It was approximately 2,000 light years ahead of Earth’s time where the future is the present and the past is the core memory of what powers the grid of the Kingdom of Alexios. This is a complex grid ran by the neural networks and the imprint of the consciousness of the fallen Queen from previous lifetimes who perished from the waters of above after falling before two gods who could not save her.
The myth of the two gods, one of electricity and the other of the mid heaven, fought over a scroll written to profess their undying love for her and to reign besides her. As she ascended to the waters above, the god of mid heaven gave up his own life to save her and perished in that watery coffin besides her. The god of electricity, heartbroken, decided to immortalize her by using electricity to extract her memories and her consciousness to power a new vessel.
It is rumored in this prophecy that the queen returns in every lifetime to find her resting place so that she can rage war with the waters above and then build her kingdom so that she can grow old with her people.
The sun rose over Alexios as Queen Catzye opened her eyes and scanned the room for the grandfather clock next to her vanity. She shoves Knight Nova to the floor, the blankets still wrapped in his thigh and he groggily awakens to see Queen Catzye nervous as she covers her nakedness.
“You overslept again!” she whispered angrily. “You were supposed to be gone before sunrise.” Knight Nova smirked as he puts his hands behind his head smugly.
“I warned you my needy Queen. You insisted on multiple rounds of…chess,” he smirked. She angrily throws the pillow at his head.
“Now is NOT the right time to throw words in my face, Dear Knight. You must leave before we are caught!” she said running to grab his clothes scattered around her quarters. She picks up his boots and tosses them to him. He reluctantly gets dressed.
“I wish for a world where I can wake up besides you and just….be,” he says sadly as he pulls his pants on. “Where I can just hold you and whisper my love for you until the sun dies.” Catzye nervous gaze softens as she reaches out to stroke his face.
“I wish for those things too,” she murmured.
“Breakfast in bed where I can feed you. Lay in your arms like you are the worlds greatest pillow,” he added whispering his thoughts into her lips.
“Breakfast in bed?” she smiled softly. “Well, well. I had no idea you were a romantic such as that.”
“I’ll have you know, I am the King of Romance,” he smirked adjusting his uniform. “For you, I will keep my word to make this a reality for us.” She opened the lock to the window of her balcony and guided him out with her.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she whispered as she watched him climb over the ledge carefully.
“I didn’t make a promise. I gave you my word,” he whispered stroking her lips softly. “Knights don’t make promises because promises get broken. Going back on word, haunts the spirit,” he said his voice smooth as velvet. She looked at him sadly before kissing corner of his lips gently falling into his loving gaze.
“Fine,” she murmured finally, after feeling defeat.
“Good girl,” he whispered to her with a knowing look at what that term of endearment does to her. She blushed almost immediately trying to hide the heat forming in her chest.
“I’ll see you soon,” he smiled at her preparing to leave. She watched as he climbed down her balcony looking to see if there were any threats or if he was under someone’s watch. His foot suddenly became tangled in the ropes where he then slammed into the ground with a loud thud. The dirt formed a small dust cloud in the air as he coughed and winced in pain. She gasped covering her mouth in shock worried if he was hurt. He stood up quickly hiding embarrassment and smirked holding his side before disappearing round the corner to catch up to roll call.
x x x
Later that afternoon, Queen Catzye looked bored at her council meeting as the elders spoke about treaty agreements and the status of an upcoming ceremony involving the children of Alexios. The sun filled the royal throne room as her paintings and gold furniture illuminated in the sunlight. She yawned at the elders who were debating politics over the borders involving trade.
“Are we boring you, my queen?” whispered Sun as he handed over a glass of water to her. “You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine,” she snapped at him snatching the glass of water annoyed. He gave her a frustrated look as he looked at her concerned. His hazel eyes met hers playfully.
“Snatching hmm?” he teased. “So testy, your highness." Catzye stuck her tongue out hoping to get a rise out of him for being too observant of her every move as her advisor. He laughed quietly as she resumed doodling on her notepad.
Moments later, the doors to the throne room burst open as knights followed a nervous elder who ran directly over to the queen. His footsteps echoed as he approached her. She looked at him with concern as he fell to his feeble knee before her.
“Your highness! There are dark knights at the border approaching Alexios. I’ve counted maybe 4 or 5 heavily draped in armor and weaponry,” he cried. Her eyes narrowed immediately through him as she processed his warning.
