A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Fifty-Eight - Isolde

A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Fifty-Eight - Isolde
I hear the clearing of a throat, and I reluctantly pull back, but keep Valeria wrapped in my arms as Zehra steps forward with her sisters.

“It would seem we all owe you our deepest apologies,” Zehra says remorsefully.

“Speak for yourself, some of us were on her side,” Makbule scoffs.

Yara sighs, “We failed you terribly, and no amount of apologising can undo the harm done. We cannot begin to imagine the suffering you’ve endured all this time. We promise to make it right,” she vows.

“I don’t hold anything against you,” I say, looking at each of them, “You were all skilfully deceived, even I would believe the evidence against me if I were you.”

“We should have done better. I think after all these years we’re starting to lose our touch and we need to remember to be more diligent. If anything, we hope to take your experience as a much-needed lesson on areas we need to improve on,” says Jale.

“If any good can come from this then I’m glad,” I say with a soft smile.

“You guys are so fucking lucky she’s so forgiving, but don’t expect forgiveness from me,” Valeria says icily glaring at the women around us.

“Quite the animai you have there,” Bike sniggers.

I smile at Valeria with pride, but she quickly steps out of my arms and walks over to the nagata Empress placing an arm around her, “Izzy, this is Mei. Mei was generous enough to come with me to help heal you,” she says graciously.

I walk over and extend my hand, “Empress, it is an honour to meet you and I deeply apologise for the wrongs my aunt did to you,” I say sincerely.

She smiles sweetly and shakes my hand, “Like everyone keeps telling me, don’t apologise on behalf of someone else. You didn’t do anything that needs apologising for. I’m just glad I could help and bring a little justice to my people.”

“If there is anything I can ever do, please don’t hesitate to ask,” I smile.

“Same to you,” she smiles back.

“Speaking of, care to explain how the two of you managed to get in here?” Nermin asks curiously.

“We were let in,” Mei shrugs.

“There was this pink ball of light, and an arch appeared letting us through the barrier and then it guided us under the castle. Ever see that scene in Sleeping Beauty where the light leads her to the spindle? Like that, but way less creepy,” says Valeria.

“I’ve never seen Sleeping Beauty,” I comment.

“Okay, we can add another film to your watch list.”

I chuckle, but then stop short, “Wait, did you say a ball of pink light?” Valeria nods. “That’s exactly what I saw the night of the fire. It was a ball of pink light that lured me into the forest before the house exploded.” I notice many of the irshiusts go stiff with knowing faces.

“This, pink light, would you say it was a fuchsia colour?” Handan asks.

“Now that I think about it, yeah, why?” I ask curiously.

“We know who’s been helping you,” Gulya says.

“Who?” I ask.

“Me,” a light, melodious voice announces as every head turns towards it. I look behind everyone to see a statuesque woman standing at 7’1 with flowing fuchsia hair and piercing silver eyes. Her curvaceous frame is hidden under a stunning kaftan and the energy and power radiating off her is both intimidating and peaceful.

“Would it have killed you to just tell us she was innocent?” Idil huffs.

“More meddling, Zarseti? You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Says the God with azure-blue hair, walking over with his arm wrapped around Yildiz. What’s that about?

“We already discussed this earlier, Oshmin. You understand why I’m doing what I’m doing, so you can understand why I felt the need to lend a little helping hand in this matter,” she says casually.

I stare in stunned silence, looking from one God to the next. Zarseti and Oshmin… I am standing in the presence of the Goddess of Peace and Love and the God of Life and Death… somebody pinch me.

“Someone wanna tell me what the fuck is going on?” Valeria huffs in annoyance.

“Val,” I chastise, “This is the Goddess responsible for creating our bond, and the mother of the Delegation, and he is the God of Life and Death and father to the nagata,” I explain.

Mei gasps beside me looking wide-eyed at Zarseti while Valeria blinks for a second and then looks them both over, assessing them. “You paired us together?” She asks Zarseti.

Zarseti smiles and nods, “Indeed I did.”

Valeria nods thoughtfully, “You’re alright with me then. Thank you for giving her to me.”

I facepalm so hard I swear my ancestors felt it. My human animai is standing here giving her approval of a God. This actually seems very in keeping with my spicy Latina.

Several irshiusts snigger as Mei lets out a giggle beside me.

Zarseti smiles down at Valeria in amusement, “It’s nice to get a thank you, they’re so very rare,” she says throwing a pointed glance at Oshmin, “But I can see I made a perfect pairing. Though I always do.”

“You made your point, now move on,” Oshmin says, rolling his eyes.

I finally find my voice and speak up. I step forward and nod respectfully, “You saved me the night of the fire.”

She nods, “I did.”

“Why not them?” I ask sadly.

She looks at me with compassion, “I know the pain you feel, I too know that pain. Your destiny still lies ahead, Isolde. You’re still needed. I saw so many futures with you in them, it was not your time, but of the many futures I saw, your family weren’t part of them. I’m sorry, but it was their time. I know that doesn’t ease the hurt, but it’s the truth.”

I take in a deep breath and feel Valeria clasp her hand around mine. I look up and will the tears not to fall. She’s right, it doesn’t ease the hurt. Whether it was their time or not, the pain is still the same, and I will always feel they were taken from me too soon and in a way they didn’t deserve, but I have to let it go. I have to make peace with the past. Especially knowing my future is standing beside me holding my hand to comfort me.

“You said my destiny lies ahead, what does that mean?”

“I can’t say more than that but know your existence is more vital than you realise. Take my condolences and know that if things could be different, I would make them so,” she says softly.

“So what happens now?” Oshmin asks.

“Now, you all find a new home for the Orraikam. It is no longer safe here,” Zarseti announces.

“What’s the Orraikam?” Mei asks curiously, cocking her head to the side.

“It’s a crystal that preserves the Goddess Fretez’s magic on earth,” Setia answers, walking over to Mei.

Mei’s eyes widen as she looks over at Aulen, “Was that what you meant when you said she found a way to keep makkares alive?” Mei asks eagerly.

Aulen nods, but I can see she’s emotionally deflated. I think I may have to have a chat with her. Though this may be the first time I haven’t seen those twins arguing over something. It’s nice to know when push comes to shove, they have each other’s backs.

“You’re a God, can’t you just whip up another barrier?” Valeria asks like it’s obvious.

Zarseti smiles, “The Orraikam is not mine to protect. It too has a part to play. I am simply doing my part to see that it serves its purpose when the time comes.”

“Don’t take it personally,” Elif whispers conspiratorially, “Gods are always like this. You can blame Oshmin, he was the dumbass who made the Gods take a magical oath to limit the meddling in mortal affairs.”

“I heard that,” Oshmin says, making Yildiz laugh.

“If the Orraikam isn’t safe here, then where do we hide it?” Elvan asks.

“I think I know,” Aiyla announces with a proud smile.