Chapter Seven - It Calls Within
ALISTAIR
He studied for a moment and rose from his chair. ''I don't get it either. Kieran hasn't even touched her yet. Wonder why?'' he said, I didn't move while he circled the table, each step deliberate, his heavy robes brushing against the stone floor.
''The marriage was meant to solidify control,'' the king continued. ''She was meant to serve a purpose. And yet, rather than securing dominance, Kieran has invited questions about weakness."
He stopped behind me, his voice low. ‘'Tell me, Alistair, are you, because you expected to be the one making an example of her?'' I stiffened, twitching my fingers and saying nothing; he kept quiet and continued.
''Kieran was meant to take a bride who would yield. Yet, she does not. That makes her either a liability…’' He turned, meeting my gaze, unreadable. ''Or an opportunity.'' I narrowed my eyes. ''What opportunity?'' He smiled dangerously, ''To see just how far Kieran will go before he realizes she has power over him.''
''She has powers?''
''Definitely, born from a bloodline of great witches, her father was a great witcher. They've helped me a lot but refuse to comply with me.''
"Comply with what, Father?"
''To get in control of Kieran's curse since they didn't; I guess their daughter will.''
A slow, knowing realization settled over my face: ''You want to test him.''
''I want to know if he can be controlled,'' his voice, smooth. ''If he cannot, then we will decide what must be done.''
I turned my head slightly, my mind already working through the possibilities. ''And if Liora is the reason, he falters? .... then she will cease to be his weakness,” He concluded.
After that conversation, I stepped inside the Velvet Fang, a chamber in the place where you can find any type of wine. It's one of the largest chambers, the dim candlelight casting shadows arose my sharp features.
The conversation with my father still echoed in my head, the weight of it pressing against my ribs.
At the far end of the hall, Darius leaned back against the low couch, a goblet in his hand, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to show his muscles beneath.
He exuded ease.
''Let me guess that look, Father had words, and you are here to drink away your frustration.'' I said nothing at first, stepping forward and snatching the goblet from Darius's hand.
I downed what was left in one swallow; the burn of it was a welcome distraction.
Darius raised his brow. ''That's bad,'' my jaw tightened. “He's testing Kieran.” Darius straightened and looked. ''How?'' I exhaled, setting the empty goblet on the table beside him. ''Through her.'' Darius's lips quirked at the corner. ''The interesting bride.''
I glared at him, warning enough; Darius smirked. ''What exactly is Father expecting?'' he continued, stretching his arms behind his head. ''That Kieran will prove himself weak because of her.''
''Or that she'll become something he can't control.'' I said; he chuckled, shaking his head. ''And here, I thought the girl was merely inconvenienced,'' he said.
''Perhaps, she was meant to be, but...'' I let the words trail off. Darius studied me for a moment before sighing dramatically. ''So what do you intend to do? Are you going to make sure she doesn't become a problem?”
''One way or the other, she serves a purpose.'' Darius hummed, then with a lazy smirk, he reached for the wine. ''Well then, here's to our dear brother's carefully laid plans, unrevealed,'' he said.
''That girl, Liora, she's a...'' Cassius interrupts from behind, saying, ''Barging in where I'm not invited.'' I ignored him and Darius gazed at him. ''What are you two scheming?'' he said, his face full of amusement as usual.
''Observing,'' Darius said, then I met his gaze. ''Observing?” Cassius echoed, stepping closer, the dim candlelight catching the sharp angle of his face. ''You mean waiting for Kieran to fall?'' Cassius said.
''So dramatic, why does everyone assume we're waiting for our dear brother to crumble?'' Darius said, but Cassius exhaled with his nose, '’Liora is not a game piece.'’ he said, then Darius smirked, ''No, then what is she?'' Cassius was silent then, and I finally spoke in my cool voice, ''She is a weakness.''
Cassius's fists clenched at his side, but he hid it. ''For whom?'' Darius sighed and said, ''For Kieran, obviously. Though judging by your reaction, perhaps for you as well.”
''She's his wife, it's his responsibility.''
''His burden'' I corrected, Cassius scoffed, then said, ''If either of you try to use her against Kieran, you would have him to answer to.'' Darius's amusement quickly faded off. ''Oh please, nothing will happen to Kieran, just a test.'' Darius said.
"What do you mean?"
''She…'' I interrupt, ''Darius!'' He paused. ''I've had enough for today.'' I stood up to the door. ''Whatever you two have said here, you will not touch her.'' Cassius said, then I paused, ''That's not your place to decide.''
''If you push Kieran too far, you may regret it.'' I ignored and close the door behind me with a soft but decisive thud.
LIORA
A weight pressing against my chest over my skin
''Liora,'' a whisper.
It was distant at first, curling through the edges, tendrils reaching for me against my skin, ''Liora.'' It whispers again. Darkness moving around me, no bed, no castle. I stood in the middle of an endless void; the floor beneath my feet felt like cold stone, but there was no light, not even a shadow or a light. ''Come to me…''
My breath hitched, the whisper coming closer, curling against my ear like a lover's breath.
The voice did not belong to something living. ''What…what do you want from me?'' I said, my heart pounding against my ribs. ''Who…who are you?'' My voice was shaking; fear settled all over my face.
''Come to me, child.'' The voice echoed inside my head, a low, rasping sound like something ancient. My breath came fast now, ragged. ''Is this a dream?'' I asked myself. ''You cannot run from who you are.'' My stomach twisted.
''What…what are you talking about?'' The whisper into multiple voices disturbed my head. ''Stop…please…stop,'' I said, closing my ears, trying to pull myself together. ''Liora, Liora, Liora.''
I jerked awake, grasping. Seeing myself resting by the door inside the bathroom and someone hitting it hard, calling my name, ''Lady Liora! Lady Liora!'' I quickly stood up and opened the door, and it was Iris. ''Are you ok, your majesty?'' she asked curiously. I just stared and then fainted.