Hyperia finished her bath and slipped into the flowing robe Simmy held up for her. It was cut with deep pleats in the front and a high waist.

It was a big day at Oran, her daughter Tylla's wedding day. She had hoped to have Starlex returned by now. She would have given her her great homecoming at the wedding feast. Then, slowly and secretly, she would make sure her younger sister could never fulfill Illym's prophecy.

Her trusted ally, Yewen Illymium, had given her a small vial filled with the potent poison that would end Starlex's life. Hyperia kept it safe and secure in a lacquered box within a locked cabinet in her bedchamber. No one would suspect her. Only Yewen knew, and he was now in the county home of Scipio's sister, Roselynn, who was progressing with her pregnancy quite well.

Yewen sent word every few days in carefully worded code, lest anyone should intercept the raven carrying his waxed sealed letter. Roselynn had let go of all her household staff per Hyperia's instructions and was now resting comfortably, eating the rich foods Yewen prepared for her. He had reported back that Roselynn had grown quite fat as the healthy child grew within her.

Hyperia looked at her own still slender figure in her smoked glass as Simmy stood behind her, brushing out her long black hair.

I must gorge myself at the banquet today, Hyperia thought. I need to make myself as plump as a partridge.

For a moment, she caught her violet eye in the glass, and something akin to guilt flooded her cheeks, making them blush red.

"Are you alright, milady?" Simmy asked.

"Yes," she said, "just fetch me some water, please."

"Of course." Simmy made an awkward curtsy and crossed the room.

My plan is flawless, Hyperia thought, gazing at her pale, oval face in the glass, admiring her symmetrical features. And when the child is born, both Roselynn Davadas and Yewen Illymium will die. No one must know.

Illym always knows, sounded a voice in her head.

Hyperia spun from her glass with a gasp. Flenn Illyminum, a towering figure in flowing purple robes flecked with gold stars, stood in the doorway gazing at her with pale, iridescent eyes.

"I am pleased to see you back on your feet, Flenn Illyminium," Hyperpia said, recovering quickly from the sudden intrusion. "But as you can see, I am very busy."

"I don't mean to disturb you, milady. It's just..."

"Yes?"

"Illym has sent another sign."

"Oh?" Hyperia sucked in her breath sharply. "Then I shall go to the tower. Now."

The sleeve of Flenn's robes made a purple curtain across the queen's threshold, blocking her egress.

"I'm sorry, madam."

"Indeed?" She huffed. "What is the problem?"

"At dawn this morning, Illym came to me in a dream. He told me your sister, Starlex, is in grave danger."

"What kind of danger? I thought that Bonn Skaard was bringing her home."

"He was, madam, but now he's changed course and is returning to Kadaar."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"But why?" Hyperia's cheeks paled. "Never mind." She waved her hand through the warm, fragrant air. "I know the king called back the troops he sent. But we need them to fight the Nazeers. They are marching on our city, Flenn Illymimium." Her violet eyes flashed with a look of solidarity she hoped was enough to convince the ancient seer that they were on the same team. She wasn't so sure the old mage was fooled, however.

Does Flenn Illymimium know about my deception? Can I trust him?

The old seer's wrinkled eyelids fluttered with fatigue. Hyperia rose and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "You're tired."

"Yes," Flenn uttered weakly. "I am tired, but when I regain my strength, I will once again become one with my Lila bird and fly to the princess' side."

Hyperia smiled indulgently at Flenn, gaining power from his obvious weakness. "Of course you will. But now, you must rest for the wedding feast tonight."

"Yes," Flenn said as he turned and slowly tottered off.

Hyperia watched as Flenn walked slowly down the hallway through shafts of sunlight, purple robes trailing over the pink marble floors.

Flenn's powers are weak now. But once what happens when he regains hisstrength?

Sighing, she returned to her glass to examine her figure. She had been stuffing herself at every meal to gain plumpness. Indeed, her breasts and belly had swelled enough to fool some prying eyes, but soon it would be impossible to hide her deception. Luckily, men like Scipio Davadas were easily fooled with basic feminine wiles. His mind was filled with the business of running a kingdom and now the impending war. But he needed sensual release as well. She would have to see to that tonight after the feast when he had a lot of wine. If she were lucky, he might pass out before the deed was done.

Men were easy to control, but Flenn Illymimium, the oldest living being in all of Ardelym, was not so easy to fool. The ancient seer was on his last life, one step away from being pure spirit.

Perhaps if Flenn were to be pushed from the tower?

"No," she said aloud into her glass. You fooled the old Wol because she was blind. Flenn Illymimium will be more of a challenge, and also, there is Illym.

Does he see my deeds, my very thoughts?

A tug of conscience propelled her through the balcony door. The day was fine with the sun hovering bright and bold over the distant Kadaar Mountains, turning their snow-tipped peaks to fine glass.

Perhaps Starlex will die on the journey or find a worse fate among the untamed Skaards. She could be trapped forever behind those frozen peaks, but in time, say twenty years, the son she will sire from some wild man would return to claim his throne. She remembered the strong body of Bonn Skaard and how he had aroused her blood with lust. What type of king would come from the fine spirit of Illyimium blood mixed with a hardy Skaard's?

She shuddered to think on it.

No. I must stick to the plan. Starlex must be returned and find her fate with a vial of poison or beneath my dagger's point before any Skaard's seed can penetrate her womb. And Flenn Illymium, I will find a way ...

"My lady wife," a bass voice sounded behind her. She turned to see her husband and king, moving toward her with a wide smile. "Our daughter marries today."

"Yes," Hyperia said, mirroring his joyous expression. "And what a fine day it is."

Knowing she had no choice in the matter, she opened her arms to him. His strong hands did not hesitate to find the soft plumpness of the body she had withheld from him for too long. He touched her full breasts and purred with pleasure. She didn't stop his hand from traveling to the swelling mound of her belly and then, at last, to settle in the moist warmth between her rounded thighs.

"Tonight," she whispered. "When the wedding feast is over, I will lie in your chamber."

The king grunted with satisfaction. Now that she had him on the hook, a sudden idea came to her. She smiled with satisfaction at her cleverness.

"May I ask a request of my king on our daughter's wedding day?"

"Of course," he said, still nuzzling her neck.

"Send Flenn Illymium away."

With a start, he lifted his head to look at her. "What do you mean?"

She slipped out of his hands and looked out over the balcony railing. "I was just thinking ... we need a stronghold in Mynimium. When the Nazeers arrive there, they will try to influence the people."

"But there are so few citizens left, and we will meet the Nazeers with all our forces. I've sent one hundred troops already, and more will be deployed tomorrow."

"I know, but suppose the Nazeers were to breach the walls. If Flenn Illymimium were there as our ensign, the people would rally behind him, and Nargos Nazeer will be at a disadvantage."

Scipio rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The Nazeers will never make it in."

"But if by chance they do? It was you who always said you must strategize for the worst possible outcome."

The king smiled and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I didn't know my wife was listening to the discussions in my war chamber."

"I listen to everything, my brilliant king." She ran her hand along his muscular thigh through his robe. "What do you think of my plan?"

"I will think about it. But today, dear wife," he pulled her again into a strong embrace, "we think only of our daughter's happiness."