Sheila screamed and fell onto her back.
The creature before her merely grinned and stepped closer.
"Stay away from me!" she cried, scrambling backward until her back hit the wall.
Tan'y'ju stopped.
A cloud of black mist enveloped him, and moments later he stood there in human form.
He looked away from her.
"I'll leave for now," he said. "But I will be back."
His body dissolved into black smoke and vanished through the window.
Sheila hurried to her feet and slammed the window shut.
Leaning against a bookshelf, she struggled to steady her breathing.
A maid entered the room carrying a bundle of clothes.
She placed them neatly on the bed.
"His Highness instructed me to tell you to prepare yourself," the maid said. "His coronation ceremony is tomorrow."
Without waiting for a reply, she left.
Sheila slowly approached the bed and examined the garments.
"Why would he want me at his coronation?" she wondered aloud.
The Next Day...
Sheila awoke to the sound of hurried footsteps echoing through the halls.
She climbed out of bed and stepped into the corridor just as a maid nearly collided with her.
"Why is everyone running?" Sheila asked.
The maid stopped briefly, breathing heavily.
"The Crown Prince's wife has summoned all the women in the castle."
Before Sheila could ask another question, the girl hurried away.
"All the women?" Sheila murmured.
Curious, she followed the flow of servants through the castle.
As she crossed one of the courtyards, she noticed several men engaged in sword practice.
She paused to watch.
One of them was Delvin.
His opponent appeared to be a palace guard.
The duel was fierce but brief.
With a swift strike, Delvin knocked the man's sword from his hand.
Before the guard could react, Delvin drove his blade into the man's chest.
The man collapsed.
Dead.
Sheila froze.
Only then did she notice the other bodies scattered around the courtyard.
Several men already lay motionless upon the ground.
A chill ran down her spine.
The memory of her birthday massacre flashed through her mind.
She stood rooted to the spot.
Suddenly, a sharp crack split the air.
Pain exploded across her back.
She cried out and fell to her knees.
Looking up, she saw a woman draped in expensive silks and adorned with jewels.
The woman's expression was filled with fury.
"You insolent wench!" she barked. "How dare you ignore my summons?"
She circled Sheila like a hawk.
"I shall make an example of you. Let everyone in this kingdom learn what becomes of those who disrespect their queen."
The woman raised her whip again.
But this time she could not move her arm.
She spun around.
Delvin stood behind her, gripping her wrist.
"My husb..."
"I am not king yet," Delvin interrupted coldly. "And I certainly do not recall crowning you queen."
He took the whip from her hand.
"This young lady is under my protection. No one is permitted to harm her."
He motioned for Sheila to stand.
After a brief hesitation, she obeyed.
Delvin guided her to his side.
"Kandis," he called.
A maid stepped forward.
"Take this maiden to my chambers. Ensure that her sister remains safe as well."
His gaze shifted toward Belinda.
"I forbid this woman from harming either of them."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Kandis escorted Sheila to Delvin's chambers.
Once inside, Sheila stood nervously in a corner.
Her thoughts raced.
"What is he planning to do to me?" she whispered.
"The only thing I intend to do is help with your injury."
Startled, Sheila looked up.
Delvin was seated across the room.
"I... I didn't see you there," she said, bowing slightly.
Delvin rose from his chair and stepped toward her.
He gently turned her around.
"Does the wound hurt?" he asked.
"Even if it did, I wouldn't tell you."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Then remove the upper part of your dress."
Sheila spun around in shock.
"What?!"
"I need to apply an ointment to the wound," he explained. "Otherwise it may become infected."
He stepped back and folded his arms.
"Will you do it yourself, or shall I call a maid?"
"I'll do it myself."
Reluctantly, Sheila loosened the upper part of her dress and turned her back to him.
Delvin approached and carefully applied the ointment along the mark left by the whip.
The cool medicine soothed the burning pain.
When he finished, he helped secure her dress.
She turned to face him.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
Delvin returned to his chair.
"Because I want to."
The answer only confused her more.
After a moment, he spoke again.
"Rest well. Tomorrow you will serve as my personal attendant during the coronation."
He gestured toward the door.
Dismissed.
Still confused, Sheila quietly left the room.
Outside, she nearly collided with Belinda.
The woman was red with rage.
She deliberately shoved Sheila aside before storming into Delvin's chambers.
Sheila watched her for a moment before continuing back to her room.
Several minutes later, Belinda emerged looking even angrier than before.
She ripped decorative pins from her hair and hurled them at nearby maids.
Then she stormed away toward her own chambers.
The Following Morning...
Sheila rose before dawn and quickly prepared herself.
She wore the dress Delvin had sent for her and made her way downstairs.
There she found Stel dressed in the uniform of a junior court maid.
The sisters exchanged a brief glance before taking their places.
Sheila moved to Delvin's side and curtsied.
He acknowledged her with a nod.
Soon the royal procession began.
Delvin rode a magnificent white horse while nobles and officials traveled in carriages according to rank.
As his attendant, Sheila was assigned to the ceremonial carriage that would accompany his return.
The procession departed.
While Delvin entered the city to receive the people's praise, the rest of the royal party proceeded toward the Black Temple.
When they arrived, everyone was assigned ceremonial duties.
As preparations continued, a veiled palanquin entered the temple grounds.
The white curtains concealed its occupant, but observers could make out the silhouette of a beautiful woman seated inside.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
The palanquin disappeared into the temple.
Not long afterward, Delvin arrived and was escorted inside as well.
Moments later, a priest emerged.
"Sheila and Stel."
The sisters stepped forward.
They were led into the temple and instructed to assist with the sacred rites.
Each girl was handed a vessel of incense.
The priests began chanting ancient prayers over the two figures standing before the altar.
Suddenly, one of the priests raised his staff.
"Now take the oath."
The veiled woman stood.
A ceremonial tablet was placed before her.
She rested her hand upon it.
"I, Dolores, Princess and Heir Apparent of Colgard, hereby relinquish my claim to the throne and bestow it upon my brother, Delvin."
The crowd gasped.
A ceremonial sword was handed to Delvin.
Dolores knelt.
Delvin stepped forward and placed the blade lightly upon her shoulder.
"I grant you life, honor, and a place beside me within the royal palace."
He lowered the sword.
"Now reveal yourself, dear sister. I have missed you."
Dolores smiled and lifted her veil.
Then she embraced him.
After a moment, her attention shifted toward Stel.
"Who is this child?" she asked.
She approached the young princess and gently played with her hair.
"She is the sister of my attendant," Delvin replied. "Both are captive princesses."
Dolores smiled.
"Royalty? Excellent."
She took Stel's hand.
"This one belongs with me."
And just like that, she led the confused girl away.
The priests draped a heavy royal robe over Delvin's shoulders and escorted him into the palace gardens.
There, beneath banners woven from black roses, he knelt.
The crown was placed upon his head.
When he rose and raised his sceptre, the crowd erupted into cheers.
King Delvin had ascended the throne.
As the celebration continued, Delvin stepped onto a raised platform.
Belinda watched him eagerly from the crowd.
A smile already spread across her face.
"According to tradition," Delvin announced, "a king should crown his queen during this ceremony."
Belinda's smile widened.
"However," he continued, "while I possess a wife, I do not yet possess a queen worthy of the title."
The smile vanished from Belinda's face.
"A king may have many wives. Therefore, I ask the kingdom for patience while I search for the woman worthy of becoming my queen."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Belinda's face burned crimson with humiliation.
She spun around and stormed away.
From her place beside the throne, Dolores watched her leave.
Then she sighed.
The war within the palace had only just begun.