Page 19 of Onyx Queen
Chapter 18
The sky was gloomy and dark. Much of the weather had to do with sad emotions each of the queens felt. Onika tried to rid the darkness, but her heart was still filled with its own despair, making it difficult to control the dimly lit sky. She watched as the procession of cars moved along the blacktop and stopped. Sarifena stood beneath the umbrella Heath held above her as she held Alex snug against her. Onika was glad she had Heath to support her. She needed all the help she could get right now.
The rain was her fault.
Emersyn had created a beautiful flower garden around Queen Stephanie’s grave site. It was a sight to behold.
Everyone had come to bid Sarifena’s mother farewell. Rory stood beside her husband and wife, tears filling both women’s eyes. Rory was the only other person who could possibly understand the pain she was feeling. Her father was running out of time. Soon his cancer would cause them all to be here again – burying a parent.
She and Luca, along with Emersyn and Drake, surrounded her and Heath. They wanted to surround Sarifena in a fortress of love.
As the priest concluded the ceremony, Onika watched as her newfound sisters spoke.
Emersyn whispered, “Are you ready?”
Blinking at her words, Sarifena appeared confused, “Ready for what?”
“I’m going to close the ground. I wanted to make sure you were ready.”
“Heath,” Sarifena turned, handing Alex to him, “hold him please.”
Stepping out from under the umbrella, letting the rain wash over her face, Onika watched as Sarifena tilted her head towards the sky.
“Alright,” she glanced back at Emersyn, “I’m ready.”
Onika was impressed at her sister’s power. Emersyn weaved her magic across the ground. The ground shook as the dirt knitted itself back together, the wooden box holding Queen Stephanie’s remains closed off from the world above. Once the mound of dirt was returned to its original state, tiny blue flowers sprouted, covering the bare soil.
“Emersyn,” Sarifena stared wide-eyed, “That’s beautiful.”
“I wanted to do something special, for you and her.”
Embracing her, “Thank you.”
“Whatever you need, Sari, I’m here for you.”
Onika stepped up to the two women, “Yes. Me too, Sarifena.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“Mad at you? Sarifena,” she tugged Sarifena into her arms, “No, I’m not mad. And I have a confession. Amalee already knew. When Luca and I ran off, we were in the Amethyst Kingdom. She found me and demanded to know why I was hiding. She promised not to tell anyone.”
“Thank god, I was worried I’d screwed up.”
“Everyone knows now. So, it’s water under the bridge.”
Rory stepped up beside the three of them, her belly round with child.
“Wow, Rory, you’re finally showing.” Onika snickered, placing her hand on her cousins tummy.
Rory grinned, “I’m almost four months.”
“Christ… Dimitra’s been missing that long?”
The women grew somber, a silent understanding that one of their own was still out there.
“My men have scoured the deadlands. Still no sign of her.” Amalee glanced into the distance, “I wish I knew what that damn riddle meant.”
Onika understood what she meant. When Anthony was found, he’d mentioned the man who helped him escape gave him a clue. He’d said‘The place where fire meets water and is covered in darkness. That is where he will take her.’
