to death, you had an alternative, a box.”

  Rangit nodded his head slowly, unwrapped his arms and picked up his cup.

  “Like your box.” She paused, allowing the thoughts to settle in her mind. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  I’ve had my paws full of things to do, thought the rabbit. And there were other things you needed to learn first. It didn’t matter.

  Triena took a deep breath. “But, it matters now, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes,” said Rangit. “We don’t know what the Queens intend to do to you, but you need to build somewhere to hide in the Energy, somewhere deep in the Energy, so deep they won’t follow you.”

  “Sounds a little dangerous.”

  “Possibly, but it’s best to get ready, which you can do now. You’ll need to manipulate the Energy.”

  Triena nodded.

  “You need to think of a place where you can retreat, too, and don’t tell anyone about it.”

  “Okay. I’ll get started right away.”

  Chapter 6

  This time it was different. The dream sequence began the same. Braklen stood in the catacombs, but this time Triena wasn’t with him. Light from a small gas lamp glowed in the center of the space and he moved toward it. His energy prickled. Electricity arced towards him, jolting him with a snap.

  He kept his focus on the light, slowly creeping toward it. A woman sat on the cold ground, part in the light and part in the shadows.

  He stopped abruptly not wanting to disturb her. He relaxed a little when he saw her eyes were firmly closed. He knew she was a Queen from the robes she wore. Blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders and down her curved back as she extended herself out into the Energy Field. He knew she was doing the Queen’s manipulative work which would hurt Triena. I have to stop her.

  A spark hit his injured shoulder. He stumbled forward, colliding with the woman in deep meditation. She screamed as he tried to untangle his energy from hers. This isn’t right. This is a dream. But, somehow, he’d found the path into the Energy Field. His essence mingled with hers and some of her knowledge passed to him. Coldness shivered through him from where their etheric forms touched.

  Like a lightning flash, the information landed in his mind. Urgency welled up from inside of him. He had to hurry. He had to get back and warn them. But, he had no idea which direction to go, or how to get back. He wasn’t experienced enough to be using the Energy like this. Braklen couldn’t even believe he’d managed to find his way here.

  Blundering idiot. The Queen thought. You stopped me.

  Braklen felt her pulling away.

  Oh. She gasped in surprise. Well, I wasn’t looking for you, but you will do just nicely. Her Energy wrapped around him. The Queen was like a spider. Intent on catching her prey she wove a web of energy. Fibers pressed in tight around Braklen.

  I didn’t think men could use the Energy. But of course, I shouldn’t be so surprised. The Queen tugged on the energy web around Braklen. He yelled in pain as it seared into his essence.

  Their touch had given some of his essence to her. Just like Braklen knew what she was trying to do, find Triena and use her in a reading, the Queen also knew Triena was on her way to their castle.

  Braklen wanted to warn Triena. I have to.

  Too late. The Queen smiled.

  His energy drained where her web touched him. His strength passed to her.

  I can’t wait to tell the others. They are going to be jealous that I was the one who brought Triena down.

  Braklen struggled. No.

  I’m going to enjoy sucking on your energy, dear. Masculine spice is not something I get to taste very often, especially not someone like you who is rich with information. She licked her lips. Her eyes were a cool ice-blue and hurt his.

  Braklen dug deep within himself for strength. He didn’t want to let Triena down. Not now. Not when they had finally put their past behind them. Not when there was a chance they could make a positive change to the future. But, with a gut-wrenching disappointment, he knew he wasn’t going to survive.

  If I’m not going to make it, then I’ll take you down with me. An emotional fire rumbled inside of him, wanting to be set free.

  The Queen laughed. The high-pitched sound echoed around him, trapping him further. You’re no match for me. I’m Queen Arkina, trained in the art of reading energy from animals.

  Queen Arkina opened her mouth and insect-like mandibles extended out and jabbed into Braklen. He groaned in pain. But he didn’t lose co
nsciousness. His Energy flowed into her mouth.

  He drew upon the explosive fire that had been building inside of him. Don’t be so sure of that.

