On the outside she was calm and collected, but internally Kyra was shaking with insecurity. It was at the Queen Mother’s recommendation that sentencing be swift and punishing. She knew it was for the best. The loss of those soldiers would do little to impact the number of Crown Soldiers, but she at once ordered a recruitment of new Soldiers from a pool of qualified candidates. Their training would be more vigorous and thorough, ensuring that no one soldier ever repeated the mistakes of those whom they were replacing.
By the time she discharged the group she was exhausted, her mind aching with the stress of the events that had taken place. She knew rest would be the only thing and to prepare her for what she knew would come next.
She and the Queen Mother were escorted back to the royal residence flanked by Crown Soldiers. As they reached the Throne Room she ordered one to enter the city and fetch Julia, her most trusted lady-in-waiting. When they were finally alone in the residence, guards posted outside the door, the Queen Mother turned to Kyra and smiled proudly.
“You did a fine job today, darling, but it will not get easier.”
“I know,” Kyra nodded. “I just can’t think about that right now, Mother. I need rest. The King can wait in solitary confinement.”
“I understand.” She put her hands on Kyra’s shoulders and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “This will be your legacy, Kyra. No one will ever again think to cross a Straton, Queen or otherwise.”
Kyra could barely feign a smile through her exhaustion. “Let’s just get through this situation before we start writing my name in history books, shall we?”
Korina smiled, her chin rising up in satisfied pride. “History is either remembered or forgotten, but a legacy is inscribed in time itself.” With that, she bowed her head to Kyra and turned, walking the path to the private room kept in her name and honor.
Kyra entered her own room and leaned against the closed door. It was only a moment before she realized her arms and legs were shaking, finally releasing the anxiety she had fought to contain. With what little strength she had left she walked to her bed, kicked off her shoes and crawled under the soft bedding, pulling it high over her fully-clothed body.
In the depth of sleep she dreamed she was back in the Throne Room as a young lady, residents gathered around the magnificent room as her mother, the Queen, announced her betrothal. Only this time it was the young Owyn standing amongst the crowd and Evan standing on the other side of the Queen, his green eyes and rousing smile lifting her spirits considerably. She would not have protested if her mother had chosen Evan as her future husband and King, but would have delighted in the prospect of spending the rest of her life with one she had admired so greatly.
In her dream Evan looked resplendent with the King’s crown upon his head, the hefty gold halo contrasting beautifully against tufts of chestnut hair. Evadine stood by her side as the Princess Royal, sister to the King, and her most trusted confidante. The blended family of Straton and Nero would create a unified royal family to rule at the throne of Terra for generations to come.
She dreamed of a female child younger than her own memories could recall. She had curls of dark hair and her own deep, almond shaped eyes that dominated her face. The clearer the image of the girl’s face became the more she realized she was not looking at her own daughter, but a nearly identical version of herself. A second child emerged, her face even more similar to her own with a cascade of dark hair falling wildly at her back. Her mouth was turned into a pout, a tantrum puffing out her delicate features.
“Why do I have to play with the baby?” whined the second child.
“She isn’t a baby. I thought you loved playing with her?” The disembodied voice was that of an adult woman, the cadence similar to her own.
“I want to play with the other big kids!”
“Well, go on then, but take Zoe with you. I’m sure the others won’t mind.”
“I mind!” she cried, the tantrum mashing her face into a puffy mess.
Kyra’s eyes opened, exhaustion dispelled from her head. The light began to brighten, casting a pale golden atmosphere around the room. Her body had sunk into the thick cushioning of the bed, swaddling her tired limbs into relaxation.
As comfortable as she felt she knew there were important matters with which to attend. With any luck the Crown Soldiers had found the escaped Last City residents and Elder woman and brought them back to the Military Complex under increased security. However ideal the thought was in her mind, she knew better. Their entire operation, from the theft of the book from the Royal Anthology to their escape, had obviously been planned with meticulous forethought and consideration. She would need to be both judicious and swift with their sentencing to ensure their machinations were concluded.