Hail the Queen

Part 1: Liquid Sleep

 "Come away with me," he whispered into my ear. We lay together on the cold tile floor of my room with his arms wrapped around me. Tears slid down the side of my face as I listened to his velveteen voice.

"I can't," I whispered, "I'm scared."

His fingertips found my chin and he turned my face toward him, "Aren't you scared here?" he asked, "You've been listening to the spirits for so long. Be done with it now. Let go of this life."

"All of these pills are making my skin crawl," I cried, "They'll never get the voices to stop. They never will, will they?"

"No, you know that." He kissed my cheeks softly, "You know where they're coming from. You don't belong in this world."

I had been in this mental institution for seven months and seen no improvement. I often resorted to violent fits, in which case they would give me a shot so potent I would sleep for the next three days. I couldn't bear another shot. I couldn't stand to take another pill. I was taking seven in the morning and four at night. I wanted relief, not another combination of chemicals.

He kissed my cheeks again, so softly it felt like a feather brushing against my skin. He was such a beautiful man. Lovely porcelain skin and almond-shaped chocolate brown eyes with thick long lashes framing them. His lips were shaped exquisitely. Full and thick, perfect little pillows.

"Let go, my love," he whispered in my ear.

He held my face in his hands. His eyes studied me as my tears fell. His right hand slid to the small of my back and pulled me closer to him. "I'm so cold," I whispered. All I could think of were the nurses doing their hourly checks. I didn't want to be found like this. "Don't let anything get in here," I pleaded, "Don't let anyone get through the door." I closed my eyes and tucked my face into the crook of his neck. His grip tightened around me, firm but gentle. He cradled me like a precious piece of glass.

A deep voice came from the corner of the room, "You're fowl, Leiandros."

I recognized the voice instantly. A strong rumble coming from deep in his chest. I should've felt relief that he had come to save me, but I didn't. I felt annoyance. I didn't want to argue about anything. I wanted to let go.

"Please leave," I whined, "I don't want to fight anymore."

Leiandros released me, rising on his feet like smoke. I didn't even feel him move. "Get out of here, Vitalis. She's willing, I'm not doing any harm."

As soon as I was out of Leiandros' grip I felt better. I was exhausted, but it was the type of tired one might feel after a good cry. I fell asleep as they went on. Vitalis always won the arguments, and he always saved me.

The sleep was uneasy, and the floor was hard. I could feel Vitalis in my room as I slept. I knew he was watching, waiting for Leiandros to come back.

As beguiling as Leiandros was, I hated when he came. I always saw him at the lowest points in my life. I might see Vitalis at any given time, but Leiandros fed on my misery. He would wrap himself around me like a snake until he was my only thought.

I woke up a couple of hours into my slumber to find Vitalis sitting on the floor in front of my cot. His eyes were on me, and I felt safe. Nothing could hurt me with him around, not even myself.

I had the same nightmare every couple of days. I was trapped in a dark world with a black ocean, and a deep purple beach. Mist hung in the sky while no natural light shining through.

Vitalis stood, solid as a rock, arms and torso bare with nothing but spirit bone strapped around him. A crown of bone tied together with leather strands rested on his head. At the front of the crown was a skull no bigger than a squirrel's.