Queen of Blood

She didn’t and couldn’t sleep throughout the entire night. And got ready in his room, the King’s chambers, who was scanning her from a corner already dressed while Arline waited for Sorisana to help her put on the crimson dress.

“You didn’t close an eye last night, did you?” Merrick asked, playing with his nails.

“You know I didn’t,” Arline answered. “I knew I wasn’t going to, that’s why I insisted on you staying here.”

“If you believe I found rest last night, you are wrong. Mainly because I could feel your worry,” Merrick got up from his chair and went beside her. “I know you are terrified, I am not asshole enough to not notice,” he didn’t stutter and only put his hands on his pockets.

The realization hit Arline like a truck. Something as small as putting his hands on his pockets and him seeing her from the corner were indicative enough that he was jealous.

He was jealous of her decision to spend her night with Calix and Valerya. “Don’t act like that,” Arline turned around to face him, and he still had his hands away on his coat. Not a sign of playfulness surrounding him. “Don’t be jealous because I don’t choose you to listen to my worries.”

Merrick was about to reply but the knock on the door stopped him. And he cursed himself on his mind for even letting his body react to her decision in that way. Pauline and Sorisana made a reverence for the King and greeted Arline.

The seamstress made a wooden box appear out of nowhere. First she began with the undergarments needed for the dress. Then the corset, laced up to Arline’s body so tightly that almost felt like a second skin. And finally the dress itself.

It was a ruby sort of red, velvet fabric. Cozy enough for the cold day it was. It had long, bell-shaped sleeves and it closed around the neck. It was embellished with golden thread that went all over her dress, shining when light hit from the side.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful for an executioner. Pauline had put her hair in a crown of braids that would be adorned by a tiara that hugged her head, shaped as the wings of cardinals.

Arline turned around to see him, and with a wave of his hand he sent both women out of the room. “Try to breathe,” he whispered in her ear as he saw the difficulty she had on doing it. He wrapped his arms around her. “You will do it perfectly, just… be quick.”

Both of them were heading down the stairs of the castle. And as they climbed down each floor, every servant bowed their head, not only for the King but for her. Thanking her for eliminating a plague. Traitors to the Crown. To the young man that had always cared for their safety and well-being.

The day was sunny but cold wind hit their sides, waving the skirts and coats. Everyone was wearing their best silks inside of the castle. But the shock came when she went outside of the castle and crossed the stone walls.

The kingdom of Reiska was celebrating.

The people were gathering around the wall guards that ensured their path to the main square, where the representatives were waiting. Everyone cheered in joy for the death of the traitors. It was a party within itself. Food and drinks passing through people’s hands, children playing games and some artists singing.

The allies and Ruang Sak were already on their seats in the stage. The green eyes of the Holy Messenger settled on them as they walked towards them. Right there, he saw the prophecy fulfilling itself and he shivered.

As they climbed the wooden structure, the people gathered around. Silence reached the crowd as the King approached his people. “The day has finally arrived to see justice served to the traitors of our kingdom,” the people roared. “Justice delivered by the Queen of Blood, our beloved Arline Cole.”

The crowd roared even louder at the mention of her name. She tend to forget that she had helped Merrick become king. And as the Huntresses brought the wrecked bodies of Larsin and Merlina to the stage, the people booed, insulted them in every way they could. And Merrick was unfazed by it. His family. She was going to kill his family.

“Don’t hesitate when you hold the sword.” Merrick heard her worry and called for her. “I am always with you, my love. Just breathe.” She let those words wrap around her like his arms when she was in distress.

The Huntresses made them kneel with their faces towards the audience. The people went silent again. And Arline stood with shaky legs, thankfully covered by her dress, and headed straight to Michaela who was holding the sword of the Queen. “Be quick,” she mumbled to her friend who took the weapon softly and head to Merlina first.

The jury read what she was accused of and Merlina turned her face at Arline. She was a ghost, Merlina already looked like a ghost. Sickly pale and bright eyes that showed the madness she had lived in back in the prisons. Arline didn’t even want to know what kind of nightmares Merrick had sent for his mother.

