The Dark Sun

Chapter 9: Traitor

     Dim sunlight illuminated the floor. With Lilith and Apollo in front of me, being as I could not talk to them, Indra and I made conversation.

     "Good evening, how are you?" Indra spoke. I shot a glance at her to make sure she was talking to me. She was looking at me. I faced forward.

     "I'm doing well, thank you," I responded. "How are you doing?"

     "I'm doing well, thank you."

     "Well, tha-"

     She interrupted me before I could finish. "Is it true that Aurora is finally kicking the bucket?"

     I stopped moving and glared at her. "How dare you address a queen with such disrespect. I may not be YOUR queen, but I am a queen and I expect to be treated as such. My mother is also a queen and her wellbeing is none of your concern. I may be younger than you, MA'AM, but I am no fool. Now please, I think I will walk alone until we reach the Great Hall."

     By this time, Lilith, Apollo, Atlas, some guards, and a few servants had stopped to listen to our conversation. Indra's facial expression dropped to a sort of sulk, and she turned forward and stalked ahead. Just before she reached Lilith and Apollo, I called out, "You know it can be considered treason in Adruvalon to enter a room before the queen and king, but of course, you didn't know that because you never bothered to research Adruvalon. I've also noticed that you have several pink gems on your crown and other jewelry, such as those earrings you are so desperate to hide. That is treason too, you'll be lucky if Lilith and Apollo don't imprison you and wage war on your kingdom."

     She froze. Whipping her head around, she seemingly tried to look threatening, but in reality, she looked as if she was going to cry.

     "Guards!" Lilith called out. "Arrest Queen Indra and remove her earrings and crown, I want to see this for myself."

     "No! Your Majesties, please! I had no idea!" Indra cried out while backing away. The guards neared her. They seemed almost nervous. Maybe because they are about to put their hands on a queen, I thought.

     Indra turned and dashed back down the hallway, clearly trying to reach the front door. The guards sprinted after her. She dashed past me. Without thinking, I leaned over and pulled off one of my jeweled heels. Straightening up, I pulled back my arm and hesitated, securing my target. Then, I flung the heel across the hall. There was a dull thud that was barely noticeable over the sound of Indra running. Indra stumbled. As she leaned over, she stepped on her dress. Slipping further down, she collapsed into a pile of red lace and silk.

     The guards reached her moments later and hauled her to her feet. She seemed dazed. She looked down. Then her eyes widened. There, on the floor near her feet, was the heel I had thrown at her. Her eyes shot to me with the devil hidden behind them. I met her piercing stare with one of my own. As she was dragged away, Indra screeched at me, "YOU BITCH!! YOU'LL REGRET THIS! MY RIDERS ARE ALREADY HEADING HOME TO DECLARE WAR ON YOU AND THOSE USELESS ASSES!!"

     I glanced over at Lilith.

     "Wait!" I called out. The guards hesitated, glancing from me to Lilith, clearly unsure of which queen's orders to follow. Lilith nodded. The guards stopped moving. I, accompanied by Apollo, stalked up to Indra. As I approached her, I pulled back my hand and slapped her. She gasped, her head jerked to the left. Her pink diamond earrings swung around. Apollo took a shocked step back.

     I grabbed her earrings, one in each hand. They felt cold, almost wet. I could hear Indra's panicked breathing.

     "You let me go this instant!!" She screamed. "I am a queen! I won't be treated with such disrespect!"