naive, Eya," Leanne spoke, tsking as she shook her head, "How do you think your ancestors trapped us? How has the magic of your family gone undetected for centuries? How do you think we know what we know?"
"You are a fool if you think all of this was done through clean light magic!" Francesca shouted, water spraying across Eya as she moved to try and shield her face. "Your family and ancestors have lied to you! The only way to achieve anything worthwhile is through dark magic. Access what you must. Remember, this boy will tear apart your family and everything you have worked for."
Eya's eyes widened for a moment as the thought of the child ruining her sister sunk in. If even her ancestors used dark magic to help them survive, if she'd already come this far to consult with dark magic, then how much could she really lose by using some to find the woman with child and destroy her to save them all? Everything relied on her, on this magic. Kia, Essa, the planets... a boy to rule them all? No. She could not let that happen.
"If that's what I have to do, then so be it." The queen straightened her shoulders and turned, smoothing her cloak out. Running a finger over each palm, she started on her left hand and ran it down her main artery before repeating the step on the other hand. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and gestured into the air, pulling the energy from within the cave and within herself, mixing her hatred, anger, and pain with the magic she possessed. A rush of energy shot through her and she stumbled back a step with a gasp. The sensation burned within her as she breathed heavily and swallowed.
After a moment, she regained herself and pushed back through the crevice. Soft laughter followed her, the sound bouncing off the close confines of the walls. Her mind raced with what she must do and how she must do it. How many years had she spent learning that she must take control of her own situation? How many men would ruin lives and families? How could she allow George's mistakes to cause a demise to her, Kia, Essa, and the six planets? No, she couldn't. Francesca said to make sure it wouldn't happen again and to find the woman now.
Stepping into the fresh air again, Eya pulled off her cloak, her skin bubbling with an uncomfortable warmth. The swirl of questions and uncertainties in her mind began to solidify into a determination as she neared her horse. The animal pulled against the reins and the rock it was tied to, the whites of its eyes showing as it fought against the restraint. It gave a loud squeal when Eya touched its neck and untied the reins. Her grip tightened against the resisting horse, and she pulled herself onto the saddle, ignoring the panicked snorts and dance of terror. Instead, she settled and released control of the reins, allowing the animal to bolt back towards the palace as she clung to its back.
The moment she arrived, Eya snuck back into the castle, careful to avoid the guards as she used the help of familiarity, shadows, and the servants' passages to return to her room. Slipping inside, she took her cloak off and shoved it back in its place in her wardrobe before rinsing her dagger clean and tucking it back into the drawer. Only one thought ran through her mind, louder than anything else as she put everything in its place and settled herself to her task: Protect her family at all costs.
Picking up her brush, Eya ran it through her hair, gazing into the mirror as she took the time to meticulously clear out every tangle and out of place strand caused by the ride. She pushed her blonde strands behind her shoulders, wiped any dirt smudges from her face, and stood. Yes, she was a queen, a protector of her family, and a true royal who cared for her kingdom. Everything in her body told her what she was doing was the only way. For everyone.
With her appearance in order, Eya stepped out into the hall, glancing around before flicking her hand as she seemed to fade into the shadows. She walked towards George's office with certainty now, each step echoing in her mind as confirmation of her choices and what she was about to do. Arriving, however, she found it empty, her head snapping to look around and figure out where he may have gone.
Ah yes, the throne room. She returned to her walk of confidence, passing guards who didn't even acknowledge her presence as though they couldn't see her. Eya's mind began to buzz, a white noise filling her as she entered the throne room and walked up to George. He sat on the throne, his head bent and in one hand. His eyes were closed, his shoulders sunk in defeat, and his free hand holding a glass of whisky.
With the man distracted and not watching who came in and out of the throne room, Eya moved her hand next to her side and seemed to materialize in front of him. Her head titled, taking in the pathetic display in front of her. She felt nothing, nothing but the urge of revenge, like an itch eating away at her in the loudest of ways.
"Bad news, George?" She spoke softly, hardly above a whisper so no one outside the throne room could hear. "It seems you've had a hard day."
George's head snapped up, eyes narrowing as his hand tightened around his glass. The man's knuckles turned white as he tried to straighten, adjusting his appearance to look more like the king he thought he should be. Yet all Eya could see was a liability.
"You should be slee-"
"Shhh... George. I came as a surprise. Don't look so worried about me. That is what you're worried about, isn't it? My health?" Eya's smile widened with an emptiness, cold eyes gazing over her husband as the man twitched for a moment.
"My Lo-"