A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Sixty-Seven - Isolde

A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Sixty-Seven - Isolde
We step out into a long two-story hall. A teal coloured carpet lays beneath our feet and runs down the length of the hall leading up a small staircase to a platform with two ornate and delicate-looking thrones that appear to be made from the world’s most durable coral. At first glance, the coral looks peach in colour but as the light catches it, it shifts into different colours. To the sides of the thrones are two gargantuan statues depicting the God Ezillus. The statue to the right depicts them in feminine regalia, and the statue on the left depicts them in masculine regalia. A clear tribute to Ezillus’ embodiment of all things masculine, feminine and everything in between.

Behind the throne are three full-length curved windows with gold detailing worked into the glass. The vaulted ceiling above us houses several chandeliers covered in pearls, running down the length of the ceiling. The sides of the room are separated by Mihrab-arched columns running down each side, with coral and pearl sconces with unlit candles on each. The second-floor houses a colonnade on each side of the hall, lined by stone columns wrapped in vines. I can’t quite see the other side of the colonnades, but I can see the wide-open view of the mid-day sky and hear the sound of the ocean as it is carried on the wind filling the room with its soothing sound and fresh saltwater scent.

A low whistle gains my attention.

“Now that’s an entrance,” a hear a Grecian accent greet with unveiled excitement.

I look over only now noticing the six-foot gentleman with smooth tanned skin and eyes as piercing blue as the ocean itself. He has dark quaffed brown hair, a square jaw covered in stubble and a prominent nose with lips that almost look like they’ve seen an injection or two, but I’m certain are real. His muscular frame is barely concealed under a white button-down long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, navy blue slacks and black loafers. He has a boyish smile and a playfulness in his eyes that I’m sure makes many go weak at the knees, but that posture is pure confidence and authority. This is the posture of someone who has never bowed to anyone in their life, making it safe for me to assume, this is King Sebastian Balaskas, ruler of Atlesper and leader of the sirna.

“I hope you haven’t been waiting too long,” Aiyla greets warmly, walking over as Sebastian takes her hands and kisses both her cheeks.

“I would rather be planning mine and my Queen’s date, but you made this sound important. If I’d known you were bringing me jewellery I wouldn’t have kicked up such a fuss,” he teases. Queen? I thought he was gay. Valeria feels as confused as I do, so I guess we’re on the same page.

“I’d hardly call a 20-foot-tall crystal a piece of jewellery, Sebastian,” a man with a deep British accent scolds him. I almost didn’t notice him, he was standing off to the side so quiet and still he almost seemed invisible, but those eyes!

“He’s a visum?!” Valeria shrieks in my head. Val has never seen a visum before, but I told her they can easily be identified by their eyes. Eyes of electric purple with a ring of electric blue around that. They’re so intense it almost looks like the colour is moving. All I can do is nod in response to her question.

The 6’3” man is leaning against the wall in a pristine metallic violet suit so tightly fitted it doesn’t look like it could be comfortable. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt underneath with the sleeves just peeking through the sleeves of his suit jacket. The shirt is so perfectly white and fresh that it makes the colour of the suit and the metallic royal blue of his tie stand out and compliment his chocolate brown skin. His black hair is shaved close to his head leaving virtually no length, and his beard is only a centimetre longer than the hair on his head. Everything about him is immaculate. There’s not even a speck of dirt on his shiny black loafers. His appearance appears rigid and uptight, and there’s not a smile on his face, but the way he walks towards Sebastian speaks of protectiveness and magnetism, the kind I’m very familiar with. This is Sebastian’s animai. He’s taken the title of Queen? Now that is a very secure man.

“You’re always so literal,” Sebastian huffs.

“It’s a literal giant crystal, and we already know it’s supernatural. Aiyla made that clear,” the man points out. Sebastian moves his mouth in a mocking manner, much to the man’s annoyance. Yup, they’re animais alright.

“Your majesties, this is High Priestess, Isolde Laurier and her animai, Valeria Cabrera. Isolde, Valeria, this is Sebastian Balaskas and Lemuel Andilet, King and Queen of Atlesper and the new guardians of the Orraikam,” Aiyla announces.

Lemuel looks surprised, but Sebastian’s eyes light up and before I know it he has rushed over and is scooping me up in a bear hug, much to Valeria’s displeasure. Man has to be strong to lift me.

“You’re Isolde! Eisa told me about how you warned her about that stalker slut, Circe. Efcharistó para poli!” He cheers, setting me down and kissing both my cheeks. “She didn’t mention you were such a looker. I love the ensemble!” He praises, looking me over.

I chuckle at his high-energy personality and friendly demeanour, “Thank you very much.”

Valeria clears her throat, “Yo, your Majesty, back it up or lose a hand,” Valeria warns. She talks back to Gods, of course, she’d talk back to a king.

Sebastian smiles wide at Valeria, “I like you.”

Lemuel walks over and pulls Sebastian back, “I’m sorry about him, personal space is a concept he never understood,” he says pointedly.

Sebastian snorts, “You don’t want space between us, don’t even pretend.” Sebastian turns his attention to us, “Like I said, thank you for warning Eisa about Circe’s plans. I am completely in your debt, if there is anything I can do, you just name it,” he says sincerely, toning down his playful attitude.

“All I ask is that you keep the Orraikam safe. If anything happens to it every makkari on earth will die. Our lives are now in your hands,” I implore him.