No last words. No last wishes. Once her convictions were read by the jury, Arline lifted the sword. And as easily it was to get it up, it fell on her neck, slashing it clean. The body of the former Queen fell to the side while it still gushed out blood and her head was placed on a basket and covered.

Her stomach turned and she wanted to throw up. The feeling of the blade that translated onto her was enough to make anyone scream in madness. But she had to keep it together. One more head had to roll yet.

Larsin looked at Arline with the same greedy eyes he always had, even as she was coming to kill him. “You look wonderful,” he said in a whisper. As the jury said the Young Prince’s accusations, the people booed. “I will always be with you Arline, I promise,” Larsin said for her to hear with that demonic smile of his and his wide open eyes.

He had no regrets as the sword was lifted again and the entire square went silent. When the sword fell right into his neck, cutting through bone and flesh, a weight came out of her shoulders.

Arline was done. She had survived this challenge. The blade had been impregnated with their blood and only God knew how long it would take for the spirit to come out.

As the people cheered and celebrated, the Royal Houses went back to the castle. With the King of Reiska and the Queen of Blood leading their path.

Arline’s stomach felt heavy and twisted every time sheremembered that chilling feeling of the sword against the flesh. It seemed as if the metal of the weapon was an amplifier for it.

They had hours for themselves as the people of the kingdom partied and the representatives got ready before the grand farewell dinner hosted in the castle.

She stormed in Merrick’s old bedroom followed by the King, Cadel and Calix. “Take it out,” Arline was scratching the tiara, trying to find how to rip it off her head. It pained her skull as she felt the wings flapping on the sides of her head.

Merrick did his best not to hurt her as he took it out and when he touched it, the King felt a warmth that must’ve been unbearable for anyone to handle. “I’m in pain, Merrick,” she sobbed as her eyes tinted with red. The more she blinked, more blood tears came out of her eyes. Some even burned her skin lightly.

“Arline,” Cadel called for her as stepped in front of her figure. “Breathe,” he advised her but Arline’s ears were ringing and her vision was blurred from the overflowing blood that came from her eyes. She distinguished the handle of his dagger and took it from him in a swift move, ready to finish the Queen’s labor.

Without fear in his eyes, Cadel approached her. His shadows surrounded her wrists and pulled her down to her knees. She struggled against the force of his power with rage in every move she performed to try and free herself. But the former king knelt on her eye level and said to her with cold and simple words. “Leave her in peace.”

Arline’s body shook at those words and a dark specter jumped from her chest, and found comfort on the golden winged tiara.

Her screaming was unbearable for everyone, especially for Merrick. She was still confined to his shadows and Cadel motioned his son to stand by, to not interfere. After eternal seconds of pain, Arline collapsed on the floor exhausted. Bloody tears streamed down her cheeks and her nose bled.

“Why didn’t you stop it?” He clenched his fists at his father.

“The more you try to contain this pain, the more it will consume her,” Cadel said to him, still voice and straight posture. “She needs to be herself again to go against Pelagius,” Merrick looked at her and was about to go by her side but his father grabbed his arm. “Go with the representatives, we will take care of her.”

The King wanted to fight back. But no one could know about this. About how much it had gotten under Arline’s skin. With a loud stomp he left the room behind to go and act as a King.

“How much did it consume of her?” Calix lifted her up to place her on the bed. Her breathing was still heavy and quick.

“She kept it to herself for too long,” Cadel replied and looked at her. “Pelagius stands no chance against her.”

“How?”

“Darkness rules part of her powers now. It will be a struggle even for her.”

The lavender scent of his room relaxed her mind and she buried her face in between the warm blankets. “Arline?” It was Merrick who stormed inside the room where Pauline, Lara and Aidan were. Standing around her, checking on her.

She woke up instantly at the sound of his voice. “Merrick?” Arline said loud and clear and he approached her side, tightly hugging her body while she let her head rest on his shoulder.

“How are you? Tell me what you need,” Merrick said in a worried tone, checking her face, tracing some of the small burns the blood tears had left on her skin. “Call for Casia.”

“She was here moments ago,” Aidan said. “Arline is fine, just needs rest.”

“I hope you are hungry, dear,” Pauline said lifting the lid of a silver trail, showing her some bread and soup.

