Chapter 82
Eighty-Two
By the time Autumn arrived in the throne room, the area was packed to capacity. The air was so warm she could scarcely breathe. Daylight sparkled through the stained-glass skylight of twisting stars. Her heeled go-go boots slid along the crimson velvet floor.
All eyes followed her as she made her way through the center aisle, her head held high. She wore a scarlet bodysuit with a gilded asymmetrical stripe. Her hair was fastened in a high curly ponytail, flecked with gold. Emblem and Allegoria had worked a miracle on her in mere minutes.
A heavy white velvet sack swung from her right arm, containing her war prize.
She inhaled and took her seat, crossing her legs. Drones buzzed overhead capturing the public statement. For the first time she wasn’t afraid to speak publicly, especially after what she’d lived through. She could do this with her hands tied behind her back. It was no big deal or at least she tried to convince herself. Deep down she knew Dante’s reputation was on the line.
She waved. “Greetings everyone.”
The room remained silent and serious except for Leyla who smiled at her from the sideline, resting her cheek on Kyo’s tall shoulder. Autumn took her reaction as an indication that Dante was going to be okay. Relief flooded through her body. She missed him more than anything.
“I know a lot of rumors are floating around about the invasion and the state of the emperor, that somehow he’s incapable of protecting us, but let me set one thing straight, the Grand Supreme is dead.”
Skeptical whispers followed long blank stares. One advisor stepped forth with his arms folded. He cocked his blue head to the side, dark-brown hair fastened in a low ponytail. She could sense his attitude from across the room. It tempted her to roll her eyes.
“Permission to speak, Your Imperial Majesty,” his voice fluttered with sarcasm.
“Go ahead,” she sighed.
“Well, how can we be so sure what you say is true? We all saw what happened.” Murmurs erupted from around the room.
The advisor continued. “Everyone saw what happened. You’re not fooling anyone, the emperor arrived half-dead. I’m calling your bluff. The Grand Supreme is undefeated.”
Everyone watched and waited for her reply with bated breath. Luckily, she’d thought ahead.
She reached into the sack, fingers sliding against dry ink-black plates and pulled out what remained of the tyrant who ruled over the universes for the last four hundred years with an iron fist. She held the scaly prize high for the drones to see.
Her mouth curved with satisfaction. “I present to you, his head.”
Gasps erupted around the room and the advisor stepped back, falling into a deep bow. Good . That shut him the heck up.
“Does anyone else have anything to add? Anyone else doubt the emperor’s capabilities?”
The room remained quiet, not a single breath left anyone’s mouth. The drones bumbled around. She placed the head back into the sack.
“Good, we should all pray for the safe recovery of the new Grand Supreme who almost sacrificed his life to keep you safe.”
As she went to stand, she suddenly grew warm and hesitated. Her eyes drew to the sack. Goosebumps prickled up along her skin. She could’ve sworn she saw the mouth on the severed head move, forming words with its loose tongue. She fixated on it for a moment too long, zoning out as if hypnotized.
“There’s a traitor among you,” he grinned.
She blinked hard before closing the sack as tight as she could. Her imagination was running away with itself. Gross . She came to a shaking stand. She smiled at everyone before leaving the room with the bag. Everyone remained behind in complete silence as she made a clear run for it. Nobody dared counter. Nobody challenged her.
Autumn needed some fresh air and quick. She couldn’t tell if it was from the situation or her pregnancy.
She raced to the rooftop of the palace, up several flights of crimson winding steps, and over to the edge. She glanced down to the earth far below that disappeared in the shadows. She took one last look at the disgusting head of her husband’s mortal enemy before throwing it over the edge. The sack disappeared into the darkness.
Her eyes shut tight as she took in the sounds of the city. The hum of the aircraft, the smell of floating lavender, and the heat of the dual suns shining through the newborn amethyst sky. The rays warmed her golden olive skin making her feel better, or at least a little bit better. There was no season more beautiful than eternal summer in deep space.
“It’s a shame—I was going to mount that trophy on the wall.”
She turned around, eyes fogging with tears. Dante.