Crownless

Chapter 7

Tomorrow. Tomorrow the wretched witch should be here with her men. The palace is eery, silent. My father has bags around his eyes, where worry and Insomnia have set up camp. My mother has been in denial, fussing about my birthday and making sure the kingdom is prepared. I, on the other hand, can't stay out of Icarus' chambers. I have collected my armor and my weapons, training day in and day out. Waiting, waiting for the inevitable. 

The waiting is the worst part, knowing your people will die, and so will your birthright. I nervously fiddled with the pendant my mother gave me as I paced around Icarus' statue. I finally stopped to stare at the statue. I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and longing staring at it. Before I knew what I was doing, I reached out and touched the statue. Tears and sobs escaped from my mouth, and unexplainable heartbreak filled my chest. My heart pounding, I feel like I couldn't breathe. I grasp at the necklace before it all went black.I opened my eyes and looked down to see my body on the ground. Am I dead? What happened? 

"Come here daughter of the throne." A warm woman's voice filled the air. I looked around to see who was speaking. 

"Who is there?" I went to draw my weapon, only to remember I was dead and floating above the ground. 

"I said, COME!'' Her voice boomed as I rushed upward through the ceiling, through the glimmer into the sky. I screamed as I felt myself rushing upwards past the clouds. When finally I fell on a cloud. The Sun was up above me as she crawled out of her shape and stood tall. She had long blonde curls, golden skin, and eyes so brown they looked almost yellow. She was breathtaking if I had any.

"What is your name?" She sat in front of me. 

"Uhh... I ... uh..." I stuttered. The Sun was talking to me, and I'm dead. "Audrielle." I cleared my throat. 

"Audrielle, I've been watching you and your parents." She rolled her eyes. 

"How am I here? Did I die?" I gave her a confused look.

"Technically yes. I had to talk to you and if you were alive, I would sear your skin off." She twisted a curl, wrapping it around her long slender fingers. A smug grin spread across her radiant face. ''How could they sell Icaria out like that?" She shook her head. "I built that place to be protected." I crossed my legs listening to her continue. 

"The witch is coming to claim the throne tomorrow. We can fight, but that's all we can do." I looked down in shame. I looked up at the sound of her scoff.

 "So you're giving up, just like that?!" She slammed her fist down on her knee. 

"I am the future Queen, I will not be spoken to in that manner!" I commanded. Instantly regretting it, thinking about who I was talking to. 

"Your title means nothing to me, mortal." She seethed. I gulped.

''I see you have a little spark in you. Fight. Protect Icarus and his memorial." She sat up. Looking me straight into my eyes.

"I will die trying. I had a vision, of it all burning to the ground." I looked away, shame obvious on my face. 

" If that Statue is destroyed..." She closed her eyes trying to contain herself. " He was my truest love." She continued. "Every waking moment I think of him, and my very being is filled with gut-wrenching heartbreak." Tears of lava streamed down her face. She caught them before they fell. "Do you have any idea how that feels?" She looked at me and pity swelled in my stomach. 

" I will tomorrow." Tears welled up in my own eyes. 

"Fight Fate. Protect his memory." She looked at me. 

   "Because if you don't, you'll feel what I've felt for eternity. I'll make sure of it."

I woke up on the hard marble floor. Was that a dream? No that was way too detailed. The pendant on my neck was still glowing, but slowly fading out. What did she mean I would feel what she felt for eternity? Ugh as if dying alongside my kingdom wasn't enough. I headed to my chambers, I just want to sleep. 

"The day before our demise and you're in bed sleeping." My father's voice boomed in my ear. 

"Aren't you proud?" I yawned. 

"Your mother has requested that you pick out what you're wearing tomorrow." He said clearly irritated. I could tell gowns was the last thing he wanted to talk about. A giggle escaped my lips as I saw him scratch the back of his head.

"The head of my enemies around my neck." I sarcastically taunted. His brown eyes gleamed with humor. His chuckle boomed from his chest.

 "That's my future Queen." My dad's laugh was infectious as I joined him. I rolled out of bed and walked with father to meet with mother. "Just appease her for now. She's scared." He stopped before we entered the throne room. 

"I know. All I can think about is combat." I bit my lip nervously.

 " I as well." He admitted.