Chapter 37

Hadok carried the Queen back to her chambers while Daphne went to find the court physician.

The physician arrived in moments and checked the Queen's head wound with care.

Finishing he walked to where Hadok and the two ladies-in-waiting were standing, behind them were Brigitte and Clara also very concerned for the young queen.

"She will be fine but she should rest for the day. I have given her some herbs that will help with the blood loss."

"Thank you." Breathed Daphne who led the man to the door while he told her some more necessary precautions to take with the Queen.

Hadok took his leave and the four woman in the room waited for their Queen to wake.

~~~~~~~~

"The Primals aren't real? A strange phrase don't you think?" The words echoed in my mind as I opened my eyes and found myself in the garden where I'd first come.

The old palace.

I turned in a circle and found that I was wearing the simple cotton dress that I used to wear during my stay in the place.

"Are you really Ratri-kar?" I asked, watching the garden warily.

Again it was night and the moon shone brightly in the garden. But strangely all of the flowers were not sleeping but presenting their full blooms.

I walked towards the wisteria that had wrapped itself around an old birdbath. It's purple flowers appeared to glow in the moonlight.

"Of course I am." Came a voice from behind me.

I jumped and turned to face the glowing man.

I shook my head, "Why are you speaking to me, because I chose you?"

"Ah, ah, ah. I chose you." He pointed at my forehead, "I told your mother to sell you, I am the one that caused you to stay in the Sovereign's mind. I was the one that brought you… here."

I felt repulsed, "Why?"

"Because, Hydrangea, you have a very important role in this world. I told you all this last night… you're to help keep your husband alive."

"But I don't want to." I stated. If he was dead that meant that he could never touch me or any other girls.

He sighed, "You see, I've already explained all this. Did you just disregard everything I told you last night?" He asked sounding upset, "If he dies… you die."

I swallowed, his black eyes were terrifying, "I-I-"

"Yes, well maybe I'll try Samadur's way."

I looked at him confused but looked down at my feet as I felt a strange rumbling. The ground opened beneath me and swallowed me whole.

With a scream I fell in the darkness, the smell of earth strong to my senses.

I could not see anything I was blind. I screamed once more for help but none came.

I was still falling when I saw a vision before me of the Sovereign unconscious in a dark pool of water. A woman jumped into the cold water to save him, me! I was the woman. I watched in confusion as I yelled his name and attempted to bring him back to life. I called Ratri-kar's name and the Sovereign still hadn't awoken. I watched in shock and horror as I placed my lips on his.

The vision cut off and I was blind once again.

I landed on my feet in the circle with the shrine to Ratri-kar.

I turned and found him behind me.

Gasping I spoke, asking, "What was that?"

He watched me with an unreadable expression, "Your future."

I woke with a start and found myself on my bed.

I struggled to sit up and heard a voice say, "Your majesty, you need to rest."

I relaxed and laid my head back down. I was feeling very dizzy. I blinked a few times, "What happened?"

"You apparently fainted, your majesty." Brigitte's quiet voice answered.

I thought back and remembered something striking against my head, Adhira had thrown it and then…

My mind went blank after there and I only remember the dream. I blinked hard as I recalled the dream. I'm starting to believe that it might actually be Ratri-kar.

~~~~~~~~~

Bastian bid farewell to his friend Dimitri and his brother and father, the Premier.

After doing so he walked to his study to compose a short letter to his mother before he had to leave for the meeting with his queen.

He dabbed his quill in ink and began writing even strokes along the parchment.

He heard a knock on the door and called for the person to enter.

His person came in, "My Sovereign." He bowed.

Bastian continued to write, "What is it Hugh?"

"I'm afraid the Queen's First Act has been postponed." The man said hesitantly.

Bastian smirked, 'Could she not come up with anything for the act?' He wondered.

"Why?" He drawled out.

"I'm afraid that her majesty was injured and has orders to rest, and so is unable to commence her First Act."

"How was she injured?" Bastian continued to question.

"I do not know, my Sovereign. I will endeavour to find out." Hugh answered and Bastian dismissed him.

Either this was a ploy for her to postpone her First Act, or she had actually been injured.

He shook his head so as not to think of such things and refocused on the letter.

Having signed and sealed it he rose and gave it to a servant that would have it delivered to his mother. The servant also handed him a substantial amount of letters that he would have to go through.

Sighing he filled a goblet with wine and began the work.