“Arline,” Lara said as she watched her eat. “You have to attend tonight’s dinner or Ruang Sak-”

“No,” Merrick said sitting by her side. “The only way she comes to that dinner is if she feels strong enough. If you-”

“I will go,” Arline said sipping a little bit of soup. “There is no chance I let him see how much the Queen affected me,” she still felt weak, in pain.

It was her choice and he had to give in. Aidan was more than thankful for Arline’s decision. It made it easier to keep the appearances in front of the entire council because it showed how strong she was. A water guardian and the Heir to the Throne of Depths.

The old maid sent them out of the room to begin preparing Arline for dinner. She washed her carefully, lovingly, but Arline scratched her back multiple times throughout the bath, leavinga trail of red marks.

“You will hurt yourself,” Pauline warned her, grabbing her hands.

“I’m sorry,” the Heir said playing with her fingernails instead. “Sometimes is unbearable.”

The old lady didn’t respond and gently continued brushing her body with the sponge. “You are uneasy.”

“Do we survive it?” Arline asked her immediately. “The fight against him, do we survive it?” The oracle only nodded for her and she sighed in relief.

“It doesn’t mean your life will be bright in its entirety. Life has both good and bad moments, and destiny never balances them out,” Pauline said to her and Arline could only nod.

Sorisana had made her a navy blue, velvet dress. Its long sleeves and neck adorned with white stoat fur, and combined boots. Arline wondered if the seamstress understood how much she had grown to hate the color red after this and had picked her favorite color for this dress. And Pauline did her magic to make her look flawless and full of life.

The guard opened the door, and Cadel Dortamus came in her room wearing a thick, black coat of some dense fur. “I am glad you are feeling better,” the former King said with his gentle yet severe eyes.

Arline instantly looked down, focusing on the tips of her boots. “How much trouble did I cause?” She babbled the question.

Cadel lifted her chin and smiled at her. “Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he said and offered his arm to walk her to dinner.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” she said, looking at him with her doe eyes. And he only grabbed her hands with a loving tightness.

Their steps were slow. Cadel didn’t want Arline to get anxious about dinner and he himself didn’t even want to attend. “Chin up, chest forward, straightened back, Arline. You are the most powerful person in that table,” Cadel directed her as he noticed her slouching. “No one disrespects you in my home, not after everything you have done for Reiska.”

Both of them entered with class and grace into the dining room, where most royals were already chatting and drinking. Including Merrick, who was chit chatting with a young man and who seemed to be his mother. “High Prince Zaiaku and his mother, Empress Iseko,” Cadel whispered for her.

“Ruler of the Empire of Gale?” Arline asked as she quickly looked away from that reunion when he noticed the intense stare of the Prince on her. And Cadel nodded.

When she locked eyes with Ignatius and Cyrus Farjo, they came to her encounter. Giving the proper respects for the former King and the Queen of Blood. And they introduced her to the Heir of the Throne of Pozarite, their sister Priscilla Farjo.

Crown Princess of the dunes. She was the eldest child of the King of Pozarite and was the personification of fire. Very tan skin, insanely blond hair that almost looked like threaded gold and incandescent ember eyes.

The Princess of sun and dunes reverenced for the Heir of Depths who bowed her head with respect. Priscilla seemed tougher than her brothers. Her stare was cold, more serious and correct. “I am glad and thankful the kingdom of Reiska has someone as loyal as you, Arline Cole,” Priscilla said with an unexpected melodic and soft voice.

“I hope I can always be of service for them,” Arline confessed.

“I won’t ask you to be,” Merrick said interrupting their talk.

Instantly, Priscilla bowed her head and so did Arline. And Merrick had to stop himself from lifting the chin of his beloved Arline and kiss her.

Dinner began. And Merrick sat on the head of the large oak table, while Cadel and Aidan took a seat on each side of him. Leaving the rest to choose a seat of their preference. And the last thing that Merrick wanted was having either Ruang Sak or High Prince Zaiaku near her. Ignatius and Cyrus took the seats on her left and Valerya the one on her right. The Prince sat in front her and Ruang Sak on his left.

There was loads of chattering throughout the table as dinner was served and every time he could, Ruang Sak stared at Arline. While she ate as much as she could. Her stomach still felt funny and twisted whenever she chewed on something with a weird texture. That and Zaiaku’s constant staring with his black eyes, made her blush.