  He let the fire explode, releasing the energy. Flames licked at Queen Arkina, consuming her essence. You won’t make it back. It’s too late.

  The blaze fed on her energy. Popping sounds echoed as she fought back. She screamed, You won’t win! It’s too late. We know where you are.

  Braklen watched the fire take Queen Arkina. Flames curled around her form, consuming her, and then feeding her essence to Braklen. He didn’t like her cold taste and tried to spit it out.

  But, her essence returned to him, forcing itself inside of him, as if this was the consequence of taking a life. He had to wear her essence with his, in his aura. Her knowledge swirled inside of him and he hated it, rejected it. No matter what he did, he couldn’t get it out of him.

  The energetic webbing around him loosened. He had no way of knowing how to make it back to his body. This wasn’t like a dream where he’d wake up before things were totally out of control.

  He felt wide awake right now. Darkness extended around him. He wasn’t sure that he was going to get back to the physical world, but he knew that he had done his best, and he was ready to be absorbed into the Energy Field.

  At least I’ve stopped you. He watched Queen Arkina’s form fade into nothing.

  ~ ~ ~

  Triena and Rangit had almost finished the second pot of tea. She felt stronger now, thanks to the extra sprinkle of quem leaves to ensure she didn’t get space sick. The thought of making some special blend hovered on the edges of her mind making it hard for her to concentrate. “How did Braklen survive the readings I gave him?”

  Rangit shrugged. “Luck?”

  “Something I’ve learned with the Energy is that nothing is due to luck. It is as manipulative as we are.”

  “Tut tut,” said Rangit. “That will get you in trouble. Worse than blaspheming the Queens.”

  He fought, thought the rabbit. He managed to build a place where he could hide until the purging was complete.

  “He can’t have. He can’t even use the Energy,” said Triena. “We just saw that.”

  “He can’t use it consciously like you can, but he can if placed in the right situation,” Rangit said.

  Triena felt something grip her heart and squeeze. She dropped the cup and it smashed on the floor.

  Watch it. The rabbit hopped out of the way, chips of ceramic in his fur.

  “Braklen!” Triena knew he was in trouble. She rushed out of the reading room. The rabbit and Rangit followed close behind. Braklen lay on the bed. His skin was pale and lacked the pinkness of life.

  Triena knelt on the bed next to Braklen. “Wake up.” She moved his head to cradle it on her lap and stroked his sweat-soaked hair. We’ve got to do this together.

  “What’s going on?” asked Rangit.

  “I don’t know.” Triena struggled to keep a lid on her emotions. Not now, not now. I don’t want to lose you. We’ve taken so long to be together.

  The rabbit jumped onto the bed and nibbled around Braklen’s still body, his breathing shallow.

  Bite him. Piss on him. Do whatever it is you do to bring people back into consciousness.

  Can’t. The rabbit sniffed around Braklen’s body. He’s stuck in the Energy Field.

  “He can’t be,” said Triena. “It’s not possible. He doesn’t have enough skill.”

  Find him in the Energy, quick!

  Years of experience helped her to move into the astral plane despite her anxiety and she followed the rabbit’s directions. She moved fast in the Energy searching for him. Where are you, Braklen?

  Triena opened herself in the Energy in hopes that she could feel his vibrations in the darkness that seemed to follow her no matter what direction she moved. It was risky, opening herself like this, because it meant that other energies could hurt her.

  Keep moving, keep moving. In order to sense Braklen, she had to slow down because she was missing too much around her. If I just pick up a scent . . . I need a small amount of his energy print, then I will find him.

  The Energy Field was vast, and she’d no idea how he managed to enter, much less where he’d have entered the Field. He could be anywhere. Triena rolled with the natural momentum of the currents of the Energy. Her essence spread over a large area to increase her chances of finding him. It also left her imprint in many places, but she took the risk, desperate to find him before his soul unraveled and was lost forever.

  Her essence vibrated rapidly as she paused, with a thought of the only option to try next. She had to go deeper into the Field. This brought a different set of risks.

