Journey of a Girl

Ajo: Chapter Seventeen

The throne room was not as Galeia expected.

It was bright and filled with lavishly dressed courtiers. They danced in dizzying circles and their voices bounced off the ceiling and walls, creating a joyous din. Galeia pushed through the crowd, struggling to make her way through the room, but no one bothered to notice her.

As she approached the throne the crowd parted, revealing a handsomely attired Ajo.

He flashed a charming smile.

"I was beginning to fear you'd never join us," he said.

"Where is my husband," Galeia asked sharply.

"Husband? Are you feeling unwell?" Ajo's brow furrowed in concern.

"I will not fall for your tricks," Galeia snapped.

"What trick? Dance with me."

He took her hand and pulled her into the crowd, spinning Galeia until she became disoriented among the noise and flurry.

"You're lovely," Ajo whispered in her ear. "That gown is most becoming."

Galeia looked down to find her body wrapped in an elegant dress.

"This is not real."

"Then it is a dream," Ajo mused. "Let us hope you do not wake from it."

"I don't want this!" Galeia pushed away from him and a few nearby courtiers turned to stare.

"Don't startle our guests," Ajo urged. "Or they'll think you improper."

"Where is my husband? I will not ask a third time."

"Are you speaking of that boy in the woods? Have you forgotten what happened?"

Galeia stared at him, bewildered.

"He...gave you up," Ajo said with pity. "He returned to the towns—I'm so sorry. You've been heartbroken for some time, but mother and I believed you had come around." He looked at the courtiers. "We thought a ball might cheer you up."

He grabbed her hand, but Galeia refused to be swept into another spin.

"Please don't tell me you've become confused again," Ajo said. "Shall I see you to your rooms? A little rest will ease your mind."

"No!"

She pulled away and her posture became defensive. Ajo held his hands up, treating her like a cornered animal that needed careful handling.

"All right, Galeia. We'll send the guests away and I'll get mother—"

"Ajo." She shook her head. "There's no need."

"What do you mean?"

"I felt a little dizzy...but I'm all right now." She held her hand out to him. "Dance with me?"

He took her hand and pulled her towards him. He had the span of a second to realize her other hand had filled with blue light, and as their bodies connected she drove her fist into his nose.

The illusion of the ball shattered like glass, and all the courtiers disappeared with a piercing wail of anguish.

Torches lit the throne room a whisper above total darkness.

Shadows twitched across walls and corners, making the room appear vastly smaller than it was.

The glorious hall was now a tomb, and the throne, once a breathtaking sculpture of beauty, looked foreboding and threatening.

It was not the seat of a kind, gentle ruler.

And sitting on it was not a kind, gentle king.

Ajo studied his guest with a predator's eye. It was the first time Galeia had seen him since betraying him into Lilith's care, and she felt a prick of shame when their eyes met.