Chapter 13: Asteria

King Andrei was seated in his study, The scent of parchment and candle wax lingered in the air as he pored over letters. His mind consumed by thoughts of diplomacy and strategy. The flickering light of the fire danced across his features, casting shadows that seemed to mirror his inner turmoil.

As he traced the delicate ink strokes with his finger, a sudden knock at the heavy oak door shattered his concentration. Startled, he looked up, his gaze meeting the solemn visage of his wife, Queen Asteria. Her usually radiant face was paler than the moon, her eyes wide with distress.

"My love," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I bring grave news."

Andrei's heart clenched at the tremor in her voice, a foreboding chill snaking down his spine. He rose swiftly from his seat, the treaty forgotten, as the queen stepped into the room, her elegant gown flowed behind her like a river of silk.

"Our army has been defeated," she continued, her voice quivering with emotion. "And Captain Malachi, his brother... he's fallen in battle."

The king's eyes blazed with righteous fury, his fists clenching at his sides. The air crackled with tension as he absorbed her words, a storm brewing inside him.

"How dare they," he growled, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through the room. "I will unleash the wrath of Vara'ak upon those who dared to strike at us."

His anger surged like a tempest, dark clouds gathering in his gaze. In an instant, he was consumed by a maelstrom of emotions, his thoughts racing towards vengeance.

The queen placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"It was not the river tribe," she murmured, her words a soft caress against the storm of his wrath. "The scouts report that it was an army from the north, a force we did not anticipate."

Andrei's fury ebbed, replaced by a profound sorrow that creased his brow with lines of grief.

"Rashad..." he breathed, his voice heavy with sorrow. "He was a warrior without equal, a leader of unwavering loyalty and bravery. His loss will be a blow to our kingdom that will be felt for generations to come."

Queen Asteria's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her own grief mirroring his as she gazed at him with compassion and understanding.

"May his spirit find peace in the afterlife," she whispered, a prayer for the fallen soldier.

Andrei took a deep, shaky breath, struggling to regain his composure.

"We must prepare for war," he said, his voice hardening. "This kingdom will not rest until we have avenged his death."

The queen nodded in solemn agreement, her gaze steady as she met his determined eyes.

"Yes, my king."

As she turned to leave, Andrei's eyes fell on a piece of parchment lying on his desk. 

"Asteria," he called, his voice echoing through the chamber.

She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him with a silent inquiry in her eyes.

"This message was delivered earlier, but with the news I had forgotten about it," he said, his tone tinged with a hint of regret as he handed the letter to her.

Asteria unfolded the parchment with trembling hands, her heart quickening its pace with each passing moment. As her eyes scanned the contents, her expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief. The words on the parchment seemed to blur before her eyes, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Without a word, she rose from her seat, clutching the parchment tightly, and made her way to the corner of the room.

Andrei watched in alarm as his wife's complexion turned pale, her every movement imbued with a sense of urgency. He followed her, concern etched in every line of his face. Asteria barely reached the wash bucket in time before her stomach rebelled, the contents of her breakfast expelled in a violent heave.

Andrei knelt by her side, his voice filled with worry, "What's wrong, my love?"

Struggling to steady her breathing, Asteria managed to whisper, "It's... I feel unwell."

"Perhaps some water," Andrei said, understanding the gravity of the situation, he immediately fetched a glass for her, his hands shaking slightly with a mix of fear and concern. He held the glass to her lips, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat and aiding in calming her nerves.

As the tremors subsided, Asteria looked up at her husband with tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely audible amidst the echoes of the chamber.

"There's no need to apologize," Andrei said, his voice tinged with concern.

Asteria shook her head, her hands clutching onto his for support. "No, I should have told you sooner," she confessed, her voice faltering with emotion.

"Told me what?" Andrei inquired, his eyes searching hers for any hint of what troubled her.

With a deep breath, Asteria uttered the words that would forever alter their lives, "I'm with child," she whispered, her face pale.

Andrei felt a surge of emotion well up inside him. He reached out and pulled his wife into a fierce embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"This is wonderful news," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"But our kingdom is in danger," she replied, her voice muffled against his chest.

Andrei's brow furrowed in concern, the weight of their responsibilities pressing down upon him like a crown of thorns. "We will protect our child, and our kingdom," he vowed.

Asteria nodded, her face still nestled against his chest, seeking solace and reassurance in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Everything will be alright," he assured her, his voice a soothing balm to her fears, 

"I hope so," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty, her fingers tracing intricate patterns on his shirt, as if seeking guidance in the swirling chaos that surrounded them.

***

 Asteria's restless slumber was abruptly shattered by a sensation unlike any she had ever experienced. Asteria's hand instinctively flew to her abdomen, where a fluttering sensation stirred deep within her womb. It was as though a tiny heartbeat resonated through her very core, filling her with a mixture of awe and dread. Her eyes snapped open, wide with fear, her mind racing with a multitude of uncertainties.

With a hastily beating heart, Asteria rose from the bed, her nightgown billowing around her like a ghostly apparition.

Her thoughts racing and her heart pounding in her chest. Running over to the looking glass, she stared at her reflection, the desperation evident in her eyes. The reflection was unsympathetic, her own face staring back at her. Asteria's thoughts raced, and her body trembled with fear.

