Chapter 65: Back From The Dead
1033 Words
Some days prior…
Lucy's POV
The room was quiet, except for the clock ticking on the wall. I sat cross-legged on my bed, a faded leather-bound photo album resting on my lap.
The light from the bedside lamp flickered against the pages as my fingers brushed across the edges. My eyes landed on a picture of Ryker, his arms around my waist, both of us laughing at something long forgotten. My lips trembled.
A slight sob slipped from my throat.
Tears started to fall, rolling down my cheeks as I pressed the photo to my chest. "I'm so sorry, Ryker," I whispered, my voice a bit shaky. "I couldn't save you. I wasn't strong enough."
My gaze flicked toward the large window that opened to the moonlit garden. The wind rustled the leaves in the trees, casting shadows into my bedroom.
My heart ached at the memory of our midnight walks through those very paths, hand in hand, talking about everything and nothing at the same time.
I sat at the edge of the bed, staring into the mirror across the room. My reflection looked tired, too tired for someone who had once ruled beside a king. Now I was alone. And with Elena gone, the weight of the kingdom pressed heavier each day.
"I need to sleep," I muttered to myself, rubbing my eyes. I stood and moved to the cabinet on the far end of the room. Inside were a few of Ryker's old belongings, things I just couldn't bear to throw away. I opened the cabinet doors and reached for the white pill containers on the top shelf.
Two bottles sat side by side. I just grabbed one without much thought, took a single pill, and swallowed it dry. But as I turned the container around to read the label, I realized I had grabbed the wrong pill.
Dream Pill.
Before I could even question it, the room spun around me, and I collapsed onto the bed.
*****
The dream began in a haze of rain.
I was standing in my old mansion, holding a bundled baby in my arms—Elena. Ryker stood nearby, his eyes soft and warm despite the storm howling outside.
"We’re doing the right thing," Ryker said, brushing a strand of damp hair from my face. "She’ll be safe with Elder Nyra."
"But what if—"
"Lucy," he cut in, his tone gentle but firm, "I swore I’d protect you both. No matter what. Even if it means being apart."
Just as I reached out to him, Ryker coughed violently. Dark red blood spilt from his lips, staining his shirt.
"Ryker!" I dropped to my knees, holding him in my arms. "Please, no. Stay with me. Don’t do this."
His hand reached for my cheek. "Don’t cry. I’ll always be with you... always."
And just like that, he faded away to dust.
Behind me, the baby wailed. I ran to the crib and picked her up, tears streaming down my face as I sang a soft lullaby:
“Hush now, my little bright star,
Please, my dear, don’t cry tonight,
The moon is watching, and always will
The world is right. Right for you tonight
Though the dark may come and the winds may call,
You’ll be safe in my arms through it all."
I put Elena back in the crib and turned to look out the window. The stars seemed closer, somehow brighter.
"Lucy..."
The voice came from the forest.
"Lucy... come."
I ran outside, barefoot, through the wet grass and into the woods. The darkness swallowed me, the voice growing louder until it was all I could hear. And then—
I heard nothing.
*****
I gasped awake, drenched in sweat, my hands clutching the bedsheets.
It was just a dream. A stupid, cruel dream.
The pill bottle had fallen to the floor. I picked it up, staring at it with a mix of anger and frustration. "Why would you even keep these, Ryker?" I whispered to myself in the empty room.
My reflection in the mirror caught my eye. My eyes were red and tired, and my face was pale.
I wiped my tears away and straightened my posture. "Ryker would be disappointed if he saw me like this."
With trembling hands, I reached for my crown. I set it on my head, adjusting it carefully.
"You left me a kingdom," I said softly. "So I’ll lead it. I’ll make you proud."
A knock on the door pulled me from the moment.
"Who is it?" I asked, my voice more composed.
"A message from the council, Your Majesty," came the muffled voice of a guard. "They’re all waiting for you in the throne room."
"I’ll be right there."
I quickly took a cold shower, forcing myself back into control. By the time I descended the stairs, I was once again Queen Lucy, poised and unshaken.
The council meeting was long, filled with updates and requests, the usual political game. Eventually, the room cleared out, leaving me alone in the grand hall's silence.
The doors creaked open again.
"I said I don’t have time for—"
I stopped mid-sentence as I looked up.
A man stood in the doorway, cloaked in darkness, purple streaks running through his dark hair. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and the resemblance was undeniable.
My heart froze.
"You..." I whispered.
He stepped forward, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Hello again, Lucy."
I rose slowly, my knees threatening to give out.
"This isn’t possible... You’re… you're dead."
The man gave a low chuckle. "Death is only the beginning of life itself."
My voice was barely audible. "You're Ryker’s brother."
He nodded. "Surprised to see me?"
I just stared, emotions storming behind my eyes—confusion and disbelief.
He had returned. Ryker's elder brother. Back from the dead.
And I had a feeling that nothing in this kingdom would be the same again.
“Where are my manners?" Said the man. “We were never formally introduced. My name is Malachi."
Malachi? Even his name is dark.
It was clear what he was here for; the question was, would I give it to him?
- Writer
