ACROSS WORLDS

Part 6

The morning was bright, and the birds sang cheerfully, but their melody did not comfort the king. If their song mirrored what he felt, then they too shared his sorrow. Even the leaves refused to dance, and the wind, which usually soothed him, remained still. It was as though nature itself was displeased, perhaps even the gods were angry at him. The king hadn't heard their voices in a while, and their silence gnawed at him.

What was he without the gods? A mere mortal. He had done everything they asked of him, even forsaking the one woman who made him feel alive—his beloved mistress. Could it be—

The sound of soft footsteps interrupted his thoughts. It was Vasilki, his beloved. She bowed gracefully before him, concern etched on her face.

"My Lord, what troubles you this morning?"

The king took her hand, pressing it against his chest. "Nothing to worry about, Vasilki."

She looked up at him, her fingers gently tracing the worry lines on his face. "What troubles you troubles me too. Let me ease your pain, my Lord."

He smiled, amused by the height difference between them—she was small compared to his towering frame. "You cannot help with this. The gods are angry with me, and I do not know why."

"My Lord, our kingdom thrives. The crops are abundant, and there are few deaths. Surely, the gods are pleased with you."

The king shook his head. "I sent my nephew to war when it should have been me. I am the king, the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. I should lead my people, not send my nephew to face death."

Vasilki squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. "Your nephew is your heir, your Coroly. He needs his chance to prove himself."

But the king's despair deepened. "What if he dies? I love him like a son. I cannot bear to lose him as I lost my brother. Perhaps that is why the gods are silent."

Vasilki held his face firmly in her hands. "Listen to me, Draconius. You are the most powerful king in all the realms. The gods made you their chosen ruler, and they live within you. If they are silent, it is because they trust you. You, my Lord, are the gods."

The king nodded, though doubt still lingered. "Thank you, Vasilki. You calm me."

"I live to serve you, my Lord. I would die for you."

"And I will remember that." He drew her closer, his voice a low murmur. "Come, let me feel the softness of your lips."

Vasilki hesitated, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "My Lord, it is forbidden. The gods and the land forbid it, at least not in the open."

"I am your king," he replied, frustration growing in his voice. "I should be able to have you whenever I wish."

Vasilki looked away, hurt flickering in her eyes. "You promised to come to me every night, until our last breath. Yet, you did not come last night."

The king sighed. "I was held by a dream, a dream of us together. It was so real, I could not leave."

Her heart ached, but she remained silent. The love they once shared was changing, becoming something she no longer recognized. He used to make her feel like she was the only one, but now, his touch had grown distant.

Vasilki wondered if the king had found another mistress, but he hadn't. He came to her every night, until last night. His absence gnawed at her, filling her with dread. She had thought about sneaking into his chambers, but she knew it would be her death.

She had known she would find him here, though something about him felt different, like his feelings for her were slipping away. "What did you dream about?" she asked, hoping to understand.

"It was about you," he said softly. "We were together, lying in my bed after a night of passion. It felt so real, so fulfilling."

Vasilki smiled, though unease crept into her heart. "And what did I say in this dream?"

He paused, his brow furrowing. "You said, 'Soon, my Lord.' As though we had been waiting for something."

Just then, a powerful wind whipped through the courtyard, shaking the trees and sending the birds scattering. The king's favorite tree lost its leaves, and the air felt heavy, charged with an ominous energy.

The birds fled, sensing something the king could not. They knew that fate was coming for him, that his life would change in ways he could not foresee. The gods, though silent, had a plan—and no one could prepare for what was to come.

Not even the king.