Chapter 65
Sixty-Five
An unfortunate task had landed in Autumn’s lap. The perks of being empress, she sighed, fidgeting her hands. Emblem and Allegoria fussed over her, making sure her hair and makeup were perfect . According to them.
But was anything ever really perfect, or was it all an illusion?
They combed the coiled strands of her hair into a high ponytail, fastening it tight to the top of her head. They glossed her lips with one of the only tokens she still had from Earth—her favorite watermelon lip gloss. She was lucky it hadn’t disappeared with the rest of her belongings.
Golden glitter was sprayed over the strands of her hair. She wore a burgundy bodysuit with a gilded asymmetrical stripe.
Hours remained before she was scheduled to see the Grand Supreme, and she had to give a public statement.
Great. Her palms sweated in her lap. For whatever reason she was more nervous to formally break the news to the inhabitants than she was to meet with the Grand Supreme himself.
“You look gorgeous,” Emblem and Allegoria each gave her a reassuring hug, then stepped away.
“Thanks,” her cheeks warmed to the touch. She never knew how to handle a compliment.
Leyla and Ronan waved from across the throne room with their significant others. Too bad hers was somewhere in deep space and not with her when she needed him the most. She wished he was with her more than anything.
Isidora entered the room and waved as well. Worry lines graced her youthful blue brow.
“You’re on in three, two, one, go,” an advisor announced from the sidelines.
She stopped slouching and placed her hands into her lap. She tried to make a pleasant smile but for all she knew it looked like a frown. All eyes were on her.
The drones buzzed around her emitting a high-pitched tone. She was live in front of billions of viewers.
“Greetings, good inhabitants of Universe 13. I come to you with ill-fated news,” her mouth grew dry, but she did her best to disguise her nerves. Her knee bounced slightly. It was an impossible task, but everyone was looking to her for guidance.
She continued. “We’re facing an attack, and we are surrounded,as you’ve seen from beyond the forcefield. Negotiations for our freedom are currently under way. I will be going to speak directly to the Grand Supreme to see if we can reach an agreement. Please stay calm, and most of all don’t lose hope. I will work tirelessly and do everything in my power to rectify the situation. Until then, be well.”
The drones switched off, and her lap vibrated. She looked down and could barely catch her breath.
Not because of the speech she just gave, but because her communicator was buzzing with Dante’s number.
Her heart accelerated. She stood up from the throne and ran out of the room to get some privacy.
“Autumn, where are you going?” She heard from Leyla and Ronan, but ignored the question.
She stopped at the end of the hallway, back pressed against the wall. She slid to the ground, fingers quaking as she answered her communicator.
“Hello, Dante, I’m so glad you’re okay.” She couldn’t hide her smile. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
But the other side was silent. Heavy breathing crackled through the speaker. “Don’t forget our agreement.”
The Grand Supreme.
The device slid from her hand and hung up as it collided with the crimson carpeted floor. She burst into bitter tears, taking deep heaving breaths, then buried her face against her knees, sobbing her heart out.
Her communicator buzzed again. She stopped, staring down at the screen. Her vision grew blurry from crying so hard, but she could still make out Dante’s number flashing. The Grand Supreme had somehow intercepted his call.
Autumn’s teeth ground together in her mouth as she snatched up the communicator again. She answered the device, hands quaking.
“What do you want now?” she snapped.
“Autumn, it’s me.”