Triena rested her hand on her belly. She wound a protective cocoon of energy around the seed in her womb. This is the best I can do. This rest is up to you.
Footsteps outside her room alerted her and she stood up, crossing her hands, until they rested in the opposite sleeve. The dried buds at her fingertips, their energy ready to be used, throbbed with excitement, as if letting her know that they were on her side and were ready for one hell of a battle. The flutter in her abdomen settled.
Triena took off the necklace. The feminine shape cooled in her hand. She felt naked without it around her neck, without the stone nestled between her breasts. The stone had provided her with an anchor more than she had realized over the last few months and her heart ached.
It was too risky to wear the stone or even bring it with her. They’d know who she was if they saw the pendant. Taking on Arkina’s identity had served her well so far. She didn’t want them to know who she really was just yet. Triena hid the necklace in the room.
Nerves mixed with determination buzzed around her. I’m ready. She lifted the hood over her head as the door opened. She brought Arkina’s essence around her to hide her true identity. The Queen’s energy trembled with anger at the unfair treatment. She’s ready for a fight too.
A Peacekeeper walked into the room, boots heavy on the stone floor. “Best if you come peacefully.”
Triena nodded her head, keeping the hood low over her face. He motioned for her to step forward. She took a deep breath, and did what she was told, stepping into a guard of Peacekeepers.
They began walking, their shoulders pressed close to hers, forcing her down the hallway. They changed formation when they came to the spiral stairs. There were two in front, two behind her and they kept close even in this suffocating space.
They escorted her down into the catacombs. Pressure constricted around her chest as they walked along the narrow passageway. Aware of everything around her, she was on high alert. Her senses sharpened.
The sound of the boots was much slower than the beating of her heart. And she lost her rhythm, her anchor to keeping calm and reserved. The sound thudded in her head and she forced herself to breathe. What was I thinking that I could pull this off? They will know me for who I really am as soon as they see me.
Torches on the wall lit the way. Their shadows danced on the walls. Flames spat and flicked as she went past. Her stomach tightened the closer she got to them. Triena sensed the Queens, waiting for her, their anger rising.
The guards led her out into the cavernous opening where the Queens met. They were already there, waiting in their white robes, veils over their heads concealing their individuality.
I don’t get to see your faces, thought Triena, but it doesn’t matter.
She had the Energy on her side, plus the insights from Arkina and even Pernally’s essence assisted her. Triena held both Queens’ energies inside her, wrapped around her, providing added strength and insight to how the trial was going to unfold.
The guards stopped when Triena was in the center of the semi-circle that the Queens formed. She looked at each one defiantly. I’ve finally made it back here. The thought was bittersweet in her mind.
The guards left her standing alone in the center. Her skin prickled as the Queens stared at her. Each extended her own energy to Triena. She was flooded with pricks from thorns, bolts or lightning as the women let her know they weren’t happy with Arkina.
I guess the glamour holds, thought Triena. She winced from the pricks and pain that shot through her body. Arkina’s essence despised the treatment from her colleagues, prickling in protest, but she didn’t lash out, held back by Triena.
The Queen wearing the gold headband stepped forward. “Don’t even considering escaping.” To make her point abundantly clear, she sent a bolt of lightning energy at Triena hitting her square in the chest.
Triena gasped and bent over from the pain that shot through her body. The air squeezed from her lungs as her abdomen muscles contracted from the electricity that coursed through her body, running down her legs and out of her body, allowing her to recover. She hoped the potential life growing inside of her was all right.
Triena forced herself to stand. “I’m not guilty. I won’t be going anywhere until this is sorted out.”
“Glad we agree on that one,” answered the Queen, her voice tight.
“This isn’t part of the conditions of a trial,” said Triena drawing on Arkina’s knowledge.
“You’re a traitor. You get what you deserve, and this is already more than what you should be getting.” The Queen waved the Peacekeepers away. They bowed, turned and marched out, except one.
The High Commander remained. “Are you sure . . .?”
“Go!” yelled the Queen. “This is our business, not yours.”
The man’s face paled, he saluted, turned on his heel and marched quickly out of the chamber.
Triena squared her shoulders, braced some of her energy so if attacked again she’d be spared part of the pain.
“Now, you,” spat the Queen turning to Triena. “Arkina, you are henceforth stripped of your title of Queen.”
“Some trial.” Triena kept her voice clear and strong. She wasn’t going to let this go easily. Neither was Arkina’s essence which rallied around her, smoking hot with fury.
“Silence,” said the Queen. “You are no longer fit to be a Queen.”
“Says who?” Triena glared towards the dark shadow where her eyes would be through the veil. It unnerved her not to be able to see the Queen clearly, although Arkina apparently recognized her, whispering the woman’s name, That’s Syaine and she’s vicious.
The Queen was quick. She stepped forward and slapped her open palm across Triena’s cheek. “Me. And you will do well to remember that.”
Triena held her cheek as she stood upright. “I will have a trial, Syaine.”