"If our kingdom falls, what will become of you, my precious one?" Asteria whispered to the life burgeoning inside her, her voice trembling 

"I will do anything to protect you," she whispered, her voice filled with resolve. "I will fight until my last breath to ensure your safety."

A soft voice disrupted the silence, drawing Asteria's attention to her sleeping husband, King Andrei, who stirred from his dreams, concern etched in his features.

"Is everything alright, my love?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

For a fleeting moment, Asteria debated confiding in him, but the burden of her fears was too great, and instead, she offered a weak smile.

"I am fine, my dear. Go back to sleep.". She was far from fine, however. Inside, she was tormented, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

"Get some sleep to my love," he murmured, his eyes already closing.

With Andrei settling back into slumber, his gentle breathing a soothing backdrop, Asteria's resolve solidified. She knew she couldn't stand idly by while the kingdom teetered on the brink of chaos. Every fiber of her being screamed for action, for protection, for a future filled with hope for her child.

Asteria slipped out from their sleeping chamber, her movements quiet and stealthy.

She would not allow the kingdom to fall. Not when there was still a chance to save it.

The cool marble floors beneath her feet a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart. 

Asteria stole through the silent dimly lit corridor of the castle, her footsteps light. She knew her plan was dangerous, but it was her only option.

The guards at the castle gate let her pass without a word. It wasn't uncommon for the queen to go for an evening stroll. Once she was clear of the castle, Asteria quickened her pace.

She walked with purpose, her destination clear in her mind. The night was cold, and her breath fogged in front of her. As the trees parted, she came upon a clearing. In the center of the clearing was a large, circular stone.

The ancient monument stood, a silent witness to the events about to transpire.

Asteria approached the stone, her steps slow and measured. She knew the magic contained within was powerful, and she was afraid. But her child's life was at stake, and she was willing to risk everything.

A ruby-encrusted blade lay on top of the stone near where she stood, beckoning her with its glimmering allure. She grabbed it, And used the blade to slit her palm, a bead of crimson forming on her skin. Pressing her bleeding hand on the stone's cool, rough surface. Taking a deep breath, she whispered with a tremor in her voice.

"Grant me the power I seek,

to save my people and kingdom.

Protect the life growing inside me,

and let my child see their birth."

The stone pulsed with a strange, ethereal energy, and a low humming sound filled the air. Asteria's blood began to glow with a pale, white light, and she felt a surge of power rush through her. The hum became louder, and the air crackled with electricity. The world around her began to blur and fade, and her vision darkened.

As she slipped into unconsciousness, she uttered one last prayer.

"Please, keep my child safe."

When the queen opened her eyes, the first rays of dawn were creeping across the sky. She felt different, stronger. A surge of energy rushed through her veins, and her senses were heightened.

"It worked," she whispered. Her plan had been a success.

Asteria knew the power bestowed upon her was immense, and with it, she could win the war. She was no longer afraid. Her mind was clear and focused.

Queen Asteria made her way to the grand hall. The air crackled with anticipation as she entered, her red skirts sweeping the floor in a graceful dance. All eyes turned to her, bewitched by her presence. She approached the king, her long nails tracing delicate patterns across air. With a flick of her wrist, she turned him to face her, and the room fell silent.

Black ink peeked through the sheer fabric of Asteria's gown, adorning her skin and face. The trail of moons etched along her spine captivated the onlookers, their gentle glow mirroring the magic within her. Words in a foreign tongue wrapped around her neck and chest, a manifestation of her deep connection to the arcane arts. 

"My queen," King Andrei breathed, Terrified by her appearance.

"You no longer need to fear," she cooed, her voice soft and sweet. "our enemies blood will coat the soil of land"

The king's face was filled with shock and disbelief.

"What did you do?"

"I did what was necessary," she replied, her voice laced with steel.

"You can't control the magic!" the king shouted, his voice tinged with fear. "It's too powerful."

"I can, and I will," Asteria retorted, her tone firm. "I will save our kingdom. I will do what you couldn't. I will not allow the enemy to destroy us."

"Asteria, please," the king pleaded. "You don't know what you're doing."

"I do know what I'm doing," she shot back, her eyes flashing. "And I won't stop until I've won. this is what you wanted when you started the war, was it not your dream to conquer the realms "

"Not like this," Andrei argued, his voice cracking. 

"We will have the glory you sought. I will ensure our legacy is eternal. The rivers will run red with blood, and the soil will be drenched in their tears."

"You're mad!"

"No, my love," Asteria corrected. "I'm merely a woman trying to protect her family."

The queen stepped forward, her eyes filled with determination.

"I will not fail," she promised, her voice low and threatening.

King Andrei took a step back, his face pale with fear.

"Do what you must," he whispered.

The queen's lips curved into a wicked smile.

"Oh, I will."

The room was silent, the tension palpable. The air seemed to crackle with electricity, and the queen's eyes flashed with anticipation.

"Ready what is left of my army," Asteria ordered.

The guards hurried to obey, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the grand hall. The doors burst open, and the queen's soldiers poured into the room.