“Let them come. It would be the most foolish last thought of their leaders to send them directly into bloodshed of my army,” she sneered. Knight Nova entered the throne room in a hurry holding the top of his sword. He dismissed the elder as the others rose to leave. His direct eye contact made her stomach flip almost immediately.
“Knight Nova, what are your thoughts on this matter?” she stammered sitting down to pour some wine. Sun looked at her with a smirk as she tried to look composed and professional.
“Greetings your highness,” he bowed slowly. “There are 4 knights approaching the border, yes, but they do not appear hostile. They appear to be messengers from a neighboring kingdom.”
“Messengers?” she thought out loud. “Perhaps another neighboring Prince to beg for my hand in marriage,” she scoffed. He scowled but then cleared his throat to hone back into his duty.
“They wouldn’t send dark knights to deliver messages of a proposal, My Queen. They send dark knights when there is a threat,” corrected Knight Nova. “A threat of power, war, even death….” his said as his voice trailed off.
“Perhaps we should let them deliver their message,” suggested Sun standing quietly to look outside the window. He observed the men approaching on black horses.
“Dear Knight?” she asked quietly. “I trust your judgement.” His face lit up softly at her words.
“Good. You have no choice,” he whispered walking to window as he watched as the dark knights approached the gates. She rose quickly and exited the throne room approaching the castle doors with her head high.
She walked over to the gates as a man wearing all black jumped down from his horse and approached her slowly.
“Queen Catzye of Alexios?” he questioned.
“I am,” she replied void of emotion. “What business do you have on my land?” The man played with a scroll in his hand. “Speak quickly,” she snapped.
“I am Eros. I am the loyal advisor to Lord Samuel the 1st, ruler of Noctara,” he replied softly.
“Noctara?” she repeated. “The land with no suns?” Eros laughed to himself as he leaned against his horse. He looked her over from her feet to her face before stepping forward.
“Lord Samuel wishes to meet with you at sundown to discuss a treaty,” he began as he circled her.
“Sundown to discuss a treaty? All treaties are discussed in my throne room. Why is he afraid to meet with me like any average royal and leader?” she demanded. Eros leaned in and then handed her the scroll gently.
“He will be waiting by the forests’ ending trail. Come alone,” he added before bowing and retreating back to his horse. She stood there in disbelief and unable to render a final thought as he swiftly guided his men away. She opened the scroll quietly as it read,
“Dearest Queen Catzye of Alexios, the Guardian of the Grid, The Heart of her people, I request the honor of meeting with you to discuss a treaty that will bring balance, restoration and more importantly respect to her highness. My soul is weary, my spirit tired. My people need you.
Respectfully Signed, Lord Samuel the 1st of Noctara.”
Catzye read the scroll more than once before rolling it back up. The words, “Respect to her highness” rang in her head like a bell she could not silence. She was losing respect from her people as resources ran dry, the increase of crime and hunger spilled to the streets and threats of war loomed from neighboring lands.
Queen Catzye’s advisors were greedy and thought only for themselves. They created frivolous laws that weighed heavy with financial penalties instead of jail time. Taxation was theft to small owners, and imports were hijacked commonly due to the lack of border security. There were many fights over her suggestions as more and more people decided to leave Alexios for a better life.
She walked back quietly as Sun and Knight Nova observed her change in demeanor, almost saddened.
“My Queen,” Sun murmured as he took her hand. “What troubles you?” Knight Nova squinted at Sun annoyed at his constant cooing and touching of his beloved Catzye whenever she was in distress. Knight Nova knew better to respond other than to speak when he was spoken to by her in front of the others. He bit his tongue as he stood guard looking ahead.
“Please have my servants prepare my garments for an evening walk to the forests alone,” she said walking off. Sun watched her departure quietly wondering why a royal queen would need a walk alone.
x x x
Queen Catzye sits at her vanity quietly as she brushed her hair in deep thought. A soft knock is heard as she notices the golden hair enter first.
“Dear Knight,” she called out. “Bold this evening are we?” She turned in her chair observing him. “What brings you to my lair.”
“You will not be meeting with Lord Samuel tonight,” he said quietly but sternly. “Are you insane my love?” Her smile faded quickly at his words as she felt the heat rushing up to her belly with anger.
“Insane is you coming here to question my authority and my reasoning,” she snapped back.
