I just can't resist a good writing prompt.
WE FOLLOW THE STARS by Selene Kallan.
“I see coffers full of gold and diamonds as large as your fist, my liege,” the fortune-teller said, her melodic voice otherworldly.
The king laughed, and his court followed, their drunken, slurred, false praise filling the stale air.
Emmy clutched the pitcher of wine to her stomach, back pressed against the wall, silently begging the goddess to protect Adrienne—the fortune-teller—from the whims of the King.
“More! Tell me more!” the King demanded.
Dread coiled in Emmy’s belly as Adrienne’s eyes took on a ghostly glow.
“I see blood on stone and hear the vengeful cries of a starved kingdom,” the fortune-teller said in a tremulous voice. “Your greed will be your downfall, my liege.”
Deafening silence spread across the room.
Emmy placed her hand above her thrumming heart.
‘What have you done, Adrienne?’ she agonized.
The King’s drunken good grace evaporated, face blotchy with fury as he ripped his meaty hand off the small, brown shaking hands of the fortune-teller.
“You have cursed me,” he accused, his voice thunderous in the foreboding quiet.
The fortune-teller stood on quivering legs, stepping back from the dais and shaking her head, dark curls swaying.
“Guards! Arrest that sorceress!” he commanded.
No! Emmy wanted to scream, but her throat was tight with dread as she watched two burly guards dragging Adrienne away—her only friend, her heart.
“Please,” Adrienne begged the King and his court. “There is still time. You can change your future if you rule fairly. Your people starve while you feast. You are the maker of your own demise. Can’t you see?”
Emmy’s hand flew to her neck, the feel of her collarbone under her palm one more reminder that Adrienne was right.
“Toss her into the dungeon!” the King snarled. “In the morning, she will burn!”
The Court roared their approval and launched insults at Adrienne until the massive doors closed behind her, resounding with the finality of the King’s sentence.
“More wine!” the King barked.
Emmy approached with the pitcher, hands shaking as she poured the dark liquid.
The faces of the court and the King spun around her in a kaleidoscope of sickening cruelty.
But something burned within her, not the fire of despair, but the flame of bravery. Because she’d die before doing nothing to save Adrienne.
***
It was easier than Emmy believed. The guards didn’t look at her as she poured them more drinks. They didn’t notice her wild blue eyes barely hidden behind a curtain of dirty blonde hair. They tasted nothing wrong with the wine, laced with a sleeping draught. Didn’t stir as Emmy took the keys from their belts.
Heart in her throat, Emmy unlocked the dungeon’s entrance and ran to the furthest cell. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the keys.
The sound made Adrienne lift her head from her knees, her tear-streaked face full of surprise. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“What does it look like?” Emmy asked dryly, finally unlocking the cell, marching in, and seizing Adrienne’s wrist.
The fortune-teller’s chocolate eyes widened. She pulled, trying to set herself free of the servant’s grip. “No, Emmy, they’ll kill us both. You can still live—”
Emmy stopped in her tracks in the middle of the dusty corridor, facing Adrienne. “I’d live. But would I feel alive if my heart dies?”
Adrienne sucked in a breath, heart swelling in her chest.
Emmy gulped, not quite believing she’d dared to confess. Impending death could make you brave, she supposed.
Adrienne linked their fingers together, tears bright in her eyes. “Then let’s go, my heart.”
Emmy smiled, pulling Adrienne along the torch-lit corridor, her happiness shoved aside as male screams reached their ears—the guards were on their trail.
So they ran, faster than ever before, until they reached the bars separating them from freedom. Their half-starved frames fit through the iron rods, just as four burly men in armors reached them, cursing and grunting as they hit the bars with their swords.
The women ran further away, reaching the terracotta stone cliff overlooking the rolling sea.
“This way,” Emmy said, pulling Adrienne along the precarious stone ledge that circled the mountain. The castle looked small on the very top.
“Oh, goddess,” Adrienne muttered, dark eyes bright with fear.
“Do you trust me?” Emmy asked Adrienne, just as the sounds of whirring metal and heavy boots reached their ears.
Adrienne met Emmy’s gaze and took a deep breath. “With my life.”
Hands entwined, they jumped, leaving the stupefied guards behind.
The water wrapped them in an icy embrace, trying to pull them apart. But, hands entwined, they fought against the current and swam to the shore. Their limbs were sore and heavy when they finally reached the white sandy beach.
They lay there, in a heap of trembling limbs and shared body heat. The stars sparkled in the moonless sky.
“What now?” Adrienne dared to ask.
“We follow the stars,” Emmy said.
Foreheads touching, they shared a kiss, lips cold and shaking with relief.
They had nothing but each other, and that was more than enough.
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