The Queen smiled. “That you will.” She raised her hand, and the Priestesses in training came forth with a reading table, knife, and a bundle wrapped in dark cloth.
Triena’s stomach contracted. She swallowed a mouthful of bile.
“You need to come to terms with this new situation of yours.”
Triena watched the Priestesses arrange the table, barely able to hear the Queen talk. This wasn’t what I had in mind. Arkina’s essence wrapped tighter around her trying to give her the strength to do this. You don’t understand. I can’t.
“You are no longer a Queen, and never can be again.” The Queen’s voice filtered into Triena’s cloudy mind. Dizziness threatened to overtake her, even though no blood had been spilt.
“That’s fine with me,” answered Triena. That part was at least true. She didn’t want to be a Queen again. She looked wide-eyed at the bundle placed on the table.
“Yet, here you are,” said the Queen, the spokeswoman of them all. The gold headband reflected orange from the candle light. “This is the only way to prove to us that you still stand on our side. That you are with us.” She held out a shiny clean sickle.
“I haven’t done anything . . .” Sweat slid down her back.
“You went alone,” answered the Queen.
“With everyone’s blessing here,” said Triena. Arkina’s energy boiled with anger.
The bundle moved. It’s alive. Triena swallowed hard. This was one sure way to let herself be discovered.
“Take it then. Show us who you really are.” The Queen pushed the sickle towards Triena.
She knows? Triena shivered. She wasn’t sure that she was up to proving that she was Arkina by doing a reading on an animal. She only held knives when peeling vegetables. This was getting out of hand. I could slit Syaine’s throat. But she already knew that she wouldn’t be quick enough.
Arkina’s essence was too distracting. Triena struggled to keep it un
der control. Something happened. The balance within her changed. Suddenly, Triena’s awareness was pushed back and Arkina’s essence took over.
No! Triena scrambled to regain dominance, but Arkina pushed her back. Pernally’s and Priest Junqi’s energy came forward, wrapping around her like a boa constrictor. Triena was trapped and could only watch as Arkina took over her body.
The Queen smiled. “Not up for it?”
“Of course I am,” said Arkina, speaking through Triena.
No, yelled Triena. Stop. The energy slipped around her mouth, encased her mind and she lost her voice and watched as her hand reached out and took the sickle.
“I just don’t like this treatment or poor excuse for a trial,” said Arkina. “I thought I’d already proven myself.”
“So, where is she then?” asked the Queen.
“You lost her?” Arkina pretended to be shocked. “Now, that’s not my fault. She was in the cells waiting to be collected. Maybe, you should have that High Commander back down here or the captain of the ship.” She held up the sickle and looked at her reflection.
Triena reeled back from the image she saw. She even looked like Arkina. Pernally and Priest Junqi held her tight, stopping her from resisting.
It has to be done, they thought in unison.
Triena wanted to ask what exactly had to be done. She looked at the table. The Queen pulled away the cloth. The rabbit sat on the table. He was weak, his body bruised. Her world shattered, Triena wept at the sight of him.
“I’m sure this little ball of fluff will let us know where she is,” said the Queen smugly.
Triena wanted to tell them to stop, but she was a prisoner in her own body. The more she struggled to get free, the more they held her tighter and tighter, preventing her from speaking. She couldn’t stand much more pressure.
She watched as her own hand reached out to the rabbit.
He lay down willingly.
It has to be this way, thought the rabbit. They know who I am. What I am to you. It’s been written this way. Good will come of this.
Triena sobbed as she watched herself slide the sickle over his throat. She wanted to say goodbye. She wanted to stop this, but the essences she’d absorbed wouldn’t let her. There wasn’t any way that good could come of this. Yet, it happened. His blood flowed across the table. His essence unwrapped from his physical form and snaked towards the Energy Field.
Watch, thought the rabbit as he faded. This is what you need to do, Triena. Watch. Read the patterns, it’s important. They will help you. Trust . . .
She forced herself to watch. Red blood dripped over the edge of the table. She looked at the rabbit. Her one true friend. She couldn’t reach him. She yelled to Arkina that she needed to reach him, but the Queen wouldn’t let her.
The sickle ran the length of his stomach, slipping out his intestines. The patterns exploded in Triena’s mind.
Thank you, thought the rabbit.
She barely heard him. Triena couldn’t see him anymore. The patterns were rich and clear. She was crippled with dizziness as she read them. They weren’t any richer than what she’d used with dried flowers. It was just because the rabbit had been her friend. The message that unfolded in his blood and organs shocked her. She wasn’t sure what she was seeing was true.
The rabbit’s energy wrapped around her in an embrace. Goodbye. Then he was gone.
Chapter 19
Triena trembled. Pernally and Priest Junqi held her tight. Thankfully, Arkina was in control of her body, otherwise Triena knew she’d have unraveled and followed the rabbit into the Energy Field, with a one-way trip in mind.
She watched her bloodied hand slip the sickle up her sleeve.
The Queen wearing the gold headband was too intent on looking over her shoulder and staring at the patterns. One showed a false hiding place for Triena.
