Author's Preface
A cold wind blew in. The sky was dreary, dark gray clouds filling the heavens and making it impossible for even a single ray of light to penetrate. It seemed as though snow would fall at any moment. Yet the people gathered below seemed not to care.
Down below, the town square swarmed with chaos. Buildings were draped in shades of white and deep, nearly black, purple. Curtains were drawn tight, sealing the streets in a suffocating quiet that clashed with the unrest below. The atmosphere was angry… but somber.
In the center of the square, where the fire had once stood, now rose a wooden platform. It was sturdy, but far from attractive, as though it had been hastily erected. A man in a leather mask waited beside a simple block, a dulled axe resting in his hands. He stood as still as a statue amidst the roaring sea of citizens.
Jaziel sat at the rear of the stage, his cool lavender eyes taking in everything.
Guards lined the foot of the platform, weapons in hand, ready for whatever might come. The people were restless. Some screamed for justice. Others demanded a trial. A few quieter voices questioned what the Empress had done to offend Serum and allow such a fate to befall her.
But most had already decided.
It had simply been her fate.
“Bring forth the prisoners!” a priest in dark purple robes shouted.
A moment later, the crowd parted, forming a narrow path as knights dragged Valen forward alongside his sister, and his wife. With every step, the people struck at them. Kicks, spit, and curses were hurled like stones. They were all gagged and bound. Valen and his sister had clearly suffered the worst of it. Both were covered in cuts and bruises. Valen was missing his hands, the stumps already beginning to blacken.
The three were forced onto the platform as the crowd pelted them with spoiled food and stones.
"Lenora Varkas!" the priest called.
A moment later, the woman was brought forward. She fought against the knight's grip, but it was no use. Her eyes searched the crowd desperately, pleading with the few familiar faces scattered among them.
One by one, they lowered their gazes.
The priest unrolled the scroll.
"Lenora Varkas, you stand accused of defamation of the Crown, complicity in the shedding of divine blood, and attempting to flee the judgment of the Throne," the priest proclaimed.
"As punishment… you shall be beheaded, and your tongue removed. So that even among the stars, you may speak no more falsehoods."
Only then did he finally look upon the woman before him. Disgust was etched across his features.
Lenora's eyes widened.
"Any last words?" the priest asked.
The knight removed her gag. Lenora stretched her mouth for a moment before turning her attention toward Jaziel.
“Your Majesty! I have never lied!” she began, her eyes pleading.
“The princess is a prick ear! I saw it! I was there when she was born!” she insisted as she fell to her knees, bowing her head before the man. Then she turned toward the crowd.
“Ask anyone else in the palace! The princess is a Forestspawn!” she shouted.
A sigh escaped Jaziel's lips.
“The princess is under my divine right and protection. She is my ward, and thus any slander against her is slander against me as well.”
“But—”
“Any who speak otherwise shall meet the same fate. I have heard enough,” Jaziel said, waving his hand.
A second later, the knight seized her once more. Another approached, brandishing a small blade. Some of the crowd cheered as her screams filled the air. Others looked away.
Soon the screams became nothing but wet grunts and groans. Blood poured down her chin and jaw as she was dragged to the block.
She tried to scream as the axe came crashing down, but no scream came. In one clean motion, the blade passed straight through. Her head struck the platform with a dull thud.
The crowd roared.
Jaziel clicked his tongue in disappointment.
The axe was still too sharp.
Once the crowd settled, the priest returned his gaze to the scroll.
“Elowen Varkas!” the priest shouted.
Valen’s wife was next on the docket. Large tears streaked her face as she was brought forward, her cries sharp and loud. Valen tried to break free from the knights' grasp, but he could only watch as his wife was forced to her knees.
"You stand accused of possessing knowledge of your husband and sister-in-law's plot, and failing in your duty to the Crown when divine blood was shed. Any last words?" the priest asked with a raised brow.
Her gag was removed.
“I have none…” she said as more tears fell. “I should have done more… tried more. I failed the Crown.” She wept. “I failed Noxis…”
Then she turned her head toward Jaziel.
“I am sincerely sorry for your loss… Your Majesty. Do with me as you see fit.”
She lowered her head in resignation.
Silence settled over the crowd.
Jaziel scratched his chin for a moment, his eyes studying her carefully.
“For your honesty… I will show leniency,” he finally said with a small smile.
Elowen looked up, a spark of hope returning to her eyes.
“Since you were unable to protect the Crown, you no longer need to belong to it. You shall be stripped of your rights and Noxis’s protection. You are henceforth banished and will be placed upon the earliest boat.”
Her eyes widened in horror.
“No…” she pleaded.
The guards seized her, dragging her toward an unmarked carriage.
“May one day you repay the blood you chose to ignore.” Jaziel said as she was shoved inside screaming.
The windowless carriage departed, and the sound of her cries echoed for a time before finally being swallowed by the distance.
Finally, the crowd turned their attention to the last man standing.
Valen’s eyes were glazed over. He was dragged to the block, barely resisting. The knights forced him to his knees behind the block, holding him there gently as the priest read the final passage.
“Valen Varkas.
