Page 12 of Onyx Queen
“Fine.” Queen Alexis threaded her fingers with her husband, “Dax, the Emerald King, and I were involved briefly. It was a passing fling between two friends. We were all friends, Onika. Queen Stephanie, hell, even Queen Emmalyn. I met Dax first – he was at a local market… and we struck up a friendship. He was a ladies man… some call a player. Once he met Stephanie, I knew she was lulled in by his magnetism as well. I wasn’t angry, I knew what our relationship was – a fling. Not too long after he ended things to be with her, I was blessed with true love. I’ll never forget the moment I met Dane.” She smiled at her husband, “it was instant. When we meet our complement, we see no one else. The same happened for Dax. When he saw Emmalyn, his playboy ways came to an end. He loved her – mind, body, and soul. Stephanie knew she’d lost him. She tried not to be bitter, but their time was so short and she hoped to have him longer. We were happy he finally found the one to tame him. He was a good man. Shortly after he married, Stephanie found out she was pregnant. She kept it secret for some time, but eventually it all came out. At least, to the three of us. You see, when I met your father, I was also pregnant with Dax’s child. I didn’t tell Dax, but I did tell Dane. He knew from the very start that you weren’t his. I struggled with depression during the pregnancy. I felt overwhelming guilt hiding it from my friends. Dane urged me to tell Dax and the Queen. Emmalyn wasn’t mad, she knew I’d been involved with him before her. The pregnancy… well it was a blessing and a curse. Dane cannot have children of his own, Onika.”
Onika listened, her heart cracking with every word. She knew she shouldn’t be angry, but she still felt the heavy slice of betrayal.
“Why did you keep this from me? I’m almost twenty-three, Mother… if that damn journal hadn’t show up, I’d never have known.”
“You’re my daughter.” Dane stood, stepping towards Onika, “I felt you inside your mother’s belly. I was there when you came into this world screaming mad and I’ve been there ever since. I’m sorry we kept this from you, but it doesn’t change the fact that You. Are. My. Daughter.” Dane laid his hand on her arm.
“Why the lies?”
“It was messy. The Emerald King had three daughters, the people wouldn’t understand, Onika. We buried these secrets hoping it would never seep out. Looking back, I see that was wrong. I’ve often wondered lately if keeping these secrets is what got Dax and Emmalyn killed.”
“Is there anything else I should know, Mother?”
She pulled from Danes grasp, putting distance between them. She could see the hurt in his eyes and a part of her felt guilt, he was just as much a victim as she was.
“No. That’s everything. At least all that I know. Have you spoken to Emersyn or Sarifena?”
“No. I need to digest this, then I’ll call them.”
“You three were close growing up. We made every effort to get you guys together.”
“It’s not the same, Mom, they are my sisters. My entire life I have looked at them as just another royal. So much time lost that can’t be taken back. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Onika,” Dane sighed, “Please remember we love you. When you're a parent you will understand you’ll risk it all to protect your child. Even if it means losing them one day.”
Dane sat beside Ophelia and held her as she cried. Onika gave one last look and stormed from the room. Hearing the reasons hadn’t helped ease the madness inside her – instead, the darkness seemed to double.
Chapter 12
The call to the Sapphire Kingdom hadn’t been as bad as she expected. She spoke with Commander Brady and explained that she needed time to talk with her parents again and requested a meeting in a week.
Onika sat on her balcony, the sky was filled with amber hues as the sun began to rise. A bird sat on the ledge, staring into the sky. Onika reached out to touch it, but the bird bounced and flapped his wings at her. Onika’s forehead furrowed, as she reached out again.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” she attempted to coax him into her hand. The bird chirped, tilting it’s head in apprehension, then final hopped into her palm. “There ya go.”
She ran her finger over the smooth feathers, amazement and wonder filled her as it moved against her skin. Just as she reached to pet it again, the bird squawked and snapped his beak at her fingertip.
Onika was blinded by an unnerving need to retaliate. Her hand heated as darkness swirled around the bird. It let out a piercing cry and then tumbled to the ground. Onika stared at her feet at the unmoving creature. She couldn’t blink, the erratic thumping of her heart pounded against her ribs.
She’d killed it.
“Onika,” Luca stepped out startling her.
Kicking the dead bird behind her, Onika tried to hide the confusion in her eyes, “Luca, you were gone early this morning.”
“I met with Commander Fritz,” Luca stared at her, “You ok?” he cocked his head.
“Yes… of course. What did you meet with him about?”
“We went over everything we had about Dimitra’s kidnapping. I offered to help out in whatever way I could.”
“You’re bored… do you regret leaving the Ruby Kingdom?”
“Onika,” he pulled her against his chest, “Sure, I’m feeling a little bored… but that doesn’t mean I regret being here with you.”
“Ok. If you’re sure. I don’t want you to resent me, Luca.”
“That’s not possible. Now… how about we head down to the pool and take a swim.”
