One Dark Destiny

Queen Calliope chapter 4 - the Truth

Queen Calliope Chapter 4

Calliope is on the cliffs.
She walks along the edge, close enough that she can glance down and see all the way to the bottom. Where wave after wave crashes against the dark rocks, and white sea foam sprays high into the air. The sound of the ocean seems to Calliope like a song. Like music. Like the tide has a melody and the wind has a tune and Calliope is ready to listen. This is why she loves the cliffs.
It is beautiful in many ways up here.
And, she is always alone.
No one follows her up here, not Evangeline, not Alastair, Evangeline's brother, not any of the other Westwoods or the guards or anyone. She likes to think that not even the Goddess can see her here. But of course that is not true. The Goddess is everywhere.
The Goddess is a part of you.
She recalls the words of one of the priestesses at the nearby temple.
You have her blood.
It is true, everyone says it, that the blood of the Goddess runs through our veins. And that is why we are Queens.
The wind spirals around Calliope like a living creature, like a wild animal, dizzyingly fast. Like she could reach out and touch its sleek fur. Her steps echo off the dark cliffs, only to be swallowed by the ocean below them. She inhales deeply, and fresh, ocean-scented air pours into her body. As she steps closer to the cliff edge, something inside of Calliope is alive. Something that she does not recognise. The hair in her fringe flutters from side to side, and the tight buns on her head try to pull loose. She ignores them. She stretches her arms wide and allows her eyes to fall shut. The sensation is like flying, full of adrenaline and hope and... freedom. She imagines taking off, rising into the sky and soaring over the ocean. Away from Fennbirn. Away from the Goddess. Away from the truth. The cold truth that she has suppressed inside her, she clutches it tight, to stop it from escaping. But even now, it is pulling free.
She pushes it down, but it is too late.
Because it has escaped.
Calliope sinks to her knees, a cry pouring out of her, the skin of her hands pressing into the rocks.
Some day soon she will have to kill her sisters. She will have to fight them, and kill them. And she will succeed.
After all, it is what she has been trained for, since she could use her gift. Since she was six years old and Evangeline and Alastair arrived to take her from the Black Cottage.
But still, she tries to imagine how different things would have been if she had been born in Stormport, on the mainland. Very different.
Calliope slips her fingers over the rocks, and suddenly she gasps as a sharp pain jolts through her hand. She clasps hold of her arm, staring as ruby red Queensblood pours from a long slit in her palm, where the sharp stone tore the skin. It hurts. A lot. Blood starts to spill from her hand, dripping over the side of the cliff. She stares still, just as fascinated as she is horrified. It is not often that she has seen blood, less often her own. And never so much of it. It pools in her palm, both of Calliope's hands stained a deep red now. Slowly, she stands, cradling one arm in her other, and hurries back to Westwood house.

Evangeline is angry. Of course she is. How could she possibly miss an opportunity to scold Calliope?
Nova washes away some of the blood, before bandaging Calliope's hand. In moments, the bandage is soaked in scarlet, too. Calliope watches through gritted teeth, her body tense as she tries not to listen to Evangeline.
"Calliope, what were you thinking? You have ruined your hand, and - look! You have stained your dress!"
She is right - Calliope's black sleeves have turned a slightly strange color, where her blood soaked the material.
"This will take weeks to heal, Calliope. I have told you not to go up to the cliffs. If you would only listen to me, this would never have happened. If you ever listened..."
Calliope pushes down the urge to scream. Again. Nova wraps her hand in more bandages. Calliope looks around as she hears the door to her bedroom open.
Iridessa steps inside, and the corners of Calliope's mouth lift a little. Sweet Iridessa. She looks so lovely in her pale blue dress.
She takes another tentative step, only to be stopped by Evangeline.
"Iridessa? What are you doing here? The Queen's chambers are no place for a child. Leave. Now."
Iridessa's eyes widen as she opens her mouth to speak.
"Iridessa," Calliope cuts in.
"You may come in."
Evangeline turns on her.
"She may not," she says sharply.
"As you said, we are in my chambers, and I do not mind Iridessa being here," Calliope replies.
Evangeline narrows her eyes but says nothing. Iridessa comes into the room, allowing the door to fall shut behind her. As she passes Evangeline, a hard stare meets her large brown eyes.
"I heard you were hurt, Calliope," she says worriedly. Calliope smiles softly.
"Do not worry, Iridessa. I am fine," she replies, hoping that the younger girl does  not see the pain behind her smile.
"Can I see?" Iridessa asks, face still written with concern.
"It is all bandaged up now," Calliope replies, hesitant to show it to Iridessa because of all the blood that has stained the bandages.
Iridessa's expression relaxes a little, until Evangeline opens her mouth.
"You are dismissed," she says, and her words have the chill of a frozen river. She practically throws Iridessa out of the room and shuts the door behind them. After a moment, Calliope can hear Evangeline's sharp voice again, and Iridessa cries out. Calliope grits her teeth and tries to swallow down her anger.
When Evangeline returns, Calliope says flatly:
"You hit her."
Evangeline purses her lips.
"She is insolent, and disobedient. The child needs to be taught some respect."
She is your daughter! Calliope yells silently.
You have no right to treat her like that!
Calliope's fingernails dig sharply into her palms, and pain shoots through her injured hand. She grits her teeth and tries to stay calm.
But it is impossible.
"Evangeline," she says.
"Don't you dare touch her."
Evangeline raises her eyebrows in disbelief. Calliope stands.
"Don't you dare touch her!" She says, louder this time.
"Evangeline. Sometimes you seem to forget who the Queen is here. Do not hurt Iridessa. Or it will be your Queen that you answer to."
She storms out of the room and slams the door in Evangeline's face.