Queen’s Judgement

You wake up to the orange light pouring through the window above you, the smell of wax from the now burnt out candles... and the pleasant smell of nature and the feeling of someone lying beside you; their arms and legs either draped over your body or entangled in it. You lift your head up slowly to see Tara soundly asleep still, you smile and rest your head back on the pillow.

You try to move, but your sudden movements wakes your companion who flutters her eyes open. “Good morning.” She says as she kisses your neck.

You tilt your head down. “Good morning to you too, we should get ready soon.” You hold each other for a few minutes before you unentangle from one another and get dressed, you watch her as Tara slips out of your room quietly back into hers as you collect your things.

“What the hell is wrong with me...” you mutter to yourself as you question the longing you already feel. You exit your room, shutting the door you see your companions exit theirs too.

“Good morning.” Adel greets “How’d you sleep?” There was a heavy pause as neither you nor Tara replied.

“Good, it was good.” Tara replied breaking the silence.

“So just good?” You ask in an almost teasing manner, Tara rolls her eyes at you and moves towards the stairs, both you and Adel follow her as you barely hide your smirk. Heading back towards the first floor of the mansion, you find Lady Kaede at her spot on the table, sipping from up cup.

The three of you approach the table “Stand there.” She ordered calmly, the three of you stop in your tracks as she stood up from her pillow cushion and elegantly strolled towards you. “I hope you all slept well.” She said.

“We did, Lady Kaede.” Tara replied, she steps forward slightly, slightly blocking you.

The Queen of the Forest turned her head towards her with an unimpressed look on her face “I haven’t forgotten, Tarasynora Reyberos.” She stated with cold authority “You will face punishment for your actions.”

You take in a deep breath before sighing, stepping a few steps forward from the group and catching Kaede’s attention. “My Lady Kaede, please do not punish Tara for bringing us here.” You ask, summoning your courage “It was my decision, my idea and the consequences should fall on me.”

“Donmal please-” Tara weakly pleaded, you raise your hand towards her, stopping her from changing your mind.

You and the Queen both stare at each other in silence for a few seconds before you kneel before her, your head bowed “Whatever the punishment; lashes, banishment or a payment of some kind I will endure, that I ask of you and nothing more.”

“Young king Donmal, what is she to you?” The queen asks. You watch her feet slide towards your side as your head remains bowed.

“She is my companion, a friend I owe my life to.” You reply as convincingly a possible.

You feel her fingers gently tussling your hair “Is she now...” she says with a hint of sarcasm. “Noble that you would protect your friend, nothing like your mother in that regard.” Her fingers reach over to the back of your head “Rise.” You rise to your feet, the Queen’s fingers gliding to your neck, holding it tightly as she looks down at you. “You can’t stand in place for your ‘friend’s’ for she has broken my trust, that is my judgement, but I know how to use you to punish her.”

Your body turns cold as you look at Tara and Adel, concern and fear written on their faces, you turn back to Lady Kaede.