The Oppressed Queen

Chapter 4

After dinner, I return to my chambers, seal the door and windows with their respective charms, before preparing for another seer spell. Grandmother strongly advised never to do more than one seer spell a day, for it drains my powers. They are drained even more because I’m using them while keeping the majority of my power locked away in hiding.

I craft another elixir for my husband, to help calm nerves and center my mind. After I clean up, I gather my copper bowl and a pitcher of water. I find a seat on the floor and begin casting the spell. I quietly chant the spell as I pour the water into the bowl until it is full. I prick my finger and begin swirling it in the water, “Show me what my future will be if I marry Calder Aquilion of Qador,” I call out before removing my finger and leaning forward to see what the spell reveals:

The murky water clears, revealing a lovely wedding complete with water displays around the hall with walls of abalone. Calder is standing beside me, grinning happily. His clean-shaven face gives him the look of a boy more than a man. His clear blue eyes hold a tint of purple around the pupils. His white hair has a hue of blue throughout it as if his hair itself is an abalone shell in the sunlight. When he leans in close, I can smell the saltwater air as if we were at the ocean. “I promise, you will never want for anything, my wife,” Calder whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

The murky water swirls, and then clears, revealing a scene where I’m standing, swollen with child, looking out over the vast grounds of an estate. “My lady, dinner is ready,” a young servant announces, pulling me from my thoughts and the room.

In the dining room, Calder pulls out a chair with a proud smile. “How are you feeling, my love?”

“I am well, thank you. How was training with the council today?”

“It went as expected. Your father refused to attend, but his advisor sent instructions for my council to begin preparing. Did you know that Phoebe was also with child, but the offspring did not survive past one month in her womb? That is why they made us wait until you were six months along before agreeing to begin the transition,” Calder explains.

“Dear, we both know what I have to do to ensure our child continues to grow within me,” I smile at him.

“And we know how Phoebe does not know. I’m surprised she even conceived without that knowledge.”

“I’m not. For she could have contacted a medicine woman, but because we do not know her true bloodline, the elixirs will react differently. They believe she is spirit realm born, a true Valariel.”

“But she is not.”

“My bloodline needs a specific elixir to be crafted. If you or your sister were to use the elixir, it would not work. Your elixir that we needed for conception was designed specifically for the element of water.”

“So the elixir was most likely crafted for a royal of Xen, and it did not work, because she is not truly a Valariel,” Calder smiled.

“She may not even be Xen by birthright. No one knows the truth except her, and she’s not talking.”

“She’s conniving, perhaps she is Gorthen by birthright.”

“You promised me that we would not pass judgment on a realm unless they did something grave to offend the crown,” I remind my husband gently.

“Yes, my love. Tell me, what will be our plans for Phoebe once I take power?”

“Nothing. Anything we do could lead to retaliation. The only thing I wish to have enforced is that she is not allowed near our child or me. Let her be miserable in Xen or Stork with Kyro. As long as they do not come near us, I will sleep peacefully,” I answer.

“Very well, my love. I will ensure all the realms know Phoebe Valariel is not permitted within 100 yards of you and our children.”

“Children? I am only carrying one.”

“Yes, but are we not planning to have more?”

“Do you wish to have more?”

“Will it make you happy to have more? I only aim to see you happy.”

“We may have more than one,” I agree with a smile. Calder raises his glass to me in a toast before taking a sip of wine.

The murky water begins to swirl again, and just when I think it's over, I’m sucked back into a clear scene. I’m reading to five children until the last one is asleep. I leave their bed chamber and return to my own, where I change into a faded nightgown with a sigh. A knock on my door causes me to jump. When I answer it, it is Calder. “Did I wake you?” He asks gently, raising his hand to caress my cheek.

“No, I just got the children to sleep. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I am sorry I have been neglecting my husband duties. Maintaining order in all the realms is proving time-consuming.”

“You do not need to apologize to me.”

“Why do you look so sad? Are you upset with me?”

“I’m not upset with you, Calder. My heart is heavy with sadness for our children.”

“Are they ill?”

“No, but they miss their father terribly. They have been crying often each night, asking for you. I know you are busy ruling the realms, but perhaps you can take some time to spend with them.”

“Will that make you happy?”

“It will make them happy, and in turn, it will make me happy,” I answer.

He leans in, presses his lips to mine. “Then in three weeks, I will take a day off to spend with our children.”

“That is all I ask, thank you.”

“May I sleep in here tonight with you?”

“Yes,” I answer, stepping away to let him in.

“You know I have not taken a lover.”

“I know.”

“Do you still love me?”

“Do you still love me?” I reply.

“Of course. You know how deeply I care for you. I’m hurt that you asked me that. Do you not think I love you anymore?”

“Calder, you may not have taken a lover, but you do have a mistress.”

“I do not!” Calder snaps.

“Your mistress is the Kingdom of all the realms. The duties of being King have taken you completely away from me. You have blessed me with children, but they cannot make up for the void I feel without you. I do love you, still, with all my heart, but the realms have your full attention, leaving me the scraps,” I sigh. He pulls me in close and kisses my lips tenderly.

“Do you not wish for more children?”

“Not unless you can devote more time to us over the Kingdom,” I answer.

“I will try to be more available. I promised you’d never want for anything, and it appears as though I broke that promise. I am sorry, Mira.”

“I forgive you, Calder, and I understand. We were once very happy together, and I pray we can find a way back to that one day,” I answer as he lays me down in bed beneath him.

The air around me shifted and pushed me backwards, leaving me sitting straight up on my floor, looking at the bowl of murky water. At least he will care for me. Perhaps Qador is the best choice for me. I don’t have to worry about being killed or betrayed by my husband. Not to mention, I was able to be mated to my husband, not marry him, knowing he’ll never come to my bed, but instead will be with my treacherous sister.

I rise to my feet, clean everything up, and put the items away in their respective places. With a sigh of content, I change into my nightgown and climb into bed. As I lie down in bed, I cast my protection spell over me, then close my eyes for what I pray will be a calmer night’s sleep.