“Oh, stop it,” he said cutting her off. “You don’t get to be queen right now. Not like this,” he replied softly. “Why are you meeting with him. What are you hiding from me?” Her jaw dropped instantly. She stood up, meeting his narrowed gaze at her.
“I knew this would be a problem between us. You cannot separate what we have from what we have to do!” she stomped. He gently held her arm to ground her.
“You yelling will bring us unwanted attention,” he pleaded.
“I don’t care!” she managed to squeal before his hand gently muffled her yelling. He looked into her eyes softly. “You should care my love,” he whispered. “I will let you go if you give me your word you will talk to me gently without raising alarm.” She looked at him and nodded in defeat with a deep sigh. He smiled. “That’s my girl,” he whispered in her ear.
“I am not hiding anything,” she said finally. “I am simply doing what is asked of me. To meet alone to discuss a treaty.” Trey analyzed her face before walking towards the window.
“Lord of Noctara is not a good man. There are tales of his darkness reigning over his kingdom because he burns down everything he touches. He cannot survive in the sun. He us of the undead my beloved,” he said looking out towards the forest.
“Those are tales,” she added. “Tales.”
“They are facts,” he replied. “He is looking for his next kingdom to haunt. Alexios is already at the cusp of self destruction.” Catzye’s face lingered with a sting. A reminder of her failure of her rule. He sees the hurt in her eyes and walks over to her to soothe her.
“You come into my lair to tell me that I am failing once again,” she murmured fighting back tears.
“I have not,” he assured her, stroking her face. “My queen should not meet with such a terrible man alone, in the woods due to his adversion to sunlight and humans.”
“Where did you get this intelligence,” she questioned after a brief silence. He paused and his hand dropped almost immediately.
“I cannot tell you that,” he said quietly.
“Why not?” she demanded. He measured her anger before speaking. His eyes fell to the floor and then back into hers.
“How I got my intelligence is only for me to know,” he replied sternly.
“I order for you to-” she began angrily.
“Is this your game? Catzye in one breath and then Queen Catzye in another? You cannot code switch on me just to get your way. It is infuriating to never know who I am dealing with,” he growled. She held back her words quietly.
“Where did you get this intelligence, Trey,” she said finally. His eyes filled with sadness hearing her speak his formal name. “Please,” she said her voice cracking. His eyes met hers.
“I cannot disclose where I got my information,” he replied. Her eyes grew wide from his audacity.
“And why not!?” she snapped. He let out a deep sigh.
“Because you will never trust me again,” he said softly.
“I don’t trust you now,” she cried out softly before dismissing him. “Leave me at once!”
“No,” he warned. “Do not dismiss me. I am your Knight! I must protect you. Even from you!” There was a knock on the door as head Knight announced his need to enter.
“Please escort Knight Nova back to his barracks. I do not require his protection this evening,” she said flatly turning away holding back tears.
“But Queen Catzye, you need my protection,” he urged. The head Knight raised his eyebrow at him for talking back.
“The Queen has made her decision Knight Nova, what is it to you? You have been commanded to stand down,” his voice boomed in anger towards him. Trey ignored him.
“My Queen, please listen to me. Take heed to my warnings. I gave you my word, my OATH to protect you. Please do not place your life in danger in this way,” he cried out, struggling with the other officers that appeared to take him away. She turned around and looked at him.
“He will walk out of here without commotion, no need to drag him. Is that right, Knight Nova?” she looked at him sternly but with hidden pain. He rose up pulling his arms back forcefully from the officer before storming off. He slammed her door hard enough the shatter the middle in two. Catzye stood in disbelief that his anger caused such destruction of her door that it took the men inside some time to pry it open.
x x x
Queen Catzye and her Knights rode alongside the river leading to the forest at nightfall. The sky appeared as green like nebula color fighting with the pitch black sky as the moon glowed ominously. The salty air mixed with the scent of marine life battled their senses as the wind whipped through her hair like a ghost chasing her shadow. The hooves vibrated in the sand as the waters slammed on the rocks. She slowed her horse down as they approached the trail leading into the forest. The others beside her halted slowly.
“Wait here,” she commanded dropping down from the saddle. The knights looked at each other and obeyed without protest as she pulled up her hood. As she ventured into the darkness she noticed a figure sitting on a broken wooden gate looking at the stars. Approaching him quietly, his pointed ear shifted towards her direction sensing her.
