He asked himself again and again where it had all gone wrong.But he knew, deep down, it was when he underestimated her.He wished to fight, to struggle.But Azul was not someone that would die alone; she would rather drag him down with her.
His eyes stayed on her face as he imagined her looking down at him.As he imagined those golden eyes watching him, judging him, finding him wanting.As he imagined her hands around his throat again, tighter this time, harder, until he couldn't breathe, until the world went dark, until—
He gasped, his body shuddering.His hand was slick, and he could only pant as sweat dripped down his brow.He looked up at her face.
"Vixen," he whispered.
Each flash of lightning illuminated Azul’s room in brief, blinding white, followed by growls of thunder that vibrated through the stone.
The creak of her door opening must’ve been lost in the storm’s roar.Though her visitor was someone unexpected.
If Azul didn’t recognise her eyes, she would’ve considered her another person.She wore a simple, bleak robe, tailored at the sides; her face wasn’t as heavily decorated as Azul was used to seeing.She seemed oddly at peace despite the noose that must be tightening around her neck.
They had never been allies; they were enemies by station and by circumstance.Yet, she didn’t seem here to torment the princess.
The Iyom made herself at home and sat on the chair by the round table.Wordlessly, Azul sat before her.
The two women faced each other in the flickering gloom.
For a time, only the thunder spoke.
"I'm going to die," the Iyom confessed, her right hand grasping her cup.The words were not as crude as Azul expected; in fact, they almost sounded poetic.
Azul nodded slowly, watching the play of shadows on the older woman’s face."Somadina will ask it of you.I wouldn’t be surprised if he provides the silk cord himself.You will hang yourself in your chambers and leave a note proclaiming your innocence in all matters, clearing his path of the stench of your family’s crimes.It is the only way he can free himself from your sullied reputation."
The Iyom let out a defeated laugh."So it was you all along?"
Azul leaned her elbow against the wood and propped her chin on her palm.It was best to eliminate her enemies so she could draw out the one watching her.
"Do you feel I am cruel?"
The Iyom did not reply; in reality, they both knew a ploy like this was accessible to either of them.The Iyom had already been wed, so her reputation was less flexible; it stained her son and husband if she was accused of any wrongdoing.But Azul was different.Ragnar did not seem to care for her reputation.
Whether or not the rumours bothered him, no one knew.If they said he pampered her and let her run wild, they wouldn’t be wrong.
The Iyom’s jaw tightened, a flash of the old pride staining her features."After everything I did for him.To secure the throne, to make sure he would sit on it uncontested."She let out a shuddering breath and clenched her fists so tightly on the table her nails dug into her palms and drew blood.How many children had she buried in this palace just so he would be called 'Okpalaeze'?"Ungrateful bastard."
Azul offered no platitudes; she simply let the woman vent her bitter lament into the charged air.
When the anger subsided into hollow silence, Azul asked, her voice quiet but clear, "And will you?Will you die for him?"
The Iyom paused, her eyes meeting Azul’s golden gaze."A mother would do anything for her son."
"A son", Azul countered softly, "would readily abandon his mother to climb a single step higher."
A small rueful smile graced the woman’s lips; she was beautiful, and if she were raised anywhere else, she might have lived a more carefree existence.
"I appreciate your frankness.There is no one left that I can speak with openly."
Azul offered a conspiratorial smile."Well, there are not many wives here to talk to.The princesses avoid me.At least your co-wife, the Third, had the decency to scheme against me openly.Only the Fourth Wife was ever kind."
The Iyom’s expression shifted from weary amusement to blank confusion."Oh, you silly child," she sighed, shaking her head."I suppose you will kill my son?"
Azul took her time nodding, as if she wasn’t paying attention.
"Goodbye then, Akwaugo.I hope you win.This cesspool deserves to be burned down by someone with the stomach for it."
"Akwaugo," a servant called from outside, and Azul’s head snapped up to see the room light up with lightning.There was no woman in front of her.
