Dark Eros

14

King Neft sat at his wife's side and watched as she talked the girl's ears off. He loved his queen as any real king should but even he knew that her chatter could be taxing. But still he was amazed that the girl had endured so long.

"Adae," he said softly, authoritatively.

She looked to him, adoration in her lovely blue eyes. Eyes that only one of his children had been blessed to inherit. "We are to prepare for the winter moon, should you not be looking over the harvest?"

Her eyes widened and she hopped out of her seat, "You're right. I had forgotten. I'll see to it now." She said as she stood and headed to do so. "Let us go, Ife."

Ife stood as well but Nefti's voice suddenly put her at pause. "I will send her to you but first I would like to talk to the girl."

The queen raised a brow but smirked in acknowledgement.

Ife watched the king wearily, she did not know what to expect with him. He had given her the vibe that he did not like her and she knew better than to approach the king without actual need to.

He beckoned her closer and she went, falling to her knees before her as one should upon encountering him.

"My son finds solace in you. Why?" He suddenly asked.

She blinked, taken aback by the question before glancing up at him to meet his eyes. See saw nothing but darkness within them, a fact that made her scowl.

"He says that I see him." She answered.

It was his turn to scowl. "Nonsense, do those with eyes that are not blind find him invisible?"

"You see what he wants to be seen. I see more than that." She countered, suddenly feeling the need to defend him.

The king tsked, "He has no satisfaction in his title. No contentment in his position. He is being childish in his complaints, for no man would scoff at what he has."

"Is he not allowed to feel indifference merely because he is a prince?"

"It does not matter what he feels, he will be king one day, the choice is not his to make."

"That is why he finds no solace in it, because he does not have a say."

King Nefti frowned, though suddenly his eyes grew tired...weary. "He is my only son, the only son I was blessed with. Had I been given more, the choice would have been for our people to make."

This she understood, so she said no more, merely gazed upon him in response. He felt the need to squirm under her scrunity and the very fact made him frown. He leaned forward on his throne, his eyes appraising her curiosly.

"You look at me with no fear, as if you see past my skin. Is this what you have bewitched my son with?" Again she stayed silent.

He grinned at her ability to do so. "Come here, girl. I wish for a reading. Tell me what you see."

He offered her his hand and she stood to do what he asked. She gripped his hand close and peered into his eyes. His depths were deep, wide, filled with memories, laughter, moments of intense passion and pride. Images of him dancing with his people, thanking the god of creation on moonlight nights. Images of him in his youth, pursuing the queen, embracing her, holding their children. Peaceful reign and contentment and then...nothing...a growing darkness that seemed to be filling every space of his being, creating a hole that was slowly swallowing up his bodily form. An image of him clutching his heart appeared and she jumped back, finally realizing what the intense darkness meant.

He frowned at her, "Well? Tell me what you saw."

"You...I...your heart. Your heart hurts you." She mumbled, afraid to tell him of the darkness that was engulfing his eyes, dulling there dark brown light.

His frown disappeared and once more his face was filled with a tired look. He raised his hands to his lips, using one finger to shush her. "Go assist my Adae. And tell her nothing of your discovery."

She nodded and just as she turned he stopped her, "Tell no one and that includes, Fumnaya."

She looked back at him and his face said it all. He truly looked tired, as if he had no energy left to even move with. His dark skin, seemed pale. It was the soft, almost intangible gleam in his eyes that caught her attention. It hit her...he knew. He knew he did not have much time left.

He wanted no one to know of his sickness, the aches in his chest that ailed him.

Before she could stop herself she took a step toward him, "My sister is a medicinal healer. She could make you herbs and teas."

He shook his head, "You think I have no doctor, girl?"

"I did not mean to-," he cut her off, his voice soft, "It is my time. No herb or tea or prayer will stop this. Go now and clear your mind. I do not fear what waits for me."

She argued no more, bowed once more and said even softer, "Yes, my king."

As moved to leave, quietly, almost too quiet, he whispered, "Look after my son. He will need guidance and a heart that will understand his own."