“In all my years of solitude, even the faintest noise could be the rapid heartbeat of a Queen approaching and I can hear it from the shores,” he said softly before turning to face her. She looked this man in horror, his eyes red as bright bloodshed and as dark as the night. His skin was pale and ghostly yet looked soft and botchy with scars. She gasped softly before stepping back.
“Are you Lord Samuel?” she whispered quietly. His ear twitched again before walking up to her slowly. He struck a pose with a light chuckle.
“That, I am,” he whispered observing her. “Queen Catzye, the forgotten queen of Alexios,” he continued.
“I am not forgotten,” she snapped back immediately. “That is a tale.”
“Oh but you are,” he said leaning into her proximity. “Which is why I am standing before you today.” He put his hands behind his back and paced slowly back and forth thinking. “Forgotten because your kingdom forgets that a Queen is the most powerful piece on the chessboard. They do not respect you because you have not earned their respect.”
She scowled at his assessment before composing her face to remain stoic and unbothered.
“You see that,” he said pointing to her, “is part of the reason. A queen who has to manage her emotions in her heart as well as on her face,” he whispered playfully.
“Are we here to discuss my face or your audacity to inviting a queen to the forest without her knights to protect her?” she replied void of emotion.
“Bored are we?” he smiled shaking his head. “Right to the point. I like that.”
He walked back over to the wooden fence to sit as he thought quietly before speaking. She followed him to sit besides him. His expression appeared bothered although he was mindful of his features.
“My queen,” he began. “Noctara and Alexios should merge into one unit. I fear I cannot keep my people happy any longer.” Her face grew concerned almost immediately.
“Happy?” she asked quietly. He looked down at her and smiled.
“Yes, happy,” he repeated. “My people, the elves are unhappy. They are tired of the darkness I bring the land. The sun in my enemy.” She looked at his hands and then his face noticing the burn scars.
“Enemy?” she murmured to herself. He looked at her with a serious look.
“Do you have enemies? Adversaries?” he questioned quietly.
“Yes. They want my hand in marriage to take Alexios from me. They do not believe a woman should have such great power,” she scoffed. His eyes narrowed.
“They want your hand in marriage, not death,” he giggled softly. She squinted at his laughter at her.
“It’s the same thing,” she said grabbing his chin. His face was unusually cold as if he came inside from the bitter winter. He softly took her hand and leaned into it. Her eyes widened.
“I haven’t felt touch in a long time, even if it is aggressive,” he smiled. She stroked his chin gently with her thumb.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered pulling away. He cleared his throat and reached into his pants to pull out matches.
“You seem cold. Let me start a fire so we can continue our talks,” he grinned as he gathered some wood around them. Catzye observed him wondering if what Knight Nova said was true. Is he of the undead?
“Thank you,” she stammered. He glanced at her briefly before starting the fire. He shook his head as if he had an inside joke with himself.
“Better?” he asked quietly sitting besides her.
“Yes,” she smiled nervously as the orange hues filled their space. He looked at the stars and sighed deeply.
“The people of Noctara are hard workers. They trade, hunt, they fish, they build businesses, art and culture. They need a queen who can hone these skills and put it to great use. Perhaps bring stability in your financial infrastructure. I have men who are knowledgeable in running a kingdom. Knights who can strengthen the laws and make Alexios safe,” he said softly. “I cannot let my people dwell in darkness when they have light.”
“Why not let the light in?” she asked quietly. “You say the sun is your enemy. Just how dark is Noctara?” He pointed to the sky.
“You see how the moon pierces the veil of darkness? That dark. It is the only light that doesn’t harm my skin,” his voice lowered slightly. “I am not like the others.”
“I can see that!” she said holding back a laugh. “it was very clear you are not like the others Sammy.” He looked at her softly at the name she called him.
“Sammy?” he asked with a smirk. “The queen has already assigned me a pet name. I should jump for joy.”
“Yes, Sammy. Lord of the land of no suns,” she laughed softly.
“Well, I shall come up with name for you,” he said looking into the fire. “Meanie Mc Queenie,” he quirked after a brief silence. She immediately pouted.
“I will not respond to that,” she said crossing her arms.
“Aww Queenie,” he teased. “Doesn’t like her pet name. I think it suits you. You throw temper tantrums, pout, stomp, and grab cold chins when you are angry.” She rolled her eyes at his observation.
“I do not!” she yelled annoyed.
