Day 44:
Her knees ached from kneeling on the tile floor in her guest room. Her legs had gone numb. Her hands, clasped before her, were cold and dry. If only they would give her some sign that she did not walk the wrong path—that she had not been serving those who had created the darkness in the first place. If only they would give her some reason to go on believing.
But all they gave her was silence. No answers came, though she reached for them, though she communed with the souls of the Gods, though she cried out for the people to the Astrals.
If they were not guilty, why would they not simply tell her the truth?
If the Astrals had not created the Starscourge, why had Reina seen that?
That Ardyn had manipulated Reina's visions only stood up as an excuse for so long. Could he change what she saw? Luna had no notion. But her visions of Insomnia's fall had been detailed and accurate enough that she had prevented it entirely.
Or was she meant to believe that the Gods had sent Reina false visions so that she would be led astray?
And if so… why?
What sort of god would even attempt such a thing?
Or perhaps they wished Luna to believe that Reina's Dreams were simply falsehoods in themselves. That she was delusional and led only by Ardyn now.
But already Luna had seen too much of what Reina's foresight could do to believe that. She had saved Insomnia. She had taken down Niflheim single-handedly when all had seemed impossible. All that from her Dreams.
Perhaps if they had listened to the truth of her visions before, Tenebrae would not have fallen. Mother would not have died. Ravus would not have turned into the man he was now.
If they had listened before.
"The Oracle will hear her messenger."
Lunafreya didn't turn. Insomnia stretched out in front of her, visible through the balcony doors. All of that was still intact and Lucian because of Reina's Dreams. If that was not proof…
"Have you come to bring condemnation of my blasphemy?" Luna asked.
"The Oracle questions because no answers have been laid before her. To ask a question is not a sin."
Luna did turn then. Gentiana stood not five feet away, hands folded in front of her, placid as ever.
"But that is not a subject for this time," Gentiana said. "The Oracle must listen. A choice will be laid before her and no advice can be offered."
"What choice?"
"A call has been sent. Thirty-four messengers across this star are summoned by the Draconian. They are to be His spear, sharpened and unleashed upon one who dares stand against him."
"Reina… He's sending the messengers to attack Reina?" They were meant to bear the Gods' will unto mankind. In a roundabout way, this could be considered his will, but it sat like a cold lump in her stomach. "Would you truly kill her?"
"A choice is laid before the Oracle," Gentiana repeated. "Three messengers are bound to abide by that choice."
"I see."
So there it was, laid at her feet without any more time for thought. Did she stand with the Caelums, with the man she had loved for twelve long years, with her brother, and with all of mankind, whom she was sworn to protect? Or did she follow the path of the Oracle and stand by the Gods?
Resolve hardened in her chest. She rose, knees aching. "How long do we have?"
"The summons has only now been issued. The messengers will assemble and execute orders when all have come."
"Will your absence delay them?" Luna asked.
"For a time."
"Good. Thank you. Do whatever you can—anything that might afford her some more time."
She tied her hair back without glancing in the mirror and hurried to the hall door. She had been confined to chambers for over two weeks, now, forbidden from visiting any other part of the Citadel. She might have made an appeal to Ravus, were he still present, but he had returned to Niflheim on the king's business some days ago. Nevertheless, if there was cause to make an exception to her house arrest, this had to be it.
The guards halted her at the door.
"You are not permitted to leave your quarters."
"I realize that, but this is really very important. If you would pass a message along to the king, I would be grateful; I really must see him immediately."
He sighed and glanced at his partner, who shrugged one shoulder. He reached for his radio. "Lunafreya asking to see His Majesty."
The response came through, distorted over the radio but loud enough for Luna to hear: "Tell her to bugger off."
The Crownsguard at the lift shrugged one shoulder. "Bugger off."
As with any palace, word traveled quickly in the Citadel. It was no secret that Princess Reina—the hero of the hour—was displeased with Luna. She was a guest in Insomnia insofar as she was fed and watered and not locked in the dungeon. In most every other way she was a prisoner.
Her eyes swept over the Crownsguard's uniform. Her education of Lucian law enforcement was rusty at best, but she could count bars.
"Lieutenant, I understand full well that I am not welcome in this nation at this time. But if you do not send proper word to His Majesty that I must speak to him, Princess Reina will be in grave danger. I do not know how His Majesty treats those who endanger his daughter, but I daresay I would rather not find out. Would you?"
A series of emotions worked across his face. Surprise, confusion, and some manner of dubious concern. A look that might have been called Better Safe Than Sorry.
He picked up his radio again. "Umaro, tell His Majesty that Lady Lunafreya claims to have information regarding Princess Reina's safety."
Lady Lunafreya this time. She had gone up in his estimation rather quickly.
The radio was silent for a moment, before the response came:
"His Majesty wants you to escort her up."