15

It’s A Beautiful Day For Rain

“Perhaps her Majesty forgets the importance of leaving well enough alone?” Said sister Violet to our mother. “This decision would be no less than giving an infant a loaded gun to suckle on at night. And If,”

Mother’s hand rose from the edge of her throne of white gold to halt her daughter’s protest with a warning stare. “Choose… your next words carefully, Violet. Less I see you hanged and fed to the pigs. You should be more like your brother… seen… and not heard.” I stood to the side and slightly behind my upset older sister. And I couldn’t help but recall a law where royals weren’t allowed to kill other royals. Either mother found a loophole or this law wasn’t true. Given the situation, I decided not to bring it up. “Adam, I’m told you asked for Mr. Henry to be placed in a cell to await my return.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Sadly the cell he was placed in has caged and starved a beast for over five hundred years. So it that took his life without a second thought.” The Queen said seeming to be overcome with momentary pain. Something I found odd as Mother had never shown remorse for the death of another. “And yet you wish to now claim responsibility for the creature.”

“Y…yes Ma’am.”

“Are you so lonely that you seek comfort from those who wish to do you harm?” Mother mused. My gaze lowered to the chamber floor, unable to answer. While I had plans for the beast, on some level Mother was right. “As I’ve stated before, Adam is allowed the key to the cell and the beast within it.”

“Thank you, Mother,” I said. Violet searched her pocket before gently placing it in my palm. She gave me a small smile before spinning on her heels and walking away. I noticed she did not give Mother a bow, a sign of disrespect to the Queen. I went on to say, “Mother, might I ask one more thing?”

“Taking advantage of someone’s generosity could leave you with nothing,” Mother warned.

“I’m sorry… While I find it unsettling of her disrespect for you, I ask Her Majesty to please forgive my sister.”

“Hmm… Well, what kind of mother would I be? Now, go play. The ball is in four days and you’ve still no formal clothing. The next time I see you, I want you in something appropriate.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

I stood there for almost a minute until she finally motioned for me to leave, giving her a bow. Would you believe I learned most of my etiquette from my youngest sister Mary? Well, it’s true, because she would take every opportunity to show how much better she is than me, even if we’re doing the same thing! Anyway, I made my way to the dungeon once again, clutching the key in hand.

“Mr. Bark! I take it you weren’t reprimanded in any way?”

“Not at all, young sir,” He said sounding in good spirits. “I suppose it’s thanks to your sister’s chambermaid.”

“I’ll be sure to give her my thanks. I spoke with my mother and I was given a key… to the cell of the cat burglar.” I said triumphantly. However, the look on his face was a mix of concerning emotions. “I understand, Mr. Bark… Your eyes are that of my sister’s. I would like you to accompany me… however, I only ask that you stay out of sight so as not to interfere.”

“Of course, young sir. Right this way.”

He opened the entrance and down we went. I held the key tightly in my fist before deciding to put it in my pocket for the time being. It was the first cell to my left. At least it was supposed to be as all I saw was a large sheet covering the cage.

“Ms. Cat Burglar?” I called softly, “Are you in there?”

I stepped closer, about to pull the cover but I stopped when I noticed blood slowly flowing from underneath. Soft purring reached my ears, causing me to turn to the other cell behind me. There she sat on the floor, leaning her back uncomfortably against the wall as her head hung down over her chest. Most of her fur was matted in crimson. I said nothing as her eyes merely glanced at me before falling to the dirt-covered floor. The long silence finally broke as she started speaking.

“The taste… isn’t what I… remembered it to be.” Her words were like a whisper as she went on. “I’ve had many dreams… about it… Enjoying the pleasure… milking every last drop… separating each limb… each organ… to be displayed on a table. As Queen, I’d allow them all to watch me… I’d eat my fill, and enjoy the looks on their faces while I take the first bite. Then… then I would have my way with every male there who had never been with a woman. And then I’d fight my friend… and burn down another human city. It was glorious… until I looked around… to see I was still in my cage.” She stopped speaking for a little while longer, though I said nothing. Continuing to stand there, watching and listening while Mr. Bark stood off to the side out of view. “And then something new happened… My cage opened and in came a man who was scared out of his mind. While I was excited… hungry… starving. I suppose he knew me… even tried to bribe me… The Queen would reward me, he said… as long as you don’t eat me. I assume that’s what he said… I was far too busy having my way with him to care. It was no different from any other dream. I close my eyes… dream… wake up. Close my eyes… dream… wake up, again… and again.”

She whispered as she closed her eyes. I waited there for a bit longer before finally fetching the key from my pocket and opening her cell. Still, her eyes remained closed as I walked in coming to a stop at her feet. Up close she appeared to be half Alais’s height, but she smelled worse than her. Reaching down, I placed my palms on her shoulders, causing her to flinch and shiver at my touch. My hands slid down her shoulders, down her forearms, combing through her blood-slicked fur until I took hold of her paw-like hands. With a small tug, I pulled her to her feet and began to walk backward. I kept my focus on her, she didn’t seem to wanna open her eyes. Each step felt heavy as she resisted every one of them. We stopped for a moment when I felt her body start to tremble and her claws digging into my skin drawing blood. While my heart raised, my composure never wavered even if the voice in the back of my head said I was making a mistake. I started to move once again, slowly up the stairs and through the palace. Surly mother would be upset about the blood on the floor. The remains of Mr. Henry and my own few drops of blood. I guided her outside where the warm rays of the sun began to shower away the dungeon’s cold as we made our way into the royal garden. We stopped in the middle of a flower bed and thick walls of tulips. My hand slowly started to pull away before her claws lashed out and dug into my arm.

“No! Don’t… I’ll kill you where you…” Tears started to fall down her bloodied cheeks. “I’ll kill you where you stand. And… I’ll wake up… And I’ll wake up.”

Pain shot through my arm as I bled on the flowers at our feet. Still, I said nothing, only watching her teary eyes slowly open. I fought the fear and sadness building in my chest, bottling it all with a smile on my face even as she broke down crying her heart out right before me. I’ve no shame in admitting that I wanted to cry with her. While my eyes were a tad teary, just like I told Alais, I refused to cry in front of her. I might not know what the punishment should be for destroying the lives of so many… but five hundred years alone in a cage was more than enough if you ask me.