Faerie Faerie

15- Perversion of the Court

"Who in the Devil are you?" the captain snarled, hands grasping the handle and scabbard of his sword.

Phoenix put out her hand, and the doors flew open. "How dare you," she let out a fit of giggles, "Not remember your own Queen."

The captain and bishop looked horrified. The King himself simply looked perplexed. "Madelaine.... How dare you tarnish my wife's name--"

"You did tha yourself, boy." she snarled. Her eyes drifted to the guards, then the throne room itself. She did not even try to hide her discontent with it all.

Wolfe frowned and heard the voice speaking from Phoenix's body. It wasn't her own. It had a different... tone. This woman's voice was cold, at a higher pitch and had a different accent. It most certainly was Phoenix, she had the same exact scent about her and her heart beat the exact same way.

Sheila walked across the room in the chaos, and quietly pulled Wolfe into the light. She grasped a part of his sleeve since she no longer wore gloves. "When this is over, you'll need to escape quickly and quietly." she said softly. Wolfe looked at Sheila, and noted the similarities between the sisters.

This girl smelled like cedar and fresh roses after the rain. He put his hand on the top of her head and ruffled her hair. "You're coming with." he said simply. "No doubt this will escolate quickly, and Phinny would never forgive me if I left her flesh and blood in the chaos."

Sheila looked at the ground. She let out a sigh.

Phoenix looked back at the guards and the women. "They are free to go." she said, casually. The women scurried out, dropping articles of clothing as they left. Sheila held herself, as if she were cold.

The guards looked at the possessed woman, and tried to make their escape as well. The doors slammed shut and locked. Her gaze was once again on the King. Phoenix's eyes turned from the King to the Bishop.

"A man of God, eh?" she pursed her lips. "He would strike you down like wasps to a corpse if He knew what you were doing." Phoenix laughed, then spun in her gown. "This land is so very properous now.. But it was wonderous when I ruled, Darling Derrick." She stopped her spinning.

"Madeline... I...." the King was stammering and trying to speak. He frowned, and looked away from her. "D-do not call me darling.... you are not my wife..."

"But at one time I was!" she shrieked. "And this--" she swept her arm around the room in an exaggerated motion, "Was ALL MINE!"

Wolfe flinched, and growled softly. Things were creeping and clawing at the ground in the darkness. They hissed and spoke in soft tones that sounded like beetles scurrying across parchment. Sheila was deeply regretting her plan. The things making their way out of the Shadows were barely making a sound, but in her mind they were screaming. She clasped her hands over her ears, trying to force the noise out. Her eyes were shut tight, concentrating on the task.

"And it will be mine... With this body blessed by the Great Marquisse.... I will--" She was caught off guard by a sword in her side. She stared at it a moment, amusement across her lips. Phoenix looked at the sword as it went through the left side of her back, and out the right side of her stomach.

The young ward who had tried to end her, was shaking in his boots. His armor was clad in the colors of the court, with small silver crosses dangling from a chain around his neck. He had no idea what he had done, only that he was serving his king.

Sheila gasped, feeling something tighten around her heart. The possessed Phoenix and Sheila made eye contact. The boy was sent sprawling and was sure to have broken a few things as he hit the marble floor. She drew the sword out of her body, then slowly approached.