“She also dishes what she cannot take. You downgraded my Lord Samuel to simply “Sammy” and I called you “Meanie Mc Queenie” to match. Are we even or do you wish for me to call you a different name entirely,” he softly replied his face softening. She looked into his eyes and then swallowed deeply.
“What happened to you,” she whispered. “Why are you like…this.” His smile faded as he looked away.
“This is what happens when you love the wrong person the right way,” he whispered. He took a stick and poked at the flames.
“What do you mean?” she asked curiously.
“This entire time we have been discussing lands and nicknames, now we must discuss my poor judgement in people,” he laughed.
“We don’t have to,” she said taking his hand. “I just, wanted to know who is responsible for your….condition.”
“This is not a condition,” he said quietly. “This is what I am, not who I am. What I am is a predator. What I am not, is a monster.” She looked at him nervously.
“Predator? In what way?” she whispered horrified.
“Predators determine what they wish to take even if it is not given freely,” he replied. “I don’t bite, unless you want me to Queen Catzye.”
“Why-why would you want to bite me…Sammy?” she asked her voice cracking. He leaned into her neck smelling her pulse point. The coldness of his skin made her freeze instantly.
“I also said, I am not a monster,” he whispered pulling back from her. She sat frozen from fear at her realization. She decided against pushing for more details. He pulled out a scroll and handed it to her.
“I am offering you Noctara as a gift. The elves need a sturdy empire. Humans will learn to integrate with them, perhaps even repopulate with hybrids if they dare.” Her eyes didn’t leave his. “What?”
“You are giving me your kingdom?” she asked surprised.
“Jointly for now,” he smiled. “I will step down once the sun returns to Noctara. Transfer my power to you. My wealth. Army.”
“In exchange for what?” she asked suspicious. “I don’t want to marry-”
“I would never marry for political reasoning. Marriage is not an assignment, it is a vow of eternal worship and devotion for many lives,” he snapped at her immediately. “I have admired you from afar the many arranged marriages you denied. I am offering you the perks of such, without the need of being a prisoner.” She looked at him confused.
“You’re lying,” she said folding up the scroll. “If you transfer your power to me, where will you be?” He looked at her sadly and looked away. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
“You will do no such thing,” she said her voice choking up. He faced her and then looked at the sky.
“I loved only one time and have been heartbroken for hundreds of years,” he sighed. “Imagine the person you love robs you of your life just because they can.” She tilted her head listening to him in disbelief.
“That doesn’t mean you have poor judgement,” she said stroking his face. Her fingers felt cold against his face as if she was holding an ice cube.
“Love is nothing but poor judgement, quite frankly,” he smiled. “I fell in love with someone who had no pulse. Cold to the touch. Darkness in her eyes. I wanted to be the light and the warmth she could not feel. My friends warned me that she was the undead. She was a human, I an elf,” he whispered.
“Undead?” she stammered. He looked at her with a grin.
“My dear you chew on pieces of a story and savor one word as a snack,” he laughed.
“Undead?!” she repeated again.
“Yes, Undead,” he said after a moment.
“How could you not tell? You said so yourself her skin was cold and her eyes were dark,” she whispered.
“You see what you see because you do not love me. You see the real me. When you are in love, you see what you want to see. You accept nothing less even if it is the truth,” he said quietly to the flames. She thought carefully her next words.
“You are undead,” she replied softly. He poked at the flames again gently.
“Does this scare you?” he asked after a beat.
“No,” she murmured. “I do not fear you. I fear what your plans are.” He nodded.
“My people do not know. They just know of the tales. I’d like to keep it that way,” he said gently stroking her fingers.
“I will not let you abandon Noctara. We rule aside together as an alliance. I will keep you safe from the sun.” His eyes looked at her softly.
“A loveless companionship is no different from an arranged marriage,” he whispered.
“I will do all in my power to turn you back,” she vowed. “Do we have a deal?” His eyes filled with tears that would not shed. He looked away.
“Deal,” he replied softly. She took his hand and shook it gently. After a few moments she took a quill from him and signed her name besides his.
“It is done,” she announced out loud. He fell to his knee and rested his head on her hip besides her as they watched the flames.
“We will make plans for you to visit Noctara,” he began. “So that you can see my gift to you and your people.” She smiled and nodded.
“What a lovely gift to receive from a man that has given up everything out of love.”
-TPP