You are charged with the murder of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Jamila, chosen of Noxis, and sovereign of this land.
You have broken your oath, defiled your station, and raised your hand against the divine blood of the Crown. In doing so, you have committed treason, sacrilege, and the highest crime known to this realm.
You are stripped of all remaining lands and titles you possess, and your name shall be wiped from the registry. For your crimes, you are sentenced to death.
Let your end stand as a warning to any who would follow.”
The crowd erupted once more, slurs and curses hurled with renewed fury. Rotten food followed, striking the man where he knelt.
“Any last words?” the priest asked.
Valen looked at the priest, the jeering crowd, and finally at Jaziel.
“Please…” he mumbled. “Just make it quick.”
The crowd erupted into angry uproar. Some demanded it be made slower. Some begged for mercy. Others remained silent, unable to look away.
A humorless scoff escaped Jaziel.
“I reject your request. My sister died slowly. Why should you be granted a mercy she never received?”
He waved a hand.
Valen’s head was forced against the block. He tried to fight back once more, horror filling his eyes as he saw the dull blade approaching. Tears began to cascade down his cheeks as he stared at his reflection in the metal.
The crowd fell silent as the executioner raised the axe.
For a moment, it was as though time itself stood still.
Movement.
Sound.
Breath.
Everything was quiet.
Then the blade came down with a wet thud. The sound was… shallower than it should have been.
Wet gurgling filled the silence as a ripple of discomfort passed through the crowd. No cheering. No jeering.
Only eerie silence.
The executioner paused for a breath too long before adjusting his stance and raising the axe once more.
Some people turned their heads away as the blade came down heavily, this time passing clean through. At the sound of the head striking the platform with a dull thud, the crowd finally cheered once more.
Louder.
Sharper.
“Your Majesty…” a knight whispered beside Jaziel. “What are your orders regarding the knights who turned a blind eye?”
Jaziel's dull, cold eyes settled on the man. For a moment, something fierce burned behind them.
“Hang them,” he replied evenly. “And fine their families.”
The knight saluted and departed.
Jaziel watched as snow finally began to fall. The pure white flakes cascaded down, instantly staining a deep crimson as they found their way to the ground. He rose from his makeshift throne and turned away, leaving the rest to the people… and his knights.
It was done.
His sister had been avenged.
Now he just needed to get things ready for his rule and Shani’s protection.
Shani awoke with a scream, but no sound came. Her body was slick with sweat. Everything hurt… her throat was sore. Her body ached and trembled. Her wrist burned and pulsed. She pulled her pulsing wrist up. It was bandaged, only the tips of her pale fingers peeking out from the gauze. There was no bracelet to be seen.
Her heart thundered and she looked to her other hand. The bracelet hung limply, but it looked different. She pulled her hand closer to examine the bracelet. Cracks splintered across it like frozen lightning… thin, jagged lines trapped beneath the surface. It was still whole but it felt… fragile.
Shani dropped her wrist and looked around the room. A familiar feeling washed over her, yet it felt different. It was their room. She was lying in her mother’s bed. But the blankets on Jamila’s side were cold, empty.
She pushed herself up only to collapse as a wave of nausea and dizziness struck her. She felt so weak. Every muscle in her body screamed at her, and her lungs burned with the effort. Hot tears pooled in her eyes as she tried again… slower this time.
Shani managed to sit upright this time. Her pulse pounded loudly behind her ears. She sat there for a moment to catch her breath. She looked towards the door, it was in the same spot as always but it felt further this time.
I need to find mama… She told herself. Shani slowly crawled to the edge of the bed and carefully climbed over the side. One foot touched the cold wooden floor first. It was shaky, but firm.
Clenching the sheets with all her might she dropped her second foot to the ground. Her knees wobbled for a moment, but soon enough calmed. Hot, heavy breaths escaped her throat. She was about to release the bed when she noticed heat on her back.
Shani looked over her shoulder and noticed a roaring fire in the fireplace. It was the same fire and fireplace she had all her life, but something changed. Her heart rate picked up once more and her breathing became shallow. She wanted to look away but her body wouldn’t let her.
The sound of an angry storm crashed through her ears. The fire canopy, the smoke, flames getting closer and closer. Tears flooded her eyes and a shrill scream escaped her throat with so much force it caused her throat to throb.
She let go of the sheets and crumpled to the floor. All the strength she had left vanished in the face of those red flames.
The sound of rustling and hurried footsteps outside the door drew Shani's frightened gaze. A maid burst into the room, her pale green eyes wide. Bright blonde hair framed her face, and a dark purple ribbon was tied around her neck.
Shani didn't recognize her.
“Y-you’re awake…” the girl stammered.
“H-His Majesty! I must tell His Majesty!”
She bolted from the room. A couple of knights peered inside, relief briefly crossing their features before they returned to their posts outside the door.
Shani didn't recognize them either.
She stared at the doorway, confusion blooming across her face.
His Majesty?
Something was wrong. A chill ran down her spine as the words circled her. Before long, Jaziel entered the room, breath uneven, sweat clinging to him. He took in the small child and let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair as he approached.
Shani couldn’t help but notice he was wearing a gold circlet on his brow. Her anxiety intensified.
