Page 7 of Sapphire Queen
“Your Majesty,” Constable James called out as he stepped into the library, “I'm sorry to bother you, but I’m afraid another letter has arrived for you.”
Sarifena cringed. Of all the things she wished she’d forgotten, it was the impending unknown threat to the six kingdoms. When her memory came back in full three days ago, she sat down and cried. All the anger she’d held onto about the lies her mother told her came tumbling out.
“Great.” Sarifena stood, “Well, let me have it.” She held her hand out, palm up. The Constable slipped the white envelope into her hand and stepped back.
Inhaling loudly, Sarifena tore the paper open.
Change is coming, ready or not.
Three queens destroyed, and I will not stop.
Your queen's life is forever altered,
While words of the kingdoms are paltered.
Alas, all the kingdoms will be mine to rule,
As the remaining three will soon fall too.
“Well, it’s like the rest. An omniscient threat, without being an actual threat. This is getting ridiculous.”
Sarifena crumbled the paper and tossed it to the floor. “Has anyone heard from Onika or Amalee? What about Dimitra… any movement on her whereabouts?”
“No, Your Majesty. While we suspect the place Dimitra was taken is in the deadlands, we are not sure. We have sent some men to the edge of the Onyx Kingdom to inspect, but no word has been sent.”
“What about Onika?”
“Nothing from her either. And the Amethyst Queen has yet to receive any letters.”
“Keep me posted,” Sarifena paced the room, her nerves were on their last thread.
“Sarifena, are you ok?” Constable James stepped toward her and paused, “You seem… more restless than before. Is this about your test results?”
“Constable,” Sarifena growled, “We knew it was a possibility there would be damage. I just…” she sighed, “I hoped Dr. Bright was wrong.”
“I talked to him as well, Sarifena. And he was clear we wouldn’t know anything until you tried to conceive.”
“That will never happen. I cannot marry someone with the possibility of never bearing their child. It would be cruel and unfair to me.”
“Perhaps you should give someone the chance to decide for himself.”
“I can’t.” Sarifena gave the Constable a halfhearted smile.
“You can… you’re choosing to hide instead. I didn’t think the Sapphire Queen was a coward.”
“I'm not a coward, Constable. But how do you tell the man you love you may or may not give him children. When that is all he ever talks about?”
“You’ll never know unless you ask him, Sarifena.” Constable James bowed his head, “But only you can make that choice. I hope you don’t lose something good, trying to decide.”
Sarifena stared out into the evening sky. Her heart hurt thinking about the possibility of never having children. Whoever had done this wanted to prevent her lineage from continuing. Flicking the light off, she ambled down the long hallway toward her quarters. She kept an eye out for Heath as she’d been intentionally avoiding him. It hurt too much to know she could never give him what he wanted… and that included her.
