Free Bellona (Part 1.5 of The Saskia Trilogy) by Aoife Marie Sheridan

please I am sorry.” She is crying hysterically, I have never felt so powerful. I smile at her. “It is too late for apologies mother.”
    “Tear her apart,” I tell the demons and she roars in agony as the demons coat her body, pulling the flesh from her bones, draining her of blood. She screams for what feels like forever and I watch my mother die a painful and horrible death.
    The demons stop, her soul rises and shoots into the amulet that lies against my chest. My hands tremble, but I close my sacrifice, releasing the demons from the room. My mother’s body starts to crumble in on itself my stomach heaves at the noise of crunching bones, but I don’t look away until all that remains is the dust of her bones and hair. Only then do I collapse to my knees.
    I just killed my mother. I laugh as joy swells in my heart, clapping my hands with glee. I thank God for this small mercy. I don’t want to be caught down here by my father. I have achieved enough for today. I clean up the floor and remove the amulet, reluctantly placing it where I had found it, on the altar. When it is no longer in contact with my skin it dulls and a purple stone sits in the centre, not moving, doing nothing. I leave the room and return to my own, feeling lighter, feeling truly happy for the first time in a long time.  I know I had promised myself I would harm no one, but she deserved to die.
     
                                                            ****
    I weep when the news of the queen’s disappearance spreads throughout the castle. My father shows no signs of upset and everyone watches him with suspicion. I, on the other hand, play the motherless daughter so well, that people only look at me with pity. Nierra stays with me as much as possible. I feel slightly guilty lying to him but life will go on. And it does blissfully. My father leaves me alone. I have no one to answer to. I spend most my time with Nierra and we stay up late into the night talking. The castle is large and most rooms aren’t used so we find a large sitting room, and turn it into our own safe haven.
    Tonight I am with Nierra and he isn’t himself, he seems distracted.
    “What worries you?” I ask, while looking at our joined hands. Nierra smiles at me before removing his hand from mine and running his finger down my cheek; his touch is gentle and ignites a want in me.
    “I fear war is truly upon the doors of our kingdom.” The way he says our kingdom sends a thrill through me, but I hide my excitement and try to behave like a queen.
    “But it is only people, no one with training,” I say, already wanting to change the subject. I want to talk about me and Nierra not some stupid mindless servants. But my answer causes Nierra to sit back, and I feel the loss of our skin contact immediately.
    “People with a passion and a fight are very dangerous people, Bellona.”
    I nod as if I understand and a frown appears on his face.
    “Do you even understand what is happening?” I am taken aback by his tone and find myself blushing.
    “Of course,” I snap and he smiles, why? I have no idea. But I find myself getting upset. “You laugh at me?” I question, getting ready to leave, but his hand finds mine again and he smiles.
    “I am not laughing at you, I smiled because you are so beautiful when you blush, Bellona.” His words cause my body to relax, and joy to fill my being. My body comes fully alive as his mouth devours mine. The room is warm as we discard our clothes and the want for each other takes over, I don’t hesitate. I want this, I want Nierra, and he gives himself to me with a passion that I match.
     
     

Chapter Eleven
    Confessions
    “Princess Bellona.” I turn to find Miriam behind me, I don’t like the man but I smile back.
    “Miriam.” His gray eyes see far too much. He is an oracle so I spend my time avoiding him. I look around my empty private gardens wondering what he is doing here. “Can I