The Blood Prince

017

The doors open, and the queen angrily storms into the castle.

Xavier seemed to have left with such haste that he had simply forgotten her in the town!

"Xavier!"she shouts.

She stomps towards the stairs and begins to climb them as Nadia quickly tries to catch up with her.

"Your majesty! I-i would implore you to not respond with anger! A-as the king doesn't not respond well to anger!"she says.

"Not respond with anger?! He left me!"Tatiana shouts.

"XAVIER!"she shouts as she marches to the royal chambers.

"Tatiana maybe we should just talk in my chambers!"Nadia says.

Tatiana swings the doors open, finding the room empty. Only Xavier's cloths laying about on the floor.

"Xavier!"she says, looking around.

She looks around before walking towards the bathroom.

"Xavier!"she says before pushing open the door.

She merely gasps as she sees Xavier laying on the floor, convulsing.

She screams, falling to her knees beside him and pulling his body to hers.

His eyes had dark circles around them, and his eyes had turned a bright color purple.

"Xavier what's wrong?! Xavier!?"she says, crying as he grips on to her dress and arm, convulsing aggressively.

Nadia enters the room, hearing Tatiana's frantic cries.

"My goodness what's happened?!"she says.

"I don't know!"Tatiana sobs, "He's not responding to me!"

Nadia instantly observes Xavier's bright purple eyes, locked jaw and convulsions, all symptoms of madness brought from the sacred crystals embedded into the crown on Xavier's head.

What she failed to notice, was how tightly his hands clung to her arm, and gown.

"The crown Tatiana! It's the crown! Remove the crown!"

Tatiana quickly removes the crown.

And instantly Xavier's hands ignite into flames.

.....

48 hours

Tatiana stands, silent. Her lips quiver as Nadia carefully binds the large burn on her hip, and waist.

Another nurse maid binds the swollen hand shaped burn on her upper arm.

"..it's actually looking much better today, your highness."Nadia says.

Tatiana doesn't speak, and Nadia frowns.

"The king is still very ill. I'm afraid he's suffering with something the doctor refers to as withdrawals. From the power of the crown."Nadia says, carefully placing some healing herbs on the larger wounds before binding them again.

Tatiana still doesn't speak, and Nadia looks up.

"Are you alright your majesty?"

Tatiana's lips quiver a bit.

"...i should've listened to him..he said he didn't want to go to the festival.."

Nadia frowns.

"Darling, none of this is your fault. I do hope you know that."she says softly.

"..he said the crown would give him control."

She sighs as she stands, finishing the bindings.

She takes Tatiana's hands and brings them both to her mouth, kissing them.

"You are strong, you are beautiful, you are kind, you are loved."she says softly.

"...I don't feel loved, Nadia. I feel...lost.."

"I feel the man I married is hiding things from me....I feel he doesn't trust me."she says, blinking tears from her eyes.

"Oh darling, my brother is a man of few emotions. But the love he feels for you is very real. He tells me all the time. He didn't mean to hurt you, he was distressed, and under the influence of the crown. Please, you must forgive him."

Tatiana sighs and looks away.

"I feel as if no one is listening to me..."

Nadia frowns and then does a formal curtsy.

"I'm going to check on the king, you shall be informed if he is well or not."

She then walks away, to the door and opens it. But then stops as someone greets her.

"Taron, what are you doing here?"she asks.

.....

Tatiana

I ignore the stinging in my arm and waist to look over at the altercation.

"Is the queen in? I've a message from the King."a deep, male voice says.

"She's not decent. You will wait until she's properly dressed."Nadia demands.

"I'd rather you relay it to her, as it is sort of an immediate arrangement."Taron says.

Nadia huffs, and they begin whispering, followed by a loud scoff.

Then she closes the door and walks back over to me with an annoyed look.

"I apologize for this absolute inconvenience your majesty, but it seems my brother is in need of my presence more than I thought. So, the royal advisors must switch."she says.

"What does that mean?"I ask.

"It means that until the king says so, I will no longer advise you. Taron will."

I frown.

".. you're going to leave me? Now?"I question.

"..tis not my choice, your majesty. Have her fully dressed, and be sure Taron stays within his bounds."she says to the nursemaid.

"Yes your grace."the maid says before bowing.

She then grips both my hands and kisses them again.

"I will see you again my dear."she says.

Then she walks away, exiting the room.

I look down, feeling alone as the maid begins to dress me.

.....

I walk out of the room, I see my two royal guards and another man standing before the door.

This man was tall, with dark hair and a serious face. He had a strange burn scar across his neck, and chin that was simply impossible to not notice.

He bows and then stands straight.

"Your majesty. Taron Akoye. Son of Lord Temi Akoye. I'll be your advisor until the king is well enough."he says.

"Okay. I'm going to my chambers."I say softly before turning away.

As I'm walking I hear his steps as well.

I stop and turn back, and he stops.

"Why are you following me?"I ask.

"The king's orders were to monitor your health and healing process. Closely."he says.

"So you must follow me around?"I question.

"Yes your majesty."

"....where is the king? I wish to speak with him.”i say.

"He's not well, your grace. Leave him to get better."

"If you do not tell me where he is I will find out myself."I say, folding my arms.

"Might I suggest a nice cup of tea and your bed instead. Your walk looks rather painful and your wounds could benefit from the rest."he says.

"I will do so, but I wish to be left alone."I say, walking away from him.

Again I hear his steps behind mine, but this time at a distance.

I scoff.