ELYSIUM

Nectar was not enough for Boudica to calm her down. Listening to the soldiers, her soldiers' reports made her sick. Her niece and her guard were nowhere to be found, victims fallen from the fire. And an artifact had been stolen.

The ruler placed her hands on her desk and looked at the two guards with a clenched jaw.

‘’Find her and bring her to me alive and well’’She took a deep breath and backed up in her height, playing with her iron ring. Her eyes glanced at the fireplace, letting her face relax to the bright colors.

‘’And what about the guard?’’ One of them asked. The ruler’s fingers played with the cup of Nektar and licked her lips to feel the liquor flowing deeper and deeper.

‘’What about him?’’Boudica asked curiously with a brow as if it was not a question, that needed to be answered. Both of these soldiers stuttered and bowed at her sight.

‘’Of course’’They said.

‘’How many soldiers? '’She spoke slowly, changing the subject. ‘’Saw, the incident’’

‘’With us, eight’’One of them said again. The ruler shook her head satisfied and put the glass on her table.

‘’The warlock tried to get inside’’She said, ordering them what to say to the world. ‘’But all eight of you managed to stop her’’She breathed shakily. ‘’Died like the animal she is. ’’ Her eyes found a glimpse of someone looking at her right behind the soldiers.

‘’My niece got kidnapped by one of your own’’She said later. ‘’Is that understood?’’ She said, restraining a stutter.

Everyone bowed once and left her room. Her eyes sneaked a peak at a little boy, looking behind her slightly open door holding a stuffed bunny.

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Boudica scoffed, exhaling with relief as the boy walked inside with his green eyes glazing upon hers.

‘’What’s the matter?’’She got on her knees to caress her son’s pale blushing cheeks.

‘’Is it true?’’The boy asked. ‘’Is Lucifer missing?’’ There were fat tears on his face, falling from his eyes.

‘’She will be back’’ Boudica comforted him. ‘’And she will be back to you with open arms’’

‘’Really?’ A smile panted when he heard those words. Boudica shook her head and smiled before she let a cheek to his forehead. ‘’Now go back to your room’’

She pushed her son away with giggles and stood up to see right back at her table a bouquet of flowers. Daffodils. Boudica hated that kind. Making her feel sad as it was a reminder she had to place each soldier each noble each royal a bouquet of those flowers, right at their grave.

‘’She cannot hide forever’’ Boudica rasped without even looking back and touched the petals.

‘’She knows too much’’A voice echoed from behind.

‘’She will forget’’She spat dry ‘’ Just like the time before’’

‘’And she will remember’’ A tight grip to her shoulder snapped. ‘’Just like the time before’’

‘’Make another’’She said after changing the subject of her niece’s end. ‘’If they take it first’’

‘’That warlock burnt my research’’The voice snapped right in front of her. There was a man, two heads taller than her, wearing a dark helm, the one they used for the plague covering every exposed part of his head and throat. His clothes are dark, daffodils knitted to the sleeves of his coat and his cane which was held by leathered gloves, was gold as the top of it looked like two scales, waiting for something to weigh.

‘’The only remains are the one your niece holds’’He said brooding.

Boudica clenched her jaw, imagining how much she wanted to rip his tongue out.

‘’My niece is out there with no power, none to turn with.’’’A grin almost escaped from her mouth.’’ She cannot hide.’’She tried to hide her anger from the man.

‘’You will take it back’’She played with her ring finger and fixed a few of her red curls. ‘’And I will take her back’’

The man moved his cane to the left, showing how the right scale was getting lower.

‘’She will understand’’She stuttered. Her niece was smart. Smart enough to understand the stake of the world her aunt was trying to keep at peace

‘’I see’’The man shook his head and took the bouquet from the desk, landing it on Boudica's chest.

‘’It’s a gift’He lowered his head, whispering to her ear with a rough burn.

Boudica gasped, holding her smile tight.

‘’You are the Great Ruler. You are the one who will make the decision’’