Queen of Shattered Dreams

17 - Irreversible

Photo by Lachlan  Ross on Pexels

Days pass and I remain prisoner in my own room. An unknown maid brings me my meals and leaves without a word. Hassiba comes in the afternoons with tea but she leaves immediately as well. No one will tell me what is happening—no doubt on orders from the King. My sanity feels ready to crack. Maybe this is the king's plan—isolate me to the point I'd rather take my own life. I'd even accept the company of the ladies of court to this solitary confinement.

I stare out my window at the village below. If I leaned out, I would see the waterfall and the hundred-foot-drop to the river below but the windows have been locked.

My door opens but I don't turn. What would be the point? Whoever it is won't speak to me anyway. So I'm surprised when Feodor does.

"Mila."

I turn to face him, my jaw set and eyes narrowed. This isn't a husband or a king. He's my capture. Behind him, a maid readies a gown.

"There's to be an execution today," he says.

My heart squeezes. Yana? I square my shoulders to hide my fear. "So?"

"So—your presence is required." He takes a seat and watches as the maid prepares me for the event. No one says a word but I wish someone would say something to help keep my mind off of the execution. He must have changed his mind about letting her off easy and is now going to punish me by killing her for what she did to help me. He's cruel and vindictive.

"Are you grinding your teeth?" Feodor breaks the silence.

I bite my tongue to keep from doing it again.

"I'm very sorry for this, Mila, but you force my hand. I need honesty and fidelity from my wife."

I turn to him, pulling along the servant who is trying to brush my hair. "I've been faithful to you, Feo." I bite back my remark about his mistress. This isn't a real marriage where we are equals. It's master and slave.

The servant continues to work on my hair. My heart stops. Why would he bring up fidelity if my lady's maid is about to be executed? I can't breathe.

"Is it Yana you have sentenced to death?" I ask, shamefully hoping he'll say 'yes'.

In the mirror, his reflection shakes his head.

"Then who?"

"I told you before, Weidman always gets his man. You see, Mila, everyone leaves a trail, and you left one leading right to him."

A tremor seizes my body. Feodor rises from his chair and walks up behind me. The servant steps to the side and he runs his fingers down my arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps. "You see," he whispers into my ear, "I knew you were up to something and your reaction now confirms it. You can't hide anything from me, my dear." He kisses my neck, rubbing his hands along my arms, as though he's enjoying the goosebumps there.

"I swear, nothing happened. I have failed you in many ways but in fidelity I am faithful."

He steps away and the servant finishes putting up my hair. Then Feodor places a necklace on me, clasping it in the back and running his fingertips quickly across my shoulders. "There. You look beautiful my queen. I'm sure I won't be the only one appreciating your beauty this day."

I feel sick and doubt I can even stand but Feodor pulls me to my feet and escorts me from my room to the square where the guillotine has been erected. He brings me to my chair and then takes a seat in his next to me.

Alfrid already stands on the platform, his hands tied behind his back, on display for the entire town to jeer at. But if they know him at all, it's preposterous. He is no traitor. He's done nothing wrong. His eyes meet mine and my throat cinches tight. Tears fill my eyes. This is all my fault. It was selfish and careless of me to sneak out of the castle to see him.