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Chapter 33 - Reservoir
Luella
I had been practicing my shifts. It was getting easier and easier. I felt in better control. I was also glad to know that the Witches’ Council had started regaining their strength and power. Still, I wanted to gather everyone who could help. So, I started writing a letter to my brother Samuel’s wife, Miranda.
After all, she was a demoness. I wanted to know if her powers had been affected by Erishkigal’s descent. More likely not. Her source was her father, Hades himself. A reservoir of powers was what we needed right now. Once I felt I was ready, I would be back into Metheus’ arms.
When I first heard about the contract marriage, I thought it would be easy – this moving back and forth. I thought I would be relieved whenever I was back in Queenspell, away from my pretend husband.
Then, love happened.
It must be love. What else could it be? I was in constant pain without him. The searing pain I felt every time I shifted was enough to turn my attention to a different kind of agony. It was both training and self-punishment, the self-flagellation I used to accuse Metheus of in my mind.
I missed him. I felt safe in his arms and in his calm power. He exuded that kind of subtle energy. I always knew that he could protect me and that he would never hurt me.
The energy that almost entered my room, however, was not that kind. The knock on my door was not a surprise. It could have been Francilia. It could have been Rowali. Even though I was close to both, they still knocked.
It was Ari.
“Why are you here?” I asked, standing up. My hand still gripped my pen.
“I am just around. My family decided to go to Mogochislenia after -,” his voice trailed off.
“After what happened to King Doro? So, you just abandoned Arrowspear and your friend?”
“No. It is not that. Someone has to be here for you. To look out for you.”
“To look out for me?” Surely, this man was jesting. I could burn him in an instant.
“You never know who your enemies are,” he added.
“Indeed,” I said. “Why are you here at my chamber door? If you mean well, why have you not sought an audience at the Great Hall? Why have you not been announced?”
Ari probably thought I was stupid. I was pretty sure that word had it that I was vain and, well, not studious, but I doubt anybody called me stupid.
“I – I am about to go,” he stammered.
“Yes, you should.”
“You can call me when you need me, Your Majesty,” he still insisted on saying before he left. He closed the door gently. Of course. He would not want to be caught by one of the witches or one of the guards. Most of all, he would not want to be caught by my mother.
I went back to writing my letter, but I was frazzled. My hands were shaking. Ari had that effect. I did not know what to feel: anger, frustration, or helplessness. It was not right, him coming into my private chamber. I should lock my room, just in case.
Suddenly, I felt like someone was watching. It was a heavy feeling, like a cloak had been drawn over the room. Over me. It almost felt like someone was about to catch me with a net, heavy and entrapping.
However, as I honed my senses, I felt that heaviness turned into something comforting. It was like an embrace. It was familiar, soothing. Still, it caught me off guard, making me spill ink over the paper I was writing on - a second time that day. I was pressing on it hard, too, as I tried to control my thoughts. I took a fresh sheet of paper and attempted another letter. When it was done, I was not yet satisfied, but it would have to do.
Like every night back in Queenspell, it took a long time for sleep to arrive. I had to spend it curled on my side of the bed. Even though the temperatures had gone lower and the drought seemed about to lift, I did not need a blanket to sleep. Some nights, though, I had to – just to make me feel some comfort.
#
When I woke up the following morning, there was chaos in the Great Hall. Okay, perhaps it was not much chaos but more of a terrible noise that I was not used to. The Council of Witches was all there, talking almost simultaneously. There were other witches there, too. I did not know most of their names, but they were familiar. Young and old. Rich and poor. All of these were people of Mogochislenia. In a little corner, looking furtive, was Ari. He was with a couple of Arrowspear men, possibly his guards. He toasted me a drink. So, what was he doing drinking mead so early in the morning?
“Good morrow, everyone!” I shouted. “What is all this?”
There was a brief lull as they looked at me. Then, some of them resumed their loud, excited conversations. Thankfully, Diana walked towards me, hopefully, ready to enlighten me.
“Good news, Your Majesty! All the witches have their powers back, and the drought is over.”