“Is that enough proof for you?” asked Arkina. Triena saw the pattern was double-layered. The Queen didn’t have the skill to be reading what she could see. It wasn’t over, although it felt that way for Triena.
The Queen nodded. “I’ll send the troops to fetch her.” She looked back at the other Queens. “We’ve found her. Triena will be here soon.”
The other Queens collectively breathed sighs of relief. They remained standing in their positions, keeping the semi-circle tight, hands clasped together forming a lotus shape with their fingers.
“Let’s see them when they’re together,” said the head Queen. “See how weak they really will be.”
The rest of the Queens nodded silently in approval.
Arkina wiped her hands on the cloth and turned to the Queen. “You want more, even after such a clear message of where Triena is hiding?”
“There’s always more to receive.” Queen Syaine stood upright, squaring her shoulders. “Clear up this mess.” She pointed to a Priestess.
Triena didn’t want to see Braklen. Not now. He will know it’s me. He was such a blundering idiot when it came to using the Energy. She wanted to act, now. But Arkina was in control of her body.
Triena stood in a vise-like grip. Her senses slowly settled after the ordeal of witnessing the rabbit used in a reading. Pernally’s essence deliberately calmed her down. Triena allowed herself to be lulled towards a sense of security. She didn’t want to be feeling fragmented like before when . . .
Don’t let his sacrifice be wasted, whispered Pernally. Triena shivered. It was too crowded in her body with all these essences around her. How will I destroy the other Queens if this is what ends up happening? There wasn’t any way she could hold their energy within her.
Trust us. Arkina crossed her arms, slipping her hands inside the oversized sleeves. Triena felt the vibrations of the buds lying hidden in the soft material. She didn’t want to trust anyone but herself.
Let me go. Triena couldn’t stop looking at the blood on the table. He was meant to stay with me. Help me. Emptiness gripped inside of her.
You’ll see him again, spoke Pernally’s energy. Be patient.
This is our gift to you, spoke Arkina. And we still need your help.
They sent warm energy into her heart space, but it didn’t ease Triena’s emptiness. The pain of nothing ached around through her, leaving her numb, unmotivated. I can’t.
You can. They released their grip around her, but still held her tight, stopping Triena from taking charge of her body. We’re nearly there now.
Let me go. She stirred with grief. Loss whipped through her essence, cutting through her molecules so she felt as if she, too, was bleeding. Confused, shocked, she just wanted to get out of this place. I was wrong to have come.
Their energy lulled around her without any effect.
How can you do this? They didn’t answer her. Keeping their secrets to themselves. Bitches. Triena’s essence swirled like a hurricane on a warpath against the land, about to let herself go.
“Finally,” said the Queen wearing the headband. The echo of a door opening reverberated within the cavern. “Now, we can get to the serious reading of the day.”
Triena swallowed looking at the Queen, knowing who she was having brought here.
That’s why you have to. They spoke inside her mind. Their energies had somehow taken on a life when they shouldn’t have.
Confusion swirled around in her mind. If you can do this, then why isn’t the rabbit here? The words were filled with her grief and barbed with emotion. She felt them recoil from her, but they still held her and she couldn’t gain control. Give it back to me, she yelled in silent frustration.
We will be stronger together. Triena settled for a moment allowing their response to wash through her essence. She had to try something different if she wanted to get free of them.
A wheezing noise caught Triena’s attention and she snapped her head ar
ound to look. She stifled a gasp as Braklen’s beaten, bloody form was dragged towards her.
That’s why.
Her anger stirred. The Queens had taken a lot from her. Her mother, father, the rabbit, and they’d taken Braklen once before.
Don’t let them.
“Leave him there.” Queen Syaine pointed where Triena stood. “You come over here, next to me.”
“You should trust me now. The Energy spoke clearly through the rabbit,” said Triena.
“Once a traitor, always a traitor.” Queen Syaine’s cold hands grabbed Triena and pulled her back.
She felt the blood of the rabbit on the other woman’s hands. She shuddered. It’s all for nothing. Hot tears flooded her eyes and she forced them back as the guards dumped Braklen on the rocky, cold ground.
“Now, this is a real treat.” The Queen walked toward Braklen. “To have you here with us. To read you. You’re going to take us deep into the Energy.”
Triena watched Braklen look up, his right eye swollen, lips split and encrusted with blood. He spat at the Queen, forcing her to jump backwards.
Queen Syaine recovered and shot a bolt of her energy at Braklen. He collapsed on the ground. “You will do well to remember what I can do to you. This could be a long, painful process if I want it to be.”
Triena pushed harder through the Energy and found his weakened essence that throbbed from the blast. Newly torn, she wrapped herself around him protectively. Braklen. His energy spiked a little. She pushed green healing energy into his wounds. She wanted to keep herself there, next to him, but Arkina pulled her away.
Instead of disconnecting from Braklen, Triena found she remained attached to him. They were joined, firmly between the Energy, giving her the added strength to stand up to the Queen. She felt herself change with his energy pulsing together with hers. She faced the Queen.
Flower Queen Page 19
