Page 25 of Onyx Queen
Onika held Luca’s hand as they left. He didn’t speak, giving her time to calm down. He’d learned questioning her when she was upset led to an argument.
Chapter 23
“Onika,” When they arrived home, Luca grabbed her arm. “Stop walking. What’s wrong with you? I saw how you reacted to Amalee. That’s not like you. Please, stop hiding the truth. I know something is going on.”
Onika paused, casting a glance over her shoulder, “Leave it alone, Luca.”
“Leave what alone? This isn’t fair. I love you – stop shutting me out.”
“Shutting you out?” Onika turned quickly. Her magic flowed through her body, begging to be released. She clenched her hands, forcing the prickling of power at bay.
“Yes. Shutting me out. I understand you're a strong woman. Hell, you’re one of the most feared Queens in the six kingdoms. But I am supposed to be your partner. You can’t hide from me. I let it slide that you have to do everything on your own when it comes to your kingdom, but when it comes to us, I won’t sit by and let you push me aside.”
“Really, Luca? You think I should just bend over and let you treat me like a fragile little woman?” Her hands ached, the darkness consuming her being.
“What are you doing, Onika?” Luca’s voice was laced with fear, “Please…”
Onika closed her eyes, forcing the magic to still, she let out a breath. When she opened her eyes, Luca was on the ground holding his head.
“Fuck, Luca,” Onika dropped to the floor, pulling him to her, “Please… Oh my God, I’m sorry,” her tears spilled down her face.
Reaching his hand out, he pulled her to him, “Onika, what’s happening?” His body ached from the magic she’d unleashed. It was only a moment, but the pain he felt was like a thousand needles stabbing his body.
“Luca…” she collapsed against him, “I think I’m in trouble.”
Luca held her as she let her emotions free. Her tears nearly broke him, Onika wasn’t one to show the tender side of things.
“Shhh, I got you. Deep breaths… that’s it, baby.” He pressed a tender kiss to her head, “Onika, you have to tell me what’s happening. I know something is going on, you’ve been acting different since we returned from the cabin.”
“I’m scared, Luca. I…” she took a breath, “I don’t know what is happening to my magic.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like a darkness flows through my veins, something stronger than just controlling the light. Do you remember at the cabin, when I expelled my magic?”
“Yeah…”
“Did you see the ground around my body? I killed everything, Luca. All the grass, the flowers – they died because my magic touched them.”
“Onika, maybe you just didn’t see they were like that.”
“No,” she sat up, looking him in the eyes, “With Nicholas I made him scream in terror. It was like I had given him nightmares in the dark, torturing him. But that’s not all. Once, on the balcony, I killed a bird. It let me hold it, but then it bit my finger. The next thing I knew it was dead on the ground. I killed it with my magic.”
Luca tightened his arms around her, pulling her head against his chest.
“Luca… I liked it. It made me feel powerful.”
“Have you talked to your mother about it?”
“No… I, don’t be mad, ok?”
“What?” Luca leaned back, looking down at her.
“Promise you won’t be mad.”
“Fine… I won’t be mad.”
Onika swallowed, “I received a letter a few days ago. Commander Fritz is the only one who knows about it, but I told him it was nothing.”
