whimpered, her face scrunched up as tears streamed down her cheeks. “It’s not fair.”
“It isn’t, but it’s the right thing to do. For you and for your sons,” the man said, gripping her shoulders as he tried to reason with her. “More of our people will fall ill every day, and your sons still need their mother. So, please… don’t come back. Close the shop until the danger passes. We both have enough gold coins saved up to last us a few months, at least. It’s time to use them.”
The shop lady shuddered, shaking her head in dismay. “Let’s just hope they catch Lady Crimson. If she really is responsible for the Black Fever, maybe it’ll stop once she’s dead.”
Sofia and I walked away from the shop. I was shaking, and she could feel me.
“Derek, it’s spreading,” she whispered. “The Black Fever is spreading. How is that going to help Valaine’s case? They’re already talking about killing her.”
I didn’t have an answer for Sofia. Hell, I had no idea how this would eventually turn out for Valaine, but the fact that the Darklings had already managed to influence public opinion like this was downright terrifying.
“I have to make Danika understand,” I mumbled. “Zoltan put a target on Valaine’s back, and only Danika can stop this from getting worse. If they achieve the unspeakable—if they manage to kill Valaine—and the Black Fever continues to spread, that’ll be a mistake they can never undo. And the Darklings have killed the wrong people before, dammit. I can’t believe they’re all falling for this garbage.”
Upon reaching the palace, I found the atmosphere to be suffocating. The number of soldiers patrolling the estate in their shiny gold armor had tripled. There were fewer staff members present, but plenty of messengers were moving in and out of the building.
“If I wasn’t sure that you talking to Danika was a good idea at first, I’m totally on board now,” Sofia said. “This will all get out of hand quickly unless we do our damnedest to talk some sense into her.”
“Come on, let’s go.” I pulled her after me as we snuck through one of the palace’s service doors facing the gardens. We slipped past the guards and worked our way up a spiral staircase, listening carefully to every sound as we moved.
Upon reaching the first level, I stopped to look at Sofia. She gave me a soft smile, knowing that this was where we’d part ways, albeit only for a short while. “You be careful in there, Derek Novak. I did not come here to lose you,” she whispered.
I kissed her deeply, basking in the endless love we had for each other. A moment later, I ran my hand through her long auburn hair, delighted by the silky softness of each thread.
“You be careful as well, Sofia Novak. Thayen might be a kid, but he’s got dangerous adults watching him, especially after what happened to his father. Don’t reveal yourself unless you’re positive it’s safe to do so.”
“Same goes for you, mister.”
She winked and turned away, going down the main corridor toward the western wing, where the imperial living quarters were. In the east wing, Danika and Acheron had had their private offices set up for more than a century, and I knew that was where I’d find the Lady Supreme.
Bracing myself for what could either be a contentious encounter or a peaceful agreement, I walked quietly along the wall, keeping my distance from the patrolling soldiers and holding my breath whenever they passed by.
Gloom reigned over the palace now. Even the gilded decorative details had lost their luster. Every inch of this place was mourning, and there wasn’t a single smile in sight. Acheron’s death was taking its toll on the people, and I wondered how long it would take for such painful wounds to heal. I remembered similar instances back on Earth, when the deaths of beloved rulers had plunged entire nations into darkness and despair. I didn’t want the same to happen to Visio, but culturally speaking, the Aeternae weren’t all that different from us or humans.
Stopping outside Danika’s study door, I listened for voices coming from inside. A man spoke with a low and gruff tone, followed by the Lady Supreme’s almost melodious responses. It was a conversation, and it involved the Rimians and the Naloreans. Leaning on the wall, I waited for a good opportunity to go inside and get a better view of what was going on.
“Once this is passed on