Sonia slept with the necklace still in her hand. Even in sleep, her fingers curled around the golden chain as though it were something fragile that might disappear if she let go. The candle beside her bed had burned out hours earlier, yet a faint smile still rested on her lips.
In her dreams she walked through the halls of the palace again. Only this time the corridors were brighter.
The lords bowed lower. The maids stepped aside quicker. The crown rested lightly on her head while Ryli stood beside her, tall and proud, the king of the Nine Kingdoms.
And she was his queen. She saw them seated together on the Golden Throne, the banners of Astarous hanging above them like a storm of color. Lords knelt. Armies saluted. Trumpets echoed through the city.
Ryli turned toward her. His smile was warm. His hand reached for hers.
Queen Sonia of the Nine Kingdoms. The dream wrapped around her like silk.
Morning sunlight crept through the tall windows.
Sonia stirred.
For a moment she lay still, her mind floating somewhere between dream and waking.
Then the memory returned. The necklace. The walk through the palace.
Ryli's voice.
Her eyes opened suddenly. A soft laugh escaped her lips. "I will visit the biggest library in Astarous today," she whispered to herself. "Ryli will walk me through just like yesterday."
The thought alone filled her with excitement. The palace library was famous across the Nine Kingdoms. Scholars traveled months just to see its scrolls and ancient books.
Today she will see it.
A gentle knock came at the door. The Woodland maid who had traveled with her entered quietly. "My lady," she said with a small bow.
Sonia straightened eagerly. The maid began preparing her for the day.
Warm water. Fresh linens. Soft combs through her hair. Soon a gown was brought out.
It was pale blue with silver embroidery along the sleeves. The fabric flowed softly over her shoulders like mist.
The maid helped her into it carefully. Sonia studied herself in the mirror for a moment. Then she reached for the necklace.
The golden chain shimmered in the morning light as she placed it around her neck. Her fingers brushed the pendant gently.
A faint warmth spread through her chest again.
The maid noticed. "A gift from the prince?" she asked quietly.
Sonia smiled. "Yes."
The maid bowed her head with admiration. "You look beautiful, my lady."
Sonia's cheeks warmed slightly.
Soon the preparations were finished. Sonia placed her hands on the wheels of her chair. "I will go to the prince's chambers," she said.
The maid nodded and stepped aside.
Sonia pushed the wheels herself. She moved slowly through the palace corridor, the wheels rolling softly over the polished floor.
Servants passed by. Every one of them stopped. Everyone bowed. "Good morning, my lady."
"Good morning, future queen." Sonia nodded politely each time. But inside something unfamiliar stirred.
Respect.
Not the soft pity she was used to back home. Not the careful voices people used around her as though she were fragile glass.
Here their voices carried admiration. Expectation. Reverence.
The future queen of the Nine kingdoms.
The words echoed pleasantly in her mind.
At home people pitied her. Here people honored her. The difference felt intoxicating.
She stopped beside a young palace maid. "Where is Prince Ryli's chambers?" Sonia asked.
The maid immediately straightened. "The second door at your fourth left turn, my lady."
Sonia smiled brightly. "Thank you."
The maid bowed again. "You are welcome, my future queen."
Sonia rolled forward. Her heart felt strangely light. The corridors seemed brighter today. Her wheels turned faster as she followed the directions.
First left, second, third. Then the fourth.
She turned carefully. Two doors stood ahead. Sonia guided the wheelchair toward the second. Her heart beat a little quicker. Perhaps she would surprise him with her presence.
Maybe they would go to the library together. She stopped before the door. Her hand lifted toward it.
But before it could hit the door, she froze.
A sound came from inside. At first it was only faint breathing. Then a woman's voice broke through the door.
"Come on, baby! Yeah, that is it. You are hitting the right spot. Yes! Yes! Yes! You are the best."
Sonia blinked. Her hand remained suspended in the air.
Another voice followed. This one was a male voice.
Breathing harder. "I am riding you ahhh! Just as the Dragarians rode their dragons. Come on, baby. Cum on me like the dragons pour out fire."
The voice struck her like a blow. She knew that voice.
It was Ryli's.
Sonia's hand slowly lowered. The color drained from her face.
Behind the door the bed creaked faintly. Laughter followed. Sonia's fingers curled into tight fists on the arms of the wheelchair.
"That son of a bitch is having sex with another woman," she breathed under her breath. Her chest tightened painfully.
"I almost fell for his charm." Her eyes hardened. "I almost thought he was a good man."
Inside the room the sounds quieted. A long breath escaped from within. Then Ryli's voice again, softer now.
"I love you so much."
Sonia's nails dug into the wood of the chair. Another voice answered. The woman sounded amused.
"What about the Woodland girl?"
There was a pause.
"She is the woman you are marrying, not me."
Ryli's voice returned with a sharp hiss. "That cripple?"
The word slammed into Sonia's ears.
"I do not love her." His tone carried clear irritation. "I can never love a cripple."
Inside the room the girl burst into laughter. The sound echoed cruelly through the door. "If you do not love her," she asked, "why are you marrying her?"
Sonia leaned closer to the door without realizing it. Her breathing slowed. Every muscle in her body went rigid.
Ryli answered without hesitation. "Because my father wanted it."
The mattress creaked again.
"He has made my marriage to her a compulsory requirement for me to ascend the throne."
The girl seemed to consider this. Then she spoke again. "You are marrying her to secure the throne."
Ryli chuckled softly.
"What an intelligent girl."
A pause followed.
"Yes." His voice lowered. "I will marry her to secure my throne."
Another breath.
"And when I sit on the Golden Throne.." His voice hardened. "I will discard her."
Silence settled behind the door. Outside in the hallway Sonia sat motionless. Her fists trembled.
"This animal is only using me," she whispered. Her chest rose slowly. "He is only pretending to be a good person so I could help him secure his throne."
Her eyes burned. The necklace rested against her throat. Suddenly it felt heavier. Her fingers reached up. They touched the pendant gently. The same gift she had admired the night before. Now it felt like a chain.
Inside the room laughter started again. Sonia turned the wheelchair sharply. The wheels squeaked softly as she spun away from the door.
"That will never happen," she muttered. Her hands gripped the wheels tightly. "He won't get me." Her voice dropped lower.
"If that means he won't sit on the Golden Throne," Her jaw clenched. "Then he will never sit on it."
The wheelchair rolled down the corridor.
Faster now.
The soft morning light spilled through the windows, but Sonia no longer noticed it. Her dream from the night before shattered behind her like broken glass.
Queen of the Nine Kingdoms.
She almost laughed.
It wasn't excitement anymore, Instead fury burned in her chest as she rolled away.