Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 7

Celeste sat at her dining table with her steward. Eating had been a struggle since she'd returned. Her skin had become as pale as snow itself aside from the dark rash that grew larger on her back every day. Fighting to stay awake, her eyes stung. All she wanted to do was lie down, but her steward insisted that she tried to eat.

Lacking hunger, she picked at her venison and bread. The scent was gamey and it made her nose crinkle. She couldn't stop herself from heaving as she brought the fork to her lips. With a dry mouth, she forced herself to chew the tender meat.

After a few bites, she announced that she was done as she collected her dishes and picked up her satchel. She made her way to the kitchen and slid the food into a bag that was intended to be taken to the kennel. She knew there was something wrong, but couldn't figure out what.

Many of the books she had read on disease didn't help her. Upon leaving the kitchen, she found her messenger relaxing at his stand near the entrance of her home. "Send for Pollo." He bowed to her in acceptance and rose to leave.

She took a seat after making her way to the meeting chambers. She couldn't stop herself from massaging her hand into the rash. While it didn't itch, it still felt like pins and was inflated. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if it continued to spread.

Lying her head onto the table she waited for her friend. Comfort was found in the sound of the wood crackling in the fireplace as it burned. She tried her best to not shut her eyes, but the fatigue took over.

***

Standing in the woods, she looked around. A hooded figure progressed towards her. The only part of their face that was exposed was their mouth and nose. "Hello, Celeste." The woman's voice was smoky.

She took a step back to find herself against a tree. "What do you want?" Celeste questioned. The air was thick in her lungs making it hard to breathe. She couldn't tell if it was a dream or memory. It felt real as the breeze brushed her skin.

"You, Celeste. He chose you." A smile crept on the edges of her lips. "You have the blood." The woman grabbed her and drew her forward. "We must go, quickly. He needs to perform the spell." She looked around but the forest made it hard to identify her surroundings.

"Who?" Celeste asked as her voice trembled. She knew the answer already but wanted to hear her say it. As she tried to release herself from the woman's grip, she squeezed tighter. A tingling sensation in her hand made root.

She didn't want to go. A scream got stuck inside her throat. The things that they made them do was something that Celeste couldn't wrap her head around. The woman removed her hood, exposing her deep red hair. It was Queen Breannelyse. "The guardian."

***

Celeste's eyes shot open as she cried. To her surprise, Pollo's hand was on her shoulder. "How are you here? You're supposed to be in Hollowbane." Instantly, her head throbbed.

She did her best to assemble her thoughts. "I don't know, but I can't go back." She answered. She had spent the last week trying to find out what freed her, but couldn't get so much as a lead.

"What happened? Why did you call for me?" Pollo looked as if he'd seen a ghost. She seemed timider than her usual self. Her frame seemed smaller than he remembered.

She turned around and lifted her shirt exposing the rash on her back. "I'm in trouble." He couldn't stop the gasp of air he took. He covered his mouth as if trying to take it back. It was clear where it started as it was black near the bottom of her spine and got lighter as it worked its way up to her shoulder blades.

"How long has it been there?" Pollo asked. The shocked expression on his face remained although he tried to appear composed. He touched it to feel its texture to get a better understanding of its possibilities.