  Bringing her essence in close, she dipped into a deeper layer. But as she did, something caught on the edges of her etheric form. Like a net, she pulled in her energy focusing on where she’d sensed the tug. There, on the edge was a small fish, scales reflecting the colors of the sea, blues and greens.

  The fish floundered in her grasp and she felt the energy inside fading as its life faded away. She held it up to look in its round eye. Then suddenly she was sucked inside the fish, detained in its mind, trapped. She pressed around her looking for a way out. The fish lunged forward, sending her scrambling for purchase.

  Triena changed the edges of her form, creating barbs that she sunk into the fish to stop her from being flung around. She stretched her awareness into the fish and met friendly energy. It was helping her. Anxiety pulsed in her etheric form. I have to find him.

  Triena held on as the fish swam much faster than she could, and covered more area than she could have. Quickly. She urged the fish on. The Queens, of course. They must be closer than I realised. The Queens would try and get Braklen into the Energy to trap him. Keep him from me. It must be their work.

  Just as quickly as Triena had been sucked inside of it, her essence was spat out. She tumbled over herself from the unexpected change in direction, desperately pulling her energy into one point to stop herself from scattering. It took a lot of resolve to remain together and she saw the tail of the fish disappearing back into the darkness of the Energy.

  A searing heat nearby caught her attention. He was there, looking like he did in real life. Tall, strong, with handsome features. Triena felt the familiar pull towards him, which happened whenever she was nearing him in the Field.

  The flames grew around him. Get away from him. Triena rushed towards the fire, as it started to enter Braklen’s mouth. No. But she was too late. He consumed the fire. Orange and red hues colored his etheric form.

  Triena expected him to self-combust. Instead, the flames died down as he somehow controlled the fire energy. She stared in shock, unable to move. Then he turned and looked at her. His form faded, despite what he’d just done, what he’d achieved without training. He was about to unravel, let go, surrender to the Energy Field and be absorbed. It was too much for him.

  Triena wrapped her energy around him, catching him, stopping him from going down the path that would keep him from her forever. You’re safe. I’ve got you.

  Chapter 7

  “I’m going to chain you to the bed so you don’t go anywhere, and keep you awake so you don’t move into the Energy Field.” Triena’s eyes blazed with a mix of worry and relief as she looked down at Braklen in her arms.

  Braklen opened his eyes. “I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing.”

  She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “Spend more time with me and who knows what you might learn about me.”

  “Hey, I like the sound of that.”

  “Sounds like you’re better now,” said Rangit. “Maybe we should give you another lesson.”

  “No,” answered both Triena and Braklen.

  “He needs to recover,” said Triena
.

  “I don’t ever want to visit the Energy Field again.” Braklen tried to sit up.

  “You should rest,” Triena helped him.

  His limbs flopped, and she didn’t need to read his energy to know that he was even more exhausted than before. She pushed his hair off his face. This shouldn’t have happened. Braklen finding his way into the Energy Field, alone, without help. Not possible.

  Clearly it is, thought the rabbit. Must have been because of him taking Queen’s Heart.

  Triena curled her body protectively around Braklen. “I can’t seem to leave you alone. Trouble finds you very easily.”

  “Only when I’m around you.” Braklen looked up at Triena. His eyes locked with hers. Looking into his soul she shivered pleasantly.

  “We can arrange that.” She wanted to blend her energy with his, like they had that time in their etheric forms, but she held back. Triena wished they could forget about the Queens and the Priests, and go and create a life together.

  But of course, that wasn’t going to happen. His blundering around in the Energy Field probably alerted everyone who wanted to capture them. The path they had to travel was getting narrow. It caused a different sort of anxiety to well inside of Triena.

  Rangit cleared his throat. The sound brought her back from the daydream Braklen’s eyes had drawn her into.

  “This could’ve happened if you’d taken Queen’s Heart and then later Jesleuma,” said Rangit.

  Of course, thought the rabbit.

  “No,” said Braklen weakly, his forehead wrinkled. “Queen’s Heart . . . or whatever it was.”