The minutes passed and the old snake continued to look at Arline and even Merrick came to notice. She ignored it, focusing on biting, chewing and swallowing until she felt how his Holiness was trying to sneak into her mind. Arline had to remind herself that Ruang Sak might not hold power, but he was the Holy Messenger and undoubtedly talented and strong with acquired magic.

“Correct me if I’m wrong your Holiness, but is there something on my face that has been making you stare at me for the past minutes?” The Heir said with a soft and polite tone, no smiles given or shine that could convey that she was pleased with him. Arline was trying to drive his attention somewhere else.

It took him by surprise and the itching sensation on the back of her head ceased. “I thought you would be honoring us with thebeautiful golden tiara on your head.”

He knew. The Holy Messenger knew it had gotten to her. The pain, the whispering, the singing in the past months had gotten under Arline’s skin.

Merrick wanted to jump on him and slash his throat. “Arline has honored us with her service by hosting the spirit of the Queen of Blood, and erased the traitors to my legacy,” The King spoke on her behalf, keeping his feelings together. “I don’t believe she had to do anything to honor you.”

When dinner ended, everyone went to their chambers to rest and Arline found herself pacing Merrick’s room on the tallest tower of the castle. Thoughts of the execution flooded her mind whenever she blinked. Until a knock on her door made her snap out of her own thoughts and opened up.

The King was standing in front of her, waiting for the invitation to come inside. And as soon as she closed the door behind him, he grabbed her face and kissed her deeply. The desperation to do that all day was sensed.

“I’m sorry, ” he said to her. “For today in its entirety.” Another kiss of his lips. “I would never be jealous of you telling your secrets to the rest. I am sorry that you had to endure the Queen for months. I was an asshole for even reacting that way, Arline. Please-”

Merrick was cut short by Arline’s lips crushing against his. “Just please shut up,” she said to him in between the kiss and grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. “This is the first time in months that my mind is silent and… and I want to be with you, Merrick,” Arline confessed and he placed his arms on her hips, with such a soft touch that her skin shivered.

With soft and quick hands he guided her to the bed, laying heron her back while he began kissing her. Every kiss that landed on her, made her to get closer to him. He gripped her waist and ran his hands across the bare skin of her thighs, making her breathing heavier.

He travelled down her neck, her chest, and her stomach until he reached her legs. Everything with such slow movements it made it almost impossible for her to focus. Merrick was a king and as such he took whatever he wanted. Arline was his to take and taste, and he did so as many times as he wanted and her eyes weighted enough for herself to doze off every now and then.

Bare skinned, Arline laid on his chest drawing his scars with her finger. Merrick curled her hair lazily with his eyes closed. She shifted and tried moving away, only to have him holding her tighter and closer to him. “I really hate your need to move away from me after we have sex,” his raspy voice said and kissed the top of her head. “Why do you believe enjoying pleasure is a sin?”

“Try living with a religious family,” Arline said and Merrick grinned.

“Stay with me once they all leave. Stay in the castle,” Merrick said after a minute of silence.

She raised, his hand still on her waist and locked eyes. “You know I can’t. You know what Aidan and the Elders will tell you to do.”

“I don’t care what they tell me to do. I want you by my side everyday from now on, Arline.”

“I will be a distraction to your duties and you know it.”

“I haven’t been more focused in my life.”

She said nothing and he pulled her body closer to him. In silence, they synchronized their breathing.

“Let me kill him first and then you can have me by your side as many days as you wish,” Arline said to him.

“I admire your sense of duty. But there are times I just wish you were extremely irresponsible,” Merrick admitted with a kiss on a shy smile it was forming on her lips.

“I love you,” Arline whispered. “I love you too much, Merrick.”

“There is no such thing as loving too much, my love.”

Love is described as a strong word, feeling. She said it with fear of losing him. Of never finding someone who could match him nor replace him if he chose to leave and never return. But he said it as a confession. Merrick was guilty of loving such a beautiful creature like Arline. He swore to protect her everyday until his dying breath.

Their souls were locked together by the strings of fate and every time this words were spoken or they showed it to each other and the worlds, destiny bonded them stronger.