“Oh yeah, sure, no problem,” he says, waving a dismissive hand causing Aiyla to facepalm. I blink at him suddenly feeling unsure this was the best decision.

“Is this dude for real?” Valeria asks.

“I don’t like how cavalier he’s being about the safety of my people,” I tell her.

“Don’t misunderstand Sebastian. He may seem cavalier, but I promise he will dedicate himself to protecting the Orraikam at all costs, we both will. Your people are safe in his hands,” Lemuel says strongly.

Sebastian gives him the cheesiest grin and wraps his arms around him, “Isn’t he the sweetest?” He coos, making Lemuel close his eyes as if praying for strength and patience. Zarseti sure loves pairing opposites. “But he’s right. No harm will come to the Orraikam. I’ll be placing it in the underwater palace, and Lemuel’s magic and mine will keep it safe. No one will get near it,” he promises, going back into serious mode.

I begin to relax, though I’m confused as to what a visum could do to protect it, but if the Delegation trusts them, then I shall trust them too.

“Are you sure you’re a king?” Valeria asks with a quirked brow.

Sebastian chuckles letting Lemuel go, “Just because I like to be light-hearted doesn’t mean I don’t take my duty seriously. I just don’t think I should go around with a stick up my ass,” he comments, he’s about to say something when Lemuel clamps his hand over his mouth.

“Don’t even think about it,” he warns, and I can see the playful smile in Sebastian’s eyes. Valeria sniggers and I feel myself relax further.

I look towards the Orraikam, and something tells me they’re right. This is where it shall spend its remaining years until it fulfils its destiny. Whatever that may be. With a deep breath I remove my magic from around the Orraikam, entrusting it to the leaders of this kingdom. It’s not a bad idea. I don’t see any makkari managing to break into an underwater palace with ease.

“One of my sisters and I will visit Atlesper periodically to ensure the Orraikam is being well looked after,” Aiyla announces before turning to me, “We’re doing the right thing,” she says encouragingly.

“I know,” I smile at her, then smile at Sebastian and Lemuel, “I trust you.”

Sebastian smiles warmly, “Now you’ve made my day. But I meant what I said, anything you want, it’s yours,” he says as Lemuel nods in agreement.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I smile.

“Actually, there is something,” Valeria interjects, causing me to look at her in surprise.

“Name it,” Sebastian shrugs.

“When we came here before, it was because we were looking for something that Izzy believes resides in your kingdom. It’s part of a broken stone tablet, it contains part of an ancient prophecy Izzy has been trying to reassemble for centuries,” she tells them. My eyes widen. Wow, that’s twice I forgot to bring that up. Thank goodness I have her, or I’d forget my own head.

“You’re still looking for the missing piece?” Aiyla asks in surprise, to which I nod.

Sebastian looks deep in thought, then shakes his head, “I can’t recall seeing anything like that,” he says, to my disappointment.

“This tablet, does it have glyphs on?” Lemuel asks thoughtfully.

I nod hopefully, “Yes! It’s written in the language of the Gods. Have you seen it?”

“I think I have, and so have you,” he says, turning to Sebastian.

Sebastian’s eyes widen, “I have?!”

“The stone you keep on the desk in your room,” he reminds him.

Sebastian looks confused, “My paperweight?”

I clutch my chest and nearly fall over, “Your what?” I ask in a strangled voice as Valeria quickly wraps her arms around me.

“Breathe, mi vida,” she encourages.

“Hang on a second,” Sebastian says as his body takes the form of water, floats through the air and dives into a fountain at the far side of the room.

“I’m really sorry about this,” Lemuel says apologetically.

“Did he just say….”

“Breathe, honey, breathe,” Valeria coaches me.

In no time at all, a stream of water shoots out from the fountain and lands next to Lemuel, once again taking Sebastian’s corporeal form.

“Is this it?” He asks, holding up a block of stone.

Aiyla’s eyes widen and mine eyes almost fall out of my head as I see the glyphs carved into the stone. It’s the missing half of the tablet! It has been here all along! Sebastian walks over and places the broken piece in my hands, and with slow gentle movements, I trace my fingers along the carvings.

“You were using part of an ancient prophecy, written by the Goddess Fretez herself… as a paperweight?” I ask in a slow voice.

Sebastian shrugs, “I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was just scribble,” he says defensively.

Lemuel looks at him in disbelief, “I have no idea what to say to that.”

“I didn’t know!”

I look to Valeria as I try to remember how to breathe, “He was using it as a paperweight.”

“I know, baby, I know,” she says, tucking my hair behind my ear, “But we have it now and you’ll keep it safe. Just take slow breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth,” she coaches me.

I follow her instructions taking slow breaths through my nose and mouth and allow myself to calm down. Well, maybe not completely. I spent centuries looking for this! Many a High Priest and Priestess before me devoted their lives to finding this, and it was in Atlesper being used as a fucking paperweight?! Are you kidding me?!

“I think we’re going to go because I’m pretty sure she’s about to implode. So, um, don’t let anything happen to the Orraikam, and thanks for the tablet, see you at the next leader’s meeting,” Valeria says to everyone, as she coaches me through the portal with Aiyla behind us. I try not to think about the complete disrespect given to a sacred ancient relic and focus instead on getting it home and reuniting it with its other half.