Chapter 11:11 Paper Heart

Atop the mountains where it's still bright and beautiful, where the Kixi flowers still grow in abundance atop the clouds. Past the pearlescent gates, where pegasus roam, harpies pick flowers and griffons take watch. In the patio dining room of the Crystal Castle, pretty maids stand all in a row.

"I'm not very smart but I'm clever," the mad fortune teller declares with a grin and a hiccup. A small man, he wears a green suit and a bowler hat. Across the round, white table is Queen Somna wearing a gown and a simple, yet intricate golden necklace. Her crown of blue flowers match her blue eyes. Her food has flowers in it. Her drink has flowers in it. They say she bathes with the flowers and she's over one thousand years old.

"Please, darling, we have guests." the Queen says when King Horyx burps loudly. A large falcon-headed man with a red and white crown, an eyepatch, a big beard and a bigger belly. He sits next to Somna eating a turkey leg and waving his cup for a refill.

King Horyx is annoyed he had to leave the royal theatre. It's where he and the fortune teller spend most of their time, drinking mead and watching stories. The theatre was the Queen's gift to Hoyx— forcing thespians to perform nonstop. Teams of playwrights working tirelessly, sweating to pump out constant entertainment. It was difficult for Somna to create a show that never ends, however she wanted to because she loves him. And she keeps on loving him, even when she doesn't get it back.

Sitting across from the Queen is the Typho and Maise. Maise cleaned up and wearing a dress, she sits quietly, staring at her plate.

"I hope you like your new clothes, child. I had them made for you." Somna tells her.

Maise doesn't respond.

"Do you like your food? You can have anything you like. What is it you desire, child? Dessert maybe?"

Somna motions for a maid to take her plate away and bring back cake.

Somna turns to Typho, annoyed, "Did you break it?"

"That's how I found her, your majesty," he shrugs.

"Let's get some music in here. Bring in the one that can play the thing."

The maids usher in a girl in a bright sundress holding a violin.

"What's your name again, girl?" Somna asks her.

"Lynn," she says nervously.

"Speak up."

"Lynn. Gwendolyn."

"You're boring me, Gwendolyn. What do you do?"

Gwendolyn lifts the violin to her cheek and runs the bow across the strings, creating melodies so beautiful it mesmerizes Horyx and the fortune teller. They put down their cups to listen.

A maid brings a plate with a big slice of chocolate cake with strawberry icing and sets in front of Maise.

"There you go, child. Eat up." Somna says.

Maise doesn't touch the food. "What do you do?" she mutters.

"What?" the Queen asks.

Maise looks up at Somna for the first time, "What do you do?"

"I rule the land," the Queen says proudly.

"But what do you do?"

"I maintain order. And I—"

"Why do you want to live forever?" Maise interrupts.

The maids look away and Gwendolyn misses a note then continues playing.

The Queen smiles at Maise. "Do I offend you, child?"

Behind them, a servant trips and drops a carafe of rosewater. They turn to see a griffon guard holding Oliver and Mr. Bear who fight to break from its sharp claws.

"What are those? How did they get here?!" Somna shouts. "You said you captured the others! Throw them in the dungeon!"