Page 28 of Onyx Queen
“It leaves you no different than your sisters or cousins, Onika. You are the Onyx Queen, commander of the dark. Your ability gives you the power to strip the light from everything. Onika, do you know what people fear the most?”
She shrugged, “Death?”
“No, dear,” she chuckled, “they fear the dark. Do you know why?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” Onika plopped down on the couch and rested her head on the cushion.
“Because in the dark nightmares exist. And you, my dear, can use that fear against them. You said you killed a bird, right?”
“Yes… and made two men drop to their knees. What does that have to do with nightmares?”
“When you held the bird, you said you closed your eyes and felt the darkness consume you. In a roundabout way it did, but you were consuming the bird with darkness. My guess is whatever you showed the tiny creature caused it to keel over – it’s heart was small, after all.”
“Fine… I hear what you’re saying. But what about the ground dying or the fact that two grown men dropped to their knees screaming – they aren’t dead.”
“Because you stopped before that could happen. Luca, can you tell my daughter what dropped you to your knees and cry out?”
Onika turned to pin him with her eyes, “Luca? What didn’t you tell me?”
“Onika,” he swallowed, the nervousness palpitating in the room, “I didn’t want to freak you out.”
“Go on, Luca, she needs to hear this.”
Nodding, “When you grabbed me,” his eyes glazed over, causing him to still momentarily, “I saw your death. I could feel the pain of losing you and there was nothing I could do.”
Onika gasped, lacing her fingers with his and looked to her mother, “Mother?”
“You see, dear… you are able to draw out their biggest fear and use it against them. If you hadn’t stopped, Luca would have likely died of a broken heart.”
Chapter 26
Luca pulled her against him, “I’ve told you I couldn’t live if something happened to you.”
“Why do I feel so much anger, though? It’s like a black mist has poisoned my veins, seeking vengeance for those I love.”
“Have you ever wondered why the six kingdoms are laid out the way they are?”
Onika thought about the other kingdoms. If you were to look at a map, the six kingdoms all have a portion that touch, almost in the shape of a hexagon.
“No, I never really gave it any mind.”
“You each draw strength from each other. And when you are all together, your power is unstoppable. With one of the Elementals missing, you're feeling the loss. You especially, Onika. Darkness cannot exist without the light. Sarifena is probably least effected by her absence as water doesn’t necessarily need light to exist. It does affect her moods, but nothing more. You must figure out who has Dimitra and bring her home. Without their true Queen, the Diamond Kingdom will eventually fall.”
“Can’t her mother just rule like she once did?”
“Sure… but when you turn over the crown, the power you once held is weakened. Her mother’s strength is not what it used to be, Onika. That’s why it’s imperative you focus your anger on finding her.”
Onika stood, “Thank you mother, I need to speak with the others. I think they need to know about the things you’ve told me. It may come in handy when we figure out who is behind these attacks and Dimitra’s kidnapping.”
“I’m just glad you trusted me enough to come talk to me,” she reached out, placing her hand on Onika’s forearm, “I am sorry about everything that’s happened.”
“I forgive you, Mother. I can’t say that I’m not still hurting over the lies, but I understand why you did it. I do love you. And can you please tell Father I love him?” She pulled her mother into a hug and bid her farewell.
Sighing, “Well, that went better than I expected. Luca?” she tilted her head, “Why didn’t you tell me what you felt or saw when I hurt you?”
“Hey,” he held her close, “We’ve been over this, you didn’t mean to hurt me. And as far as not telling you, I didn’t want to add to your pain.”
“Well… from here on out no more secrets. Ok? If you really want to be my compliment…my partner in all things, then we can’t have secrets between us.”