“Princess, why are you sitting on the floor?” Jaziel bent down, lifting her carefully and placing her back into the bed. Adjusting the blankets and pillows around her.
He pulled a small wooden chair closer and sat beside her.
“How are you feeling?” His eyes watched her closely.
Shani stared at her uncle, confused. She looked back towards the doorway, waiting, but her mother never came through. She couldn’t even hear her steps.
“Where’s… mama?” Her throat was hoarse, the words barely audible. The moment they left, she began to cough. Jaziel glanced toward the maid in the doorway. The young maid rushed forward, pouring water and handing it to Jaziel.
“Drink slowly,” Jaziel ordered as he held the glass to her mouth.
Shani nodded, taking small sips. The burning in her throat eased… just a little. She released the cup and Jaziel handed it back to the maid.
Only then did Jaziel speak.
“Your mother…” Jaziel began carefully. “She's gone.”
Shani tilted her head. “Gone where?” She asked. “Is she coming back soon?” Shani continued. Jaziel's expression softened, his eyes glistening over for a moment. He bit his lip and let out a sigh. His features slowly returned to their usual calm.
“No…” He let out a shaky breath. “I'm sorry. She won't be coming back.”
Shani's brows furrowed together.
“Your mother…” His voice broke. “She's dead.”
The world froze. Shani felt her blood run cold as the room seemed to close in around her. Her body became numb. Everything became distant. Shani grabbed her arms as tears began to pool in her lavender eyes.
“Princess…”
She heard a distant voice call. She clasped her eyes shut and covered her ears.
“Princess…”
It was still there. Shani shook her head. It wasn’t true, her mother wasn’t dead… uncle was lying.
Then… a small voice, her voice, whispered in her ear.
Uncle doesn’t lie…
Her eyes shot open, her mind spinning with thoughts. If he wasn’t lying… then she must still be dreaming. She needed to pinch herself… but her fingers were trembling, So instead, she brought her braceleted arm to her mouth and bit down hard.
It hurts. She thought as her eyes burned and her throat ached.
A startled gasp escaped the maid as a thin line of blood welled.
“Shani…” Jaziel’s voice was dark, sharp enough to freeze her where she sat. Shani turned slowly. His face was composed… but behind his eyes, something raw burned.
He's mad…
Shani's eyes trembled as she met his gaze. Jaziel sighed and extended his hand.
“Give me your arm.” His tone was cold and strict. Shani obeyed, extending and placing a bloody, shaky arm in her uncle's hand. He examined the wound carefully.
“Melody… Go fetch the doctor.” He ordered. The young maid bowed and exited swiftly.
Real.
It was all real.
Jaziel suddenly released her arm and pulled Shani’s face toward him. Her heart leaped into her throat at the unexpected touch.
“Don’t hurt yourself anymore,” he said quietly, his eyes flicking to her lip. Only then did she realize she had been biting it raw. He sighed again, and pulled her into a brief embrace.
“It’s okay… I’m still here…”
His voice was warm. But Shani felt nothing, tears continued to fall, but no more cries seemed to escape.
The physician arrived shortly after, tending to her arm and burn. Everything blurred together. It felt like she was watching a play unfold.
“Her ladyship is weak after being asleep for three days,” the man said. Shani just stared blankly at the doctor.
“With gentle food and small movements, she should recover quickly, Your Majesty.”
Shani then turned her attention to Jaziel. Her uncle… was emperor now. Her mother, gone. So what was she?
Jaziel took her hand.
“I promise you… I will protect and take care of you.” He patted the back of her cold hand. “You will never be hurt again…” Jaziel continued but Shani just stared. Unable to speak. Unable to understand.
A moment later, a maid interrupted him. He smiled tenderly at Shani before turning to leave.
“I… I want to see mama…” She finally managed to say. Her voice was small, fragile, as she called after him.
Jaziel paused.
“We will discuss that when you are better,” he said coolly, before exiting the room.
The maid hummed softly as she opened the curtains, then returned with a basin and cloth. She began gently cleaning Shani, working carefully around the bracelet.
“Should I take it off?” Shani asked.
The girl shook her head. “No. His Majesty said it is not to be removed under any circumstances.”
She hesitated… then added, quieter.
“That applies to you as well, miss.”
Shani nodded slowly, not fully understanding. Melody brightened suddenly.
“It was very kind of His Majesty to take you in as his ward, miss!”
The word hit.
Ward.
Something shifted inside her. She didn’t understand it… but it felt like something else had been taken. She grabbed one of her mother’s pillows and pulled it tight against her chest.
“I want to be alone.” Her voice cracked.
“But miss-”
“I want to be alone!” Shani spoke more forcefully this time.
The maid nodded and quietly left the room. The door closed. Shani took in the dark room for a moment, then something inside her burst. She buried her face in the pillow and wailed.
Her mother was gone.
Her uncle had taken her mother’s place.
And she was no longer a princess.
Just… a Miss.
Her throat ached. Her head spun. But the tears didn't stop. The pain didn't stop. She wished she felt nothing. Wished the darkness would take her… so she could see her mother again.
But her wish didn't come true.