The Ruler's Rift

Complaints

Golden twinkles held Nova hostage; she scrutinized and recorded numbers, ensuring every coin was accounted for. Despite the tedium, sorting her wealth plastered an eternal smile on her lips. Silence and the wood of her desk surrounded her, joining her under the dim light of the lamp. With her greed she could stay down here forever, deep under her mansion without business to bother her.

A slam interrupted her peace. Her ears swiveled and her head followed. Lucian stood in the doorway, a scowl etched into his face. "Nova, we need to talk," he demanded.

"Well, at least you waited until after the meeting this time..." Mumbled the fox. She finished rolling her eyes then softened her tone. "What can I do for you, dear Lucian?"

The shark marched into the cramped room and whipped the door shut with his tail. "I know you and the others are okay with that monster biting my sister, but I'm not!" He gesticulated with enough energy to power the mansion. "Is this supposed to be the plan? You promised me she would save my sister, not take her life even quicker than that illness!"

Nova stiffened. She'd expected as much disagreement from the brash shark but never this level of vitriol. "Now, settle down-"

"I heard what the infiltrators reported! My sister's blood was gulped down like wine last night!"

"A small price to pay for her ultimate survival, don't you think?" Nova resisted matching his tone; she forced her voice to remain motherly.

"Not if she dies first!"

"She won't, Lucian. I have everything under control."

"I can't support this!" Lucian slammed his fist against the wall, rattling the coins which cluttered the desk. "You're all encouraging that monster to-"

Nova's anger launched her from her chair. "She will be your queen, Lucian! Show her respect!" She snapped, tail flicking. Embers scattered from her eyes and she nearly lit him up for his heresy against the royal blood.

The shark didn't flinch. He leaned down to meet the fox's eyes. "I'm all for her being queen if she'll save my sister," he clarified, scorn trembling in his voice. "But I won't sit here and let her turn Lucy into a snack!"

"Don't get in the way, Lucian," Nova rasped. Her eyes narrowed so far that she saw his tense form through slits. "If Celeste Superbia doesn't become queen, then she'll have no power or authority to make Lucille a goddess. Immortality is the only thing that will save her."

"I already know that, dammit!"

"Apparently you've forgotten - because you have rebellion written all over your face."

Lucian stepped back, his dorsal fin nearing the door and his tail swishing. He tilted his face away as if in disgust, but his eyes shifted in conflict. "Let her get corrupted, but not from Lucy," he growled.

Nova opened her mouth to object, but her mind conjured wicked schemes which stopped her. Allowing him his attack would only further crack the bottled up bloodlust in Celeste. "Don't do anything rash," cooed the fox, knowing he would.

"Nothing rash about helping my family," he retorted before rushing out the door.

It slammed shut, and Nova smirked. She muttered to herself, "as if he can do anything to her, anyway."