Chapter 33 – Shadows Beneath the Crown
The moon hung high over the palace, casting silver light across the marble floors. But peace was an illusion tonight—tension brewed like a storm in the distance, silent yet suffocating.
Oki stood in the tower garden, her fingers skimming the tips of glowing moonflowers. She felt it again—that presence. Not just danger. Something darker. Watching her. Testing her.
She turned quickly. "You can come out, Kimo."
Prince Kimo emerged from the shadows, arms crossed, his blue eyes flashing. "You always know."
"I always feel when your emotions shift," she replied, gently.
Kimo stepped closer. "Then you must feel how angry I am."
Oki tilted her head. "At me?"
He didn't answer at first. His jaw was clenched. "You still lie to me. Hide things. Every time I reach for you, I'm reminded you're not mine."
Oki sighed. "I never belonged to anyone, Kimo. But I… chose to stand by you."
"Then tell me why they fear you. Why the queen's mirror speaks your name in the dark. What are you?" he asked, voice low.
She walked to him, close enough that their breath tangled. "The answer isn't what you want it to be, Kimo. Knowing it too early could destroy more than trust. It could ruin destiny."
He growled, "Why do you always speak in riddles?"
"Because truths that cut too soon will bleed you dry."
They stood in painful silence.
Then, Kimo reached out, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "You drive me mad, Oki. And yet I'd burn kingdoms for one moment of honesty from you."
She leaned into his hand. "And I would fight entire worlds to protect you. Even from the truth."
Just then, a servant burst into the garden, panting. "Your Highness… the king… he's missing."
Kimo and Oki froze.
"What do you mean?" Kimo barked.
"He vanished from his chamber. The guards were… unconscious. No blood. No struggle. Just gone."
Oki's heart clenched. "This is her doing."
"The queen?" Kimo asked.
She nodded slowly. "She's begun the final game."
In the throne room, the queen stood before the throne with her green eyes glowing faintly in the torchlight. She whispered to herself:
"Soon. The crown will fall. And rise again in my name."
A whisper from the mirror answered her, "But not if she finds him first."
She spun, smashing the mirror with her bare hand. "She will never defeat me. Not her. Not Elira's cursed son. The palace will rot with truth before I lose again."
Outside, storm clouds formed unnaturally fast. Thunder rumbled like the cry of an ancient beast.
Kimo looked toward the sky. "She's coming for everything."
Oki grabbed his hand. "Then we meet her in the dark… together."
To be continued…