The Spasm

Althea almost spilled her wine when the door to her chambers burst open. Kai stomped inside, dragging an almost lifeless Lucia behind him by the hair, the woman's whimpering and sobbing drowned by her desperate attempts to gasp for air.

"Kai?" The queen rose to her feet, her eyes wide with bewilderment.

"Mother," the prince threw Lucia at the queen's feet, his face fuming with rage. "Were you in on this as well?"

Althea looked down at the sobbing lady-in-waiting, her eyes slowly regaining their usual calm.

Lucia looked horrible. Her hair was tangled and messy, her dress was torn and crumpled, and her trembling hands were smeared with blood as she tried to cover her ruined face.

"Lady Lucia," the queen spoke coldly, "get up this instant and take care of your appearance. This is not how one should appear in the presence of royalty."