Chapter 10: The Bucket

Without hesitation, Valleric did as he was asked. He nervously lead the Queen to his room. Once he opened the door, Riona's gaze was met with pitch gloaming, yet she srode in without batting her lashes. Valleric settled a hand on her folded wings, pressing her towards his bed. His eyes were perfectly adjusted, he wondered if hers were too. Her wings were slightly fuzzy like those of moths, soft and silky yet cold. It reminded him of her face.

His hand latched onto the duvet and he pulled it for her to slide in. She did so, then rested her back against the headrest. He retreated to fetch a chair.

"Why not sit next to me, Valleric?" asked a soft voice, "I won't bite." Vally straightened in astonishment. He set down the chair which now seemed stupid to retrieve. Settling next to the queen, Riona reached for the lord's hand. Vally watched her intently.

Their eyes met. A silence settled, not at all awkward for Riona's eyes spoke. "I trust you," she stated lowly, to which Valleric held his breath, "I believe you are loyal and for that, I believe you will listen, perhaps even hold your tongue when I tell you to do so." The lord was silent and allowed Riona to continue. Her gaze slightly faltered. "Vally, I am afraid. You will not share this information with anyone for it is terribly obvious but I do not wish to grant anyone the satisfaction of having their assumptions confirmed."

Vally's brows furrowed: "Why do you have anything to fear?"

"We are all in the company of killers."

He was silent.

She gulped, "I know you have blood on your hands. I do too... Ulric told me that you had to sacrifice in order to survive. I will respect that."

Vally's hand tensed though his eyes stayed soft as he watched her.

Riona lifted her brows, continuing, "For that I believe you will understand when a butterfly rips off the wings of another."

Vally suddenly shook his head, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Simply to inform you," she said plainly, averting her dark-hued eyes towards her lap. She nodded to herself. "As I said, I am afraid, so I shall have to take action."

Stern hands latched onto her face, forcing her to turn back to meet his worried gaze. "What on earth are you planning on doing in that little head of yours?" whispered the man. Riona's eyes shimmered, they flicked from his parted lips towards his eyes. Her gaze appeared soft for a moment before she blinked her vulnerability away, her expression plain. "Nothing that you can stop, so I ask you to keep out of my way. I know you crave action, but allow me to take it for once."

He rested his forehead on hers, earning the queen's surprise. He sighed, relishing in the sensation of close proximity. He had missed the touch of her skin, even though she had held his hand before. His thumb caressed her cheek. "All right, my love," he said, "I will steer clear of your plans. I will stick solely to mine."

He could feel her eyes close, tension vanishing from her muscles. Cold hands slithered up his arms to cup his hands on her warm face. "Thank you," she whispered, pulling away. Vally was about to lift his head when soft lips pressed to his hairline.

The man froze, eyes wide, his hands petrified in place. Swinging his head up from a brief daze, Riona was already at the door, closing it softly.

Valleric dropped on his stomach, hands fisted in his hair, elbows propped on the swan feather matres. "Why did she have to do that?" he muttered to himself, still in a daze. "It is embarrassing to have my heart stolen like that," he thought aloud to himself with a suppressed smile.

***

Evidently, winter was approaching. The sky was darker with cooler hues. The moss slushed for the moisture didn't evaporate as effectively, and pretty soon, the moss would freeze due to dropping temperatures. Riona used to admire crystalized moss. The shine and sparkles amused her while the best part was to hear the satisfying crunch under her boots. Now that she understood her fascination towards alluring shimmers, she would avert her attention from it. "Only Moths love glitter and gleam," she told herself, "That must be how Drystan noticed..."

Her hand tightened, earning a subtle scrunching sound as a letter wrinkled between her fingers. Her eyes flicked towards it as if noticing it for the first time. "Oh..." Lifting the almost-forgotten letter, her fingernails clawed the rose-petal parchment open to reveal neat calligraphy. Riona's nose scrunched at the rosy scent, not because it was repulsive but rather because she was reminded of an annoying butterfly.

In her younger years, she avoided a whiff of that scent. Hideous memories of pink tea parties filled her mind. The type where little girls would dress up in poofy summer gowns and the type she would be bullied for not wearing one. They were always hosted by non-other than her cousin (or rather considered cousin).

She scanned the letter:

Dear Riona

I haven't heard of you since your crowning. I do hope you are fairing marvellously between all your suitors.

My mother has decided to send me in preparation for the wedding. We all are dreadfully aware of how absorbed you are in your duties and your inability to plan. Therefore, I will organize the wedding for you.

I find it absolutely thrilling and an ultimate honour. Expect my arrival due in two days, I must start immediately!

Your cousin

Lavinia

The queen lifted her eyes unamused by the words. "How rude," muttered Riona, "Inviting yourself and not feeling shameful to insult the queen? You sure take after aunt Amaris... Such a hag." The Queen crumbled up the letter, sliding it into the pockets of her dark violet dress.

Numbness stung her legs and feet as did her stomach knot in agony. A palm settled on her stomach trying to soothe the twisting. "Hunger is a good sign," she reassured herself.

Her body turned back towards the castle, unhurriedly she carried herself towards the stairs. There, her palms pressed to the cold railing as she went up one small careful step at a time. Tilting her head up to catch a breath, she almost considered flying her way to the study. She bit her bottom lip, her back muscles cramping when she slightly fluttered her wings. Frustration pinched her. "I rarely use my wings and once I want to, I am grounded. What poison did the bastards use?" she grumbled, grabbing the handle of the door. Pressing her shoulder to it, the heavy wood budged to allow her entrance.

"Your majesty! I've been looking for you," called a pitched voice from the hall. Riona blinked in the direction, sealing her mouth.

Gina approached her. "Doctor Eisenbach noticed you haven't eaten this morning and encourages you to at least take in fluids. I'll bring a tray to your room. Should I assist you back?"

"To my study. Bring the tray to my study."

"Your majesty, you cannot work in this state of health. You have to rest."

"Resting is for the dead, Gina," smiled Riona, showing her teeth, "I have matters to solve."

The maid observed carefully. "Then I will do as you prefer." She bowed her head, about to turn. Riona added swiftly, "Oh, and a bucket would be nice too."