Page 8 of Death Cap

TWELVE

MOREL

The agonyof holding back my emotions at the sight of her was beyond compare. The whole time she had been here, withhim. My queen was not dead, but alive, and yet she seemed to have no recollection of me. The painful realization of her circumstances consumed me. Agaric must’ve done something to her, altering her mind in some way. I needed to fix this. I needed my wife back.

Hesper had remainedsilent the rest of the journey back to Grisset. It was a pleasant surprise, one my head was grateful for. Upon the arrival to the kingdom, she seemed taken back by its cold, snowy appearance. I couldn’t help but watch her as the royal physician escorted her to her room. Despite her current predicament, she seemed oddly obedient and persuasive. It wasas if she was waiting for someone—anyone—to guide her, like a puppet in need of a master. The behavior was a bit unsettling.

“Sir.” Orion approached me as I sat at the large black marble table, unable to enjoy my meal.

“Yes?” I leaned back, gazing out the wall length glass windows that lined the dining room. They peered straight into the mountains, the brightness of the snow peeking through the thick blue colored glass, casting beams of light through the room, drowning it in a deep blue.

“The physician wishes to speak to you.” I groaned, hesitant to hear what he had to say. Nodding to Orion, he bowed, leaving to retrieve the old man. My hand traced the silver utensils lined on either side of my plate.

“My king.” The old man approached with Orion, bowing before me. I nodded, allowing him to speak. “I fear that the queen has experienced a severe trauma in her most recent past.” My hand stopped as I listened intently. “It seems she has a poorly healed wound that pierces her abdomen. Whoever has been caring for her, has unfortunately not done so properly. Her wounds would need to be reopened and properly cared for.”

“Is she alright?” I whispered, confused as to why Agaric would subject my queen, his ‘betrothed’, to poor medical care.

“Indeed. However, given her current state, I am worried that the instructions you gave upon your return may further harm her—”

“Forgive me, old man, but are you saying you wish to disobey my command?” The question crawled from my throat as I glared at him.

“Heavens no, my king! I only meant th—”

“If you do not wish to die by my hands, sir, I suggest you return to your queen and continue with my instructions, as it seems she needs your care.” The physician nodded, trembling at my aggression as he bowed, rushing from the room.

Orion remained, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword as it hung, sheathed at his side. “You did not need to threaten him.”

Exhaling, I picked up a glass of dark red wine, quickly consuming the bitter drink. “And what would you have me do, Orion?” I held the empty glass in my hand, the light reflecting off the clear brim. “Tell me, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?” My irises shot to him as he shifted his weight.

“Sir, I would hope that our many years of friendship and my clear support of my king would allow me the freedom to speak openly.” I nodded. “What you are doing is wrong.” The glass shattered in my hand, crumbling into my lap as I stared at him. “Queen Hesper does not deserve the torture you intend on putting her through. I know your brother—”

“Agaric decided to change the rules of the game when he broughtherinto this. If he wishes to play, then I must break a few rules to win. I will not lose again, Orion.”

“Morel,” he addressed me casually, “she is y—”

“Enough!” I slammed my fist into the marble, my voice booming with power. “My command remains firm. Lady Amanita is to be left unbothered and alone aside from the physician himself. He is only to treat her wounds and nothing more. If I catch anyone offering her any kind of assistance,” I rose, my fists clenched at my side, “I will kill them.”

Orion’s jaw clenched as he bowed. “Yes, my king. I shall see to it that your order is carried out.”

THIRTEEN

AMANITA

Despite the coldbeauty of Morel’s kingdom, I had found myself disgusted by it as I had spent days locked away, my wounds reopened and poked at, denied any food or drink aside from water, which must’ve been drugged, as I experienced intense hot flashes and cold sweats, my brain throbbing at all times as seconds felt like years and the madness of my condition driving me into what felt like insanity. I was an innocent pawn, suffering for Agaric as Morel used me to bait him. I was stuck between the battle of two brothers suffocating in their hatred of one another. I had no strength, no drive, and no desire to continue if this were to be my fate. Death could stand at my side and welcome me into his eternal darkness and I would accept without thought. The only comfort I was afforded was the small glimpses of the night sky that visited me in my lucid dreams. Sadly, those were quickly interrupted with the overwhelming urge to vomit, my stomach aching as nothing would come out, leaving me gagging on the cold air.

The door to my plain room opened as the same man from before stepped inside. He sighed, as if upset with my frail appearance. Aside from my ghastly scars and the wounds thatpainted my skin, I had been redressed in the plainest nightgown, the beige material scratching my skin adding the final touch to my never-ending discomfort. I rolled away from him, facing the plain weathered wall of my prison.

“How are you feeling today, my lady?” He sounded kind, but truthfully, in the midst of my torture, I had caught myself struggling to grasp reality. It seemed as though, despite my current state, I had no feelings of hatred towards those who forced me to suffer. I had simply existed. “Shall I fetch you some more water?” he asked, seeming to want to comfort me.

“No,” I whispered, my voice weakened by my current state. “You needn’t worry about me, sir, at least not for much longer.”

“Pardon?” I rolled to face him, using what little energy I had.

“I have decided that when the time comes and death knocks upon my door, I shall welcome in with embracing arms.” His eyes widened at my response, as if it was the most unexpected thing to hear.

“But, my q—” he stopped. “Lady Amanita, the king is—”

“I couldn’t care less what your illegitimate king commands!” I rose halfway from the bed, a strange temper flooding my veins. “I do not wish to endure this torture, and, therefore, I will not! Morel may be holding my body prisoner, keeping it hidden in his shadows, but he cannot entomb my soul. If I wish to die, then I fully intend to do so. And your bastard king cannot stop me.”

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