The celestial palace of Atheris pulsed with tension.
All eyes were on her, Queen Lira, a creature of ruthless beauty and, a being woven from stardust and moonlight who seemed more myth than reality.
Lira lounged lazily on her throne as she stared quietly at her subjects with no warmth on her face, exuding a level of apathy that only made her seem more formidable.
She was devastatingly beautiful, her pale skin catching the light in a way that gave her an otherworldly glow. Waves of silver hair spilled down her back, catching hints of starlight. Her violet eyes held galaxies, fathomless and unbothered, framed by silver lashes that only added to her mystique.
She had seen her subjects grovel before, countless times over the centuries, but this, this was something else. Today they came bearing news that even her icy heart can't ignore: the prophecy.
One of her loyal subjects, a gray-haired Fae Lord named Thalos, spoke, his voice tremulous yet resolute. "Your Majesty, we implore you need to the prophecy and your people are pleading for you to listen to the prophecy. The prophecy said our realm depends on it My Queen."
" Hahahahahaha" Queen Lira laughed loudly sending shivers down her subjects spine.
"My realm depends on a...man? A mere human?" The disdain in her voice was palpable. Her gaze drifted over them, eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Tell me, why should I, who has held this throne without rival, heed whispers about a mortal? A human, no less."
Her subjects and advisors exchanged uneasy glances.
Queen Lira was powerful beyond measure, she is a very dangerous and ruthless woman feared by all. But the prophecy said, her husband, a human, will be the one to amplify her strength and protect Atheris.
Without him, the kingdom would stand vulnerable against encroaching dark forces the hungered for the realm's magic and power. Even Lira's beauty, deadly as it was, couldn't mask the faint uneasethat flickered across her face as they began to recite the prophecy details
Thalos quietly cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "My Queen, it's foretold that your union with a mortal will seal a bond of unparallel power, a protection the kingdom has ever known. Without him, our enemies will find strength to breach our borders and the Fae kingdom might seize to exist. Please consider our request and listen to your people's plea Your Majesty." He said and gave a deep bow.
"Please consider your people's plea Your Majesty." Other advisors and subjects chorused following Thalos lead.
Lira raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "And if I refuse?"
The crowd fell silent. Even her most loyal subjects knew better than to question her will, yet today, fear overpowered loyalty. The prophecy's warning was clear: Without the soulmate, their human king, doom awaits Atheris.
Finally, a bold young Fae warrior met her gaze. He said firmly without a hint of fear,
"Then our realm may fall, Your Majesty. The dark forces sense our vulnerability."
Her gaze held his for a beat longer before she left out a exasperated sigh, as if the notion of a soulmate was beneath her. And it was, she was a queen, the most powerful being in her realm. She didn't need a partner, especially a mortal one. She was certain she could face ay threat and conquer alone.
But somewhere, in the deepest corners of her heart, a spark of curiosity lingered. What if the prophecy held the truth? What if this mortal, whoever he was, possessed a power that could actually.... intrigue her and even protect her kingdom? Amused by her own uncharacteristic thoughts, she tilted her head, considering.
The subjects held their breath collectively.
Finally she spoke, her tone was icy as ever.
"Very well. If it will appease you all, I shall go to the human world. But mark my words, this is not a mission to'find love's or 'fulfill destiny'. I'm merely humoring you and trying to enjoy and amuse myself." She waved a dismissive hand. "Now leave me."
As her court exited, she caught a faint murmur of relief, which only amused her further. If they truly believed a mere mortal can rame her, they were solely mistaken.
When the last advisor had gone, Lira rose, gliding to the large crystal mirror in her chamber. She examined her own reflection, assessing her own beauty with a critical eye, as if seeing herself for the first time. Her silvery hair shimmered, her violet eyes as fierce as her spirit. Beautiful was an understatement, she was unearthly, untouchable. The idea of such a being destined for a mere human was almost laughable.
Yet that curiosity persisted, tickling the edges of her consciousness.
What kind of human could possess a soul powerful enough to draw her, the Queen of Atheris, across realms?