The Rifts of Psyche by Kyle West (i love reading .txt) 📕

“Can I get my hands unbound at least?” Lucian asked.

All ignored him.

“We’re taking him to the Queen’s stateroom,” Kiani said. “Let’s move!”

The Mage-Knights pushed him along, and Lucian felt sick to his stomach. Within minutes, he could be stripped of his Orb, and much more, his life.

He wondered if these people even knew who he was or what the Queen wanted with him. Not likely. If they knew that, one of them might be stupid enough to try and take the Orb for him or herself.

Kiani led him down a short set of steps into the forecastle. At the bottom, a pair of intricately carved and gilded double doors lay down a short corridor. Two Mage-Knights in violet robes and hoods stood guard outside, bronze shockspears in hand. As Lucian approached, each placed a hand on the handle of each door, opening them in tandem to reveal a luxuriously appointed stateroom filled with rich carpets, tapestries, waxed wooden furniture, and glowing lamps. Lord Kiani nodded him in, while he and his Mage-Knight escort remained outside.

As soon as Lucian passed through the doors, Mage-Lord Kiani right behind him, he noted the pleasing scent of incense. A wide set of windows, set in the ship’s stern, looked onto the rift as well as a tumbling waterfall, through which the sunlight refracted a rainbow.

But all of that was nothing compared to the woman standing at that window, her back faced to him. The Sorceress-Queen of Psyche was a young, beautiful, and petite woman, though Lucian couldn’t see how that was possible. She rose no higher than Lucian’s shoulder, wearing a long-black dress sequined with diamonds and many-colored gems, a dress that left little to the imagination. It seemed his suspicions that she had the appearance of a beautiful young woman were completely true. Her black hair was vibrant, and her creamy skin showed not a single blemish or sign of fraying. An anti-grav brand caused the train of her dress to float behind her several meters, the undulating fabric color-shifting through all the hues of the rainbow. Her hair fell just short of her waist, curling sharply toward the end.

From age alone, Lucian knew this could not be the Sorceress-Queen, unless she somehow had access to longevity treatments here. That was unimaginable, given the limited resources of this world. But the extravagance of her dress and the elegantly appointed cabin begged to differ, as well as her general posture, which was straight, regal, and proud. She stood so still that she might have been a statue, and did not seem to be aware of his presence.

Lucian wasn’t sure what to do, or what to say. He stopped near the door, not wanting to go any closer to the source of his terrors.

Mage-Lord Kiani cleared his throat. “Your Majesty. I bring before you, bound and blocked, Lucian Abrantes.”

He bowed low, as if he were an insect who could not stand her glory.

“Leave us, Mage-Lord,” her voice seemed too deep and powerful for a woman her age. “I thank you.”

Kiani did not seem to doubt the Queen’s safety for a moment. A testament to her power, or a gross oversight?

Lord Kiani slunk away, and the doors closed forebodingly behind. At that sound, the pit that formed in Lucian’s stomach had no bottom. Without his magic, his life could end at any second.

At last, she turned. Lucian’s breath caught at her beauty. She was young, yes, but there was something in her eyes that was much older and wiser. And those eyes . . . they were violet, as in his dreams, though they were no longer glowing. This short, slight woman, whom he could probably throw ten meters, controlled an entire empire. The face was one of angelic innocence, with wide eyes, an aquiline nose, and full lips. But he knew not to underestimate her or be taken in by her appearance, but such a thing was easier said than done.

She being a powerful Psionic, he knew it could all be a trick of the mind to gain advantage. He needed to treat her the same way he would treat any Burner. How he would treat an army of Burners.

She was dangerous. And she most likely wanted his Orb.

“We meet at last,” she said. Her voice was clear, confident, and alluring. “I’ve looked forward to this day for a very long time.” She favored him with a small smile. “And you are handsome in person. That’s . . . good.”

Even if he knew the flattery was designed to disarm him, he felt his cheeks flush and he had to resist the urge to turn his face. He couldn’t play the part of a bashful little boy. And yet, her effect made that reaction seem the most natural. Lucian found himself tongue-tied. The Sorceress-Queen might not even need to use magic to get her way.

“Are you surprised to see me thus?” she asked. “I’m just a woman. A powerful one, to be sure, and beautiful, I’m also told. But like all women of power, I hope to meet someone who is my equal. Someone I can speak to face-to-face without them cowering as if I were a supernova about to consume them.” She gave a small, innocent smile, which did little to soften her. “I believe you might be that man.”

“Supernova would be putting it lightly.”

Lucian wasn’t sure why he’d said that. But she seemed pleased that he had, her smile widening and reaching her violet eyes. It made her seem more . . . human. Was it really her, or was it something calculated to lower his guard?

Lucian reached for his Focus to insulate himself from her effect. His emotions were cloistered, at least for the moment, allowing him to think more clearly. And to his surprise – he could feel his ether. He tried not to betray the shock on his face. If he so wished, he could stream at her and