Queen of Light (The Light-Bringer Trilogy, #3)

Ten

Cal watched the guards cart off the dead from her place on a balcony. The majority of the bodies were taken within the first two days. Behind her, servants were furiously scrubbing the floors and walls, trying to clean the blood away. 

James had been moved to the dungeons and was barred from visitors. He was thoroughly searched and kept under heavy lock and key. 

King Andrei was quickly taken away by royal medics to be assessed and treated. Their expressions were grim and Queen Selene didn't leave her husband's side. 

"We need to talk," her father said sternly. 

Cal looked at him over her shoulder. "You seem like you need to. You love hearing yourself talk."

"Cal, come on," said her brother. "Can you at least turn around?"

She rolled her eyes and turned around. "What do you want?"

Akaljot and Lucas exchanged an alarmed glance. 

"Cal, there is something wrong with you," Lucas started. "Very wrong."

She scoffed. "So you came to talk some sense into me. How cute."

Akaljot cocked his head. "Have you learned about magical theory? At all?"

"Why would a god need that?"

Her father and brother blanched. 

"Cal, you need to listen to me," Akaljot said, holding a hand out to her. "Your magic is reacting with your negative emotions, and it's messing with your head."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Lucas growled. "Where did my sister go? The sister who saw the good in everyone; the sister who was determined to save her kingdom. What happened to her?"

Guilt stabbed her chest, and her head started to ache. Cal swayed on her feet. She gripped the rail to steady her balance. She felt anger replace her guilt.

"That sister," she snarled, "was killed by Luna Andhera. She was spineless and weak. I know what I want and what I have to do to fulfill my goals."

Akaljot shook his head. "This isn't you talking, Cal. It's your magic speaking through you."

"And if it is me?"

"I highly doubt it is."

She stepped closer to her father, flames flickering in her eyes. "You're scared of me. I can see it. Because deep down, Akaljot Bjorndottir, you know that I am more powerful than you. That I am a god among men. And a piece of advice: Stay out of my way."

"Sorry to disturb, but His Majesty has requested for you three to meet him in his bed chambers," said a servant. 

Cal tore her gaze away from her father and smiled at the servant. "Of course. We'll be right up."

She strode past her father, her shoulder bumping into his arm as she followed the servant to the king's bed chambers.

King Andrei laid on his bed in his undershorts. Queen Selene sat stoically at her husband's bedside. Healers were spread throughout the room.

"You actually came," rasped the king. "I thought that you would have taken my men and left."

She couldn't tear her eyes away from the large boot-shaped bruise on Andrei's next. "Our departure has been delayed."

Andrei chuckled humourlessly. "Can we get on with the assessment?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," said the head healer. He approached the bed and picked up one of Andrei's feet. He stuck a sewing needle into the king's foot. "Anything, Your Majesty?"

Andrei shook his head. "No."

The healer moved onto the other foot. "Anything?"

Andrei shook his head again. "Nothing."

"Roll His Majesty onto his side," the head healer instructed.

The other healers did as instructed and rolled Andrei onto his side. The healer put the tip of his finger on the back of Andrei's neck and slowly moved down the king's spine.

"Tell me when you stop feeling my finger."

The healer got to the top of Andrei's waist when the king said, "Stop."

The healer pursed his lips and the king was rolled onto his back once more.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid that your spine was broken during the attack. It is very likely that you will never walk again."

Queen Selene put her face in her hands and Andrei reached a hand out and rubbed his wife's shoulder reassuringly.

"So what now?" Andrei asked the head healer.

The healer heaved a sigh. "We will commission a special wheeled chair for you to move around in. Your servants will have to bathe and cloth you. You will also need attendants around the clock to move you up and down stairs."

"I see. Fetch me Lord Garett," said Andrei. 

They waited in the corridor outside. A servant came back with Lord Garett following closely. Another servant beckoned them inside, and Andrei was seated upright in bed with more clothes on.

"Your Majesty," said Lord Garett. "You sent for me."

"I did," said the king. "Ready our soldiers. They leave tomorrow."