A Kiss of Fate

Chapter 17

It was the fourth night of Buel, third and last month of spring. Iezabel sat in a corner, reading a book she had borrowed from Zelrine. Vánar, it was called, a collection of myths about the nameless one, based on a religion widely followed by many a southerners. A candle flickered on the table beside her, throwing a dim glow across the bedchamber.

With dawn fast approaching, it was an hour past midnight. Lady Ayana breathed peacefully in her sleep, her hand unconsciously reaching for the crib beside her bed. A low thud reached Iezabel’s ears, followed by a slight creak from the wooden cradle.

Iezabel sighed and placed the book on the table before rising to her feet.

Scarlett lay on her stomach, her tiny hands patting the soft padding under her blankets. Iezabel lifted the child from her little prison just as her lips parted in a wail.

“Shush, my little princess,” Iezabel crooned, rocking the child in her arms. “You are going to wake your mother. You are.” She pouted reproachfully at the frowning face.

“Adorable little thing, aren’t you?”

She nuzzled the soft blushed cheeks—the tiny fingers trying to pull her locks even as the tears kept flowing.

Iezabel could lose herself in those big sapphire-blue orbs. The wailing ceased as Iezabel started humming the lullaby Lady Ayana usually sang to her daughter.

Hush, little Hope, go to sleep,
Mama loves thee, don’t cry or weep,
Sweet little hope, don’t puff thine cheeks,
Sparkle thy eyes, and stars that peep.

Scarlett stared at Iezabel as she recognized the tune and watched in puzzlement, her wide eyes following the movement of her lips.

Close your eyes as blue as skies,
Hush little hope, don’t you cry,
Dream of lilies and butterflies,
Rest your head, the night is nigh.

Iezabel sat in her chair and lowered the child onto her lap, handing her a woolen doll.

Lovely as a rose, and sugar sweet,
Laugh like chimes and bells that ring,
Diamond tears and pink little feet,
Thou art my precious bloom of spring.

Those tiny hands grabbed the doll and started swinging it by its ears. Ayana twitched once, but continued her slumber. Iezabel turned her attention back to the wriggling babe in her arms.

“I’m going to make you a new one,” Iezabel murmured softly, brushing back the bright red curls she had inherited from her mother. “But only if you are a good girl.”

Iezabel started as a slight vibration shook the chamber, raining motes of dust from the ceiling. Scarlett began to cry again, alarmed by the disturbance. Iezabel rose to her feet and rocked the child against her chest, ears strained for the slightest sound. What was that?

Just then, another, more intense vibration resonated across the stone walls, sending a jolt through Iezabel.

Faint shouts and running feet echoed outside. It could mean only one thing.

The Empire had found them.

The doors opened just as Lady Ayana jerked awake, her eyes skirting the chamber.

“The base is under attack,” a guard informed Iezabel. “What are our orders.”

“Aid the Commander,” Iezabel said. “We can’t let them inside the temple.”

“As you wish, Madame Iezabel.”

“They have come for me,” Ayana whispered, dread in her eyes.