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The Fall of House Deleur
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ALLEI (AUGUST) 28, 1538
Same Day
Chambers of Princess Alikai, Deleur Palace, Planet of Mitra
To pass the time, Princess Alikai forced herself to eat with Prince Taytron from the rich fare brought to them. The food sat in her stomach like a soggy rag, making her queasy. Mostly, they lay on the soft bed talking quietly. Alikai’s eyes filled with tears several times, but she drew strength from her husband and held them back. Then, soldiers loyal to the Deleurs for generations marched into the bedchamber in two unyielding lines, their faces blank masks. At least they waited for Alikai and her husband to gain their feet before arresting them.
“No!” Taytron cried, offering the first resistance when a soldier moved to bind Alikai’s wrists. He moved to throw off the hands at her elbows.
Twin waves of fear and love seized Alikai, nearly making her freeze, but she fought the numbness to grasp her husband’s hands.
“Peace, Taytron. It must be this way.”
Though her heart fluttered, Alikai refused to let her features show the fear. She had been preparing for this day since before she could speak. She could walk the path blind, yet now that it was upon her, every part of her cried out to fight. She ran the last few months over in her mind, desperate to know if she could have done something different. She had not even seen Taytron’s face until after the wedding. When his gentle face appeared from behind the mask instead of the cruel one expected, she had nearly fainted.
Events moved swiftly, yet they seemed slow and blurry, like something seen through murky water. Tight iron bindings pinched her wrists. Her heart ached when they bound Taytron. The soldiers surrounded them and marched them to the throne room, called Deleur Hall for another few hours.
No amount of bracing prepared Alikai for the raw emotions which ambushed her upon stepping through the gilded doors and seeing Deleur Hall packed with soldiers and family members.
Only instinct kept her walking forward. If she fainted, the soldiers would carry her, but dignity was all her family had left. She refused to steal that small treasure from them. Her father’s heart attack may have been merciful to him, but it had placed a heavy burden upon her.
Taytron’s father struggled against three soldiers. They were too far away to hear words, but his protests were clear. Pity for him and anger at being manipulated coursed through her. The captain they had spoken to earlier stood stiffly beside the king.
Hinoli Brek stood next to the throne, tall, proud, and contemptible. His yellow eyes shone bright, and a tight smile locked his lips into an unnatural position.
“If it pleases the Princess, her servant seeks a blessing upon his rule,” Hinoli said.
The oily sound made Alikai bristle, and the anger lent her strength. Few dared to ask the blessings of the former dynasty, a move considered the highest form of insult and the lowest form of conduct.
“I do not please!” Mounting the six steps, Alikai stood in front of the throne and forced herself to stare into Hinoli’s eyes. “Furthermore, I would beseech the Gathering to choose another ruling House or at least another ruler from House Brek.” She glared at each of the Gathering representatives surrounding the dais.
Hinoli’s eyes narrowed.
“As it pleases Her Highness,” he replied stiffly. Turning to the Gathering representatives, his smile turned feral. “I invoke denulan upon House Deleur!”
A hush fell over the crowd.
Alikai’s heart skipped several beats.
Denulan, “Total Death,” would mean no survivors and an end to House Deleur. It hadn’t been invoked for nine thousand years, not since House Kinn had been wiped from Mitra for rebelling against the Blood Harvest.
“What grounds have ye for such a request?” Geroli Rikk demanded.
Alikai silently thanked him. The Rikks and Deleurs had been close for countless years.
Hinoli didn’t answer, proving he had no legitimate grounds for denulan.
“We should get on with the ceremony,” Geroli urged quietly.
Alikai called each of her young cousins up by name and blessed them in the holy language. The bindings made the blessings awkward as she needed to touch each child’s head before speaking. For Dekoli and Reloni, she beseeched the gods for strength of heart. The boys received the blessings with stony faces. For Meriki and Sali, she asked for an extra measure of wisdom. The girls let their tears flow freely. Sali’s smile came close to undoing Alikai’s courage. Once finished, she charged Geroli and his house with their care.
“Fear not, Princess, House Deleur survives this day.” Geroli bowed as he spoke the ceremonial words.
She acknowledged the bow and watched Geroli summon a servant to hustle the children away. Her blood pulsed in her ears and a haze hung around her vision.
Alikai felt herself falling.
Suddenly, strong hands grip her right arm, and she heard Taytron’s voice.
“Release me!” he shouted.
The darkness closed in even more.
“Someone wake her. She must witness the cleansing!” declared a female voice.
“You’ll have your Blood Harvest but let me hold her.” Taytron’s voice vibrated with passion.
Alikai stopped fighting and fell back against Taytron. His arms slipped around her waist. She had no strength to speak but leaned her head back, basking in the safety he offered. Her skin tingled where his hands touched and liquefied energy rushed into her, rallying her senses.
“Emnon mer Deleur,” Alikai said.
Thus ends the reign of House Deleur.
The Blood Harvest began in earnest, and Alikai watched with abject horror as soldiers carried out their duty. Taytron’s hands never left her. They stood together while half-pikes ripped through the screaming crowd. Tears washed down Alikai’s face, but a small measure of peace existed between herself and Taytron.
Suddenly, Hinoli was before her, his sword raised, already crimson. His sadistic smile filled her vision. The sword swung toward her and would have sliced into her arm had it not been intercepted.
“What are you doing?” shouted Geroli.
Alikai knew Geroli would not let this stand. Still, she was almost relieved to be able to die with her family and beloved. Her sole regret was for her unborn child.
